Clips on Filing Deadline

Clips on Filing Deadline

While we wait for this afternoon's Iowa City filing deadline, here's some clips:

Not the Onion: Illinois Republicans forget flag, pledge allegiance to guy wearing flag shirt

Digby looks at Obama's left flank and sees Ralph Nader:

Obama mobilized a whole lot of young people who have great expectations and disappointing them could lead to all sorts of unpleasant results. Success is about more than simply buying off some congressional liberals or pleasing the village. It's worth remembering that a third party run from the left is what created the conditions for eight long years of Republican governance that pretty much wrecked this country.

After 2000, what is it going to take for the Democrats to realize that constantly using their base as a doormat is not a good idea? It only takes a few defections or enough people staying home to make a difference. And there are people on the left who have proven they're willing to do it. The Democrats are playing with fire if they think they don't have to deliver anything at all to their liberal base --- and abandoning the public option, particularly in light of what we already know about the bailouts and the side deals, may be what breaks the bond.

Nirvana's Krist Novoselic writes again on Washington's top two primary:

Most people don't understand the merits of the latest court challenge. I found this out during my short-lived candidacy a few months back. People asked me about my protest, and I'd find myself explaining basic concepts on how the right of free association is derived from the First Amendment of the constitution and why it's important. Most people come around and agree, but some can't get past the antiquated notions of party members as "hacks" or "party bosses."

Voters originally passed the top-two because they hated exclusive, pick-a-party primary ballots. Since then, most people haven't given the new election law and the legal trouble it's in much thought. Voters just want more choices. A simple way settle the court hassles, while preserving the wide-open choices in the primary, is to drop the "prefers party" business and instead have authentic party candidates on the ballot. And if you think those party candidates are hacks, don't vote for them. Under such a primary scheme, as I propose, you could vote for whomever you like.

The myth of saving the planet by unplugging your chargers - debunked.

Biden 2016!