UK DEMS

2006-10-24T16:17:00.000-07:00

--AZ-Sen: Jon Kyl

--AZ-01: Rick Renzi

--AZ-05: J.D. Hayworth

--CA-04: John Doolittle

--CA-11: Richard Pombo

--CA-50: Brian Bilbray

--CO-04: Marilyn Musgrave

--CO-05: Doug Lamborn

--CO-07: Rick O'Donnell

--CT-04: Christopher Shays

--FL-13: Vernon Buchanan

--FL-16: Joe Negron

--FL-22: Clay Shaw

--ID-01: Bill Sali

--IL-06: Peter Roskam

--IL-10: Mark Kirk

--IL-14: Dennis Hastert

--IN-02: Chris Chocola

--IN-08: John Hostettler

--IA-01: Mike Whalen

--KS-02: Jim Ryun

--KY-03: Anne Northup

--KY-04: Geoff Davis

--MD-Sen: Michael Steele

--MN-01: Gil Gutknecht

--MN-06: Michele Bachmann

--MO-Sen: Jim Talent

--MT-Sen: Conrad Burns

--NV-03: Jon Porter

--NH-02: Charlie Bass

--NJ-07: Mike Ferguson

--NM-01: Heather Wilson

--NY-03: Peter King

--NY-20: John Sweeney

--NY-26: Tom Reynolds

--NY-29: Randy Kuhl

--NC-08: Robin Hayes

--NC-11: Charles Taylor

--OH-01: Steve Chabot

--OH-02: Jean Schmidt

--OH-15: Deborah Pryce

--OH-18: Joy Padgett

--PA-04: Melissa Hart

--PA-07: Curt Weldon

--PA-08: Mike Fitzpatrick

--PA-10: Don Sherwood

--RI-Sen: Lincoln Chafee

--TN-Sen: Bob Corker

--VA-Sen: George Allen

--VA-10: Frank Wolf

--WA-Sen: Mike McGavick

--WA-08: Dave Reichert

New Website!!

2006-09-26T12:02:00.000-07:00

Our new website is now online. This blog will no longer be used and, eventually, will be taken offline.

Our new website is located at:
http://www.UKDems.com

Enjoy!!!

Teacher won't shave until bin Laden caught

2006-09-13T19:22:00.000-07:00

Bizarre.

GOP Planning Negative Ad Barrage

2006-09-10T07:50:00.000-07:00

When you ain't got a record to run on, run on the skeletons in your opponents closets:
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2006/09/10/gop_planning_negative_ad_barrage.html

Another One Bites the Dust

2006-09-08T11:16:00.000-07:00

It looks like Bush has accomplished regime change again, except this time in western Europe.

UKGOP

2006-08-30T21:11:00.000-07:00

Word has it that the UKGOP, our friends, the College Republicans didn't quite get the turnout they might have wanted at their inaugural meeting of the year Tuesday night. This is all hearsay of course, but if true, is very telling. Combine this with the fact that they were to have a column in today's Kentucky Kernel in response to our column from last week that didn't appear, and you have an interesting portrait indeed. Americans everywhere are running from the disastrous policies of the Republican Party, including, apparently, on the University of Kentucky campus. God bless the GOP. They're gonna need it.

Late Update: Foot in mouth! The College Republicans got out their column in today's Kernel and it's a decent read, and a good introduction to what can be expected from the Kernel debate series and beyond into our actual in-person College Dems/College Repubs. debate later in the year. I praise Brent Burchett for his civility among a crowd that has, in my experience, lacked such poise. I look forward very much to this debate and welcome any comments one way or another.
-Richard Becker,
President

Vote this Fall and Take Away GWB's Friendly Congress

2006-08-25T14:39:00.000-07:00

Ed: This column appeared in the August 25, 2006 edition of the Kentucky Kernel.

In considering what to write for my inaugural Kernel column, I found myself overwhelmed at the possibilities. On the one hand, as the head of a student organization, there was the chance to shamelessly stump for my cause. On the other hand, as a student, there was the chance to speak out on issues that matter to students, to make random observations on campus life at UK. Of course, there was also the idea of simply writing whatever came to mind; to record my myriad musings. I have settled on providing a combination of all three, and then some.

