McKinney Back on U.S. Soil

Noted bosun's mate Cynthia McKinney has returned to the U.S. following her latest excursion to the Middle East. While resting in an Israeli jail, Ms. McKinney penned her memoirs, part of which declared Israel "a failed state" if it was threatened by her desire to bring Gazan children crayons.

According to Ms. McKinney, many of her fellow relief transportation experts were from Ethiopia; perhaps they helped her understand the true meaning of "failed state."

Meanwhile, Hamas militants in Gaza are feverishly building crayon bombs.
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McKinney Headed Home

Cynthia McKinney has been released by Israeli authorities and is on her way back to the U.S., reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and others. Had Ms. McKinney signed documents acknowledging her deportation, she would have been released last week, but having refused to do, she was held until a court date Sunday, July 5th.

As expected, each party blamed the other, with the Free Gaza group contending Israel illegally stopped a vessel in international waters, and Israeli officials asserting that the Free Gaza group was more interested in publicity than actually aiding Palestinians. Israeli officials noted that many organizations, including the Palestinian Authority, had agreed to the blockade to limit arms smuggling into Gaza.

One doubts that Ms. McKinney is done. Look for a statement upon her return. As of this post, CM.com has not confirmed that humanitarian aid was actually found on the Free Gaza vessel.
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Were Any Humanitarian Supplies on McKinney's Vessel?

The organization behind the cruise, Free Gaza, contends that three tons of medical and building supplies were on the Spirit of Humanity. According to the report below, Israeli authorities have yet to find any humanitarian aid, but will promptly delivery it to Gaza if and when they do.

"The boat was not carrying humanitarian aid. It was part of a media/PR operation. "

-Yigal Palmor, Israeli Foreign Ministry Spokesman

Those familiar with Ms. McKinney's tactics would be shocked -- SHOCKED -- if it turned out the only aid she hoped to deliver to the Palestinians was her invaluable presence.
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Shocking News! McKinney "Uncooperative"

Cynthia McKinney remains in Israeli custody, her release delayed by her refusal to sign a document acknowledging deportation, according to this article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Israeli spokesman Jonathan Peled said preparations are being made to deport the activists. "It is taking slightly longer. Former congresswoman McKinney is not cooperating with the authorities."

Ms. McKinney's father, former Georgia state representative Billy McKinney, stated that he has spoken with her, and she's fine, although he's still worried. Of course he's worried -- his daughter is being held by the J-E-W-S.
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Israel to Deport McKinney

Fox News reports that Israel plans to deport Cynthia McKinney and her fellow blockade runners as soon as possible. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said what many in the U.S. believe:

"Nobody wants to the keep them here."

Palmor continued, "They will be released as soon as they are checked."

CM.com urges Israel to release Ms. McKinney. In Gaza. The Palestinians can only benefit from a leader as respected as Ms. McKinney.
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McKinney's Gaza Cruise Again Interrupted

Former Georgia congresswoman and Green Party 2008 presidential nominee Cynthia McKinney was aboard a boat attempting to deliver cargo to Gaza by running Israel's blockade. As reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Fox News, and others, Ms. McKinney's vessel was warned by Israel the previous day regarding the blockade. Apparently believing President Barack Obama had her back, Ms. McKinney sailed on:

"President Obama just told Israel to let in humanitarian and reconstruction supplies, and that's exactly what we tried to do."

Unfortunately for Ms. McKinney (and most Americans), Mr. Obama is the leader of the United States, not Israel.

Israel's response was expected, given the circumstances and involved parties. Mark Regev, spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said: "Israel every day is allowing humanitarian support to reach the people of Gaza, food stuffs, medicines, energy and so forth."

"This boat was not about that, this boat was about political activists who have been apologists for the Hamas regime."

Indeed, Israel’s consulate general accused McKinney of a “reckless political stunt.”

Details of the interdiction vary according to source, of course. The Palestine Think Tank blog accuses Israel of "piracy," and calls on Mr. Obama and British Prime Minister Gordan Brown to demand that Israel allows the voyage to continue.

Ms. McKinney's political affiliations continue to descend into absurdity. After proving too caustic for the Democrat Party and her previously supportive constituents in Georgia's 4th congressional district, Ms. McKinney joined the Green Party for her presidential run in 2008. She amassed zero electoral votes (tying the editor of this blog), and fewer popular votes than Chuck Baldwin, the Constitution Party (?) candidate. Now it seems Ms. McKinney seeks to join Hamas, if they'll have her.
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McKinney's Yacht Reportedly Attacked

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, among other outlets, is reporting that former congresswomen and failed presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney's "relief boat" was rammed by the Israeli navy during its mission of transporting supplies to the Gaza Strip.

The article provides statistics regarding Israel's military action, but fails to mention Hamas' continued assault of Israeli citizens:

Israel’s aerial bombardment of the Gaza Strip continued for a third day on Monday. By Monday, the death toll rose to 364, with some 1,400 reported wounded, according to Palestinian medical officials.

