Fresh Loaf

Remember how Michael Steele — the newly elected GOP Party chief, NOT the porn star (NSFW!) — promised his party would reach out to potential voters with an “off-the-hook” PR blitz? It would improve the Republican image — even with “one-armed midgets!”

Here’s the first blast! The GOP Problem Solver. Ask a question, and the GOP genie in the Internets will tell you the solution.

And what if this newfangled contraption’s answer “doesn’t make sense?”

“Then the terrorists win.”

(Hat tip to shorterexcerpts)

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Lobbbyist parties held by Southern Co. for “the Southern delegation” sound like they’re just a step up from fraternity band parties.

Case in point: According to CQPolitics, Atlanta-based utility giant Southern Co. co-sponsored a private party last Sunday in honor of our distinguished gentlemen that featured Sammy Hagar, world-famous curly-haired rocker and tequila enthusiast .

From the article (bold text added to imply outrage and disgust):

For example, the rules weren’t necessarily as tough for the Southern Company sponsoring a Sammy Hagar concert Sunday at the venue First Avenue, billed as a tribute to the Southern Delegation.

Posters and television screens reminded guests of numerous sponsors, including “partners” the National Association of Home Builders and Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America, and “additional sponsors” such as Aflac, Wal-Mart and Lockheed Martin.

The message might have been lost on giggling women spilling out of limousines ahead of men with their collars loosened and ready to rock and roll.

But the doormen studiously lined up congressional aides and other guests with convention credentials, for tickets priced at $75 or $125. The House ethics committee had ruled that, depending on a performer’s fame, staffers should pay for tickets to avoid receiving a gift of free entertainment.

“Southern Company co-hosted this event along with many others,” said spokeswoman Valerie Holpp. “We fully complied with rules.”

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“FIGHT WITH ME”: Says John McCain during his speech accepting the Republican nomination for president. I haven’t listened to the audio of his speech, but I assume he emphasized “with,” and not “fight.”

WARRIN’ POLICY: The New York Times examines how the hawkish and moderate wings of the GOP are vying beneath the surface to influence McCain’s foreign-policy compass, and what to make of his bellicose statements about Iran and Russia.

FIRING RANGE: After her aides improperly peeked at her sister’s ex-husband’s personnel files in an effort to get the Alaska state trooper fired, and then unsuccessfully pressured the public safety commissioner to fire him, Gov. Sarah Palin just fired the public safety commissioner, according to the Alaska state police union.

GATOR CHOMPED: The alligator that’s been sporadically spotted around Lake Lanier during the past month has been caught.

MASS TRANSIT: Can save the average Atlanta household $9,129 a year, according to the American Public Transportation Association. But APTA assumes the household would also get rid of a car, so those estimated savings include no longer paying to register and insure it.

NO BLACKOUT: Three Falcons sponsors bought the remaining 1,500 tickets to Sunday’s season opener to prevent a TV blackout. The game marks the beginning of the Mike Smith era, which players are thrilled about, especially when compared with the Bobby Petrino error “era.”

HOT PANTS: In addition to the ongoing rash of high-priced blue-jean thefts in Atlanta, four Gustav evacuees from New Orleans were arrested Thursday afternoon and charged with yet more blue-jean banditry. Hours earlier, Atlanta police arrested three other smash-and-grab suspects after a car chase.

HANNAH: Will bypass the Georgia coast today, bringing just wind and rain, but Savannah officials hope the false-ish alarm won’t discourage future hurricane wariness.

IKE THE DICKENS: The hurricane, which had been a Category 4 storm, is “extremely dangerous,” according to forecasters, even though it’s weakened to a Category 3.

TURF WARS: California’s attorney general and the nonprofit Center for Environmental Health are suing artificial-turf makers in Georgia and Florida for their turfs’ lead-based coloring, which the lawsuits claim violate California’s environmental laws.

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Zac Farber, a junior at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn., gives his impressions of the on-going Republican National Convention.

Hurricane Gustav subsided, the Republicans were able to step off the political tightrope of balancing convention festivities with catastrophe sympathies Wednesday night and turn their efforts toward calming the storm surrounding their vice presidential nominee, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska.

The Republicans tried to turn Palin’s string of scandals—firing a state trooper, soliciting pork for her hometown, mothering a pregnant 17-year-old—into minor peccadilloes.

