News politics 2008-06-18 Andanh.com

McCain hits Obama on windfall profits tax Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:00 EDT
Republican Sen. John McCain called for a clean break from Bush administration energy policies on Tuesday, then promptly pivoted to accuse campaign rival Barack Obama of supporting recycled measures that failed in the past.

"Tax relief just isn't change he can believe in," said the Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting, mocking his opponent's campaign slogan.

McCain's bid to chart a middle course on a major issue hit a bump, though, when he criticized Obama for proposing a windfall profits tax, despite saying last month he would consider the same proposal.

In a speech in energy-producing Texas, McCain said the United States needs more oil than during the Arab oil embargo of the 1970s, yet produces less. Now, he warned, a single successful terror attack at an oil installation could plunge the country into an "economic crisis of monumental proportions."

With President Bush's poll ratings at historically low levels, McCain often emphasizes his differences with the current administration, and he coupled his speech with the release of a new television commercial stressing an issue that appeals to environmentalists.

Obama promises tuition tax credit Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:57 EDT
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama recalled paying off his own mountain of student loan debt and promised struggling college students Tuesday he would help them pay for school.

Obama said he would give students a $4,000 tax credit to help pay tuition and fees in exchange for 100 hours of community service. The campaign said the program would cost $10 billion a year.

"You get a hand living your dreams, and then you help your fellow citizens live theirs," the Illinois senator told a small group of students in a courtyard at Wayne County Community College. He listened as they told stories of balancing family demands, high fuel prices and school costs.

The event combined a couple of campaign goals, stressing Obama's plans to help Americans struggling in a tough economy while showing voters in the critical swing state of Michigan more about his modest roots.

Michigan Republicans have been trying to portray him as an elite senator out of touch with the daily struggles in the state, which has the nation's highest unemployment rate. "His two biggest accomplishments in the U.S. Senate are becoming a millionaire and running for president," GOP Rep. Mike Rogers told reporters in a conference call as Obama began a two-day visit to the state.

DNC wants McCain investigated Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:00 EDT
Democratic Party officials plan to file a new lawsuit to compel federal regulators to investigate whether Sen. John McCain violated election laws by withdrawing from public financing.

The Democratic National Committee announced Tuesday it will sue next week in U.S. District Court. It will ask the court to order the Federal Election Commission to examine, within 30 days, the legality of McCain's decision to reject $5.8 million in taxpayer funds.

By turning down the money, the presumed Republican nominee was able avoid strict spending limits between now and the GOP's national convention in September.

At issue is a $4 million line of credit the McCain campaign obtained late last year. While the loan was not secured by the promise of public funds, his agreement with the bank required McCain to reapply for public funds if he lost early primary contests and to use that money as collateral.

The DNC filed a complaint with the FEC in February, arguing that the bank arrangement violated federal regulations. But the six-member FEC has been unable to act because it doesn't have a quorum. Four nominees are awaiting Senate confirmation.

Obama to seek AFL-CIO, labor backing in meetings Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:00 EDT
Democrat Barack Obama is moving quickly this week in hopes of uniting the labor movement behind his candidacy.

The presumed presidential nominee is scheduled to meet with AFL-CIO leaders on Wednesday, followed by a meeting with leaders of the AFL-CIO and other unions on Thursday at a closed-door economic forum.

The AFL-CIO, the nation's largest labor organization, has yet to endorse Obama, although its eventual support is all but certain. The AFL-CIO already has started its campaign against Republican presidential candidate John McCain, and its biggest rival, the Change to Win labor organization, has endorsed the Democratic senator from Illinois.

Change to Win leaders will meet privately with Obama on Thursday evening.

Obama still needs to make amends with many in the labor movement; at least a dozen AFL-CIO unions, including the powerful American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, backed his Democratic rival, Hillary Rodham Clinton. The AFL-CIO allowed its unions to make their own endorsements during the primaries.

McCain, Obama offer different visions on taxes Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:26 EDT
Make more than $250,000 a year? Watch out. Barack Obama wants to raise your income taxes. Social Security taxes, too.

Run a corporation? Lucky you. John McCain wants to cut your business taxes.

Those positions illustrate pieces of two vastly different approaches to the economy, an issue at the forefront of voters' minds given that the country is teetering on the brink of - if not already in - a recession as gas prices soar and layoffs rise amid a credit crisis and a housing slump.