To make up for the AJC's inferior reporting, CM.com offers this from Fox News:

Hamas, whose charter specifically calls for the destruction of the state of Israel, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdon and the European Union and is banned in Jordan.

From 2000 to 2004, Hamas was responsible for killing nearly 400 Israelis and wounding more than 2,000 in 425 attacks, according to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

From 2001 through May 2008, Hamas launched more than 3,000 Qassam rockets and 2,500 mortar attacks against Israeli targets.

CM will carry more information regarding Ms. McKinney's condition as it is known.
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Announcing ObamaTruthTracker.com

To build on the previous post, our efforts here at CynthiaMcKinney.com are now focused on a new site, ObamaTruthTracker.com, which will follow his promises made, kept, and broken.

CM may continue to post at this site as topics arise and time permits, but we encourage you to add ObamaTruthTracker.com to your bookmarks, blog roles, RSS readers, etc.
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Obama's Many Promises

In the first post of the resurrected CynthiaMcKinney.com, we noted our mission was to report on the progress of Green Party candidate Cynthia McKinney's campaign. This direction resulted in a dead end, as there just wasn't much interest in Ms. McKinney's campaign.

So CM changed course slightly to compare and contrast the candidacies of Ms. McKinney and Senator Barack Obama.

Now that Mr. Obama was won the election, CM adjusts again.

Senator Obama is indebted to many special interest groups for his victory, and CM will track his progress from promises made to promises kept (or broken).

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And Now It Begins

The votes are in, and, while CM is disappointed that the electors chose a candidate with so little experience and seemingly less backbone, CM is hopeful that long-needed change could descend upon Washington. If, indeed, President-Elect Obama can deliver on his promises to return America to the people, there is hope.

CM is ebullient that an African-American (in Mr. Obama's case, a true African-American) has achieved the highest position in the land. Mr. Obama raised much more money, had a better ground operation, and simply ran a better campaign than his challengers. One can hope his administration is as well organized.

One can also hope that Mr. Obama and his fellow Democrats recognize that the majority of Americans believe in a center-right philosophy. Since the top priority of every elected official is to be re-elected, Mr. Obama is aware that every decision can not only harm his party's chances during the 2010 mid-term elections, but his chances in 2012. To win again he'll need to maintain the fragile coalition of women, minorities, those under 30, and those earning less than $100,000 a year.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, however, needs only please California's 8th District, and it's doubtful anyone could be too liberal for San Francisco. If President Obama caves to Speaker Pelosi and her far-from-mainstream agenda, millions of voters could be disappointed by "more of the same," and express their displeasure in 2010. As a Senator Mr. Obama showed little willingness to stand against his party; let's hope as President he grows a pair.
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Donations: Obama/Biden 0-4; McCain/Palin 1-4

Combined, the 2008 Democratic and Republican presidential and vice-presidential candidates have a poor record of donating to successful candidates. Senator Barack Obama is 0-4, Senator Joe Biden is 0-0, Senator John McCain claims the only victory at 1-3, and Governor Sarah Palin is 0-1.

CM pulled reports from Newsmeat.com, which obtains data from the Federal Election Commission. records data. Three points of interest stand out:

• Mr. Obama donated $1000 to Alice Palmer in 1995. Ms. Palmer lost in the Democratic primary for the U.S. House of Representatives, and attempted to reclaim her Illinois state senate seat. Her chosen successor, however, refused to step aside. Indeed, Mr. Obama had her name removed from the ballot by challenging signatures on her nominating petition.
• Mr. Obama donated $1,000 to Representative Denise Majette (D, GA) in her failed 2004 run for the Senate. Astute CM readers will recognize Ms. Majette as the one who defeated Cynthia McKinney in the 2002 Georgia Democratic primary, in part due to the efforts of CynthiaMcKinney.com.
• The only successful candidate backed by Mr. McCain was Senator John S. McCain, in 1982. Removing this race leaves the 2008 candidates a combined 0-7.

At least two of the candidates will will improve their records this election, thankfully.









All tables from Newsmeat.com.
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Beyond Post Offices; Barack Obama's Legislative Prowess

Yesterday CM detailed Senator Barack Obama’s tremendous legislative record of renaming post offices and issuing commemorative coins and stamps. Today CM looks at Mr. Obama’s commitment to education, which is best demonstrated by his sponsorship (or co-sponsorship) of numerous resolutions.

