Legislative Efforts to Engage High School Students Move Quietly Forward

by: Project Vote

Thu Mar 12, 2009 at 09:34:55 PM EDT

With an estimated 23 million 18-29 year old citizens turning out to vote in the 2008 presidential election, it is easy to assume that young people today have overcome the stereotypical image of "apathetic youth." Yet, while the last few election cycles show an ever-growing interest in political engagement, young people are still underrepresented in the U.S. electorate-a problem that seems to have more to do with lack of access than lack of interest.  

Is Marriage Equality Politically Risky? Connecticut Poll Says "No."

by: Hopeful

Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 08:02:13 PM EDT

Among independent voters, the total was almost the same as the overall result: 52 percent support the decision and 44 percent oppose it. The poll of 502 adults has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.

I take this as yet more evidence that there is little political risk in supporting marriage equality here in New Jersey.

BREAKING: Huge Momentum for NJ!!! Connecticut Supreme Court Rules 4-3 FOR Marriage Equality

by: Brian McGinnis

Fri Oct 10, 2008 at 11:36:45 AM EDT

Breaking news and huge momentum for the campaign for marriage equality in New Jersey: the Connecticut Supreme Court, in the case of Kerrigan v Commissioner of Public Health, has ruled 4-3 in favor of marriage equality.

Any way you slice it, this is huge momentum for New Jersey's marriage equality movement. Here's GSE's statement on the decision, from Steven Goldstein:

"Today's decision in Connecticut has particular relevance to us in New Jersey.  Connecticut has had a civil union statute exactly like New Jersey's.   Today, the Connecticut Supreme Court said civil unions do not and cannot provide the equality of real marriage -- that civil unions don't work in the real world and that they don't provide the dignity and respect of marriage either.   These are exactly the points we've been making in New Jersey.  Today, Connecticut said, civil unions, with all their myriad of problems, are not enough.  

"This decision can't help but have enormous persuasive impact on New Jersey, not only because both states have had civil union statutes, but because both states are neighbors in the tri-state region.

"Garden State Equality salutes all the organizations involved in bring marriage equality to Connecticut, including Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), the legal organization serving New England's LGBT communities; and our sister marriage equality organization in Connecticut, Love Makes a Family.

"All of us at Garden State Equality extend to GLAD and Love Makes a Family, and all the other organizations involved, our love and deepest appreciation.  They are among the all-time heroes for LGBT America."

The parallels to New Jersey are undeniable. Connecticut, like New Jersey, has a civil union law. But, the Connecticut Supreme Court found that civil unions fail miserably to guarantee the equal rights of marriage--rights like health benefits, financial security, as well as the basic dignity and psychological assurance for children and families.

This decision confirms what we in New Jersey have already found: civil unions don't work. They can't work. They can't be fixed. Marriage equality is the only way to guarantee equality. Some will certainly try to spin this, but the fact remains--this is a huge boost of momentum to movement for marriage equality in New Jersey!!

UPDATE: From the decision:

Like these once prevalent views, our conventional understanding of marriage must yield to a more contemporary appreciation of the rights entitled to constitutional protection. Interpreting our state constitutional provisions in accordance with firmly established equal protection principles leads inevitably to the conclusion that gay persons are entitled to marry the otherwise
qualified same sex partner of their choice. To decide otherwise would require us to apply one set of constitutional principles to gay persons and another to all others. The guarantee of equal protection under the law, and our obligation to uphold that command, forbids us from doing so. In accordance with these state constitutional requirements, same sex couples cannot be denied the freedom to marry.

UPDATE 2: Check out this video of the plaintiff's reaction to the verdict. If this doesn't warm your heart, I don't know what will.

Connecticut Results

by: Media In Trouble

Tue Aug 08, 2006 at 08:56:42 PM EDT

HOLY CRAP: Lieberman camp is talking about closing a gap tonight and that the campaign has exciting momentum for moving forward.  The Dye seems cast for Cheater Cheater Pumpkin Lieber.

Lieberman to confirm shortly.

So what if it's not Jersey. This is important to us activist/bloggers. The formula for taking back the party is working.

For the intrepid reporters getting the entire story wrong. The formula is this:

Candidate reaches out to netroots. Netroots spread message. Candidate uses intrepid messages from Netroots in press appearances. Netroots get motivated and positive feedback mechanism is effectuated. Candidate gets free army of Volunteers/Fundraisers. Candidate uses message to win election.

Simple:

Courant says 95.32% precincts AGAIN 95.32% reporting

Lamont 51.92%
Lieberman 48.08%

(Lehrer just said that with 94% Lamont has lost a point if you round to the nearest integer... Lamont has 51.7%)

Live results here
(Speaking of beer, I am brewing some right now).

Listen live to Live coverage with Brian Lehrer its pretty good.

Wow NPR reporting that Lamont HQ thinks they won.

Current winner of Dump Mike T-Shirt:

Jay Lassiter (no fair, you have to donate it).

PS. The Governor race neck and neck 87% in and its still 50/50.

Coffee Talk: "Ned Lamont is the left's Barry Goldwater... Discuss"

Coffee Talk part two: "Left is lowering expectations... is this because they forsee a loss? Or is this because they want to turn up the gloating later?"

UPDATE: We will know by tommorow at 4PM wether or not Lieberman will be a cheater cheater pumpkin eater, he must file his petitions by then. Unofficial, word is they are setting these up by the buffet table at the victory losers party.

Former record turnout for Democratic Party Primary in Connecticut...25% today's turnout "likely to approach mid-30s." - Discuss...

If Lieberman goes the way that Brian Lehrer is discussing, he will have been 0 for 3 in elections in the last 6 years alone.  In other words... nobody really likes LIeberman once they figure out who he has become.