Have you heard about the Right-Wing Facebook?

Take a look at this satirical Facebook page: a clever idea by People for the American Way.

Open Mike at MAIN*BLOG

On Fridays, MAIN*blogger gives up the "mic" and asks, "what's on your mind?"

(Of course, MAIN*blogger reserves the right to post if something of note comes up and MAIN*blogger is likely to engage in the discussion, but you pick the topic(s).)

So, what's on your mind?

The stem cell debate continues in Missouri!

The folks at Cures Without Cloning (an anti-stem cell research group in Missouri) indicated that they might be willing to pursue impeachment against MO Secretary of State Robin Carnahan because they disagree with the language her office selected as the ballot summary language in their fight to outlaw embryonic stem cell research in Missouri.

Yes, you are correct. There was a constitutional amendment last year. No, the issue is not settled.

A fellow by the name of Curt Mercadante is the spokesperson for the effort to undo constitutional protections on stem cell research that were approved by a majority of Missouri voters just last year. On top of wanting to strip protections on research, Mercadante also suggested that he would be willing to impeach a duly elected official because he disagrees with one of her decisions.

But, wait, it gets better! Fired Up Missouri reports that Mercadante is actually running for office in Illinois.

So, the man from Illinois is talking about impeaching a Missouri elected official. Interesting.

What'd you think?

Brownback out as Pres...in as Gov?

AP is reporting that Republican Sam Brownback will drop out of the 2008 presidential race on Friday. They cite "people close to the Kansas senator." Brownback has had trouble raising enough money to compete in the race. He is expected announce his withdrawal in Topeka, Kan.

He raised a little more than $800,000 in the third quarter of this year, his lowest quarterly amount since entering race. He has brought in more than $4 million overall and is eligible for $2 million in federal matching funds.

“I know Senator Brownback enjoyed campaigning and meeting new people in talking about ideas for the future of America, but I think it came down to money,” said one person close to Brownback, who requested anonymity because the candidate had not yet announced his plans.

Brownback, who is in his second term, had said in his first Senate campaign he would serve no more than two terms in Senate. He is widely expected to seek the Kansas governor’s office in 2010.

Phill Kline files over 100 charges against Planned Parenthood

Johnson County District Attorney Phill Kline has charged the Overland Park Planned Parenthood clinic with more than 100 criminal counts, including performing illegal late-term abortions.

According to court records, Kline filed 107 complaints against Planned Parenthood. Twenty-three of the charges are felonies — filing false pregnancy termination reports with a court. The rest of the charges are misdemeanors. Planned Parenthood is scheduled to appear in court on November 16th.

Read the criminal complaint here:
PlannedParenthoodComplaint.pdf

14 apply for KS Appeals Court position

MAIN*blogger has learned that 14 people have applied for the new 13th position on the Kansas Court of Appeals. You may remember that this seat was funded by last year's legislature; the job begins January 1, 2008.

The Supreme Court nominating Commission will interview candidates and will submit 3 names to Governor Sebelius, who will make the appointment from their list.

Applicants include former State Rep. Ward Loyd, R-Garden City, Suzanne Carey McAllister of Lawrence, Steven J. Obermeier from Olathe, and Melissa Taylor Standridge from Overland Park.

The person who is selected will have to stand for retention in 2010.

Gamble to file for KS Senate seat!

MAIN*blogger has it on good authority that Sue Gamble (moderate R) will file today for the Kansas 10th Senate District seat currently held by Nick Jordan.

More details will follow and MAIN*blogger will get you information on who might now run for Gamble's State Board of Education seat as soon as possible.

Hold on to your hats 'cause here we go!

Remember, there is much at stake in 2008!

KC Civic leaders ask Blunt to oppose ballot issues related to stem cell research

Prime Buzz Blog is carrying a story that highlights a concerted effort on the part of KC civic leaders (some of whom are MAINstreamers) to get Gov. Matt Blunt to oppose challenges that might reverse protection of stem-cell research as well as pose a threat to Missouri's nonpartisan court plan.

The MAINstream Coalition Board of Directors is already on record opposing both efforts. MAIN*blogger is glad to see that the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City shares our concerns.

In their letter to Blunt, the Civic Council stated about these possible initiatives, "...if passed, would have significant, negative consequences for the state of Missouri and for the greater Kansas City metropolitian area. We rely on you as the chief executive officer of the state of Missouri to provide leadership against issues that will harm the state's future and support efforts that will position Missouri well in the future global economy."

The letter was signed by Terrence Dunn, chairman of the civic council and president and chief executive officer of J.E. Dunn Construction Group.

Politics on the web means videos!

Here's a fun political video from the folks at the Wichita Eagle.
But, can MAIN*blogger figure out how to upload a video?

Click on the blog title and you should be able to find the video. If not, here's the link:

http://media.kansas.com/static/video/grandpa/

Barnes vs. Graves?

MAIN*blogger wonders what you think about the Barnes - Graves race.

MAIN&blogger is interested in this race but isn't hearing much about it. MAIN*blogger needs more friends who live North of the River. :)

Don't Go Back, Kansas!

