Hell, it's McCain....

"More than 16,000 of you participated in our online poll, and a clear winner emerged: Barack Obama, with more than 69% of the total votes. John Edwards edged out Hillary Clinton by a narrow margin, and after Edwards left the race, a majority of his supporters indicated in a follow up poll that they would move to support Obama.

You can see the full results of our online poll, along with breakdowns by race, age, and other factors, as well as comments from members about the candidates, here:

Link...

ColorOfChange.org has a very diverse membership, perhaps the most diverse of any online advocacy organization. The poll gives an interesting picture of the differences in how we view the candidates, as well as how we see them similarly. With 86% of Black members choosing Obama, the results also say something about how politically-engaged Black folks see the Presidential race. In particular, they indicate that Black America is on a different page than many of our elected Black officials who have split their endorsements."

Updating our previous post about the Feb. 5th election certification, here's more from Brook Thompson, Tennessee Coordinator of Elections:

I also want to stress that the certification of the election has been extended. I know that many of you are accustomed to certifying the election within a week of the election. However, because we must wait until February 15, 2008, to see if any timely postmarked ballot comes from an overseas voter, there cannot be a complete counting of the ballots, and therefore, there cannot be an accurate certification of election results before February 19, 2008.

Knox County Administrator of Elections Greg Mackay says they have narrowed it down to only 98 ballots affected county-wide.

UPDATE: WATE

Mackay says the absentee ballots were late because Republican delegates didn't get their petitions in on time. Apparently, those were also sent out late.

Mackay says this could impact Knox County races, depending on how close they are.

I'm told that the New York Times will run an article on Monday about Knox County Government, and it may feature some of the shenanigans from the most recent County Commission meeting.

Bonus, Hallerin Hilton Hill will have the New York Times report on his WNOX show on Monday to discuss the article. From what I've been told, it should be interesting.

WBIR.COM: Poll shows high voter interest, many undecided

A 10News political poll released Thursday shows record voter interest in this Tuesday's primary, but many voters cannot name a specific candidate.

[..]

The mid-January poll suggests Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale's job approval up from a similar survey last fall.

In other interesting findings, 68% disapproved of Knox County Commission's performance and 83% disapprove of Scoobie Moore's job performance. Oh my!

The full survey has some interesting questions and even more interesting results, such as most people polled prefer metro government, even if it raises taxes.

Also, most are aware of all the controversies and lawsuits and outcomes, so it would seem that people are paying attention and the media is doing a pretty good job keeping them informed.

By way of Katie at Knoxville Talks.

This shows, both that my wife has a far better imagination than I do and that she buys much better Xmas gifts. I got her an appliance. (a durn good one mind you) She got me a license plate. Took a while to get but I put it on my truck today. The real shocker is that in Louisiana there is already someone wth the plate "TROLL" Go figure.

News Director Matt Shafer Powell at WUOT advises that their radio show on local political hangouts will air Tuesday, Feb. 5th at 6:50AM, 8:50AM and 4:50PM on WUOT 91.9 FM.

The News Sentinel reports that statewide early voting turnout is a new record, and Knox County had the highest early voter turnout in the state. And that's in total numbers, not percentage. More than either Shelby or Davidson County. The turnout is attributed to intense interest in controversial local races.

Via Tennessee Guerilla Women:

Sen. Obama is sending this misleading (lying) anti universal health care piece of mail out to voters around the country. Those of us who lived through the health insurance industry's war against Hillary Clinton's 1990s universal health care plan have been here before.

Obama having trouble with his campaign?

That's it. If you were wondering who would get the bump from the leading Netroots organizations, now you have it.

MoveOn and Progressive Democrats of America have lined up behind the only semblance of a liberal candidate we have left.

It's on now.

LINK

At TennViews...

but we would have to build 8003 more bridges to make No. 1.

The Federal Highway Administration* has allowed states to take advantage of a loophole in federal regulations, delaying bridge inspections to every four years instead of the two years normally required. While most states don't use this loophole, calling it unsafe, others drive a truck through it.

MSNBC posted the results of a nationwide survey that found Tennessee among the top states for bridge inspections.

Channel 10 reported today that we were one of only four states with a perfect inspection record, that is every bridge gets inspected every two years.

According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, Diane Jordan voted in the Republican primary, allegedly to help out JJ Jones who is running for Sheriff. Except, he's running unopposed in the primary, so how does that help?

The article also says she helped 5 other people vote in the Republican primary because they were having trouble with the machines or were "afraid" of them. She says she checked with the election commission to make sure it was OK.

The article does not say if lobster was served.

The parade will begin in Market Square and end at the future site of the city's new downtown dog park on the southeastern corner of Summit Hill Drive and Central Avenue.

Registrants will receive a doggie goody bag and a royal court will be selected for the best dressed. Grooming and vaccination stations will be on site, as well as food vendors (including gourmet dog treats). Participants may purchase Mardi Growl Parade dog shirts or photos of their favorite pets in front of a Mardi Growl background.

