McHenry votes against our kids (again)

From Lattice of Coincidence: 156 representatives who hate poor, sick kids...

...and who would rather spend the money on 3 weeks of s#it blowing up in Iraq:

"Democrats":
Jim Marshall (GA), Gene Taylor (MS)

"Putting Families First" Republicans:
Robert Aderholt (AL), Todd Akin (MO), Rodney Alexander (LA), Michele Bachmann (MN), Spencer Bachus (AL), Richard Baker (LA), J. Gresham Barrett (SC), Roscoe Bartlett (MD), Joe Barton (TX), Judith Biggert (IL), Brian Bilbray (CA), Gus Bilirakis (FL), Rob Bishop (UT), Marsha Blackburn (TN), Roy Blunt (MO), John Boehner (OH), Jo Bonner (AL), John Boozman (AR), Charles Boustany (LA), Kevin Brady (TX), Paul Broun (GA), Henry Brown (SC), Ginny Brown-Waite (FL), Michael Burgess (TX), Dan Burton (IN), Steve Buyer (IN), Ken Calvert (CA), Dave Camp (MI), John Campbell (CA), Chris Cannon (UT), Eric Cantor (VA), John Carter (TX), Steve Chabot (OH), Howard Coble (NC), Tom Cole (OK), Michael Conaway (TX), Ander Crenshaw (FL), Barbara Cubin (WY), John Culberson (TX), Geoff Davis (KY), David Davis (TN), Nathan Deal (GA), Mario Diaz-Balart (FL), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (FL), John Doolittle (CA), Thelma Drake (VA), David Dreier (CA), John 'Jimmy' Duncan (TN), Terry Everett (AL), Mary Fallin (OK), Tom Feeney (FL), Jeff Flake (AZ), Randy Forbes (VA), Jeff Fortenberry (NE), Virginia Foxx (NC), Trent Franks (AZ), Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ), Elton Gallegly (CA), Scott Garrett (NJ), Phil Gingrey (GA), Louie Gohmert (TX), Virgil Goode (VA), Bob Goodlatte (VA), Kay Granger (TX), Sam Graves (MO), Ralph Hall (TX), J. Dennis Hastert (IL), Doc Hastings (WA), Robin Hayes (NC), Dean Heller (NV), Jeb Hensarling (TX), Wally Herger (CA), Peter Hoekstra (MI), Kenny Hulshof (MO), Duncan Hunter (CA), Bob Inglis (SC), Darrell Issa (CA), Sam Johnson (TX), Tim Johnson (IL), Walter Jones (NC), Jim Jordan (OH), Ric Keller (FL), Steve King (IA), Jack Kingston (GA), John Kline (MN), Joe Knollenberg (MI), Randy Kuhl (NY), Doug Lamborn (CO), Ron Lewis (KY), Jerry Lewis (CA), John Linder (GA), Frank Lucas (OK), Daniel Lungren (CA), Connie Mack (FL), Donald Manzullo (IL), Kenny Marchant (TX), Kevin McCarthy (CA), Michael McCaul (TX), Thad McCotter (MI), Jim McCrery (LA), Patrick McHenry (NC), Buck McKeon (CA), John Mica (FL), Jeff Miller (FL), Gary Miller (CA), Marilyn Musgrave (CO), Sue Myrick (NC), Randy Neugebauer (TX), Devin Nunes (CA), Ron Paul (TX), Stevan Pearce (NM), Mike Pence (IN), John Peterson (PA), Chip Pickering (MS), Joe Pitts (PA), Ted Poe (TX), Tom Price (GA), Adam Putnam (FL), George Radanovich (CA), Thomas Reynolds (NY), Mike Rogers (AL), Mike Rogers (MI), Hal Rogers (KY), Dana Rohrabacher (CA), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL), Peter Roskam (IL), Edward Royce (CA), Paul Ryan (WI), Bill Sali (ID), Jim Saxton (NJ), Jean Schmidt (OH), Jim Sensenbrenner (WI), Pete Sessions (TX), John Shadegg (AZ), John Shimkus (IL), Bill Shuster (PA), Lamar Smith (TX), Adrian Smith (NE), Mark Souder (IN), Cliff Stearns (FL), John Sullivan (OK), Tom Tancredo (CO), Lee Terry (NE), Mac Thornberry (TX), Todd Tiahrt (KS), Timothy Walberg (MI), Greg Walden (OR), Zachary Wamp (TN), Dave Weldon (FL), Jerry Weller (IL), Lynn Westmoreland (GA), Ed Whitfield (KY), Roger Wicker (MS), Joe Wilson (SC)

I see these Southern "christians" never seem to vote the way Jesus would. Hmmm, maybe dat's because they're FULLA$#I+?

Suckers:
"Eight in 10 Americans favor expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program, or S-CHIP, including large majorities of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. While the president has raised concerns about the additional cost of expanding S-CHIP, those who favor the proposal say they'd even be willing to pay more in taxes to help the program cover more children. "

Rats jumping ship

From the Charlotte Observer:

Hat trick of resignations for McHenry

They say things happen in threes. That seems to be the case in the office of Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-Cherryville:

1. His chief of staff, Jon Causey, left to become legislative director for Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C.