Obama, the Democrat, seemingly has a traditional liberal outlook of taxing the rich more while having the government help people of more modest means through tax breaks. McCain, the Republican, advocates a classic conservative vision of cutting taxes - many geared toward businesses - to promote competition within a free-market system.

Neither plan is cheap.

Today on the presidential campaign trail Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:35 EDT
IN THE HEADLINES

Obama: Republicans need to learn the lessons of 9/11, not me ... McCain says windfall profits tax would worsen dependence on foreign oil ... Boren has kind words for Obama, despite not endorsing him ... Obama says he will help students pay for college ... Obama to seek AFL-CIO endorsement in meeting with leaders ... Democrats sue for investigation of McCain decision to reject public money for primary

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Obama answers GOP critics on terrorism

WASHINGTON (AP) - A defiant Barack Obama said Tuesday he would take no lectures from Republicans on which candidate would keep the U.S. safer, a sharp rebuke to John McCain's aides who said the Democrat had a naive, Sept. 10 mind-set toward terrorism.

Poll: Obama leads McCain nationally by small margin Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:21 EDT
THE RACE: The presidential race nationally

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THE NUMBERS

Barack Obama, 48 percent

John McCain, 42 percent

Bush and McCain: Alike or different? Wed, 18 Jun 2008 02:05 EDT
The Democrats like to say that electing Sen. John McCain would usher in the third term of George W. Bush, and they do not mean that as a compliment. The Republicans counter that calling the senator "McBush" is political spin and that the candidate is his own man.

A look at McCain's 25-year record in the House and Senate, his 2008 campaign positions and his major speeches over the last three months indicates that on big-ticket issues -- the economy, support for continuing the Iraq war, health care -- his stance is indeed similar to Bush's brand of conservatism. They also have nearly identical positions on abortion and the types of judges he says he would appoint.

On the environment, U.S. diplomacy and nuclear proliferation, McCain has strikingly different views from Bush. And although he shares the president's goals in Iraq, he was at times an outspoken critic of the way the war was managed.

McCain would bring a different style, background and world view to the White House. But when it comes to the issues, here is how he and Bush match up.

Although he once held very different views, McCain's biggest similarity to Bush is on the economy. Not only does the senator support making permanent the large Bush tax cuts he once opposed -- 2001's $1.35 trillion tax reduction and 2003's $320 billion tax cut -- he has proposed four major new tax cuts.

Obama discusses his student loan plan Wed, 18 Jun 2008 02:05 EDT
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama recalled paying off his own mountain of student loan debt and promised struggling college students Tuesday he would help them pay for school.

Obama said he would give students a $4,000 tax credit to help pay tuition and fees in exchange for 100 hours of community service. The campaign said the program would cost $10 billion a year.

"You get a hand living your dreams, and then you help your fellow citizens live theirs," the Illinois senator told a small group of students in a courtyard at Wayne County Community College. He listened as they told stories of balancing family demands, high fuel prices and school costs.

The event combined a couple of campaign goals, stressing Obama's plans to help Americans struggling in a tough economy while showing voters in the critical swing state of Michigan more about his modest roots.

Michigan Republicans have been trying to portray him as an elite senator out of touch with the daily struggles in the state, which has the nation's highest unemployment rate. "His two biggest accomplishments in the U.S. Senate are becoming a millionaire and running for president," GOP Rep. Mike Rogers told reporters in a conference call as Obama began a two-day visit to the state.

Obama names senior advisers Tue, 17 Jun 2008 07:56 EDT
Barack Obama's campaign named new senior advisers on Monday, including former Hillary Rodham Clinton campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle as chief of staff to the presidential candidate's yet-to-be-chosen running mate.

Also heading the list of new top aides are Jim Messina, former chief of staff to Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana who will be Obama's chief of staff, and Stephanie Cutter, communications director to Sen. John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign who will be a senior adviser to Obama and chief of staff to Obama's wife, Michelle.

The campaign is beefing up for the general election. Other posts being filled include a national field director, which went to Jon Carson, who was director of voter contact during the primaries. Another post -- battleground states director -- will be filled by Jen O'Malley, who directed John Edwards' Iowa operation.

Obama gets Gore's backing Tue, 17 Jun 2008 02:07 EDT
Al Gore made his debut in the 2008 presidential campaign Monday night, encouraging voters to back Barack Obama because "take it from me, elections matter."

