Republican News

“When political leaders let us down, Secretary of State Trey Grayson stood up”

Democrats say that last week's election showed that Kentucky has moved across the political color-wheel to become a so-called 'blue state.'

No, Republicans responded. Voters may have chosen to replace an unpopular GOP governor, but the other results point to the Bluegrass state remaining a hue of bright red, many said.

So which is it?

Well, for now, Kentucky might have to see what goes with the color purple.

The 2008 elections -- in which the presidency, a key U.S. Senate seat and state legislative spots are on the ballot -- might do more toward determining Kentucky's political identity than Tuesday's state office elections. Read more

Virginia Democrats have nominated war veteran and Bronze Star recipient Philip Forgit to vie for the vacant seat in Congress created by the death last month of Representative Jo Ann Davis. via WJLA-TV Arlington

“He is a private citizen. This is a private matter”

Former U.S. Rep. John Sweeney was charged with driving while intoxicated after being pulled over early Sunday morning, police said. via Daily Freeman

“The war and Iraq has divided America, but none of us is divided in our appreciation and our love and affection for those men and women in the military who are serving the cause of freedom”

Republican John McCain found himself on the giving and receiving ends of the tributes Sunday during a ceremony at the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery.

The Arizona senator and presidential hopeful joined state officials and several hundred people on a cold, sunny morning for a Veterans Day ceremony, and was repeatedly thanked for his service during the years he spent as a Vietnam prisoner of war.

McCain in turn paid tribute to military members serving in Iraq and thanked those at home for supporting the troops regardless of how they may feel about the war. Read more

“But I'd like to say, just because it is excessive doesn't necessarily mean it's wrong.”

An Atlanta megachurch took in $69 million in 2006, according to a financial statement the church's minister released in response to a Senate investigation into him and five other well-known televangelists.

The Rev. Creflo Dollar disclosed the World Changers Church International's financial information to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, but said the money he spends is his own.

Dollar said his income comes from personal investments, including businesses and real estate ventures. But the church gave him a Rolls Royce, which he mainly uses for special occasions, he said. Read more

A man who police said attempted to run over an emergency responder while drunk has political ties. via TheKSBWChannel

“That has us concerned for the public safety, and we want to make sure that this situation is taken care of as quickly as possible”

Both U.S. senators and a congressman from Florida have asked the Army Corps of Engineers to expand its search of a former World War II bombing range after several explosives were discovered at and near the site in recent months.

Sens. Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez and Rep. Ric Keller sent a letter to the Army on Friday asking it to expand a current search of the old Pinecastle Jeep Range southeast of Orlando after a 23-pound bomb was found in a neighborhood the Corps had declared free of bombs. Read more

“That is the explanation on why terrorists want to come here and kill us”

Paul spoke to a friendly, capacity crowd of about 500 students yesterday afternoon, attendance no doubt bolstered by the chance to miss class. via UnionLeader.com

“He thinks it's too important not to run for the Senate”

Democratic Rep. Tom Udall who will run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Pete Domenici, an aide to the congressman said Saturday.

'He's definitely running,' Tom Nagle, Udall's chief of staff, told The Associated Press.

Udall will formally announce his decision in New Mexico during Congress's Thanksgiving recess, Nagle said.

Udall's decision to run means all three of New Mexico's current members of congress are running for Domenici's seat. Rep. Heather Wilson and Rep. Steve Pearce have said they would vie to be the Republican Party candidate for Senate. Read more

“A lot of people are being exposed to data that are misleading. Graduation rates look higher than they really are in a lot of cases”

WASHINGTON - If Congress doesn't get the job done, Education Secretary Margaret Spellings says she'll consider using her authority to require states to report high school graduation rates in a more uniform and ... via KSTP-TV Minneapolis

Facing growing pressure from his own party, Gov. Eliot Spitzer indicated he had not ruled out rescinding a heavily criticized plan to issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, according to published reports.

Spitzer's proposal has generated a politically charged debate that has reverberated in the presidential campaign. He said Friday he was standing by the plan for now, but he suggested he might consider backing off if he could not build enthusiasm for it, the reports said.