These resolutions include:

• Designating the week of October 23, 2005 as "National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week" (109th S.RES.278)
• Designating the week of October 23, 2006 as "National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week" (109th S.RES.599)
• And, in a remarkable show of consistency, designating the week of October 21, 2007 as "National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week" (110th S.RES.316)
• Designating the week of September 10, 2006, as "National Historically Black College and Universities Week" (109th S.RES.528)
• Designating the week beginning September 9, 2007, as "National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week" (110th S.RES.291)
• And in yet another display of consistency, designating the week beginning September 7, 2008, as "National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week" (110th S.RES.622)
• Designating July 13, 2006, as "National Summer Learning Day" (109th S.RES.529)
• Designating January 2008 as “National Mentoring Month” (110th S.RES.430)

Mr. Obama’s dedication to organizations and events in his home state of Illinois should be commended:

• Recognizing Rotary International, founded on February 23, 1905, in Chicago, Illinois (109th S.RES.62)
• Congratulating the Chicago White Sox on winning the 2005 World Series championship (109th S.RES.291)
• Congratulating the City of Chicago for being chosen to represent the United States in the international competition to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and encouraging the International Olympic Committee to select Chicago as the site of the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games (110th S.CON.RES.28)
• Marking the sesquicentennial of Illinois State University with a year-long celebration, beginning with Founders Day on February 15, 2007 (110th S.RES.53)
• Marking the 50th anniversary of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a year-long celebration , beginning September 24, 2007 (110th S.RES.329)
• Recognizing the 75th anniversary of the American Academy of Pediatrics [headquarted in Elk Grove Village, IL] and supporting the mission and goals of the organization (109th S.RES.204)

In a display of bipartisanship, Mr. Obama crossed the aisle (or, at least, traveled half way) to back Senator Arlen Specter in his support of Greek Americans:

• Designating March 25, 2006, as “Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy” (109th S.RES.399)
• Designating March 25, 2007, as “Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy” (110th S.RES.95)
• Designating March 25, 2008, as “Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy” (110th S.RES.476)

Mr. Obama stayed firmly in the Democratic side by supporting Mr. Dick Durbin, the senior Senator from Illinois (also the Democratic Party Whip and a backer of the anti-free speech Fairness Doctrine) thusly:

• Designating the week of May 1 through May 7, 2005, as "North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (NAOSH)” (109th S.RES.130)
• Designating the week of May 6 through May 12, 2007, as “North American Occupational Safety and Health Week” and May 9, 2007, as “Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day” (110th S.RES.193)
• Designating the week of May 4 through May 10, 2008, as “North American Occupational Safety and Health Week” and May 7, 2008, as “Occupational Safety and Health Professionals Day” (110th S.RES.547)

To reach beyond our Greek friends, Mr. Obama embraced different interest groups by:

• Designating March 8, 2005, as “International Women's Day” (109th S.RES.74)
• Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and "celebrating the vast contributions of Hispanic Americans to the strength and culture of our Nation” (109th S.RES.238)
• Designating April 20, 2007, as “National and Global Youth Service Day” (110th S.RES.158)
• Expressing the sense of the Senate that public servants should be commended for their dedication and continued service to the Nation during Public Service Recognition Week, May 5 through 11, 2008 (110th S.RES.497)
• Recognizing and honoring the 15th anniversary of the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (109th S.RES.207)
• Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Interstate Highway System (109th S.RES.427)
• Recognizing the month of November 2007 as "National Homeless Youth Awareness Month” (110th S.RES.226)
• Expressing the sense of the Senate that a National Methamphetamine Prevention Week should be established to increase awareness of methamphetamine and to educate the public on ways to help prevent the use of that damaging narcotic (109th S.RES.313)

Despite Mr. Obama’s efforts to kowtow to multiple special interest groups, he often returned to his comfort zone:

• Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the enactment of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and reaffirming the commitment of the Senate to ensuring the continued effectiveness of the Act in protecting the voting rights of all citizens of the United States (109th S.RES.232)
• Celebrating Black History Month (109th S.RES.380)
• Recognizing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day and expressing the sense of the Senate that history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and solving the challenges of the future (109th S.RES.516)
• Recognizing the African-American spiritual as a national treasure (110th, S.RES.69)
• Encouraging the recognition of the Negro Baseball Leagues and their players on May 20th of each year (110th S.CON.RES.29)

In the next post CM will detail Mr. Obama’s use of Senate resolutions to recognize worthy Americans.
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Barack Obama and his many Post Offices

The recent brouhaha over Senator Barack Obama’s criticism of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ qualifications prompted CM to examine Mr. Obama’s U.S. Senate record. A quick search of the Library of Congress for legislation sponsored or co-sponsored by Mr. Obama in the 109th and 110th Congresses revealed 660 senate bills, and some rather interesting findings.

Mr. Jack Potter is the U.S. Postmaster General, but Senator Barack Obama should be considered the Post Office Namer General. In Mr. Obama's brief senate career, he's named more than his share of post offices:

• Robert T. Ferguson Post Office Building (109th S.2156)
• Katherine Dunham Post Office Building (109th S.3757)
• Dr. Francis Townsend Post Office Building (110th S.1353)
• Lane Evans Post Office Building (110th S.2555)

When Mr. Obama tired of renaming post offices, he turned his attention to bigger buildings:

• Rename the Capitol Visitor Center "Emancipation Hall" (110th, S.1679)

Why stop at buildings when faced with stamps, coins, and statues?

