08/23/08 Wyoming Democratic Party Daily News Roundup
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Sep 1, 2008 Posted by Lauri Elbing
***Just in case you missed it, you can read Obama’s Prepared Text
***Fulfilling Democratic duties: Sheridan resident a superdelegate at convention
“Sheridan resident and Wyoming Democratic Party Vice Chair Nancy Drummond leaves today for Denver to fulfill her duties as a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention, which starts Monday…Drummond’s husband, Bruce, is Sheridan County committeeman for the Democratic Party and will accompany her to the convention. Sheridan County Democratic Chairwoman Janet Maxwell will also go with Drummond to Denver. Drummond is in her sixth year as Wyoming Democratic Party Vice Chair — her third term — and said this will be her last term. ‘When I first got involved, people didn’t whine as much, and that whining really starts to wear on you,” Drummond said.’”
Drilling project draws ire of grouse advocates
A Canadian energy giant is seeking federal permission to drill 16 exploratory coal-bed methane wells on public lands managed within three federal oil and gas exploration units, according to federal officials.
The federal government released its final proposal for a long-term management plan for the Pinedale region on Friday, and it immediately received cautious praise from at least one conservation organization.
Bernanke: Financial crisis takes toll on economy
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Friday the financial crisis that has pounded the country -- coupled with higher inflation -- is taking a toll on the economy and poses a major challenge to Fed policymakers as they try to restore stability.
Hartman on juvenile justice: Stay local
Gov. Dave Freudenthal's new adviser on juvenile justice, recently retired District Judge Gary Hartman, says Wyoming needs to do more to keep youths out of jail while lining up appropriate programs and treatment for troubled kids.
Gillette-based Cyclone Drilling will pay a $45,000 settlement in a male-on-male sexual harassment lawsuit, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which filed suit against the company.
Oil & gas lease sale set
Officials discuss expanding telemed options
Health care applications for the iPhone, text messages from physicians and even Nintendo's Wii Fit video game are versions of telemedicine, according to Jonathan Linkous, chief executive officer of the American Telemedicine Association.
Despite having no opponent in the general election, Gay Woodhouse still plans on campaigning.
Obama picks Senate veteran Biden as running mate
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has chosen veteran Delaware Sen. Joseph Biden, a leading voice on international affairs, as his vice presidential running mate, his campaign said on Saturday.
View of economy somber from Fed mountain retreat
“’…The financial storm that reached gale force some weeks before our last meeting here in Jackson Hole has not yet subsided, and its effects on the broader economy are becoming apparent," Bernanke told the conference on Friday. Lipsky said the U.S. economy might contract slightly in the second half of the year. Even if it skates the generally accepted rule of thumb for a recession -- two consecutive quarters of contraction -- he warned it will suffer a clear period of sluggish growth, with the IMF forecasting growth of 1.3 percent this year and 0.8 percent in 2009. Others at the conference had no doubt that the U.S. economy was heading for a nasty knock. ‘That's where we are today, in the middle of a financial crisis, with the economy sliding into recession, with monetary policy at maximum easing, and fiscal transfers impotent,’ said Harvard economist Martin Feldstein, until recently head of the National Bureau of Economic Research. Rising food and energy costs have pressured inflation and limited the Fed's scope to cut interest rates further, following aggressive easing since last year that slashed rates by 3.25 percentage points to 2 percent. ‘More than a year into the most challenging financial crisis of our times we now face a complex and interlocking combination of rising inflation, declining growth, tightening credit conditions, and widespread liquidity tensions,’ ECB governing council member Mario Draghi told the conference. Draghi, who is also governor of the Bank of Italy, warned it would take the next few years for the financial markets to recover their confidence, forecasting tough times ahead. ‘These adjustments will not be painless, and ensuring that they take place in an orderly manner will pose substantial challenges for policymakers,’ he said.”
Bernanke: financial crisis taking toll on economy
The Fed chief says the financial storm has not yet subsided, and its effects on the broader economy are becoming apparent in the form of softening economic activity and rising unemployment.Conservation group praises Pinedale plan
The document was published Friday and spells out how the Bureau of Land Management will handle oil and gas development and other issues near Pinedale for the next 15 to 20 years.Another Try at a Smoking Ban
A coalition of health care workers and others will make another attempt at persuading the state Legislature to institute some type of statewide smoking ban.Commission wants consumers to warm to energy efficiency
The Wyoming Public Service Commission (PSC) will host its Winter Heating Town Hall meeting from 10:30 a.m.- noon Thursday in the Albany County Public Library.