The 2008 campaign season has begun. We've been watching the national races for months now and just this week, we had Johnson County political news that Regan and Cook will vie for the Republican nomination in the KS Senate seat currently held by Jordan, who has declared his intention to run against Dennis Moore. The speculation about who is running for which seats will only heat up from here until the filing deadlines in June.

One set of races that MAIN*blogger fears will get overlooked are the 5 seats up on the KS State Board of Education. The Take Back Kansas campaign was so successful in 2006. MAIN*blogger understands that many of the same organizations will be getting together again to run a "Don't Go Back, Kansas" campaign for the 2008 season. There are another 5 seats that will be up for grabs. The even-numbered seats (2, 4 , 6, 8, & 10) are the ones up for election in 2008.

Click here to find a list of the current members of the Kansas School Board of Education.

MAIN*blogger will give you a quick rundown on the seats that are in play.

Sue Gamble in District 2 is up for reelection. Gamble has been a strong leader in standing up to religious and political extremists who declare that you can't believe in God and evolution at the same time and who hired Bob Corkins as our education commissioner.

And, yes, MAIN*blogger hears what you are hearing: Gamble is considering her political options. If she does not run for her seat, this will be an open seat. If this is the case, MAIN*blogger will be looking for a moderate Republican and a Democrat to vie for the seat. MAIN*blogger thinks we typically are all better served if our general elections give us choices between moderate Republicans and Democrats.

District 4 looks like it is an open seat. Bill Wagnon has indicated that he will not seek reelection. MAIN*blogger hears that there are some folks out there considering running, but no one name has surfaced. There is a name of a conservative floating around, but MAIN*blogger can't remember it. He is described as an activist who lives in Lawrence. It could be argued that being a conservative activist from Lawrence isn't the best position from which to run for this seat. Given the makeup of that district, a winning candidate needs to be able to win in Topeka as well as the rural areas between Topeka and Lawrence. One who can also generate interest and support from Lawrencians is even better. Again, a moderate Republican meeting a Democrat in the general will be a win-win.

District 6 is currently held by Kathy Martin from Clay Center. Martin seems to be a lovely person but her voting record makes her part of the radical block that put an unqualified ideologue in the leadership post at our Department of Education. This makes this seat a target for 2008. This is one race where MAIN*blogger anticipates there will be a push to put this seat back in the moderate column. Candidates anyone?

District 8 is where moderate Carol Rupe sits at the moment. MAIN*blogger hears that Rupe has not decided whether or not she is going to run for re-election. This is a seat that "we" must hold.

District 10 is held by former chair Steve Abrams. He is the one who was recorded as saying that it was "either God or evolution." This kind of rhetoric may be okay if it comes from a church leader (although MAIN*blogger happens to think it is bad theology too). But, this kind of statement made by the chair of your State Board of Education is something about which all Kansans should be concerned.

We can't go back, Kansas. Get ready. We're going to need your help.
Get ready to join us for the Don't Go Back, Kansas campaign coming your way in 2008!

Presidential Politics

In a another post, BlogDog raised the question, what do ya'll think about a Gore-Obama ticket? MAIN*blogger isn't really interested in that level of conversation quite yet. Gore isn't running--and that's seems to be okay. He can't be an evangelist for global warming if he runs (or wins) for the Presidency. If BlogDog wants to talk about that specifically, BlogDog is welcome to go there. But, MAIN*blogger wants to talk about the races that are happening.

Since MAINstream doesn't typically take stands on national races, MAIN*blogger is watching this one as a overly interested observer, from a somewhat far removed vantage point.

As an observer, the Republican race is interesting to watch in part because no one candidate can seem to grab the spotlight. The far right has now said they won't accept Giuliani. But, the far right has not embraced Huckabee, although he seems to be one of them; just nicer. Is he too nice? Yet, Giuliani is winning in polls and is raising money that indicates he could get the nomination. Fred Thompson has not yet shown MAIN*blogger that he can convince the far right to get behind him either. Mitt Romney is his own largest donor, which is something to note. MAIN*blogger is not sure he can really get traction. Like it or not, are southern fundamentalists likely to follow a Mormon, much less one who has waffled on social issues depending upon in which race he was running? Ron Paul's fund raising numbers are larger than expected and his anti-war stance is getting the attention of some frustrated Republicans.

On the Dems side, Clinton seems to be building a case that she is the competent, experienced leader that can follow Bush. But, she remains Hillary Clinton. And MAIN*blogger hears everyone asking, can she really win a national campaign? Obama seems to be speaking to a place in people's hearts, but can't seem to get much bump in the national polls. His money figures are solid. He is young and lacks experience; not that those things can't be mitigated. John Edwards continues to position himself as the anti-war, anti-establishment Democrat. It will be interesting to see if his strategy of winning Iowa works for him. MAIN*blogger has heard that he is phenomenal on the stump in Iowa. But, his numbers and money remain lower than the other top tier Dems. MAIN*blogger is not sure that Richardson or Biden or Dodd or any of the rest of the field will survive. That reminds MAIN*blogger to ask why Biden isn't able to attract more Dems? He has experience, is not Hillary Clinton and is not friendly to this war or this administration.

So, what do the Republicans do with their field? Is there a candidate who can bring the party together and be a viable national candidate? And, can Hillary Clinton win a national race? Will Edwards get a push out of Iowa that will reinvigorate his campaign? What's wrong with Biden?