Stump on

It's old news by now that the President's spokespersons have called on challenger John Kerry to reveal the names of foreign leaders who favor his candidacy. On Sunday, Kerry refused, telling reporters 'No leader would obviously share a conversation if I started listing them.' VP Dick Cheney, speaking to Republicans in Phoenix at a campaign event, rebutted 'At the very least, we have a right to know what he is saying to them that makes them so supportive of his candidacy."

Kerry is right, obviously, and so is Cheney. Must read the Kerry and Bush blogs to get the latest. But first . . .

What's with the State and County candidates?

I got a bulk email from Nancy Skinner's campaign about volunteering to write a blog and stuff, and I offered to help her (too haughtily perhaps), and she didn't respond. As far as I know she didn't make an appearance here. Similarly, the ubiquitously voluntary Kevin Clark said Barrack (say BahROCK) Obama ignored his offers of help too. But judging from signs in local yards, either Barrack Obama or Blair Hull will win in Carbondale. Obama proudly associates himself with Paul Simon (in particular daughter Sheila, who appears in a television ad for Barrack). Hull meanwhile has a personal fortune--$400,000,000, by one estimate (uh, some guy at Greyhound). Obviously his campaign is loaded, judging from the four-color glossy handouts. (He even has a blog). No doubt he has a plan. Obama has ideas too. All the candidates do. The question is, which one will best represent their ideas and your values in the lofty Senate. Oh, Gary Chico is a strong candidate too. As I wrote in this blog in January, they all are (except one).

Speaking of endorsements

I hear that Chris Wissmann loaned his voice and name to an automated vote solicitation for Cindy Svanda, the Circuit Clerk. The guy who told me said he phoned the culture maven cum Councilman to complain. If I got a call like that, I'd vote for Teresa Vogt (Why were there no "Vote for Vogt" posters around?) or Bob Boyer, but I didn't so I still may vote for Cindy. Teresa should set her sights on higher office anyway.

As for the Republicans, I take my guidance from Fraydog.


But there's another thing about Cindy that concerns me...or her webmaster. What's with Historical photos of Jackson County, Illinois Circuit Clerk: Historical Photos?!

The text on the page states: "Assembled below are some photographs of the County's Elected Circuit Clerks. . . . ," but the ONLY ONE IS CINDY SVANDA! (It's hosted by the good folks at Allied Access which just brought wireless internet to Murphysboro, according to this blog, which got it from The Southern).

Surely, whether Cindy is elected or not, the page will be amended. And don't call her Shirley.