RIP John McCain the Maverick

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I could have just as easily drawn a tombstone for John McCain, the Maverick, the Straight-Talker.

This is all that needs to be said:

October 26, 2005:

McCain fights exception to torture ban

"I don't see how you could possibly agree to legitimizing an agent of the government engaging in torture. No amendment at all would be better than that."

February 14, 2008:

McCain Votes Against Torture Ban

"The conference report would go beyond any of the recent laws that I just mentioned –- laws that were extensively debated and considered –- by bringing the CIA under the Army Field Manual, extinguishing thereby the ability of that agency to employ any interrogation technique beyond those publicly listed and formulated for military use."

Main: Whoops, Baldacci Did It Again

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Man, it's tough to be John Baldacci these days. A while back, Maine uncovered a $95 million dollar budget shortfall. I did the following cartoon back then:

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Now we come to learn from the Boston Globe that Appropriations Committee leaders are asking other committees to recommend ways to reduce spending by $99 million more than the cutbacks already put forth by Baldacci to close a $95 million revenue gap.

Ouch.

Vermont: McCain Went Barnstorming

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John McCain "campaigned" in Vermont yesterday, although I don't know if you can call a brief speech in a hangar at Burlington International Airport that.

Seems more like barnstorming to me, although Mike Huckabee can't really complain about it. Maybe the Huckster will find some time to visit the Green Mountain State and show off his new tan from a weekend in the Cayman Island's sun.

McCain gets warm welcome at So. Burlington rally
Rutland Herald

Huckabee to Speak in Cayman Islands
Huffington Post

New Jersey: They're Gunning For Corzine

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What's Jon Corzine running from now? Better head over to PolitickerNJ.com to find out!

Mark Fiore Animated Editorial Cartoon Video

Just noticed this video, so I thought I'd post it. It's a bit of behind-the-scenes with Mark Fiore, the former editorial cartoonist of the San Jose Mercury News, and now full-time animator and animated editorial cartoonist extraordinaire.

You can check out his website and animated shorts here.

Obama Stomps Hillary

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After Barack Obama's crushing wins last night in Maryland, Virgina and Washington D.C., Hillary Clinton is forced on a path to the Democratic nomination that is remarkably similar to the one that failed for Republican Rudy Giuliani.

And Giuliani wasn't facing a near-juggernaut opponent like Hillary is in Barack.

From The Politico's Mike Allen's Playbook:

"Mounting evidence suggests that if he successfully navigates the delegate dogfight ahead, Senator Obama would be a formidable, and potentially unstoppable, general-election candidate, with a visceral attraction for his base, a polar pull for independents, and a mystical fascination for a surprising swath of Republicans.

Why Is Clinton’s Back Against Wall? Nobody Prepared
New York Observer

Bill Clinton Campaign Chief Backs Obama
Huffington Post

New Jersey: Kate Whitman is Her Own Woman!

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For those of you who don’t know, Kate Whitman, daughter of former Governor and Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Christie Todd Whitman, is running for the open seat for Congress in the 7th District.

The other day on her PolitickerNJ.com blog, Christie called out to the people of New Jersey, and asked them to realize that Kate is more than just her daughter, and would make an excellent member of Congress.

According to her campaign website, Kate has a ton of experience to separate her form her Mom, including:

1. Formerly the Executive Director of the Republican Leadership Council (Mom probably had nothing to do with getting her that job)

2. She previously served as the Communications Director for the Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee and House Policy Committee Chris Cox (R-CA) (Mom probably had nothing to do with getting her that job),

3. She served as press secretary for the United States Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao (Mom probably had nothing to do with getting her that job)

4. She also served as a staff member at the White House. (Mom probably had nothing to do with getting her that job)

5. In addition, she has worked on several prominent Republican political campaigns, including Bob Franks for Governor (NJ) and served as the Communications Director for the Republican Party of New Hampshire. (Mom probably had nothing to do with getting her those)

See? She's done a lot in her life that didn't depend on the 'Whitman' name, just like out current president, George W. Bush.

As a footnote, Wally Edge has assured me that PolitickerNJ.com is glad to offer blogs for any mothers with sons or daughters seeking a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Please contact Wally Edge at politicsnj@aol.com

Maryland: The Chesapeake Change Primary

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Crazy finish in Maryland last night. Not only did Barack Obama and his message of change decidedly drop Hillary Clinton, but incumbent Maryland Congressmen Wayne Gilchrist and Albert Wynn lost their bids for re-election in Tuesday’s primary.

Harris ousts Gilchrest, Edwards beats Wynn, Obama and McCain romp in Maryland
PolitickerMD.com

Big Night for Barack Obama

Another huge night of primaries for Barack Obama. Check back tomorrow for my full cartoon.

Not only did he win all three of the 'Potomac Primaries' tonight, Maryland, Virgina and Washington D.C., he won them all by huge margins.