• Mr. Obama called for the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp (S.2154.IS) and statue (S.1959) honoring Rosa Parks, and for Ms. Parks' remains to lie in honor in the Capitol rotunda (S.CON.RES.61)
• To provide for the redesign of the reverse of the Lincoln 1-cent coin in 2009 in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of President Abraham Lincoln (109th S.341)
• To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of veterans who became disabled for life while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States (109th S.633)
• To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the bicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln (109th S.811)
• To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of each of the Nation's past Presidents and their spouses, respectively, to improve circulation of the $1 coin, to create a new bullion coin, and for other purposes. (109th S.1047)
• To extend the special postage stamp for breast cancer research for 2 years (110th S.597)
• To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the semicentennial of the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (110th S.1437)

In a future post CM will examine Mr. Obama’s important resolutions honoring people and organizations.
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Do-Nothing Congress picked up where McKinney left off

In a recent post CM lambasted the 110th Congress for failing to address substantive issues such as domestic energy. Today's Wall Street Journal features a page one article backing up this assertion with enlightening facts:

"Barring a burst of legislative activity after Labor Day, this group of 535 men and women will have accomplished a rare feat. In two decades of record keeping, no sitting Congress has passed fewer public laws at this point in the session -- 294 so far -- than this one. That's not to say they've been idle. On the flip side, no Congress in the same 20 years has been so prolific when it comes to proposing resolutions -- more than 1,900, according to a tally by the nonpartisan Taxpayers for Common Sense."

"In the 435-member House, fully one-quarter of the workweek is typically devoted to debating and passing symbolic measures."

Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid must be so proud of their accomplishments. Ms. Pelosi is likely less proud of the sales of her new book, Know Your Power: A Message to America's Daughters, which is languishing at #13,051 on Amazon.com's bestseller list.

CM must admit its interest with a few of the Top 10 Congressional Resolutions of the 110th Congress as noted by Taxpayers for Common Sense:

• #2. S.RES.282: A resolution designating July 2007 as "National Watermelon Month," sponsored by Georgia Senator (and CM representative) Saxby Chambliss. CM loves watermelons, but would never pay $6,100 for one, even a rare black example.
• #5. H.RES.630: Congratulating the Warner Robins Little League Baseball Team from Warner Robins, Georgia, on winning the 2007 Little League World Series Championship. Sadly, CM's home state of Georgia is all too well represented on these lists of useless resolutions.
  
• #8. H.RES.89: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a day should be established as Dutch-American Friendship Day to celebrate the historic ties of the United States and the Netherlands. CM is such a supporter of Dutch-American friendship that we will be playing in a highly competitive golf tournament sponsored by the Atlanta Holland Business Network.

Thankfully former Representative Cynthia McKinney never participated in such shenanigans.
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Paris Hilton trumps Cynthia McKinney

Could it be that the most cogent energy policy proposal comes from Paris Hilton? In her funny response to Senator John McCain's "The One" television advertisement, Ms. Hilton suggests:

"Barack wants to focus on new technologies to cut foreign oil dependency, and McCain wants offshore drilling. Well, why don't we do a hybrid of both candidates' ideas. We can do limited offshore drilling, with strict environmental oversight, while creating tax incentives to get Detroit making hybrid and electric cars. That way the off-shore drilling carries us until the new technologies kick in, which would then create new jobs and energy independence."

CM doesn't necessarily agree with tax incentives for Detroit's Big 3, but Ms. Hilton's approach does address the near-term desire to lower oil prices while gradually minimizing the need to import oil from the Middle East.

See for yourself after the jump:


Contrast this with Cynthia McKinney's energy policies. Rather, good luck finding Ms. McKinney's proposals. The Issues section of her official campaign web site links to this video, from a January 13, 2008 Green Party presidential debate. To save citizens 1:17 of their lives, here are Ms. McKinney's "Six Actions Toward a Green Economy and Environment:"

1. "Leave the Oil in the Soil" End our petro addiction
2. Utilize and grow existing green technologies
3. Develop green jobs in underserved ["undeserved?" -CM] communities
4. Encourage organic farming
5. Just Say "No" to Genetically Modified Foods
6. Implement Sustainable Land and Water Use Policies

To see for yourself, here's the video:

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McKinney Bites Into Barack's Lead

If one believes recent polling data from Angus Reid, American voters' preference for Senator Barack Obama drops 5% when third-party candidates, such as Cynthia McKinney, are included. Here're the data when choices were limited to the two major party candidates:

Barack Obama, 51%
John McCain, 44%
Neither, 4%
Other, 1%

But when the candidate list was expanded, 10% of voters went for others:

Barack Obama, 46%
John McCain, 42%
Ralph Nader, 6%
Bob Barr, 3%
Cynthia McKinney, 1%

CM attributes the 2% drop in Mr. McCain's support to Mr. Barr. Is Mr. Nader single-handedly responsible for Mr. Obama's 5% drop? Might Ms. McKinney account for a few of those votes?