Biggest wildfire of the year extinguished
A large wildfire swept through 550 acres of ranch land north of Gillette on Thursday, scorching a vast stretch of pasture….”
Special Section on the Primary Election:
http://www.gillettenewsrecord.com/special/
New Pinedale drilling plan protects habitat
Conservation groups say a final plan for energy development in Lincoln and Sublette counties protects more wildlife habitat than earlier drafts, but still falls short when it comes to ensuring air and water quality.Can we teach about wildlife these days? By Bert Raynes, Jackson Hole, Wyo.
“Never before in the history of our nation has such a large percentage of its citizens been so ignorant of the lives of animals, wild or domestic. No this is not another indictment of the fate of public education in the United States, although ... gee whiz. It’s simply that not so long ago, nearly every kid grew up having to know how to avoid or hunt wild animals, or how to care for domesticated animals….”
Drilling Project Aims For Protected Grouse Land
A Canadian energy giant is seeking federal permission to drill 16 exploratory coal-bed methane wells on public lands that were recently designated as a 'core area' to protect sage grouse
Inflation Catches Up To Wyoming
Federal officials acknowledge the financial crisis that has pounded the country, coupled with higher inflation, is taking a toll on the local economy
New Land Management Plan Gets Kudos
The BLM released its final proposal for a long-term management plan for the Pinedale region, & it immediately received cautious praise from at least one conservation organization
Wyo Dems: Lummis Continues Negative Campaign (Wyoming Democratic Party)
Not missing a beat, Cynthia Lummis yesterday picked up where she left off, with negative attacks that leave no doubt about the clear choice Wyomingites will have this fall. After regularly and repeatedly attacking Mark Gordon in the primary, Lummis lobbed a personal attack against Gary Trauner on the very first day of her general election campaign. [“Lummis Takes Early Jab at Trauner,” Associated Press, 8/20/08] “It’s clear that Cynthia Lummis intends on continuing Barbara Cubin’s legacy of negative politics and no solutions. Trying to pit American against American, Wyomingite against Wyomingite, is exactly the type of divisive politics that career politicians practice and that takes America on the wrong track,” said Bill Luckett, Executive Director of the Wyoming Democratic Party. Lummis defeated rancher Mark Gordon through a negative campaign in which she strongly criticized his contributions rather than his policies. “Cynthia Lummis didn’t appear to disagree with Mark Gordon’s policies, just his desire to put people before partisan politics. A majority of Republican primary voters didn’t vote for her because the people of Wyoming are growing weary of personal attacks and prefer positive solutions,” Luckett said. “Cynthia Lummis’ campaign tactics appeal to voters’ worst instincts. We are proud to field a candidate in Gary Trauner who is focusing on issues that matter to Wyoming families and who is running a campaign that will make Wyoming’s people proud to call him their congressman.”
Enzi Garners top AARP Award for Protecting Seniors from Falls : Washington, D.C. (Office of Sen. Enzi)
U.S. Senator Mike Enzi’s work to keep seniors around the country safe from falls has earned him AARP’s top honor for lawmakers. At Enzi’s Casper office Wednesday, Wyoming Director Rita Inoway and State President Les Engelter presented Enzi with the AARP Legislative Achievement Award for his bill to protect older Americans from falls, the Safety of Seniors Act (S. 845). “It is an honor to receive this award on behalf of our nation’s older adults,” Enzi said. “Falls are the leading cause of injury death and the most common cause of trauma-related hospital admission for older Americans. I am pleased the Safety of Seniors Act is now a law because it will go a long way in protecting people from falls as they grow older.” As Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Enzi introduced the Safety of Seniors Act and worked to get final Congressional passage. The bill, which President Bush signed into law on April 23, is an important legislative step forward in protecting seniors because it gives the Department of Health and Human Services authority to oversee and support national and local education campaigns to reduce falls and prevent repeat falls among older Americans. The AARP Legislative Achievement Award is given to 10 senators and 10 representatives annually for their work on legislation benefitting older Americans.
Applications Available for Physician Recruitment Program (Wyoming Health Resources Network)
Hospitals and other healthcare providers can now apply for state funding to help recruit doctors, and the application deadline is fast approaching.
