DebateGate

http://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2011/9/1/2399376/nascar-drivers-decline-president-barack-obama-white-house-invitation-jimmie-johnson-2011

President Barack Obama will honor NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson and the 11 other Chase drivers from last year in a White House ceremony on Wednesday – but nearly half of the 2010 playoff contenders won't be there.

NASCAR said Thursday that five drivers – Greg Biffle, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart – will not be attending the White House visit due to "schedule conflicts."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/post/undocumented-workers-got-billions-from-irs-in-tax-credits-audit-finds/2011/03/23/gIQAhtaKvJ_blog.html?hpid=z3

The Internal Revenue Service allowed undocumented workers to collect $4.2 billion in refundable tax credits last year, a new audit says, almost quadruple the sum five years ago.

Although undocumented workers are not eligible for federal benefits, the report released Thursday by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration concludes that federal law is ambiguous on whether these workers qualify for a tax break based on earned income called the additional child tax credit.

Taxpayers can claim this credit to reduce what they owe in taxes, often getting refunds from the government. The vagueness of federal law may have contributed to the $4.2 billion in credits, the report said.

The IRS said it lacks the authority to disallow the claims.

Wage earners who do not have Social Security numbers and are not authorized to work in the United States can use what the IRS calls individual taxpayer identification numbers. Often these result in fraudulent claims on tax returns, auditors found.

Their data showed that 72 percent of returns filed with taxpayer identification numbers claimed the child tax credit.

The audit recommended that the IRS seek clarification on the law and check the immigration status of filers with taxpayer indentificaion numbers.

IRS officials, in response to a draft of the report, agreed to consult with the Treasury Department on the law. But they said they have no legal authority to demand that filers prove their legal status when the tax agency processes returns.

Changes to tax law are partly to blame for the explosion in refunds for additional child tax credits in recent years, auditors found. Before 2001, filers needed to have three or more children to qualify — and to owe more Social Security taxes than earned income credits.

But those requirements have been eliminated and the allowable refund for each child doubled. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 also made the refund easier to get, auditors found.

Looks like the Dem Playbook has begun incorporating fear factor over religion of Republican candidates. Seems that the religious beliefs i.e. Christianity of Republicans has come under attack by Dem operatives, which of course includes the MSM. Look for more and more religious persecution coming from the party of hate, Global Warming, and wealth redistribution religion.

Good news, all this will be in vain. The scum have miscalculated America's Christian values and this tactic will blow up in their faces. Not to mention non-religions people aren't going to fall for this ploy as unemployment and the economy will remain in the forefront and Obama will not be able to escape from his dismal record this past 2 years or so.

http://www.rollcall.com/news/David-Weprin-Bob-Turner-NY-special-Weiner-poll-208424-1.html?pos=hftxt

A new Republican-commissioned poll showed the race to replace ex-Rep. Anthony Weiner (D) in New York’s 9th district to be a dead heat.

A McLaughlin & Associates poll of 300 likely voters found 42 percent would vote for state Assemblyman David Weprin (D) while 42 percent said they would vote for retired businessman Bob Turner (R).

Sixteen percent of those polled said they were undecided with less than two weeks to go before the Sept. 13 special election.

“With adequate resources, Bob Turner’s campaign will ... defeat David Weprin on September 13th. This is a very similar dynamic to [Republican] Scott Brown’s Senate victory in Massachusetts,” GOP pollster John McLaughlin wrote in a memo.

The live telephone survey, conducted Wednesday, had a margin of error of 5.7 points.

A Siena College poll released in early August showed Weprin leading by 6 points.

Democrats have a decided registration advantage in the district, but Barack Obama carried it in 2008 with only 55 percent of the vote. And in the conservative Brooklyn portion of the 9th, 57 percent of voters cast their ballot for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

Although Weprin remains favored to win the race — Roll Call rates it Likely Democratic — the dynamics of the district and the likelihood of a low-turnout election make an upset possible.

In an interview with Roll Call before the poll came out, Turner, 70, said a low-turnout election was to be expected.

“In this election, we think, on past performances and so on, that we’ll only have a 17 percent turnout,” he said. “Maybe as this takes off and heats up it could be higher, and I hope so.”

“I think the higher the turnout would suggest that the disaffected and the unhappy and the protests would be stronger, so we’ll see,” Turner said.

http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2011/09/insiders-gop-wo.php

Texas Gov. Rick Perry may be surging in polls of Republican primary voters, but his party's Insiders aren't convinced he'd be the best general election candidate. More than two-thirds of Republican Insiders say Mitt Romney has a better chance than Perry of defeating President Obama in 2012, according to this week's National Journal Political Insiders Poll.

Many Republican Insiders acknowledged Perry's appeal to conservatives but questioned his ability to win over independent voters. "Perry can fire up the base, but this election will be won in the middle, not on the fringes," said one. Said another, "Having trouble ID-ing a single independent who'd vote for Perry."