We face this fall a monumental moment in modern American political history. You see, two years after each presidential election, Americans gather once again to select their congressional district’s US representatives and, in one third of the country, to select a US senator. In many states there are elections for other offices, such as governor (as in Texas and California) or mayor (as here in Lexington, KY). Unfortunately, most Americans seem to have forgotten that these midterm elections even occur.

According to a recent study conducted by U.S. Census Bureau, a whopping 89 million of Americans voted in the last midterm elections of 2002. What does this matter, you say? Here’s why this matters. In 2000, we had a president elected by one of the smallest margins of victory in our nation’s history, ascending to office only after the US Supreme Court (on which several of his father’s conservative appointees sat) declined to grant his opponent, Vice-President Al Gore a recount in Florida (where we have since discovered that Gore would likely have won the election in the event of a recount).

Then in 2004, we had yet another close election, this one coming down not to Florida, but to the Midwestern swing state of Ohio. More than 49% of Americans who voted didn’t want to return George W. Bush to the White House in 2004, and yet there he sits, having claimed a mandate. Such is democracy.

But there remains hope for those who oppose a president, even upon his razor-thin reelection. That great white hope is the midterm elections. By electing his political opponents to a majority in one or both houses of Congress, Americans who have grown dismayed with the President’s handling of the issues of the day—whether it be his arrogant, irresponsible “War on Terror” or his gross mismanagement of the Hurricane Katrina disaster—have a chance to launch a stone at this former Goliath’s proverbial forehead in 2006.

With a Democratic majority in one or both houses of Congress, Americans of conscience have a hope of stopping this President in his reckless pursuit of permanent tax cuts for the rich (which when combined with irresponsible spending increases have created one of the largest national deficits in our nation’s history), the cutting back of funding for embryonic stem cell research and programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, and in his never-ending efforts to once and for all destroy FDR’s New Deal by wiping out Social Security.

The midterm elections of 2006, however, are not simply a chance for Americans to flex their partisan muscles, but an opportunity to stand up and raise their voice. With such traditionally low turnout, our “leaders” in Congress have grown fat on incumbency pork. This year, Americans have the opportunity to participate in the other American pastime: throwing out the rascals. We have in our hands the ability elect good, respectable, and morally-sound leaders to positions of power in this country, proving once and for all that democracy is still alive and well in the good ol’ U.S. of A.

Democrats Lead in Generic Congressional Ballot

2006-05-01T10:50:00.000-07:00

from Political Wire:

Democrats Lead in Generic Congressional Ballot

In a generic congressional ballot, Democrat hold a 10-point advantage, 46% to 36%, according to a new Rasmussen Reports survey.

UK Dems under new leadership!

2006-04-30T17:06:00.000-07:00

For those of you who weren't aware already, the University of Kentucky College Democrats are under new leadership. Myself, Richard Becker, and Robert Kahne were elected President and Vice President, respectively. Our fellow officers include Alex Thomas, who is our philanthropy chair, Harry Neack, our treasurer, and Joe Gallenstein, our esteemed secretary. We look forward to a thrilling year of kickin' some ass (pun totally intended) in the 2006 midterms elections where the Dems are poised for victory, as well as a full year of building our club's manpower and war chest for the monumental elections ahead of us in '07 and '08. Thanks to all who have come out before and to those who plan to come out next year. We are only as strong as our members, and as such, I'd like to extend an open invitation to all Democrats, liberals, or people who simply don't like the current state of affairs in Washington to come out to our first meeting of the '06-'07 school year, the meeting time for which will be forthcoming. Look here regularly for updates throughout the summer on politics both local, statewide, and national. Thanks again and we look forward to seeing everyone back here in the Bluegrass this fall!

Corzine, Kaine For the Win!

2005-11-08T19:54:00.000-08:00

From the Associated Press...

Democrats swept both governors' races Tuesday, with Sen. Jon Corzine easily winning New Jersey and Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine taking Virginia despite a last-minute campaign push for his opponent from President Bush. Elsewhere, Texas voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional ban on gay marriage, GOP Mayor Michael Bloomberg easily clinched a second term in heavily Democratic New York, and Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was trailing in his re-election bid.

In California, several government-overhaul measures on the ballot were seen as a referendum on GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger who campaigned hard for them.