The former vice president's speech at the Joe Louis Arena was part endorsement and part blistering attack on the man who denied him the White House eight years ago.

"After eight years of incompetence, neglect and failure, we need change," Gore said. "After eight years when our Constitution has been dishonored and disrespected, we need changes."

In 2000, Gore won the popular vote but lost the disputed election to George W. Bush, who captured Florida and its electoral votes after a divided Supreme Court ended the recount of ballots. Since then, Gore has made combatting global warming his signature issue, and has been recognized worldwide for his effort -- from an Academy Award to the Nobel Prize.

Obama stoked the lasting anger of Democrats over 2000 when he recognized Gore as "the winner of the popular vote for president."

McCain speaks on offshore oil drilling Tue, 17 Jun 2008 02:06 EDT
Sen. John McCain said Monday the federal moratorium on offshore oil and gas drilling should be lifted, and individual states given the right to pursue energy exploration in waters near their own coasts.

With gasoline prices rising and the United States chronically dependent on foreign oil, the Republican presidential contender said his proposal would "be very helpful in the short term resolving our energy crisis."

McCain also suggested giving the states incentives, including a greater share of royalties paid by companies that drill for oil, to permit exploration.

Asked how far offshore states should be given control of drilling rights, he said that was a matter for negotiation.

He offered no other details for his proposal, which he is expected to describe more fully on Tuesday in an energy speech.

Obama stresses role of fathers Mon, 16 Jun 2008 02:02 EDT
In a Father's Day address, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama told worshipers at a Chicago church Sunday that government must do more to help families --but he also exhorted parents, especially fathers, to do their part.

America needs more than jobs and opportunities in its communities, the presidential candidate told the hometown congregation. "We also need families to raise our children," he said. "We need fathers to realize that responsibility does not end at conception. We need them to realize that what makes you a man is not the ability to have a child. It's the courage to raise one."

His words came in the aftermath of a painful separation from the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr., who, as Obama's longtime pastor, played a crucial role in his spiritual maturation. A few weeks ago, Obama publicly broke with Wright after controversy about the minister's strident sermons.

As the first stop in Obama's quest for a new religious home, Chicago's the Apostolic Church of God offered a symbolic new beginning.

"Of all the rocks upon which we build our lives, we are reminded today that family is the most important," Obama said. "And we are called to recognize and honor how critical every father is to that foundation."

9 people indicted in abuse case Wed, 18 Jun 2008 02:05 EDT
Nine people have been indicted in connection with a pattern of abusive behavior against adult residents of Community Presence Inc., an adult-care facility in Carter County, Attorney General Jack Conway said Tuesday.

Each of the nine is charged with abuse of an adult, unlawful imprisonment, and wanton endangerment in the first degree. Each of the defendants could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Investigators with the attorney general's Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control Division started an investigation in cooperation with the Grayson Police Department after the suspicious death of a resident at the facility.

In addition to charges relating to the resident's death, the investigation uncovered an alleged dangerous pattern of abuse endangering the lives of various residents at the facility.

Those indicted were Earl Pelfrey, 29; Glada Miller, 28; Regina Stevens, 33; Todd Gribbin, 38; Ira Griffith, 27; Karl King, 45; Matthew Wilburn, 22; Michael Yates, 37; and Robert Thompson, 52.

Substitute offered for vetoed road projects list Tue, 17 Jun 2008 02:07 EDT
Kentucky Transportation Secretary Joe Prather released a substitute road construction plan Monday night containing all proposed transportation projects for the state through 2014.

But Senate President David Williams said Prather has "no constitutional authority" to issue such a plan.

Williams, R-Burkesville, sued Gov. Steve Beshear last month, contending that Beshear improperly vetoed a list of road projects the legislature approved in the waning hours of the General Assembly session in House Bill 79.

Beshear said he vetoed the legislature's action because of the unprecedented limitations it would have placed on his ability to administer transportation funds, and he said that his veto was issued properly.

Chuck Wolfe, a spokesman for the Transportation Cabinet, said Monday that the latest highway plan has no effect on Williams' lawsuit.

Budget cuts slice into family services Sun, 15 Jun 2008 02:02 EDT
Last year, Brooklawn Child and Family Services in Louisville helped the parents of 268 kids do a better job.

The children had been identified as at-risk for being taken from their homes because of abuse or neglect. With the help of a two-year, $300,000 state grant, Brooklawn sent social workers into homes to help the parents become more successful.