Registration is $8. As required by law, all dogs must be leashed and owners are required to clean up any dog waste.

The breakdown at the UT early voting location, which was open during the last three days of early voting, shows a breakdown of 71% Democratic (851 votes), and 29% Republican (356 votes).

Not sure how the turnout compares historically, but it's certainly an overwhelming youth (presumably) vote for Democrats. Wonder how many were for Obama? I'd guess about 80%.

...has been dialed up in Tennessee. Just in time for Tuesday's primary!

Record turnout.

We see Pam Reeves & Greg MacKay in the news all the time.

Granted both do a great job.

But the folks that really make early vote go so smoothly are the officers & the workers that do the real work that make your vote count.

Again & again they do a bang up job.

Thanks

In last night's debate, Obama decided that Clinton's vote on Iraq would be the defining issue to highlight the differences between the candidates. He went on the attack. Wolf Blitzer encouraged it and tried to bait Hillary into saying something stupid. It didn't work.

But here's what I find interesting about Obama's argument. He emphasized that the authorization passed by Congress said "use of military force in Iraq" right there in the title. Everybody understood what it was. He said Clinton may have experience on day one, but that it's more important to be right on day one. He questioned her judgement and put her on the defensive about her position, which is basically that Congress was lied to.

But yes, Clinton did vote for the resolution, along with 28 other Democratic senators -- the majority of the Senate Democratic Caucus. One of them was John Kerry. Here's what Obama said at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in his keynote speech endorsing John Kerry as the Democratic nominee for president:

Obama: And John Kerry believes that in a dangerous world war must be an option sometimes, but it should never be the first option.

[..]

When we send our young men and women into harm’s way, we have a solemn obligation not to fudge the numbers or shade the truth about why they're going, to care for their families while they're gone, to tend to the soldiers upon their return, and to never ever go to war without enough troops to win the war, secure the peace, and earn the respect of the world.

So, which is it Senator Obama? Being deceived by fudged numbers and shaded truth, or bad judgement? He can't have it both ways. Why has he changed his position? Why did he support Kerry and excuse his vote for the war, and attack Clinton for hers? Is Obama saying Kerry's judgement was sound but Clinton's wasn't? Why? Because she's a woman? Because her name is Clinton?

In 2004, Democrats were accused of being weak on terrorism and national security. Creeps like Rush Limbaugh and Dick Cheney called them traitors. Democrats talked tough to push back and to reassure the American people. Obama went along for the ride. Four years later, the "war on terror" is a catastrophic failure, and both Democrats and Republicans are trying to distance themselves. Now Obama is on board for that, too, and criticizing people who actually had to make tough decisions on the record -- a record that he does not have. Obama should worry less about striking the right pose for whatever media spotlight is on him at the moment and more about being consistent, especially when he's going to attack fellow Democrats for tough decisions he has never had to make.

Many communities encourage pet owners to bring their dogs to outdoor cafes. And remember our City Mayor IS on the record as saying he wants to make Knoxville "the dog friendliest city in the country." If you love dogs support this legislation. These details were sent by Jennie Huetal at the dog site

Link...

Bill summary -

Municipal Government - Authorizes municipalities having a population of at least 100,000 to establish an ordinance and permitting process that would enable restaurants to allow admittance of patron companion dogs into designated outdoor dining areas. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 18 and Title 6, Chapter 54.

I received this in the mail and thought it clarified some points people in the gay community have been asking about Obama and Hillary and their positions. It could be biased as I received it from the Obama camp, but the facts do seem relevant.

Arts & Culture Alliance to Host The Scholastic Art Awards of East Tennessee.

2007 Gold Key winner: Assemblage Dog (sculpture) by Katy Williams

Thanks to presenting sponsor, the First Tennessee Foundation, the general public is invited to view The Scholastic Art Awards of 2008 Exhibition beginning with an opening reception on Friday, February 1, from 5-9pm, as part of First Friday activities downtown. The exhibition of regional student artwork (grades 7-12) continues through February 29 in the Emporium Center Gallery, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville. To see other Gold Key Award winners go to the Emporium page on Art Museum Touring.com (Link...).

Sherrie

(Brian Paone was kind enough to share the link below to 51 campaign finance disclosures he's posted at Political Knoxville, but it was buried in the conversation on the thread for 6th District disclosures. This deserves a spot of acclaim! Thanks, Brian!)

51 Campaign Finance Disclosures available free of charge!
Submitted by B. Paone (not verified) on Fri, 2008/02/01 - 12:48am.

Sorry - I forgot what my login was for this joint. Forgive the unverified name!

Anyway, Political Knoxville has posted 51 campaign finance disclosure forms for this year's primary, as well as four bonus CFDs of interest: County Mayor Mike Ragsdale, Cindy Buttry, Billy Tindell, and the Public Trust PAC.

Link...

The remainder are in-house and just need to be scanned. They should be available Friday evening or Saturday afternoon at the latest.

I'll post this comment in one more place and call it a night. Happy reading! :)