Before one reads too much into these data, the margin of error was 3.5% when the poll was conducted from July 27-29.
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110th Congress failing America

In lieu of energy policy guidance from Cynthia McKinney's campaign, CM looked to evidence that the 110th Congress will accomplish something -- anything -- under Speaker Nancy Pelosi's leadership. This article from the Christian Science Monitor gives evidence to the failings of this Congress, including its complete inability to avoid election year politicking in favor of much needed changes to U.S. energy policy:

Last week, Republicans blocked three Democratic bills in as many days: On Thursday, the House rejected a measure that would have released about 70 million barrels of oil from the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve. On Friday, Senate Republicans blocked a move that would have led to a vote on a bill to stop excessive speculation in energy markets. On Saturday, the GOP minority again opposed taking up a $5.1 billion Senate measure to help low-income Americans pay utility bills this year.

CM's analysis:

1. Releasing 70M barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve would do nothing to lower short-term prices, as it equates to only 3.5 days of U.S. consumption.

2. There's little evidence that A) speculation in the energy markets is excessive, and B) this speculation is responsible for a marked increase in oil prices. This article from The Economist is especially insightful, and should be required reading for lawmakers.
3. Helping citizens pay their bills does not address the root causes of high energy prices, and may even delay much needed conservation.

So the Democrats regurgitated three bills that would do little or nothing to address long-term energy issues facing the U.S. Republicans thankfully blocked these bills, but haven't yet, to the knowledge of CM, suggested their own pragmatic solution that includes conservation, new drilling, nuclear power, and additional focus on renewables such as wind and solar.

This is the best opportunity in generations to tackle America's energy problems, and the do-nothing 110th Congress is, indeed, doing nothing.

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HuffPo thinks McKinney can show some leg

Writing for the Huffington Post, Earl Ofari Hutchinson believes Ms. McKinney could play a larger roll in the election than many believe. Having witnessed her capabilities, CM believes Mr. Hutchinson underestimates them while overestimating her potential impact on the election. Yes, she can be a spoiler, but only for the Green Party, as it will suffer a reputation hit with every attention-grabbing, speak-before-thinking stunt pulled by Ms. McKinney.

Mr. Hutchinson underestimates Ms. McKinney thusly:

"... McKinney was a six term congresswoman who is still mostly remembered for her shoot from the lip quips, and for creating a ruckus with a capital police officer. She had the ignominious distinction of being bounced from her Congressional seat by an obscure county official."

Our Ms. McKinney is remembered for so much more! "Creating a ruckus" is a verbal perversion if there ever were one, and "shoot from the lip quips" makes her sound like a friendly pol who misspoke on Meet the Press, not a crazy lady who threw her own PR guy under the bus.

CM was similarly mystified by this passage:

"The best thing McKinney has going for her, though, is her 10 point manifesto. This is a free swinging, unabashed anti-war, universal health care, anti corporate, pro-environment and civil liberties and full employment pitch."

How can one be for universal health care and civil liberties? Doesn't the former encroach on the latter, especially for those actually funding such care? Also, how can one be anti-corporate but for full employment? Don't corporations employ, well, employees? CM has never understood the left's hatred of corporations, as such entities are not faceless monoliths -- they employ a large percentage of the workforce, and further benefit wise investors.
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Obama the magazine covergirl

Much has been said the past few days concerning the news magazines' cover bias, with the focus on Obama's over-representation. After analyzing 2008 covers from the three major periodicals (Newsweek, Time, and U.S. News & World Report), CM believes the bigger story is the complete snub of Cynthia McKinney of the Green Party, and, for that matter, Bob Barr of the Libertarian Party and the independent Ralph Nader. As the data below show, none of the minor-party candidates have yet to grace the cover of the aforementioned magazines.

Thus CM begins its Covergirl countdown, in which we'll monitor the covers featuring the other candidates, whilst pining for an image of our Ms. McKinney, in full crazy-eyed glory. CM even suggests a caption: "If she slaps her own police officers, think how she'll handle the Iranian Republican Guard!"

First up, Mr. Obama's 2008 covers through the July 28 issue:

Mr. McCain's covers:

Ms. Clinton's covers:

The following charts further illustrate the Obias. CM looked at all of the covers that included images of the three major candidates (including the smaller above-the-title photos often used by Time). As a percentage of covers featuring at least one major candidate, Newsweek features Mr. Obama far more often, with U.S. News & World Report appearing the most neutral:

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Ms. Magazine misrepresents Ms. McKinney

The Independent Political Report independently reported that Ms. McKinney was featured in yet another online-only article (strangely, it also included the entire text of the article, which generally isn't kosher, and, like Ms. McKinney herself, CM knows kosher).

What should have been a shining example of political journalism turned into a hack job, as Ms. Magazine described Ms. McKinney thusly:

McKinney is known for initiating legislation to impeach Bush during her last days in Congress.