Washington, D.C. - 75% Obama, 25% Clinton (48% reporting)
Virgina - 63% Obama, 35% Clinton (91% reporting)
Maryland - 71% Obama, 25% Clinton (Polls just closed, only 1% reporting)

Obama sweeps Potomac primary
Politico.com

Huckabee Makes Things Close, Hillary Doesn't
New York Observer

Oregon: Could Novick Run for Another Seat?

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Congresswoman Darlene Hooley is not running for re-election for her 5th district congressional seat. Would Steve Novick be a good replacement for the dems to run?

Josh Kardon, the chief of staff to Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore, thinks so:

"The only potential candidate we could run with high name recognition across the district is Steve Novick and I have no idea if he has any interest."

Wyden aide floats Novick for 5th CD
The Oregonian - Mapes on Politics

Arizona: Employer Sanction Law Upheld

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A federal judge upheld the merits of Arizona's landmark employer-sanctions law last week, saying it does not overstep the federal government's authority to regulate illegal immigration.

The new law would prohibit employers from knowingly or intentionally hiring undocumented workers. It would also require all employers to run their employees through the Basic Pilot Program to determine their legal status. Use of the program would act as a sort of immunity for employers facing prosecution under the law.

No word on law enforcement's desire to uphold the law. But if they do, I hope California, New Mexico and Texas are all prepared for the illegal immigrants that will be streaming to their jobs from Arizona.

Washington: Huckabee Not Going Down Without a Fight

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Well, our newest site has come online, so everyone flock over to PolitickerWA for the latest happenings on Saturday's caucus.

Mike Huckabee, the Arkansas upstart that has managed to outlast both Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani, is challenging the election results of the Washington State Republican Party.

Here's a quote from a Huckabee statement obtained by PolitickerWA:

The Huckabee campaign is deeply disturbed by the obvious irregularities in the Washington State Republican precinct caucuses. It is very unfortunate that the Washington State Party Chairman, Luke Esser, chose to call the race for John McCain after only 87 percent of the vote was counted. According to CNN, the difference between Senator McCain and Governor Huckabee is a mere 242 votes, out of more than 12,000 votes counted-with another 1500 or so votes, apparently, not counted. That is an outrage.

Cartoonwise, I have Chuck Norris kicking some Republican ass, but I was also going to include Ric "The Nature Boy" Flair, since most people probably forgot that he pledged his support to Mike Huckabee. My editors thought it was too much, so I scaled it back a bit, but here's Ric Flair as he would've appeared:



Here's a video of Flair on the campaign trail with Huckabee:



And here's some classic Flair:

Maine: Obama Wins the Tug-Of-War

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PolitickerME is reporting that Barack Obama has won the Maine Caucus. This tops off a fantastic weekend for him, after winning contests in Nebraska, Washington, Louisiana and the Virgin Islands.

Prior to tonight's caucus, Obama has been down in all the polls I was able to see. Clinton was also talked about having a good chance at winning in Maine, because the state's large white, heavily working-class population favored her. John Baldacci, the governor of Maine, also endorsed and supported her.

This gives him a great deal of momentum moving into the contests in the Potomac on Tuesday, which include Maryland, Virgina and Washington, D.C.

Make sure you check out PolitickerMD for constant updates on the Maryland presidential contests.

Maine Madness
New York Observer

Gov. Patrick goes on attack at Portland caucus
James Pindell - PolitickerME

New Jersey: Paulie Doesn't Like Legalized Sports Betting

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Man, I miss the Sopranos. Sure, it got progressively worse from the second season on, but it actually reclaimed a glimmer of its former self in the final season. And the best part of the show is the storylines could be crap, but you just care about the characters. It's almost like I miss hanging out with them.

Especially Paulie. My favorite episode of the entire series was when Paulie and Christoper were lost in the Pinelands together. Just great characterization the whole way through.

I found this video online, some of the best Paulie lines in the series:



And how about this: It must be an old commerical, b/c it features the "Time to make the donuts" guy:



Here's the sketch:

New Jersey: I Got Your Vice President Right Here!

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We're having a two-for-one sale here in New Jersey. Mrs. Clinton, by taking Corzine as your VP, you will be solving any potential money problems your campaign may be suffering.

And by Corzine going to work for Mrs. Clinton, he will leave New Jersey!!!

Maybe that's why Hillary won the New Jersey primary. A sophisticated group of voters indeed.

Why is El Rusbo Crying?

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The Maha Rushie and all the other conservative talking heads are spilling their milk over Romney's departure. They seem to be pissed at McCain, ever since he supported campaigning finance reform, which, as they claim, prohibits free speech.

Why then are they not lining up behind the Huckster, a conservative former governor who has never changed his positions and is not Mormon? Is it because he has no chance of winning a national election?

Wow, I guess that means that their principles are deep...