Greek News:
Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain failed the expectations of the Greek Orthodox faithful in the United after declining to answer a question on his refusal to cosign a letter to President Bush, on the religious freedom in Turkey and the protection of the rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.....
While McCain was posing with Archbishop Demetrios, a reporter with a Greek-language media outlet fired a question at the senator, asking why he did not sign a letter a year and a half ago in which 73 other senators -- including Obama -- urged President George W. Bush to publicly support religious freedom for a Greek Orthodox minority living in Istanbul, Turkey.
McCain declined to answer directly, saying the matter was under discussion. "Obviously we are in favor of religious freedom all over the world, especially those places where it seems to be about to disappear," he said, before declining further questions....
McCain will get the photo op, but the real meat of the matter is that McCain has not supported an issue that is important to Greek Americans.
> Republicans Jean Schmidt (OH-2) and Steve Chabot (OH-1) are begging for campaign contributions and making up tall tales. Cincinnati Enquirer:
As political candidates often do, U.S. Reps. Jean Schmidt and Steve Chabot sent out fundraising letters recently, urging supporters to send them donations.
But these letters also attack their Democratic opponents in ways that seem to stretch the truth - with Schmidt accusing her opponent of participating in "grotesque medical experiments" and Chabot suggesting his opponent supports abortion, though he is anti-abortion.
Both Republicans said they stand by the letters, but political analysts say the harsh tone is a sign that Schmidt and Chabot know they are vulnerable....
According to Open Secrets, Schmidt has only $176,670 on hand. Ouch! For an incumbent, that is just plain poor. With the Republicans unable to fund their congressional candidates, will Schmidt even be able to fund a full campaign?
Chabot has just slightly over one million dollars in his campaign fund (see Open Secrets). However, Chabot's strong support of George W. Bush's policies may have made him unpopular among voters.
>Democratic Underground found a video of Sen. Obama helping out in Iowa. Sen. Obama helped fill some sandbags in flood ravaged Iowa. Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARt-OJKKfQY
