Red State Rebels

McCain invented ... the Blackberry?

Remember eight years ago, when we let Republicans get away with saying that Al Gore claimed to personally invent the Internet? Well, John McCain is now claiming that he paved the way for cell phones, wi-fi, even the Blackberry! Who knew?

Read this diary at Daily Kos, which explains how McCain (unlike Gore) has actually stood in the way of many technological advances we now use daily. A snip:

Of pending legislation, McCain is not a sponsor of the "Connect the Nation Act" – though Senator Obama is. McCain is not a sponsor of Senator Rockefeller's call for a universal next generation broadband by 2015 – though Senator Obama is. And of course, McCain isn't a sponsor of the "Internet Freedom Act" that would ensure net neutrality – though Senator Obama is. ...

So,  McCain's "guiding hand" seems to consist of opposing the legislation that laid the groundwork for the communications we have today, and authoring failed legislation designed to benefit big carriers. Of course, we should probably be glad that John McCain really didn't invent the cell phone or wifi, otherwise we'd all be getting our wireless services from one monolithic company free to restrict our access to only the pages that pay for the privilege. And we'd all be using "Jitterbugs."

We have a lot of swing voters here in Idaho who are (still) employed in the tech and telecommunications industries. They need to read this and show it to their colleagues, too. John McCain is so thoroughly 20th century, it hurts to think about it.

Otter lets Risch hog the spotlight

How often does someone from Idaho win an Olympic gold medal? How often do Idaho universities land a $15 million research grant - our state's largest ever - from the National Science Foundation? You'd think such things would be worth a personal high-five from the governor, right? But Butch Otter has repeatedly ceded the spotlight in such recent high-profile media events to Lt. Gov. Jim Risch, who is running for the U.S. Senate.

As you can see from this media advisory (still posted on the governor's website as of this afternoon and preserved here for posterity; click it to enlarge), Otter was scheduled to attend a press conference last Friday to announce the NSF grant, but he backed out and let Risch do it. And last month when the city of Boise welcomed champion cyclist Kristin Armstrong home from Beijing, it was Risch - not Otter - who joined her on the podium on the state's behalf.

Now everyone knows that lieutenant governor is a largely ceremonial role, and Risch clearly needs something to do, especially since he's passing up most opportunities to debate his opponents. But it seems odd that Otter is consistently having Risch enjoy the best photo ops. It's especially ironic that Risch was asked to hail a grant to study the effects of climate change on the Snake and Salmon River watersheds.

Climate change?! Why, just two years ago when serving as our temporary governor, Risch told the Los Angeles Times he remained unconvinced that global warming is caused by humans. Less than two months before the election, he still hasn't posted anything on his website about where he stands on energy, never mind anything like the detailed plan Larry LaRocco presented on the issue back in spring 2007.

Update: Energy isn't the only issue on which Risch seems to have no position. Check out this side-by-side comparison from the LaRocco campaign on Risch's shocking lack of substance. As of today, Risch has approximately 300 words' worth of policy on his website. LaRocco has more than 2,000 words on energy alone, plus lengthy statements on health care, immigration, veterans, and the war in Iraq.

I'm voting Republican

You know, I just think they've been right all along - so why fight it?

Seriously, on behalf of my fellow Boise Democrats, welcome to the 2008 Idaho Democratic Convention. I won't be with you - I'm in Denver on a business trip - but I am there in spirit. Have fun and get ready to kick some GOP butt! (Thanks for the video, Dale ...)

Weekend edition 6/7-8: Clinton endorses Obama

Hillary Clinton plans an event at 10 a.m. Mountain today (Saturday) to announce her endorsement of Barack Obama as the next President of the United States. Add your reaction in the comments below.

Update 11:30 a.m.: Senator Clinton did a great job with her speech this morning. Here's the key passage:

The way to continue our fight now, to accomplish the goals for which we stand, is to take our energy, our passion, our strength, and do all we can to help elect Barack Obama the next President of the United States. Today, as I suspend my campaign, I congratulate him on the victory he has won and the extraordinary race he has run. I endorse him and throw my full support behind him. And I ask all of you to join me in working as hard for Barack Obama as you have for me.

Clinton said Obama displayed "grace and grit" in their long primary campaign. The same can be said of her remarks today. Thank you, Senator.

Some other items of interest:

Both Larry Craig and Mike Crapo voted to stall the bipartisan climate change bill in the Senate yesterday. There will be no more action on the pressing issue until after the elections, so Idahoans need to ask whether Larry LaRocco (who supported the current legislation) or Jim Risch (who opposes it) is more serious about having a responsible, secure energy future.

The 2008 National Conference for Media Reform is under way in Minneapolis this weekend, according to an email we received from Boise Community Radio. The event is being webcast at Free Press.

A few months ago, Serephin of 43rd State Blues and I attended an excellent bloggers' summit put on by the New Organizing Institute. NOI is taking its show on the road this summer, with political trainings in many regions of the country, including one in the Northwest the second week of July. Click here for more information on "Training Technology-Enabled Leaders."

This is a ways off, but we got the good news this week that Buhl, Idaho ... yes, Buhl ... has one of the nation's newest Drinking Liberally chapters. Its first meeting will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 27, at the Cosmic Jolt, 120 Broadway Ave. S. DL also meets in Boise, Idaho Falls, Moscow (on hiatus a while due to Sara's recent surgery), Pocatello, and Twin Falls. Get details here.