"You kind of re-parent the parent," said Mike Schultz, vice president for development at Brooklawn.

But on June 30, the program -- which went two years without having a child taken from his or her home -- will lose its funding.

To comply with its share of the $179.9 million in cuts ordered by the General Assembly as part of the budget that begins July 1, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services cut $7.6 million from programs designed to help social workers keep kids with their biological parents or reunite them with their families.

Subplots likely to spice up session Mon, 16 Jun 2008 02:02 EDT
On the last day of this spring's General Assembly session, Gov. Steve Beshear explained to a class of children touring the Capitol how he was about to sign into law a bill requiring tykes to ride in booster seats.

"This," he told them, "is the good part."

As it turned out, that was about the only bright spot for the rookie governor and the lawmakers, who saw most other key bills tank along with the public approval ratings of both branches of government.

Now legislators and Beshear's administration are on the brink of meeting again this month to conclude one piece of unfinished business: a bill aimed at clotting the financial bleeding of the state worker pension system.

The topic of the special session expected to begin June 23 is rather dry and complicated. But two potential subplots with far-reaching effects could begin to unfold when lawmakers convene.

Obama rebukes McCain camp on terrorism criticism Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:35 EDT
A defiant Barack Obama said Tuesday he would take no lectures from Republicans on which candidate would keep the U.S. safer, a sharp rebuke to John McCain's aides who said the Democrat had a naive, Sept. 10 mind-set toward terrorism.

"These are the same guys who helped to engineer the distraction of the war in Iraq at a time when we could have pinned down the people who actually committed 9/11," the presumed nominee told reporters aboard his campaign plane. "This is the same kind of fear-mongering that got us into Iraq ... and it's exactly that failed foreign policy I want to reverse."

The debate between the rival camps echoed the 2004 presidential campaign in which President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and other Republicans argued that Democratic nominee John Kerry was soft on terror, a claim that resonated with voters and helped propel Bush to re-election. Democrats complained that the GOP was using the politics of fear.

The Republican argument proved less effective in 2006 when then Bush adviser Karl Rove said the Democrats had a pre-Sept. 11 view of the world and Republicans had a post-Sept. 11 terror attacks perspective. In November of that year, Democrats captured enough congressional seats to seize control of the House and Senate.

On his campaign plane, Obama told reporters that Osama bin Laden is still at large in part because Bush's strategy toward fighting terror has not succeeded.

McCain criticizes Obama's oil plan Wed, 18 Jun 2008 02:05 EDT
Republican Sen. John McCain called for a clean break from Bush administration energy policies on Tuesday, then promptly pivoted to accuse campaign rival Barack Obama of supporting recycled measures that failed in the past.

McCain's bid to chart a middle course on a major issue hit a bump, though, when he criticized Obama for proposing a windfall profits tax despite saying last month he would consider the same proposal.

In a speech in energy-producing Texas, McCain said the United States needs more oil than during the Arab oil embargo of the 1970s, yet produces less. Now, he warned, a single successful terror attack at an oil installation could plunge the country into an "economic crisis of monumental proportions."

With President Bush's poll ratings at historically low levels, McCain often emphasizes his differences with the current administration, and he coupled his speech with the release of a new television commercial stressing an issue that appeals to environmentalists.

"John McCain stood up to the president and sounded the alarm on global warming -- five years ago," the ad states. "Today, he has a realistic plan that will curb greenhouse gas emissions. A plan that will help grow our economy and protect our environment." Aides said the commercial would run in several battleground states and on cable television over the next several days.

Special session called; agreement seems likely Wed, 18 Jun 2008 02:05 EDT
Confident that he has an agreement with House and Senate leaders to overhaul the state's retirement systems, Gov. Steve Beshear called state lawmakers into a special session to begin at high noon June 23 at a daily cost of $60,000 to taxpayers.

The Democratic governor attached to his call a 179-page agreement House and Senate leaders reached last week after negotiations.

Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, and House Speaker Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, said they do not expect any problems in the session that is expected to last five days, the minimum amount of time it takes a bill to wind through the legislative process.

But Williams said he is concerned that "the measure doesn't go far enough" and that Beshear and the Democratic-controlled House will be reluctant to enact more pension reforms in the 2009 General Assembly.

"Until the governor and the Democratic majority in the House have the public courage to stand up to public-employee unions, we are not likely to see any more action on this issue," Williams said.

Chinese Dir