In an effort to quash the media frenzy, Bristol Palin was offered as a sacrifice to the eager cameras. The teen posed with a baby (her mother’s), a fiancé (her own) and the wholesome Cindy McCain, providing photographic evidence that the Palins are a happy family. (more…)

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The RNC is going strong now that weather patterns are no longer an issue. Also going strong are the multiple Palin controversies. But that didn’t stop the Republican VP candidate from presenting a speech invigorating to both right-wingers and the media.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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Zac Farber, a junior at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn., gives his impressions of the on-going Republican National Convention.

Do not let the politicians fool you; it wasn’t their convention. The stage may have been reserved for Minnesota elected officials, failed presidential candidates and White House residents, but hogging the limelight from the politicians under the klieg lights Tuesday night were the 100,000 balloons pinned to the rafters; the three-story, high-definition video screen featuring—for much of the night—a billowing image of the American Flag; and the Xcel center convention floor itself—a blur of flashbulb photography, elbows, press credentials and power ties.

Neither was the convention for the delegates. Given front-row seats to the spectacle, the dilettantes were rewarded for their interest with supporting roles in the kabuki. Their part is to look like average Americans and to hoot and holler—political knowledge is optional. Asked for her favorite part of Sen. John McCain’s education policy, fifth-grade teacher and delegate from Marshfield, Wisc., Jeanie Moore replied, “Well, actually, I guess I would have to delve in to it more, but from what I hear he is right on.” At the first commercial break, the House minority leader John Boehner of Ohio took the opportunity to ask the delegates to face the rear and stand still for the “official convention photo.” Opportunity for purchase to follow, he told them, as if he were a carnie at the end of a thrill ride. (more…)

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PALIN: Excites the crowd at the RNC with an aggressive speech aimed at Obama’s experience and celebrity. McCain makes a surprise appearance to support Palin, and reminds those in attendance of her national security experience.

OBAMA: Will give a prebuttal to McCain’s acceptance speech tonight on “The O’Reilly Factor.” Maybe this will come up.

KWAME KILPATRICK: The embattled mayor of Detroit has accepted a plea deal and will resign.

HANNAH: Takes a northward turn, and is now expected to bypass the Georgia coast and hit land on the Carolina coast. Savannah’s unlikely to be evacuated, but the Hostess City is still preparing for the uninvited guest.

HAITI: “The situation is as bad as it can be,” according to a U.N. official in Gonaives. The country has been hit by three tropical storms in two weeks, and more than 100 people have died amid flooding and mudslides.

PAKISTAN: Mad at the U.S. for an alleged cross-border raid that it says killed 15 villagers in the northwestern part of the country.

CLAYTON BOE: Gets one step closer to a quorum by appointing Jessie Goree to fill the vacant District 3 seat, but takes two steps back by holding another controversial closed meeting, which two members refuse to attend in protest. Meanwhile, Gov. Perdue is looking into how he could gain more power to intervene in troubled school systems, even if by constitutional amendment, but the earliest that could happen is November 2010, likely too late for Clayton.

WAREHOUSE FIRE: Shuts down North Avenue this morning near City Hall East.

SHOCKLEY AND AWE: Terence Moore fantasizes for UGA/Falcons fans how the beloved former Bulldogs QB could ascend now that he’s the No. 3 behind an unproven No. 1 and a mediocre No. 2.

BAD SPORTS? Spencer Hall at the Sporting Blog defends “the Atlanta sporting landscape” in response to mockery of the Falcons reducing ticket prices in hopes of avoiding a TV blackout for the season opener.

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HURRICANES: The high seas continue to use the Southeastern U.S. as their chipping green, with three more storms en route. Hanna was downgraded to a tropical storm this morning but may become a hurricane again; Savannah and cities from the Outer Banks to Miami are preparing for impact. Meanwhile, Gustav dawdles over Texarkana after sparing New Orleans the feared devastation. Still, Mayor Ray Nagin says it won’t be safe to return until at least Wednesday.

RAIN BARRELS: Especially useful during hurricane season.

RNC: Resumes today in St. Paul, with President Bush delivering a via-satellite speech at 9:30 tonight. Police have arrested nearly 300 protesters, and have charged 130 with felonies.

GRAY’S ANATOMY: Gray’s Reef, located 40 miles off the Georgia coast, shows effects of human pollution but is generally healthier than researchers had feared.

LOVE IN THIS CUB: The newborn panda cub at Zoo Atlanta has been put in an incubator for closer monitoring based on the behavior of it and its mother, Lun Lun.

BRIAN FINNERAN: Knows he’s lucky to be back on the Falcons’ roster after being out since 2005 with back-to-back knee injuries.

THE CHROME STRETCH: Google readies Chrome, its new browser it hopes will compete with Internet Explorer 8.0.

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