Democratic Insiders echoed that assessment by an even larger majority. "This election is sitting on a platter for Republicans if they do it right," said one. "Romney is probably good enough. Perry will get drilled by independent voters and women." Another quipped, "Rick Perry is all base and no swing."

Insiders in both parties raised questions about Perry's durability under the intense scrutiny of a presidential campaign. "As a conservative Republican, I love Rick Perry," said one Republican Insider, who added "but as a campaign strategist, I know the degree to which a few self-reinforcing oppo-hits can devastate a candidate." A Democratic Insider said plainly, "Perry's mouth will do him in."

Republicans and Democrats alike also pointed to Perry's similarities to another Texas governor as a liability. "Obama's best argument may be, 'We won't go back,'" said one Republican Insider. "Why make it easy for them by nominating someone who can't help but remind voters of George W. Bush?"

Romney's strength in the poll wasn't solely based on concerns about Perry. Insiders identified Romney's business background, his veteran campaign team, and his appeal to moderate voters as key general election strengths. "Romney has more national experience and more seasoned players, will trip himself up less, and will more successfully make the president's performance the central issue," said a Republican Insider.

A Democratic Insider added, "There is no state Perry can win that Mitt Romney won't. There are some states Romney can put into play (MA, OH, PA, NH) that are harder for Perry to win."

Still, some Republican Insiders see Perry's outsized personality and ability to appeal to the pasrty's base as beneficial in a race against Obama. "Romney can't match Obama in personality, but Perry can," said one. Another added, "Perry excites the base and unifies the Reagan coalition. Romney doesn't."

One Democratic Insider agreed, warning against underestimating Perry. "It's 1980 again. Some think Perry is too extreme, but it is his ability to appear genuine and confident that voters will remember."

The National Journal Political Insiders Poll is a regular survey of political operatives, strategists, campaign consultants and lobbyists in both parties. Below are the names of the Political Insiders who are surveyed:

Democrats: Jill Alper, John Anzalone, Brad Bannon, Dave Beattie, Andy Bechhoefer, Cornell Belcher, Matt Bennett, Mitchell W. Berger, Mike Berman, Stephanie Bosh, Paul Brathwaite, Donna Brazile, Mark Brewer, Ed Bruley, George Bruno, Deb Callahan, Bonnie Campbell, Bill Carrick, Guy Cecil, Martin J. Chavez, Tony Coelho, Larry Cohen, Jerry Crawford, Brendan Daly, Jeff Danielson, Peter Daou, Howard Dean, Scott DeFife, Jim Demers, Tad Devine, David Di Martino, Debbie Dingell, Monica Dixon, Patrick Dorton, Pat Dujakovich, Anita Dunn, Jeff Eller, Steve Elmendorf, Carter Eskew, Vic Fazio, Peter Fenn, Scott Ferson, Jim Fleischmann, Tina Flournoy, Don Foley, Jeffrey Forbes, Vincent Frillici, Gina Glantz, Niles Godes, John Michael Gonzalez, Joe Grandmaison, Anna Greenberg, Stan Greenberg, Pat Griffin, Larry Grisolano, Michael Gronstal, Lisa Grove, Marcia Hale, Jill Hanauer, Dick Harpootlian, Paul Harstad, Laura Hartigan, Doug Hattaway, Mike Henry, Karen Hicks, Leo Hindery Jr., Harold Ickes, Marcus Jadotte, John Jameson, Steve Jarding, Jonathon Jones, Jim Jordan, Gale Kaufman, Lisa Kountoupes, Celinda Lake, David Lang, Penny Lee, Chris Lehane, Jeff Link, Bob Maloney, Jim Manley, Steve Marchand, Jim Margolis, Paul Maslin, Keith Mason, Susan McCue, Gerald McEntee, Tom McMahon, Phil McNamara, David Medina, Michael Meehan, Mark Mellman, John Merrigan, Michael Monroe, Steve Murphy, Janet Napolitano, David Nassar, Marcia Nichols, John Norris, Tom Ochs, Tom O'Donnell, Jeffrey Peck, Debora Pignatelli, Tony Podesta, Jack Quinn, Larry Rasky, Mame Reiley, Ed Rendell, Steve Ricchetti, Will Robinson, Steve Rosenthal, David Rudd, Ryan Rudominer, John Ryan, Michael Sargeant, Stephanie Schriock, Terry Shumaker, Sean Sinclair, Phil Singer, Erik Smith, Doug Sosnik, Greg Speed, Darry Sragow, Ken Strasma, Doug Thornell, Jeffrey Trammell, Ed Turlington, Rick Wiener, James Williams, JoDee Winterhof, Brian Wolff, Jon Youngdahl, and Jim Zogby.