2. His press secretary, Aaron Latham, has returned to his alma mater, the University of Alabama, to be communications manager of its law school.

3. And his campaign's finance director, Chris McClure, is the new chief of staff for the N.C. Republican Party.

All have been replaced with existing staff.

Hickory Vigil for Children's Health

When our kids get sick, having health insurance can mean the difference between life and death. Next week, Congress will decide which fate awaits poor children across America, when they consider whether to override President Bush's veto of kids' health care.1

To win, we only need 15 more Republicans to switch sides—and the best way to make that happen is with nationwide outcry. So, on Tuesday night, we'll gather at candlelight vigils for the millions of U.S. children who won't get health care if the Republicans block the bill.

Vigil To Save Children's Health Care
In front of Rep. Patrick McHenry's Office
87 Fourth St NW
Hickory, NC 28601
Tuesday, 16 Oct 2007, 6:00 PM

To sign up for this event, click here:
http://political.moveon.org/event/kidshealthvigil/41518

Dan Johnson, the 10th's next representative

From BlueNC by DharmaPup:

Daniel Johnson ... the next representative from the 10th district? God/Allah/YHWH/Shiva willing. Some interesting info from the Denver Post from some time back tells a little bit of his story:

Johnson joined the Navy to see the world, and this certainly was a good start. The USS Blue Ridge was being pulled from port by tugboat at Pusan, South Korea, last August when Daniel spotted one of his men in trouble. Seaman Steven Wright, 21, of Pine Bluff, Ark., was working the large cables connecting the tugboat with the ship and had become entangled. The tugboat began pulling Wright toward a small hole in the ship's side. That could have ripped him apart.

An official "summary of action" report noted that seven other personnel were on the scene but only Ensign Johnson rushed to the seaman's aid. When Johnson tried to loosen the cable from Wright's leg, his own legs got caught.

Each survived. However, Wright lost a foot and four fingers. Johnson lost his lower legs below the knee for his actions.

On September 24th, 1999, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Johnson received the Navy/Marine Corp Medal (photo) for his actions.

"It says a lot about him that he didn't hesitate. He just wanted to save the guy's life even if it meant risking his," Will Johnson said. "That was one of his men. That's what he was thinking about."

Here's another interesting article from All Hands, the magazine of the US Navy.

I'm just wondering how that great warrior and military hero Patrick McHenry (the hyperinflated little fart) will try to swiftboat Johnson if/when he runs. It'll happen ... shades of an AWOL Texas National Guard pilot calling a decorated Vietnam veteran unpatriotic. If he does step in (and I'm hopeful), he'll need all the help NC Dems can give.

Still, Johnson's own comment about his experience of recovering from his injuries seems to fit what he'll face if/when he runs against Patty:

"I now have more determination to focus on things that I didn't have before the accident," Johnson said. "Everyone has challenges you don't think you can overcome, but if you maintain a positive attitude and work toward it, life will turn out normal."

Ivester announces run for McHenry's seat

No chance in hell, of course.

Here's the Charlotte Observer blurb.

If this is all the press Steve can manage for his announcement, I doubt he can win a primary against "none of the above."

I know I'm being pretty mean here but get real, Steve. You don't have the campaign skills. You don't have the listening skills. And you don't have the fundraising skills to win dog catcher.

And what happened with your promise to withdraw if another candidate stepped up to run?

Sloppy seconds?

On Saturday, Minority Leader John Boehner came to a fund-raising breakfast for Congressman Pat. Thing is, he'd done a dinner for 5th District Congressman Virginia Foxx the night before.

Google Pat and John and you get only old stuff. Google Virginia and John and you get her inivitation.

Gee, wonder why John even came to the breakfast if he didn't want anyone to know or see them together?

What were the poll questions, Pat?

NC Democratic Party Chair Jerry Meek wants to know. And so do I. Tel Opinion Research is known for push polling. That means they ask questions that are designed to dish dirt on the opposition. As well, many pollsters stay in business by designing polls that will tell their candidate (the customer) what he wants to hear.

Let's see the science behind that absurd poll whose results you released yesterday, Mr. Man.

RALEIGH -- In response to the release of a recent poll produced by Republican Congressman Patrick McHenry, NCDP Chair Jerry Meek today called upon Rep. McHenry to release all of his poll results, including the text of the questions asked.

Earlier this week, McHenry cheerfully released a poll purporting to state that 80 percent of Republicans approve of his performance. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the poll was a "push poll," in which questions are purposely biased to produce an intended result. The chest-thumping exercise also said McHenry would easily win if pitted against previous rival Catawba County Sheriff David Huffman and fellow Republican District Attorney Jay Gaither.

“Is McHenry trying to scare off potential rivals before they even file to run?” Meek said. “Or is he trying to convince voters that his obstructionism and abysmal record on issues they care about doesn’t matter? Any claim by McHenry that this poll shows his strength is simply not credible unless McHenry is willing to release the full poll results, include the text of the questions asked."

"It should be clear to the people of the 10th district that Patrick McHenry is more concerned about himself than about the people of his district,” Meek said. “With new questions emerging about his character and about the people he surrounds himself with, McHenry may find himself returning to his phantom real estate business in January of 2009."