On the last day of summer, here’s a translation of LJ user drugoi’s photo report on his trip to Crimea, one of the favorite summer tourism destinations in the Soviet times, now facing fierce competition from resorts in Turkey and Egypt.
Marc Ambinder has a copy of a letter DNC Chairman Howard Dean sent to each Democratic presidential candidate today, strongly urging “to do
your part and support the action of the Rules and Bylaws Committee” finding Florida’s advanced primary in non-compliance with delegate selection rules last weekend.
Sen. John Warner (R-VA) “announced Friday afternoon in Charlottesville, Va., that he will not run next year for a sixth Senate term — a widely expected move that guarantees a strong bid by Democrats to take over the seat as they seek to defend or expand their razor-thin Senate majority, reports CQ Politics.
Democrats are hoping that popular former Gov. Mark Warner will jump in the race, where he would be a clear favorite. “Republicans, meanwhile, will not cede the seat without a fight. Republican Rep. Thomas M. Davis III of Northern Virginias 11th District is seen as a near-certain candidate; former Gov. Jim Gilmore is also seen as contemplating a run.”
According to First Read, White House Press Secretary Tony Snow “will step down Sept. 14 as the president’s chief spokesman and the public face of the White House. Dana Perino is expected to replace him. Snow says his departure is based on family finances.”
The Chairman of New Hampshire’s Republican Party says that Fred Thompson’s decision to announce his candidacy on September 6 is “clearly” an attempt to avoid the September 5 GOP debate. Fergus Cullen tells James Pindell that he is “disappointed” Thompson will not join the party-sponsored UNH debate to be aired on Fox News.
He also issued this warning: “I think they are making a tactical mistake and a strategic mistake by not participating in the debate. I hope they change their mind and if they do we will rearrange the stage. I am reminded of 1999 when Governor Bush skipped the Dartmouth debate in October. They sent some message about the imperial campaign. I think the Bush campaign would trace their unraveling in New Hampshire with their decision to blow off that debate.”
“Three of the eight announced 2008 Republican presidential campaigns are considering retired Army Gen. Tommy Franks as their pick for vice presidential candidate, according to Republican Party operatives,” reports the Washington Times.
“Gen. Franks, commander of U.S. Central Command until he retired in 2003, orchestrated the military campaign that ousted Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.”
Nicholas Laughlin quotes BC Pires on the occasion of Trinidad and Tobago’s 45th anniversary of Independence, while IZATRINI.com compares the country’s first Independence Day celebration with how the holiday is celebrated today.
Sierra Leone held its presidential and parliamentary elections on August 11, 2007. The exercise marked a peaceful transition to democracy after years of civil war. None of the presidential candidates won at least 55% to prevent a run-off, which is set for September 8th, 2007. Now on to the Sierra Leone Blogosphere to see what bloggers have had to say about the process…
All Things Pakistan on the developments on the political front, as an Ex-PrimeMinister in exile returns to Pakistan in early September.
Democracy for Nepal on the internal dynamics of political parties as geographical identities become sharper.