'I don't think there's ever been an executive, a president, a governor who hasn't put out ideas that at the end of the day there isn't support, and so things don't work out,' the governor told reporters after meeting with Hispanic lawmakers in San Juan, Puerto Rico. 'But as of now, sure, I think this is the right idea from a security perspective. We'll wait and see.' Read more

“If anyone considering an outside expenditure thinks they are benefiting me, I would prefer they do not air the ads. If there are ads up, I believe they should come down.”

Republican John McCain, climbing in polls but lagging in money, is negotiating a $3 million loan while some of his backers launch an independent advertising effort seemingly at odds with his years of fighting outside influence in campaigns.

The ad campaign, financed by contributions from undisclosed donors, drew a prompt rebuke from McCain.

'I condemn them,' he told The Associated Press on Friday. 'They are a violation of everything I believe in.'

Steps under way inside and outside McCain's campaign indicate a degree of urgency as the first nominating contests draw near and as he shows signs of resurgence after a dismal spring and summer. Read more

“But when we got the helicopter into the desert, we realized it was a problem.”

The Army is spending $2.6 billion on hundreds of European-designed helicopters for homeland security and disaster relief that turn out to have a crucial flaw: They aren't safe to fly on hot days, according to an internal report obtained by The Associated Press.

While the Army scrambles to fix the problem _ adding millions to the taxpayer cost _ at least one high-ranking lawmaker is calling for the whole deal to be scrapped.

During flight tests in Southern California in mild, 80-degree weather, cockpit temperatures in the UH-72A Lakota soared above 104, the point at which the Army says the communication, navigation and flight control systems can overheat and shut down. Read more

“Raising revenues takes political courage”

By JIM ABRAMS WASHINGTON - House Democrats on Friday pushed through an $80 billion bill to block the spread of a dreaded tax on middle-income people. via Sioux City Journal

“Although I had intended to run in 2008 and was planning a strong campaign, developments which occurred earlier this year regarding my health have prompted me to make this decision”

Rep. Jim Saxton said today he's retiring due to health problems. The Mount Holly Republican said in a statement he will complete his current term, which ends in January 2009. via Asbury Park Press Online

“I think every one of the programs has a direct benefit for the population, whether it's food security or energy”

Buried in a massive farm bill moving through the Senate is money for handmade cheese, repairs to historic barns and programs for stressed-out farmers _ spending that critics say is wasteful.

For that and other reasons the $286 billion bill has been excoriated as too expensive by conservatives, taxpayer advocates and the Bush administration, which is threatening to veto it.

Still, the five-year legislation remains politically popular in Congress, where lawmakers see ample opportunity to include policies and projects that help their states as they head toward an election year. And those who object to the bill's large tab often end up supporting it for fear of opposing programs popular with their voters. Read more

President Bush today greeted astronauts back home in Houston from a space mission -- and set about helping a Senate Republican rally raise money for re-election. Bush attended a brunch at the manicured mansion ... via KXXV-TV Waco

“Veterans who seek help face a Walter Reed-like nightmare _ a system that is crumbling and failing to serve them when they need it most”

The Labor Department sought to defend its record Thursday of providing help to reservists who are denied their old civilian jobs when they come back from war.

Lawmakers said the system is broken; one senator called the procedures for veterans seeking help a confusing 'Walter Reed-like nightmare.'

Charles Ciccolella, the department's assistant secretary for veterans' employment and training, acknowledged that officials could do a better job protecting the legal rights of troops who take leave from work to fight for their country. Read more

“Severe interrogations are sometimes part of doing that”

A former interrogation instructor for the Navy said the words Thursday that congressional Democrats wanted to hear from Attorney General-designate Michael Mukasey: "Waterboarding is torture, period." ... via Lompoc Record

“Almost every president opposes this type of bill”

President Bush suffered the first veto override of his seven-year-old presidency Thursday as the Senate enacted a $23 billion water resources bill despite his protest that it was too expensive. via KOTV Tulsa