Political Hotsheet
By

Lucy Madison /

CBS News/ June 6, 2012, 3:50 PM

How pot could change 2012, and more news from the swing states

(CBS News) Could marijuana enthusiasts tip the electoral scales in Colorado this November? Will Florida's voter purge be upheld? And why, again, did Democrats pick Charlotte for the convention? Below, CBS News presents the latest political headlines from battleground states across the nation.

Colorado's marijuana vote - a boon or bust for Obama?

In Colorado, a ballot initiative on the legalization of marijuana could have major consequences for President Obama's re-election prospects - even though neither he nor his rival, Mitt Romney, supports such a measure. So why does it matter? According to the AP, the issue could cut one of two ways for the president: Young Democrats will either come out for pot and lend some incidental support to Mr. Obama in the process, or vote against him in protest of the administration's conflicting signals on the issue.

Rick Scott vs. the DOJ in Florida?

Is Florida Governor Rick Scott headed for a showdown with the Justice Department? The Miami Herald seems to think so. The Herald's Marc Caputo reports on the controversial Republican governor's latest efforts to proceed with a purge of potential non-citizens on Florida voting rolls - an action Democrats say violates the National Voting Rights Act of 1993.

Dems: A southern convention will help us expand the electoral map

According to the Charlotte Observer, Democrats say they have a good shot at expanding the electoral map this November -- specifically in North Carolina, home to this year's Democratic National Convention. After all, says DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, "holding the convention here provides us with a phenomenal organizing tool." Realistic? The GOP says no: "This is what you'd expect from Debbie Wasserman Schultz," convention spokesman James Davis told the Observer. 

Can Romney make inroads in Pennsylvania?

President Obama may have won big in Pennsylvania back in 2008, but Mitt Romney's not ready to give up on the state quite yet. At the very least, his campaign's hoping to make Mr. Obama's re-election team work up a sweat in efforts to fend him off. Thanks to new voter ID laws, Catholic discontent with the White House, and Romney's relatively moderate image, it may not be such a crazy idea. The Associated Press reports.

Scott Walker threats under investigation

Wisconsin's recall election was one of the most closely-watched - and nastiest - races in the 2012 election cycle so far. But after months of campaigning and millions of dollars, the state's embattled Republican Governor Scott Walker managed to hold off the competition. The drama, however, may extend beyond the race itself: On Wednesday, the Milwaukee Police Department says it's evaluating threats made against him via social media.

Haley Bull contributed to this report

© 2012 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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DanRicheson says:
And to illustrate the point: Mission Statement: To bring an end to cannabis prohibition in 2013 by gathering signatory members through promotion and declaring our rights through the document, "Declaration of Rights of Cannabis Users". Giving prohibitionists reasonable opportunity to affect appropriate, timely and agreed upon change and, if necessary enforcing our rights in a peaceful way. After April 20 2013 adopting a zero tolerance for acts of brutality and injustice by prohibitionists.

The laws regarding cannabis were born on the wings of lies and pampered by propaganda such that now the tightly held belief systems are going to have to reckon with the desire of all humanity to live with dignity, free from the oppressive tyranny that ignorance and bigotry have spawned.

http://www.change.org/petitions/all-elected-represenitives-and-the-united-nations-recognize-the-rights-of-cannabis-users
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bawest47232 says:
I don't see how you can post an article describing the pot vote and its affect on the presidential ballot without mentioning the Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson.
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