This is outrageous! Ms. McKinney is known for much, much more than her unnecessary, ineffectual, and frankly embarrassing impeachment attempts. What about gamely regaining her Congressional seat (albeit after losing her own party's primary)? Demonstrated her physical prowess to a member of the Capitol Hill police force? Working with Arab leaders to improve the lives of struggling Americans? Is the mission of CM to right these wrongs, to share Ms. McKinney's saga with liberty-loving Americans.
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Sen. Obama jealous of Ms. McKinney's endorsement from Socialists?

Ms. McKinney has received an endorsement that makes her aforementioned support from Roseanne Barr look like a blessing from the Pope. Workers World newspaper, the official (and likely only) mouthpiece for the Workers World Party, is backing Ms. McKinney.

What's the Workers World party, you ask? CM didn't know, either. Here's its mission:

Workers World fights for a socialist society—where the wealth is socially owned and production is planned to satisfy human need.

Having read this citizens should rightfully ask why the WWP isn't supporting Sen. Barack Obama, who has proven his socialist mettle by consistently voting to the left of the only admitted socialist member of the U.S. Senate, Vermont's own Bernie Sanders.

Indeed, Sen. Obama should be furious that his life's work and consistent voting record have not been duly rewarded with the World Working Party's endorsement. Might race be a factor? CM would never suggest such a thing, but every possibility must be examined in search of the truth behind this snubbing.
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Former spokesman muffles Ms. McKinney

Independent publishing juggernaut The Washington Continent reports that Coz Carson, spokesman for Ms. McKinney until her "Coz is a fool" assertion, won't feature her on his radio talk show hosted by the fledgling US Talk Network.

"I will not have her on... I love her and respect her, [but] this is America's shot at having a black president."

Much like CR, CM doesn't see color, but has been informed that Ms. McKinney is indeed black. Is this another conspiracy to keep Ms. McKinney from the national stage? Or is Mr. Carson, always the pro, merely helping Ms. McKinney's current spokesman by keeping her away from live microphones? Read full post

MWB seeking LMC at DailyKos.com

Those seeking even more enlightenment can find CM's DailyKos diary comments here, or by clicking the tile on the right. The Kos is among the most-read liberal online communities, averaging nearly 900,000 page views per day.

Much to Ms. McKinney's dismay, however, "Kossacks" are forbidden from deviating from the official government position regarding 9/11. Here's a snippet from the official DailyKOS FAQ:

Controversial 9/11 Diaries

DailyKos accepts that the 9/11 attacks were perpetrated by agents of Al-Qaeda. It is forbidden to write diaries that:

• refer to claims that American, British, Israeli, or any government assisted in the attacks
• refer to claims that the airplanes that crashed into the WTC and Pentagon were not the cause of the damage to those buildings or their subsequent collapse.

Authoring or recommending these diaries may result in banning from Daily Kos.

As the founder and operator of the site, Markos Alberto Moulitsas Zúniga can the set the rules as he sees fit. But what's a right-minded liberal to do when faced with such a conundrum?

CM urges Ms. McKinney's supporter(s) to scour DailyKos.com for anti-Ms. McKinney comments, and speak truth to blogging powers. A suggested starting point is this diary entitled "Cynthia McKinney As Green Party Nominee: Yuck." Be sure to vote in the poll, which currently shows 28% of participants believing Ms. McKinney's candidacy will hurt Sen. Obama, and a whopping 69% believing Ms. McKinney's candidacy will make no difference at all. We'll show them!
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The few, the proud, the Greens

Pity the Green Party rank and file. Judging by the 2nd hottest topic on their discussion board (after "Random"), Greenies aren't pleased with Ms. McKinney's nomination. Some quotes from the "Cynthia Mcckinney? [sic] Are You Serious?" thread in the 2008 Presidential Election forum:

"I am absolutely amazed that the Green Party would choose Cynthia McKinney for anything.
[snip]
"She got back into power and made some of the most illiterate, rambling racist accusatory speeches I've ever heard. She convinced me that she was poisonous to ever have any connection with for any liberal cause.
[snip]
"The public at large will definitely be reminded over and over by bloggers, media and conservative websites of these historic malevents [sic]. The Green Party will be laughed at for choosing such a racist, violent, lying buffoon for the Presidency of the United States.
[snip]
"Please, for the love of God, do not put her forward as your nominee if you wish your party not to head for suicide. Who would ever again take you seriously?"
"Apparently it's unknown to the upper echelon in the Green Party that Cynthia McKinney is a lying, racist buffoon, a national laughingstock and at the same time, a national disgrace. So, how can we legitimize our party to the mainstream voters? Why I know, we'll nominate a professional dolt like McKinney to be our presidential nominee. That way, in one fell swoop, we'll announce to the world that we're simply a bunch of idiots that have no desire born of reality to have anyone ever again take our party seriously."

