.... Mr Brown talked solemnly about “duties to discharge and responsibilities to keep” in Iraq, but also hinted that Britain could hand over military control of Basra in the autumn when Parliament returns....
> Ohio Republicans are already fighting over who will be the new Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives when Jon Husted is forced to retire because of term limits.
Dispatch:
...Rep. Mark Wagoner, a 35-year-old Toledo lawyer in his second term, is viewed as the top contender to replace Speaker Jon A. Husted in 2009 if the House remains in GOP hands. Husted, of Kettering, must leave because he will hit the eight-year maximum under Ohio term limits.
But before Wagoner got his first diaper change, Rep. William G. Batchelder's 30-year legislative career was under way, and he wants the job, too. When the Medina Republican, who served in the House from 1968 to '98, returned this year after eight years as a county judge, he brought unmatched experience and a strong desire to claim the speaker's chair that eluded him in the past.....
However, I believe that the Republicans should not count their chickens before they hatch. It is very possible that Ohioans want to turn away from the Republicans who brought us "Coingate" and "Golfgate" and other Republican scandals. I think Ohioans have had enough corruption and dirty deeds from the GOP and may vote for more Democrats. If the Ohio Dems win a majority in the state legislature, Ohio may actually make some progress on school funding and other important issues. Wouldn't that be a novel idea?
> While our men and women in uniform are dying and getting wounded in Iraq, the Iraqi parliament is working...... Oh, wait. Huh? The Iraqi parliament is on vacation until September 4th. Incredible.
