First, thanks for a whirlwind of comments and feedback on TPMPrime, our new membership section debuting in October. We’ve — I personally — have been gratified and greatly appreciate the response and interest. In case you haven’t seen our discussion so far, here’s my announcement of TPMPrime (what it is, why you should join) and then the follow up post on price.
TPMPrime officially opens its doors on October 15th. And tomorrow, the 1st, we start our launch membership drive.
Here’s how it will work. We need to launch with as many members as possible. So for the next two weeks we’ll be offering only our annual membership ($50). (Later in the month we’ll be introducing a monthly membership rate as well.) Everyone who signs up in the first half of October will be a “Launch member”. No special privileges but a permanent recognition that you were that at the beginning to help us get Prime off the ground. As Mitt Romney might say, “You Built That!”
I just found out a friend of mine has been deeply involved in putting this together: Half the Sky Movement: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide.
Check it out.
Another poll of Ohio shows Obama ahead by 9 points. And early voting is about to start in the state.
Amidst the tempests of late September, the 2012 campaign this last week was hit by a thunderclap of schadenfreude, as the Republican Party, which has been using baseless claims of voter fraud to disenfranchise voters around the country, was itself embroiled in a scandal involving voter registration fraud. The story centers on a firm called Strategic Allied Consulting employed by the Republican National Committee to do voter registration work in Florida and other states. And the man behind Strategic is someone longtime TPM Readers will definitely remember: Nathan Sproul.
Now, before going any further, let’s clarify one point. Voter registration fraud is not vote fraud. The first is relatively common in the US and the later is extremely rare. And while both are criminal offenses and should be they are apples and oranges when it comes to affecting the outcome of elections. Read More
To understand the current ‘debate’ about party ID levels in 2012 polls, check out this chart below the fold. You can’t understand what’s going on without it. Read More
9:48 PM: And now we’re on to the threat that the Asian Carp will take over the Great Lakes.
9:48 PM: Thompson: Alright, Carp! Get the hell outta here!
9:50 PM: Okay, if it comes down to who’s angrier at the Carp, I think Thompson’s taking this baby.
9:56 PM: Baldwin: “Tommy Thompson would voucherize Medicare.”
9:30 PM: And Baldwin goes in for the kill on Medicare. Though that’s really just my language. My like go in for the soft bonk on the head. Interestingly, more than hit Thompson’s comments she tied him to the Ryan plan. Very revealing.
9:32 PM: Curious how people see Thompson in the state right now. He really seems like he has codgerism in my book.
9:33 PM: Thompson first says it’s ridiculous to say he supports Ryan plan; then he says he supports the Ryan Plan.
9:35 PM: Someone must have told Thompson they’d kill his pet rabbit if he correctly pronounced any word having to do with Iran — just go ask AhmadineJohn or travel through the Strait of Hormuth.
9:38 PM: Yep, I’m sure. He’s got codgerism.
9:38 PM: What does Thompson mean he built a women’s hospital in Kabul?
9:41 PM: Baldwin sounds sort of unstated and low key, clear but a little uninspired. Thompson meanwhile is boisterous, direct but also sort of like a character in The Simpsons. Quite a contrast.
9:07 PM: Thompson starting off really trying to push against those ‘do away with Medicare/Medicaid’ remarks. Heavy emphasis on health care and women’s health care.
9:12 PM: Having watched a lot of crazy over the last two years, it’s sort of weird watching a debate with two fairly competent people making their case.
9:16 PM: Thompson comes off fairly well in this debate so far. But Thompson’s role in the Bush administration may be his achilles heel. Also not sure his chuckling at her while she’s talking works for him.
9:19 PM: “I’m a builder. I built Wisconsin.” Thompson just said that. That sounded sort of weird.
9:21 PM: Interesting. Thompson basically just came out for abolishing the filibuster … Baldwin basically agreed, though she was a bit more vague.
9:23 PM: Baldwin gets a question on Social Security, tries to shift it to Medicare (Thompson’s weak point).
9:24 PM: Thompson seems to really be leading with a glass jaw on Medicare. Is it considered too mean in Wisconsin for Baldwin to hit back?
9:25 PM: Weird, I’m being deluged by emails from the Thompson campaign. Zero from the Baldwin campaign.
9:26 PM: Maybe I don’t get Wisconsin politics. Thompson said a few days ago — or the tape was released a few days ago — showing him saying he wanted to do away with Medicare. He just said he’d save it. No response from Baldwin. Guess maybe she doesn’t think she needs to?
In moments the Thompson/Baldwin debate begins on CSPAN. I’ll be liveblogging here. If you’re watching, email me or tweet me your thoughts.
Interestingly, intro to debate was apparently based on a late 1970s Second City TV episode.