"Wow, and just when I thought it wouldn't get any worse for the GP in the US. The GP has obviously been smoking too much green. Cynthia McKinney is a rapacious, evil, sanctimonious, self-serving idiot."

"I completely agree with you all! The GP just shot themselves in the foot by nominating her. She's an idiot."

But there was one lone voice supportive of Ms. McKinney:

"Rosa Clemente was right, the attack machine has already started."

Unfortunately for the Greenies, the most vitriolic attacks are from within; from those with the most to lose.

One must put this in perspective, however. With only 28 registered members as of this post, CM hopes this discussion board is not a representative sample of Green Party voters. Indeed, the total number of replies in the aforementioned forum is equaled by a post entitled "Need 71 Gremlin X Grill emblem" on a web site dedicated to the AMC Gremlin.
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McKinney in Newsweek

Ms. McKinney was featured in a "Newsweek Web Exclusive" today, meaning the article wasn't interesting enough to make the print edition. CM disagrees with this; indeed, CM found the article quite interesting, beginning with the first question.

Newsweek's Katie Paul asked Ms. McKinney about the story behind her campaign website's URL, RunCynthiaRun.org. Ms. McKinney responded that it came from her California supporters, who "really, really" wanted her to run. CM knows the truth -- Ms. McKinney's new media ignorance prevented her from registering a superior domain... say, CynthiaMcKinney.com. One would think that nearly a decade in the House of Representatives would have taught her the importance of managing her public profile; instead, a disgruntled constituent -- yours truly -- registered CynthiaMcKinney.com in November 2001.

Two years passed before Ms. McKinney registered CynthiaForCongress.com, which is seemingly dormant since her glorious 2006 primary defeat. The realization that a return to Congress wasn't in her future lead Ms. McKinney to register AllThingsCynthaMcKinney.com in December 2006. CM surmises that her rabid California supporters -- all 14 of them -- convinced her Atlanta staff to register RunCynthiaRun.org less than a year ago, in October 2007.

Free advice to Ms. McKinney: when registering domains, grab the .net and .org top-level domains of those that are important to you. Some are still available.

Another interesting exchange from the article concerns unspecified overtures from the Libertarian Party.

McKinney - "...[I]n fact, members of the Libertarian Party have reached out to me on several occasions this year and I expect there will be more mutual reaching."

CM finds this laughable, as her policy positions are diametrically opposed to those of the Libertarian Party. CM is also disturbed by the vision of "mutual reaching," whatever that might be.

The Newsweek reporter jumped on that statement:

Newsweek - "So you might actually be working together on some issues?"
McKinney - "I didn't say that."
Newsweek - "What does mutual reaching mean then?"
McKinney - "It means that where there is the possibility of having discussions, then I wouldn't turn down discussions. There's nothing afoot, if that's what you mean. I would take it issue by issue, and see what the future brings."

Ah, so there's the "possibility of having discussions," but no actual discussions. Another fib from Ms. McKinney?
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With friends like these...

Whilst perusing one of Ms. McKinney's many sites (all domain-challenged, IMHO), CM found a post extorting the support of Roseanne Barr, of all people. CM hasn't followed Ms. Barr's career, but does recall learning that her views are slightly left of center. And, as it turns out, ignorant and anti-Semitic.

Ms. McKinney's note calls attention to two of Ms. Barr's posts on her own blog (Roseanne blogs?). The first, from June 7, 2008, reads:

since i will vote for a woman instead of a man anyday there is a woman running, I am thinking to vote for cynthia mckinney, green party candidate for president.

The second, from June 12, 2008, is as follows:

the first woman in history to run as the nominee of a viable party is cynthia mckinney of the green party. the green party is the future of america. I do not think it matters who wins between obama and mccain at all. aipac runs both parties, bottom line.

That Ms. Barr would vote for a woman over a man regardless of their character, experience, positions, and beliefs is a confirmation of her ignorance, short-sightedness, and bias. The second post, however, shows of a side of Ms. Barr that is new to CM. Anti-Semitism. Other disturbing posts on her blog corroborate this perception.

Given Ms. McKinney's checkered past with Jewish citizens and Israel, she should immediately repudiate supporters such as Ms. Barr. As should her father and campaign advisor, Billy McKinney, infamous for his "Jews have bought everybody. Jews. J-E-W-S." comment the night before Ms. Kinney's 2002 primary loss.

CM won't hold its breath.
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From one nutjob to another

From the Spending-Your-Time-Wisely department, Ms. McKinney threw the considerable weight of her support behind Congressman Dennis Kucinich's resolution to impeach President Bush. Surely Ohio's 10th district is as proud of their representation as Georgia's 4th was of Ms. McKinney, yet, apparently for comic relief, voters continue to re-elect him. Wait, maybe they send him to Washington to keep him out of Ohio. It's so clear now...

Bear in mind that CM is no great fan of the current administration, but even CM realizes that our representatives should be working on far more important issues than impeachment. What's the term... Move On?

