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Invasive mussel confirmed in Utahs Electric Lake
Southern Ledger - November 21, 2008
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Microsoft lets Zune music subscribers keep tunes
Southern Ledger - November 21, 2008
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Astronauts end spacewalk to repair gummed-up joint
Southern Ledger - November 21, 2008
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Dubai parties at hotel gala despite economic gloom
Southern Ledger - November 21, 2008
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Warsaw marks borders of former ghetto
Southern Ledger - November 21, 2008
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Pakistan protests to US over deep missile strike
Southern Ledger - November 21, 2008
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Afghanistan markets its brand of pomegranates
Southern Ledger - November 21, 2008
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China says 19,000 students died in May earthquake
Southern Ledger - November 21, 2008
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Dems delay auto bailout vote, seek plan from Big 3
Southern Ledger - November 21, 2008
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LASTING IMPRESSIONS.
January 20, 2008 -
January 27, 2008
When Fred Thompson first opened the door to a potential race for President last March he generated unbridled enthusiasm from many conservatives throughout the country. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani was sitting on a significant lead in most national polls and the media was anointing him as the Republican nominee. Possessing a gruff, no-nonsense style, movie star celebrity and solid conservative credentials, Thompson was seen as perhaps the only one who could stop Rudy from winning.
Conservatives anxiously awaited Thompson’s entry onto the presidential stage. And waited. And waited some more. Critics claimed he lacked the “fire in the belly” needed to wage a successful nationwide campaign. Opponents said he was “lazy” and that it was too late to form a winning campaign operation. His supporters responded, “Just wait; Fred will show them!” And so they waited. And waited.
After several campaign kick-off dates came and went, Thompson finally emerged to announce his entry into the presidential race on the Jay Leno Show in Hollywood. Then, he campaigned at a few events before disappearing back stage again.
Instead of working to disprove the impression that Thompson lacked the desire or passion to become President, the Thompson campaign seemed intent on proving that he was “strolling” rather than “running” for the job. That impression was fostered by his opponents and driven home by the media…and it stuck to Thompson like Super Glue.
Over the past month Thompson finally kicked it into gear and ran an energized and effective campaign in Iowa and South Carolina. In politics, the lack of money is usually the “kiss of death,” but for Thompson it provided an ironic “breath of life.” Lack of financial resources forced Thompson to get on a campaign bus and actually engage in the grassroots, personal campaigning that marked his successful 1994 bid for the U.S. Senate in Tennessee. In both states he went from asterisk to contender in the polls as voters finally saw the candidate they had waited so longingly for throughout the summer. Unfortunately, it proved to be too little too late.
In politics and sports fans love the second-string quarterback; the guy on the sideline who holds so much promise. In both arenas the challenge is making the transition from sideline to game action without fumbling, throwing an interception, or being ineffective. Thompson’s early stumbles on the campaign trail got him benched in the minds of voters before he could ever get his “game legs.” By the time Thompson finally got his act together a third-string quarterback from Arkansas named Mike Huckabee had led his team to a couple of big wins relying on the same fan base of conservatives, Evangelicals and southerners that Thompson was counting upon.
Huckabee has masterfully played himself into the final rounds of the playoffs. Meanwhile, Thompson and his team are left to ponder the “what ifs” and “might haves” as they come to grips with how quickly first impressions become lasting impressions..
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OVER?!?! IT HAS ONLY JUST STARTED! -
January 10, 2008 -
January 7, 2008
“Over'? Did you say 'over'? Nothing is over until we decide it is!” – Bluto Blutarsky, “Animal House”
With the Iowa Caucuses and the New Hampshire Primary now in the rear-view mirror most of the political experts in the mainstream media have given the impression that the Republican and Democratic Primary races are in their final moments. Really? A quick glance at the meager number of delegates to the respective party conventions that have been awarded, and the huge number that remain ou... |
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FRED SKATES AHEAD ON THIN ICE -
January 6, 2008 -
January 13, 2008
Although Fred Thompson emerged from Iowa with a third place finish he is not getting the sort of media bump that a third place spot usually generates. The reason is two-fold.
First, major media attention has rightfully been focused on the huge Barack Obama win, and Hillary Clinton third place finish, in Iowa.
Hillary Clinton has long relied upon a sense of inevitability as a strong foundation for support. Now that she is no longer able to portray herself as "unbeatable" she must f... |
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THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, LEGALLY SPEAKING. -
December 23, 2007 -
December 29, 2007
Whereas, on or about the night prior to Christmas, there did occur at a certain improved piece of real property (hereinafter "the House") a general lack of stirring by all creatures therein, including, but not limited to, a mouse.
A variety of foot apparel, e.g., stocking, socks, etc., had been affixed by and around the chimney in said House in the hope and/or belief that St. Nick a.k.a. St. Nicholas a.k.a. Santa Claus (hereinafter "Claus")would arrive at sometime thereafter.
T... |
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HUGE TAX INCREASE LOOMS FOR TENNESSEE TAXPAYERS. -
December 16, 2007 -
December 23, 2007
Some people say “there’s not a dimes worth of difference between Republicans and Democrats.” They are right, because for Tennessee taxpayers the difference is actually over $1.5 BILLION DOLLARS!
In 2004, thanks to the efforts of Republican Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, taxpayers in Tennessee were put on equal footing with taxpayers in states that rely on a state income tax to fund their state’s operations. But the deductibility of state and local... |
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THE O-ZONE BLANKETS THE NATION. -
December 8, 2007 -
December 15, 2007
Seeking to build upon his growing momentum in Iowa and beyond, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama played his trump card with perfect timing: Oprah Winfrey. A series of “Oprahpalooza” campaign events over the weekend drew huge crowds in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. Obama now hopes to translate the buzz and enthusiasm over Oprah into votes for him in those critical early caucus and primary states.
The public response to the appearance of the daytime diva on the cam... |
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