The World is Talking. Global Politics

Perspectives on the new Russia writes about ways to legitimizing the election results.

TOL's Elections in Russia cites a Russian blogger's post on ways “to falsify the elections in a more ‘civilized' manner.”

De Rebus Antiquis Et Novis posts another pre-election update that covers some virtual and real-life attacks on the opposition.

TOL Georgia comments on the arrest of former Georgian defense minister turned government critic, Irakli Okruashvili, in Germany on an Interpol warrant. In response, the blog says that Okruashvili is seeking political asylum.

Nope. This isn’t about the shady deals pols make in smoky backrooms. It’s about hyperlinks and stereotypes. The Springfield News-Leader is…

First we had Gov. Bill Richardson claiming to like the Red Sox and Yankees — something any baseball fan knows is impossible.

Then, while stomping for votes in New England, Yankee fan Rudy Giuliani was mocked for saying he would actually root for the Red Sox in the World Series.

Now, we have “lifelong Red Sox fan” Mitt Romney not knowing how long it had been since the Red Sox won a World Series when they finally got there in 2004. As ABC News notes, “It is a number that millions of Red Sox fans know by heart. It is a number that many kids in Massachusetts know before they can even count.”

With my beloved Red Sox the World champs again this year, it’s funny watching so many politicians trying to become citizens of Red Sox Nation.

Political Wire has learned that Lousiana state Treasurer John Kennedy (R) — who switched his party affiliation to the Republican Party earlier this year — will challenge Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) in 2008. The official announcement will be early next year though he began soliciting campaign contributions for the bid today.

In an email to supporters today, Kennedy released the results of a Zogby poll that shows him leading Landrieu, 45% to 38%.

CQ has a good backgrounder on the race which Leans Democratic.

Update: The Baton Rouge Advocate confirms that Kennedy is running.

I subscribe to Rolling Stone, and I enjoy Matt Taibbi’s political writing. But he ain’t no Hunter Thompson. And, really, reading his…

“There’s three tickets out of Iowa — first class, business class and coach. We hope to have one of those because otherwise you go home freight.”

– Mike Huckabee, quoted by the London Telegraph.

A new Rasmussen Reports poll in Iowa finds the Democratic presidential race in a three way statistical tie.

Sen. Hillary Clinton leads with 27%, followed by Sen. Barack Obama at 25%, and John Edwards at 24%. Bill Richardson is the only other Democrat in double-digits at 10%.

Key finding: “In terms of second-choices in Iowa, John Edwards tops the list of candidates. He is the second choice for 28% of likely caucus participants. Obama is the second choice for 18%, Clinton for 16%, and Richardson for 15%. Second choice preferences are especially important given the nature of the Iowa caucuses. In a particular caucus setting, if a candidate receives less than 15% of the vote, their supporters will be re-allocated to other candidates.”