Perhaps Mr. Kucinich should learn more of current tax policy, as his ignorance was clearly demonstrated during a January 8, 2008 interview with talk radio czar Neal Boortz. Mr. Boortz asked Mr. Kucinich two simple questions:

1. What percentage of total income is earned by the top 1% of income earners?
2. What percentage of total federal income taxes are paid by the top 1% of income earners.

To the first, Mr. Kucinich replied that he believes the top 1% of income earners are responsible for 60% of all income. The correct answer is around 18%. To the second, Mr. Kucinich offered that the top 1% of income earners paid 15% of taxes. The correct answer is closer to 39%.

This bears repeating:

• The top 1% of income earners are responsible for 18% of all income. Mr. Kucinich guessed 60%.
• The top 1% of income earners are responsible for 39% of all income. Mr. Kucinich guessed 15%.

So this six-term Congressman lacks the fundamental knowledge of who earns the income, and who pays the taxes. As expected from one with such populist leanings, Mr. Kucinich fails to grasp that the income is generated by a much broader class, including many small business owners who report personal and work income together, and that these high achievers shoulder a disproportionate share of the tax burden. While Mr. Kucinich reviews basic economics, perhaps he could study the Laffer Curve.

Perhaps he'll see Ms. McKinney in class.
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SlapGate II

Talented YouTube user Zaphod2001 (note to self: check DVR for Meerkat Manor) posted this fine mashup of a CNN clip in which Ms. McKinney suffers temporary memory loss during an interview with Wolf Blitzer.

For those scoring at home, here's a partial transcript:

McKinney - "The issue is racial profiling."
Blitzer - "Congresswoman, this is an extremely serious charge you're making, Congresswoman. You're talking earlier about racial profiling and that there was racism involved in stopping you for questioning..."
McKinney - "Now Wolf, you know I didn't say that, so don't twist my words. Don't even begin to twist my words."

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History Lesson - SlapGate

In March of 2006 Ms. McKinney made national news (again for all the wrong reasons) when she struck a Capitol Hill police officer who attempted to stop her from stepping around a security checkpoint. Ms. McKinney was not wearing the special lapel pin provided to members of Congress to make them easier to identify, and her physical appearance differed markedly from that of her official House photo.

Of course Ms. McKinney quickly blamed racial profiling, hearkening back to an incident in May 1998 when she wasn't recognized by White House security personnel at a reception for then-Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi. Ms. McKinney was so distraught that she penned a complaint to then-President Bill Clinton in which she whined,

"I am absolutely sick and tired of having to have my appearance at the White House validated by white people. I don't need to be stopped or questioned because I happen to look like hired help."

Indeed.

After a months-long federal grand jury probe declined to indict Ms. McKinney for the incident, she lost the Democratic primary to the formidable Hank Johnson, who continued on to win the seat representing Georgia's 4th district.

At the height of the cop-slapping furor Ms. McKinney appeared before her disenchanted 4th district constituents. When asked about SlapGate by a CBS46 reporter, Ms. McKinney stated that only the media cared about the incident. Off camera, but still sporting a hot mic, she threw her spokesman Coz Carson under the bus by uttering

"Oh crap you know what... they lied to Coz and Coz is a fool."

Upon realizing her faux pas, Ms. McKinney returned to her seat in front of the camera, and instructed the CBS 46 folks that

"Anything that is captured by your audio while I'm not seated at this chair is off the record and is not permissable to be used. Is that understood?"

This magic can be viewed below:


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McKinney wins! McKinney wins!

Ms. McKinney wins the Green Party nomination, at least. Yes, there is a Green Party, and yes, it bothers to nominate a presidential candidate. This year Green Party delegates collectively drew the short straw and nominated Cynthia McKinney, as detailed by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and a smattering of other news outlets.

Ms. McKinney selected as her running mate Rosa Clemente, a self-described "community organizer, journalist, and Hip-Hop activist." CM will detail their policy positions as they are developed and released -- right now, the pickings are slim.
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Could it be?

Happy days are upon us! The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Cynthia McKinney has a 10-to-1 delegate lead over her closest rival, thus is the presumptive presidential nominee of the Green Party.

Ms. McKinney is challenged not only by her checkered past, but by lack of success demonstrated by the Green Party. Much to the consternation of Al Gore, Ralph Nader pulled in 2.7% of the vote in 2000, but David Cobb managed just 0.1% in 2004. That's only 120,000 votes more than CM earned, and CM didn't run.
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Back from the dead

Much like Ms. McKinney's political fortunes (although one wonders if ascending the Green Party differs much from political death), CynthiaMcKinney.com has come out of retirement to track the candidate's "progress," and remind citizens of her history, policy positions, and general nuttiness.

CM, as we call ourselves, will follow Ms. McKinney as she travels this great nation in her VW bus, campaigning in front of literally handfuls of people at each stop (defined by when her campaign bus breaks down). Please join our adventure by subscribing to the RSS feed on the right.

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