Research 2000/Daily Kos NY-23 Special Election Survey If the election for Congress were held today, would you vote for Bill Owens, the Democrat, Dede Scozzafava, the Republican, or Doug Hoffman, the Conservative Party candidate? Bill Owens 33% (35%) Doug Hoffman 32% (23%) Dede Scozzafava 21% (30%) Undecided 14% (12%) Among Republicans Doug Hoffman 41% (27%) Dede Scozzafava 34% ( 46% ) Bill Owens 13% (18%) Undecided 12% (9%) Among Independents Doug Hoffman

If any of you fancy another strange and confused insight into the mind of Billy Corgan then feel free to head on over to his blog site ‘Everything From Here To There’ where the man has posted a lengthy rant (lengthy meaning 800 odd words) all about the H1N1 virus and America today.

Europe is rediscovering the truth of that old adage. In an editorial entitled “We’re waiting, Mr. President” , Der Spiegel decries the lack of leadership from Obama. Some choice quotes: Afghanistan and Pakistan are being shaken by attacks, and the Taliban is dictating the course of the war. US President Obama has been silent about the situation for far too long and European countries like Germany and France are correct to demand better American leadership on the issue of Afghanistan.

By Naween A. Mangi and Farhan SharifOct. 23 (Bloomberg) — Pakistani talk show host Waheed Hussain interrupted a guest discussing the U.S.-led Friends of Democratic Pakistan, which had pledged $5.3 billion in aid to the nation. “You mean foes of Pakistan,” Hussain said.In the same Oct. 8 Waqt News program, Hussain stopped another guest who was talking about a bill by U.S. Senators John Kerry and Richard Lugar to triple non-military aid, subject to curbs including an end to army support for terrorists.“It’s ‘looter,’ not Lugar,” Hussain said.

These vile people know they’re Americans , right? One of the 20 finalists in health care video contest run by Barack Obama’s campaign arm features a mural of an America flag splattered with health care graffiti until it’s covered completely by black paint. I know, I know, patriotism is SO uncool amongst the Latter Day Patchoulis but can’t they at least pretend not to despise all things American for marketing purposes? Apparently not, so deep is their revulsion for any American symbol that us common folk hold dear.

Lest you forget…it’s for this boy. Matthew Shepard, in whose name a hate crimes act was finally enacted (Courtesy: Meefers) And for this man who was dragged to his death in a place called Jasper, TX. James Byrd Jr., who is memorialized in the hate crimes act signed yesterday by President Obama (Courtesy: Find a Grave) The new law will expand “the 1969 United States federal hate-crime law to include crimes motivated by a victim’s actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation,

Did you hear the news? Fox News and the White House worked out a truce and now everything is cool between the two sides. Or not. It’s time for another round of Mediaite Oddsmakers to determine where this high profile battle goes next. No Real Truce – 2:1 – The most obvious outcome here is the idea a truce was actually reached is complete BS. We know there was a conversation between the two sides yesterday, and something was said.

Long-time listener, first-time blogger… Back in April, Vice President Biden uttered dire warnings about catching Swine Flu in subways and commercial airplanes.  Per the usual pattern, the White House quickly apologized for “Amtrak Joe’s” remarks.  But now, just a few months later, the President also has declared a national emergency .  The H1N1 is spreading, and instead of 120 million expected doses, only 11 million shipped last week.

The U.S. House of Representative’s version of health care reform was unveiled today in Washington D.C. by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., The release of the bill, which does not include the most “robust” public option with rates tied to Medicare, is another step in the direction of passage of the health care reform bill that President Barack Obama and Democrats want passed by the end of the year. Congressmen Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan, both New Mexico Democrats, were on hand for the event.

From UPI.com BALTIMORE, Oct. 28 (UPI) — A Maryland chapter of the NAACP is drawing criticism for selecting President Barack Obama’s former pastor to speak at its awards dinner, a recipient says. Perry Ealim, a black businessman who is being honored by the Anne Arundel County NAACP, says many of his friends and associates refuse to attend the Nov. 20 dinner, the Baltimore Sun reported Wednesday. Ealim, a Republican, says he has been told they are boycotting the dinner because Rev.