Republicans: Dan Allen, Stan Anderson, Gary Andres, Saulius (Saul) Anuzis, Rich Ashooh, Whit Ayres, Brett Bader, Mitch Bainwol, Brian Baker, Gary Bauer, David Beckwith, Paul Bennecke, Clark Benson, Wayne Berman, Brian Bieron, Charlie Black, Kirk Blalock, Carmine Boal, Jeff Boeyink, Ron Bonjean, Jeff Buley, Luke Byars, Nick Calio, Al Cardenas, Danny Carroll, Alex Castellanos, Ron Christie, Jim Cicconi, Jonathan Collegio, Rob Collins, Cesar Conda, Jake Corman, Scott Cottington, Jay Cranford, Greg Crist, Diane Crookham-Johnson, Fergus Cullen, Tom Davis, Mike Dennehy, Ken Duberstein, Debi Durham, Sara Fagen, Frank Fahrenkopf, John Feehery, Don Fierce, Mindy Finn, Mindy Fletcher, Carl Forti, Alex Gage, Bruce A. Gates, Sam Geduldig, Adam Geller, Benjamin Ginsberg, David Girard-diCarlo, Bill Greener, Jonathan Grella, Lanny Griffith, Janet Mullins Grissom, Doug Gross, Todd Harris, Steve Hart, Christopher Healy, Ralph Hellmann, Chris Henick, Terry Holt, David Iannelli, Ed Ingle, Jim Innocenzi, Clark Judge, David Keating, David Kensinger, Bob Kjellander, Ed Kutler, Chris LaCivita, Jim Lake, Steven Law, George S. LeMieux, Steve Lombardo, Kevin Madden, Joel Maiola, Gary Maloney, David Marin, Mary Matalin, Dan Mattoon, Brian McCormack, Mark McKinnon, Kyle McSlarrow, Ken Mehlman, Jim Merrill, Lisa Camooso Miller, Tim Morrison, Mike Murphy, Phil Musser, Ron Nehring, Terry Nelson, Neil Newhouse, David Norcross, Ziad Ojakli, Jack Oliver, Todd Olsen, Kevin O'Neill, Connie Partoyan, Dana Perino, Billy Piper, Van B. Poole, Tom Rath, Scott Reed, David Rehr, Tom Reynolds, Steve Roberts, Jason Roe, David Roederer, Dan Schnur, Russ Schriefer, Rich Schwarm, Brent Seaborn, Rick Shelby, Andrew Shore, Kevin Shuvalov, Don Sipple, Ken Spain, Fred Steeper, Bob Stevenson, Terry Sullivan, David Tamasi, Eric Tanenblatt, Richard Temple, Heath Thompson, Jay Timmons, Warren Tompkins, Ted Van Der Meid, Dirk van Dongen, Jan van Lohuizen, Stewart Verdery, Dick Wadhams, John Weaver, Lezlee Westine, Dave Winston, Ginny Wolfe, Fred Wszolek, and Matthew Zablud.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/shooting-hogs-helicopters-fishing-hands-five-perry-approved-170245980.html


When the new Texas state fiscal year begins on Thursday, more than 700 laws passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. Rick Perry this year will take effect. From hogs and helicopters to handguns and highways, here's a look at five Texas-size laws about to go into effect in the Lone Star State:

1. It will be legal in Texas to shoot feral hogs from helicopters.

Starting Thursday, adventure hunters can legally pay for a helicopter ride and fire away at some of the 2 million feral hogs that roam the state.

State Rep. Sid Miller, who sponsored the legislation, says the animals cause up to $500 million in damage each year and that the new law can help reduce the damage.

The Fort Worth Star Telegram reports that Vertex Helicopters, a Houston-based company, has already reserved slots for 30 hog hunters, at a price of $475 an hour (with a 3-hour minimum), and that 60 hunters have taken the company's required $350 safety course.

Before the law passed, it was only legal for residents to shoot feral hogs from helicopters on their own land.

2. The government will no longer fine you for catching fish with your hands.

Fishing for catfish in Texas waters without a pole has been illegal for the better part of the last century, but thanks to a law passed this year, bare-handed fishermen can finally rest easy. Starting Thursday, fisherman who like to use their hands instead of a fishing pole will no longer face the threat of a $500 fine.

In the method known as "noodling," a fisherman sticks his hand under the water until the fish bites it, and then wrestles the creature out of the water.

3. It's OK to bring your gun to work.

Workers in Texas now have the freedom to pack a gun with their (freshly noodled) catfish sandwich when heading to work. Employees can apply for a permit to bring their guns to work, so long as they leave the firearm concealed and locked in their car.

4. I can drive 85.

Americans will be able to drive faster in Texas than any other state in the nation. Approved in April as part of a state transportation bill, the Texas legislature raised the maximum state speed limit to 85 miles per hour.

5. Want to have a beer and see a naked lady? Pay the government five bucks.

Yes, Rick Perry raised taxes! This law was passed in 2007, but was deemed constitutional by the state's highest court only last week. The Texas Supreme Court ruled that the measure--which requires Texas strip clubs that serve alcohol to charge a $5 dollar "pole tax" (get it?) on every patron--is not a violation of the First Amendment.

The money raised from the tax will be used to support programs that aid victims of sexual abuse and fund health care for the uninsured.

Sorry gents, no video for this one.

Looks like a Jobs Plan will be revealed next week some time. I am happy Obama has made it a high priority!