In response to the need for continued assistance in recruiting physicians to the state, the Wyoming Legislature passed House Bill 155 in 2008 to establish funding for the program. Although the bill originally sought about $800,000 to pay recruiting and relocation expenses, as well as malpractice insurance premiums and signing bonuses, the bill survived a conference committee with an appropriation of about $400,000. The Division of Rural and Frontier Health and the Wyoming Health Resources Network (WHRN) last week released the application for the Wyoming Physician Recruitment Program. The intent of the program is to enhance the ability of medically underserved communities to recruit physicians, and ultimately improve access to care. Hospitals, clinics, physicians and other appropriate Wyoming agencies may apply for up to $80,000 in state funding to support their recruiting efforts. Grant funding can be used for incentives and relocation expenses. Because of the number of counties that are experiencing a shortage of physicians, awards are expected to be highly competitive. Additionally, the deadline for submission of grant applications is September 15. Interested groups are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible. Awardees will be notified by September 30. WHRN is the point of contact for submission of applications and for any questions about the program. For more information about the program, contact Pennie Hunt at 307-635-2930, or via email at phunt@whrn.org. Applications are available online at http://www.whrn.org/ under the ‘Hiring Sites’ link, or at http://wdh.state.wy.us/rfhd/rural/Physician_Recruitment.html.
Out of State & Washington DC News Coverage on Campaigns and Issues
Obama Adds Foreign Expertise to Ticket:
Selection of Biden Puts an Emphasis on Experience
In selecting Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. as his running mate, Senator Barack Obama sought to add to the ticket’s credentials on foreign policy.
A Democratic Leader on Foreign Policy
An internationalist, Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. advocates diplomacy but has been prepared to back it with the threat of force.
Obama-Biden Ticket Makes Debut at Illinois Rally
Democrats coalescing around Obama's selection of Sen. Biden as a running mate, a choice likely to provide foreign policy heft to their ticket.
· Full Text of Obama's Introduction Speech
· Poll: Biden's Impact | PHOTOS | Q&A Transcript
· Obama's Official Text Message | Biden Profile
· McCain Ad Strikes Back | Va. GOP Blasts Biden
· Capitol Briefing: Another Biden in the Senate?
Differences Define Obama, Biden
ANALYSIS | Delaware Senator is a safe choice, but is not a risk-free running mate for Barack Obama.
· The Fix: Analysis: What Biden's Pick Means
· How Hawaii Shaped Obama | Notable 'Firsts'
· In Racially Aware Akron, Campaigns Playing Well
· Achenbach: Salad Spinning | Convention Preview
Joseph Biden Joins Obama As VP on Democratic Ticket
Obama introduced his running mate, Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, at a rally in Springfield, Ill., calling him "an expert on foreign policy whose heart and values are rooted firmly in the middle class." Obama put to rest months of conjecture in announcing Biden as the person who could help balance his own resume. (Obama's speech)
• Wash Wire: Republicans Challenge Biden | All Posts
• Enviro Capital: Biden Says Energy Is America's Top Issue
• Graphic: Obama's VP Pick | Biden Quotes
• Clinton Supporters: 'Why Not Hillary?'
• Text Messaging Gains New Fame
• Obama, Biden Differed on Key Votes
• Vote: Did Obama choose the right running mate?
• Campaign 2008: Complete Coverage
The new Democratic ticket makes its debut at an Illinois rally where Barack Obama hailed Joe Biden as a politician who is "what others pretend to be."
Six things the Biden pick says about Obama
In the most crucial decision of his public career, Obama dropped important clues about his instincts and his theory of the case for the general election.
There's no shame in a clip job. Here are some of the top Biden profiles. See also: The life of Biden
Obama introduces his new running mate, Joe Biden, and both bash McCain and Bush. See also: Full transcript
Fournier inflames the netroots
Bloggers criticize the AP Washington chief for remark "the candidate of change went with the status quo."
Ad features Biden questioning if Obama is ready for the White House. See also: Early line of attack
Hillary fans come to terms with ticket
Some talk darkly of protests and pals who've turned to McCain. See also: A nod from Hillaryland
Kerry to head Senate Foreign Relations?
If Biden becomes veep, the panel's gavel would be up for grabs. See also: Hagel way off-message
Biden wastes no time to go on the attack
If Barack Obama wanted his vice presidential pick Joseph Biden to be an attack dog for the Democratic ticket, he did not have to wait long to see the Delaware senator fill that role.
Biden adds experience, some drawbacks to the ticket]
Barack Obama’s decision to pick Joseph Biden as his running mate will add experience to the Democratic ticket, but the Delaware senator’s selection also has already provided Republicans with some ammunition.Foreign Relations Gavel Up for Grabs
Republicans and Democrats wasted no time Saturday welcoming Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del.) into his new role as Sen. Barack Obama's (D-Ill.) running mate, with Republicans using Biden's critiques of Obama in ads and public statements while Democrats – and some Republicans – praising the selection.