Kaine had 995,290 votes, or 51.5 percent, to Kilgore's 894,609 votes, or 46.3 percent, with 99 percent of precincts reporting.

In New Jersey, Democratic Sen. Jon Corzine trounced Doug Forrester, with 1,071,905 votes, or 53.5 percent, to 865,485 votes, or 43.2 percent, for the Republican, with 91 percent of precincts reporting.

"There's no way to spin this than anything other than a major defeat for Republicans and for President Bush," said University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato.

Bush appeared at a Monday night rally with Kilgore — the first public campaign appearance with the president in a state that twice voted for Bush.

"This is a red state, he came in on Election Eve and he had no discernible effect," Sabato said. "If anything, he may have cost Kilgore some votes."

UK Dems at NKU for John Edwards

2005-10-26T11:09:00.000-07:00

UK Dems will be at Northern Kentucky University on Tuesday November 1st. Former Senator John Edwards and former Presidential candidate Steve Forbes will headline the NKU Alumni Association Lecture Series.

Kentucky Dems will join NKU Dems in support of John Edwards. UK Dems will leave from the UK Student Center at 12:30 pm Tuesday. More information will be available soon.

Terrance Group releases 2006 Battleground Poll

2005-10-26T11:01:00.000-07:00

The results show that the 2006 midterm elections are a golden oppurtunity for strong Democrats to take the lead and the Senate. Americans are dissatisfied with Republican corruption and misdirection, and they are ready for a change.

View the report.

UK Dems at Comedy Off Broadway

2005-10-24T16:48:00.000-07:00

UK Dems has been officially invited to see comedian Ross Duncliff at Comedy Off Broadway. This outing will replace the regular meeting on Tuesday. The cost will be $7. Please meet at the Student Center parking lot at 7pm. There will be carpooling available.

UK Dems Blog Open

2005-10-24T16:42:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to the UK Dems temporary blog site. This site will be the central hub for UK Dems news, information, and resources until the main site is operational. The new site will be at http://www.ukdems.org but for now please bookmark this blog (http://ukdems.blogspot.com) for convenience.

This site is a tool for you to use. If you have any suggestions, questions or comments contact Mike Richardson at marich4@uky.edu .

Response to Kernel Editorial

2005-10-21T11:01:00.000-07:00

Intelligent Debate not Difficult to Find

I found many misrepresentations in Tommy Juanso's editorial on Friday.

It is clear that the images the Genocide Awareness Project presented sparked many emotional feelings. Whenever such graphic images are shown to people, reactions representing a wide range of behaviour are to be expected. Juanso states, “When confronted with pictures of aborted children, we hear disgust and outrage...”. What did he expect? It is not just naïve that Juanso is complaining about the more extreme examples of outrage brought on by his display, it is hypocritical. One can not expect mild reactions to such provocative displays. As I personally walked around the area, I noticed that the most offended people were claiming to be pro-life. That should not surprise anyone. Not all the people who object to the display were on the other side ideologically.

I also most certainly disagree with Juanso's characterization of all dissenters as being offensive and responding in the most extreme fashion. Yes, there were people making rude gestures, shouting offensive words and phrases, and generally lowering the level of the debate. However I must make two points. First, the idiots (and there is truly no better word for those who would act that way) were on both sides. I personally was volunteering at the table sponsored by Students for Choice, and we experienced rude behaviour as well. However we made it our policy only to repsond to those who approached us. Second, there was plenty of intelligent discussion happening in both areas. I personally toured the display and had three very intelligent conversations. I commend the volunteers of both groups (Students for Choice and Students for Life) for being willing to maintain profesioanl composure and discuss the issue intelligently. While I'm sure neither of us walked away with a different opinion, I know I at least learned some things.

I wasn't the only one having good conversations. All around I saw students talking about the issue. Many of these conversations had nothing to do with either group, they were just concerned students who had many things to say. I had been told that this kind of discussion was the goal of the display. Juano's editorial seems to divert from that goal. He first complains about the few (and they truly are the minority) who were offensive to him and then goes on to repeat his anti-abortion message. That is a poor way to convince people. If Juanso believes there were no dissenters willing to have real debate, perhaps he did not travel very far from the barricades. I suggest that Juanso seek out good thoughtful conversation, it shouldn't be very hard to find.

--Mike Richardson
--Vice President, UK College Democrats