NASCAR UPDATE

Congratulations to Tony Stewart!

After a two-tire gamble last weekend at Dover International Raceway Tony Stewart snagged a second place finish after a fantastic race with eventual winner Jimmie Johnson. Sunday's runner up effort was Stewart's third of the 2009 campaign.

Stewart's sixth top five of the season also leap-frogged him ahead of Jeff Gordon for the Sprint Cup Series Points lead for the first time since Nov. 2005.

This week, the Sprint Cup Series heads to Pocono, PA where Stewart will start on the Pole by virtue of a rained-out qualifying.


-BA

Sorry for the Delay

A couple of weeks ago I finished up an internship with the City of Fayetteville as a Management Intern.

I have spent the last two weeks not working, watching the Olympics and tuning out of politics until before the conventions start...a mini-vacation.

The Democratic Party's Convention is this Monday, August 25th and school starts on the 26th so I will definitely be getting back into my usual swing.

So, sorry for the absence, I hope to keep blogging regularly from now on.

Why are some American's so obsessed with Europe?

For those of you know know me on Facebook, you may recall that my status a couple of weeks ago was something to the effect of

"Ben is...sick and tired of hearing about how great the European way of life supposedly is..."

Today on Real Clear Politics I stumbled across this little gem...which describes exactly what I have been thinking.

The Europeanization of the Democratic Party

By: William Moloney




Enjoy...

Some Good Readin'

"Obama's Winning, But not by Much" Michael Gerson- The Washington Post

"It's Simple: Drill and Conserve" Charles Krauthammer

"Democracy-- A Flickering Star?" Pat Buchanan

"Things Have Changed over the Past 4 Weeks" Peggy Noonan- The Wall Street Journal

Why did we give China the Olympics?

An Interesting Article...

Shining a Light on China- By: E.J. Dionne- The Washington Post


Another funny cartoon that Caught My Attention...
Cartoon by: Michael Ramirez- Townhall.com

How do They Think of These?

Townhall has a collection of conservative political cartoons every day.

This one caught my attention.


Cartoon by: Scott Stantis

Sometimes I wonder how they come up with these...

Race Update

On the Presidential Front:

The Cook Political Report has changed North Carolina's Rating from "Lean's Republican" to "Toss-up" after the polling gap between John McCain and the Obamassiah has fallen to within the margin of error.















(Click Image to Enlarge)


The Real Clear Politics Average (RCP) in North Carolina now has John McCain at 47.0% and Barack Obama at 43.3% a difference of +3.7.


On the Senate Front:

Also last week the Cook Political Report downgraded Republican Incumbent Elizabeth Dole's race against challenger State Sen. Kay Hagan from "Likely Republican" to "Leans Republican"
















(Click Image to Enlarge)


Under the Dome recently reported a survey by Research 2000 for ultra-liberal DailyKos that showed incumbent Elizabeth Dole at 50% of likely voters while, her opponent Kay Hagan had 42% of likely voters, a difference of +8.0. This poll showed a slight drop in Elizabeth Dole's numbers compared to polls released in mid-July that showed Dole with a double digit lead.

The RCP Average has a little bit better news for Dole, 50.8% of likely voters are currently choosing Dole, while 41.0% choose her opponent Kay Hagan, a difference of +9.8 for Dole.


While I have no doubt that Elizabeth Dole will keep her seat and North Carolina will remain a "Red State" this just serves as a friendly reminder that all of us conservative types are going to have to do our part. Virginia may have decided to go crazy on us, but that doesn't mean that we have to.