Freddie Stubbs
Freddie Stubbs's JournalGDP report: Growth even weaker than feared
The U.S. economy was weaker than previously thought in the third quarter, according to a government report, although economists are expecting stronger growth in the final three months of the year.
Gross domestic product, the broadest measure of the nation's economic health, grew at a 1.8% annual rate in the quarter. That's down from the previous estimate of 2% growth.
Growth less than 2% is considered so weak that it can essentially feel like a recession, leaving consumers and businesses worried about spending and the economy at risk of actually falling into a new downturn should there be a financial shock, like the European debt crisis.
Typically growth of 3% is considered enough to prompt hiring by employers that would significantly lower the nation's persistently high unemployment rate.
more: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/gdp-report-growth-even-weaker-135000882.html
Redistricting Vote: Who Crossed Party Lines and Why
By Keegan Gibson, Managing Editor
The Republican-drawn congressional map passed the Pa. House Tuesday by a surprisingly wide margin of 131 to 61. 40 percent of the Democratic caucus voted in its favor.
36 Democrats – not just from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh – voted for the plan, while 8 Republicans – mostly from the Lancaster County and the Lehigh Valley – voted no. The 2 to 1 margin in favor bodes poorly for potential efforts to challenge the map in court.
Here’s a breakdown of the State Reps who voted against their party on SB 1249.
more: http://www.politicspa.com/redistricting-vote-who-crossed-party-lines-and-why/30258/
CNN Poll: President's approval nearing 50%
Washington (CNN) - President Barack Obama's approval rating, a crucial indicator of his reelection chances, is on the rise, according to a new national survey.
A CNN/ORC International Poll out Tuesday also indicates that the partisan battle over extending the payroll tax cut may be partially responsible for the jump in the president's numbers.
According to the survey, 49% of Americans approve of the job Obama's doing in the White House, up five points from last month, with 48% saying they disapprove, down six points from mid-November. The 49% approval rating is the president's highest since May, when his number hit 54% thanks to a bounce following the killing of Osama bin Laden. Since then, in CNN polling, Obama's approval rating has hovered in the mid-40s.
"President Barack Obama's approval rating appears to be fueled by dramatic gains among middle-income Americans," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "The data suggest that the debate over the payroll tax is helping Obama's efforts to portray himself as the defender of the middle class."
more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/20/cnn-poll-presidents-approval-nearing-50/
Hold your horses! This doesn't mean the the Keystone Pipeline if going to be built
All this new law would do is require President Obama to MAKE A DECISION on the pipeline. So it is entirely possible that he will simply nix the project.
Gary Busey withdraws Gingrich endorsement
Actor Gary Busey is withdrawing his endorsement of Newt Gingrich for president.
“It is not time for me to be endorsing anyone at this time! When there are the two final candidates, then I will endorse,” Busey said Wednesday in a statement released through his representative.
Busey endorsed the former Speaker’s presidential campaign Saturday in an exclusive interview with The Hill.
“I’ve never met Newt but I know what he stands for,” Busey said.
more: http://thehill.com/capital-living/in-the-know/199375-gary-busey-withdraws-gingrich-endorsement
Blue Dogs Endorse Slate of Candidates
The Blue Dog Coalition endorsed a slate of five Democratic Congressional challengers today.
The coalition, which has faced a spate of retirements in recent months, backed state Rep. Leonard Bembry in Florida’s 2nd district, state Rep. Clark Hall in Arkansas’ 1st district, Army veteran Brendan Mullen in Indiana’s 2nd district, state Rep. Ted Vick in South Carolina’s 7th district and former U.S. Attorney Rob Wallace in Oklahoma’s 2nd district.
“The American people are tired of the gridlock in Washington that has been created by the extremes of the right and left,” Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif.), the co-chairman of the Blue Dog PAC, said in a statement. “They want mature leadership capable of solving problems. That’s who the Blue Dogs are, and that’s why these candidates actively sought our endorsement. They know what the Blue Dog brand represents and wanted to share in it.”
In September, the PAC hired Andrew Whalen, a former top aide to Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), to expand its political operation.
more: http://www.rollcall.com/news/Blue_Dog_Coalition_Endorses_Candidates-211043-1.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Radar Online: Disgraced John Edwards Asks Mistress Rielle Hunter To Move In With Him
Just one year after his wife Elizabeth Edwards passed away following a difficult battle with cancer, John Edwards has asked his mistress Rielle Hunter to move into his home The National Enquirer has exclusively reported.
“Rielle is considering the move,” a source close to Hunter, 47, revealed. Edwards lives with his children Emma Claire, 13, and Jack, 11 -- his older daughter Cate, 29, who married over the summer lives nearby.
“She wants what’s best for their daughter Quinn and John’s other young children. If all of them living under one roof will help the kids, it’s something Rielle will do.”
The disgraced ex-senator, who was once a presidential candidate, has asked the blonde divorcee to move into the palatial North Carolina home he shared with Elizabeth and their children. Their illicit affair and her pregnancy during the 2008 presidential campaign were exposed in a series of blockbuster ENQUIRER exclusives, forcing the womanizing politician to finally admit paternity.
more: http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2011/12/john-edwards-asks-mistress-rielle-hunter-move-together
Leak blamed for canceled Occupy-Dem confab
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- The U.S. Congressional Progressive Caucus axed a meeting with Occupy activists, a move observers say shows growing tension between Democrats and the movement.
The meeting withe Occupy Wall Street leaders was canceled late Tuesday after Roll Call said it asked about it.
Democrats may be adopting the Occupy movement's language, but they have been backing away from the protesters and their anti-capitalist chants, with some in the party considering the activists a potential liability in next year's elections, observers said in a Roll Call article published Wednesday.
"Democrats should reject Occupy Wall Street as the spokesmen for the 99 percent," said Kelly Bingel, who was a former chief of staff to Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., and now involved in government affairs. "The chance of those guys going out and voting or encouraging anyone else to vote is very low."
more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/12/14/Leak-blamed-for-canceled-Occupy-Dem-confab/UPI-81411323874600/?spt=hs&or=tn
New Haven Asks State to Allow Non-Citizens to Vote
New Haven Mayor John DeStefano plans to ask the state Legislature to allow illegal immigrants who live in the city to be able vote in municipal elections.
DeStefano said on Tuesday that the proposal would build a more engaged community and follows the lead of other cities, the New Haven Register reports.
The Register reports that 10,000 to 12,000 undocumented residents are believed to live in New Haven.
Immigrants who are in the U.S. legally or illegally and cannot vote now would still be unable to vote in state or federal elections.
more: http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/New-Haven-Asks-State-to-Allow-Non-Citizens-to-Vote--135569598.html
Latvala: Time to commit to funding education
After several years of steep cuts to the state budget, including education spending, Sen. Jack Latvala said Tuesday the time is ripe for the state to look at raising new revenue, including closing a loophole on Internet sales taxes.
"I'm in the business world. I've been in the business world a long time. And I've never seen a business yet that survived and prospered by cutting," Latvala said at a legislative delegation breakfast organized by the Pinellas County School Board. "You have to plan for the future and you have to pay for the things you need to do.
"And I think our real challenge in Tallahassee this year is going to be whether we cut some more, or whether we finally say, 'It's enough, we got to find some ways to enhance the budget so we don't have to keep doing that.' "
Latvala, known for his maverick streak, also suggested it might be time for fellow Republicans to buck legislative leadership and do what's best for their local communities.
more: http://www.tampabay.com/news/latvala-time-to-commit-to-funding-education/1206181
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