He’s Baaaacccckkkkk!

The name alone sends shivers down the backs of those who occasionally follow Democratic politics.  Karl Rove, the thorn permanently embedded in the side of Democratic loyalists, is back. 

I could give you a simple debriefing, but it’s far too good (and insightful) for that.  In fact, it requires several reads before its true impact can be fully felt.  The best part?  It’s the last paragraph (emphasis mine) - and it demonstrates why he’s a political mastermind.

While the prospective Republican nominee is talking about her now, the time will come soon when he must spend more time telling his story. By explaining to voters why he deserves to be our next president, he will also make clear why that job should not go to another person named Clinton.

The Fuzzy Data – What Does It Mean?

Every cable news outlet has spent a great part of the day emphasizing the recent Washington Post – ABC News Democratic Presidential poll released today.  It ostensibly shows that the race in Iowa is a dead-heat between Obama, Clinton and Edwards.  And, for all intensive purposes, with less than 60 days until the Nation’s first presidential contest, the results are somewhat meaningful in that it is the first poll that articulates diminishing support for Clinton.  However, Jay Cost at Real Clear Politics reminds us that we must review polling data with a critical, and somewhat skeptical eye due to information asymmetry.

Cost does have some invaluable insight regards the top three candidate’s reliance on new voters, which could very well influence the caucus result (depending on the overall turnout):

Most of Edwards’ supporters are reliable caucus goers. This might give us some clues about what to expect on caucus night. If attendance at the caucus is greater than what it has been in years past, that might bode well for Clinton and Obama. If it is equal to or less than what it has been, that might bode well for Edwards.

Of note, the findings regarding the top two most important issues is illuminating.  According to 600 likely caucus attendees, Iraq is the most important issue (33%) and Health care is second (24%).  Now, there is still a significant divide, but it is telling in that the candidate that makes health care a greater focus (though the poll reads that 1/3 of the subject universe feels Clinton is the best equipped to address the issue) in their campaign may have a decided advantage.

Equally as interesting is the table that shows Obama as the most trustworthy candidate and the most understanding of the problems facing regular people.  Discounting or down-playing of the latter could prove disastrous for the other campaigns, assuming Obama is capable of harnessing (read: campable of equalizing the deficit between he and Clinton regarding who has campaigned harder) that energy. 

The most upsetting information in the poll:  Chris Dodd has yet to make any significant or noteworthy gains.

Not Surprising

The Hartford Courant is reporting that a grand jury has been empaneled to hear testimony regarding the many alleged improper dealings of Mayor Eddie Perez in Hartford.

From the article:

Although it was not clear Monday precisely what the grand jury will investigate, state criminal investigators have been probing Perez at least since February, when revelations surfaced that the city — at the direction of the mayor’s office — gave a lucrative, no-bid deal to a political supporter to operate a city-owned parking lot downtown.

Not surprisingly, his attorney, the renowned Hubie Santos, said he “welcomes the investigation” and “looks forward to total vindication.”  Awkwardly, though for obvious reasons, he commends the state’s attorney office for their “deliberate and measured approach in investigating these allegations.”

Hartford is already a city on the ropes, but it has great promise and is primed for progress – it simply requires a committed, focused, no-nonsense leader.  At one time that may have been Eddie Perez, and it still might be, but this newly erected barrier makes that increasingly unlikely.

Come On In, Look Around

We’re moving on up…

As you can see, we’ve changed hosts and are now using Word-Press.  The reasons for this are many, but suffice it to say, Word-Press is far more user-friendly and less prone to crashes and endless frustration.  We have also chosen to do so because the CTYD’s have updated their server, so it provides an opportune moment to improve our communications strategy.

I’ll be dedicating the next few days to updating the page and integrating much of the information we have contained on our Blogger page.  So, welcome to our new home, feel free to share your suggestions and thoughts with us as we continue to promote our progressive message with the world.