Political Cortex: Progressive Democrat Newsletter Issue 148

Progressive Democrat Newsletter Issue 148

By mole333
01/05/2008 11:10:40 AM EST

The Progressive Democrat Newsletter grew out of the frustration of the 2004 election. I have try mixing my own rants and ideas, with national issues, news items, and some very local groups and events in an attempt to both help shape debate and to help people find their own ways of getting involved.

This week I discuss the Republican led loss of privacy in America, bringing us down almost to the level of China in terms of Surveillance. I also discuss solar energy in America. I also do a roundup of local progressive events for places where I have had the most readers over the last couple of weeks including some events I am helping organize in NYC. Don't forget to visit an advertiser or two and if you want more, please visit Culture Kitchen.

So the primaries have begun with a surprisingly strong win for Obama in Iowa and a very expected (for me) win for Huckabee on the Republican side. Anything can happen from here, but I strongly suspect Huckabee will wind up the Republican nominee. And I think Romney won't even come close. It's Giuliani and McCain that have the better shot of coming from behind looking at the polls in the big states. But my money remains on Huckabee. Too bad because the guy is REALLY scary. And he seems almost as dumb as Bush (not quite!) with his complete lack of understanding of foreign policy, immigration (claiming that the majority of illegal immigrants are Pakistani) and science (he is an avowed creationist).

Much less certainty in the Dem field. Obama has the momentum and the youth vote coming out in HUGE numbers. Hillary has money and is polling strong in the big states. Edwards still has a shot, but it doesn't look so good in the polls. But all it would take is one surprise win for him to bring his campaign back. So I am placing no bets yet on the Dem race. For me the key really is the fact that the Dems have one of the best fields I have ever seen (Gloria Steinem said much the Same on Salon.com).

Here is this week's newsletter:

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

PRIVACY LOST: America now ranks with China as a Surveillance Society

SOLAR AMERICA: Scientific American has a plan

IOWA FOCUS: Groups and Events

NEW YORK FOCUS: Help me help some great candidates

CALIFORNIA FOCUS: Groups and Events

TEXAS FOCUS: Noriega for Senate, Groups and Events

NEW JERSEY FOCUS: Groups and Events

PENNSYLVANIA FOCUS: Groups and Events

FLORIDA FOCUS: Groups and Events

GEORGIA FOCUS: Groups and Events