Housing Slump Weakens GOP Grip On Exurbs

The Skinny: As Foreclosure Signs Dot Recently Developed Areas, Political Winds Shift

(CBS)  The Skinny is Keach Hagey's take on the top news of the day and the best of the Internet.

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During the last election cycle, if you lived in one of those sprawling outer suburban regions where new subdivision seem to sprout like mushrooms in the night, chances are good you voted Republican.

But now that the housing crisis has left many of those new houses with embarrassing "foreclosure" signs in front of them, you might be changing your tune, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The change is troubling for Republican strategists. As recently as 2004, high-growth exurban areas were fertile ground for GOP organizers, who rallied conservative volunteers from churches and community groups to turn out new voters.

Take Loudon County, a once-largely rural area on the western fringes of Washington that has become one of the fastest-growing regions in the U.S. In 2004, Loudon County voted to reelect President Bush by 56 percent. The nine-member County Board of Supervisors consists of six Republicans, one Democrat and two independents who are former Republicans.

But with local elections scheduled today, the ranks of independents and Democrats appear to be growing, the Times reports. There are as many lawn placards supporting Democrats as Republicans in some neighborhoods.

Residents say that fears over the housing slump are driving the shift. Nationally, foreclosure filings have about doubled, but in high-growth exurbs like Loudon County, they have escalated far faster. In 2005, the county recorded 12 deeds of foreclosure. In the first nine months of 2007, it was 643 - a 50-fold increase in two years.

"I don't like seeing that," said Karla Schroeder, who once used to consider herself a Republican but now says she's independent. "We think about moving, and I worry about whether we could sell our house."

MSNBC Makes A Left Turn

Bashing Bush is good for ratings, executives at MSNBC have discovered, so they are reaching out for a bigger club.

Two executives from the cable channel's parent company whispered (anonymously, of course) in the ear of the New York Times yesterday that they were talking to Rosie O'Donnell about a prime-time show on MSNBC.

Hiring O'Donnell would be a significant nod to both ratings and the left. The loudmouthed host made waves on "The View" during the nine months ending this spring by lamenting the unabated casualties in the Iraq war and advocating the right to gay marriage - and in the process sending rating skyward. Rumors are swirling the channel might pit her against CNN's "Larry King Live" and Fox News' "Hannity & Colmes" at 9 p.m.

But the leftward tilt is evident whether or not Rosie signs on. MSNBC is already presenting a three-hour block of nighttime talk - Chris Matthews's "Hardball" at 7 p.m., "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" at 8 p.m. and "Live with Dan Abrams" at 9 p.m. - that expends a fair amount of its air sticking it to the Bush administration. (Olbermann asked the president to resign in July; two months later, he hosted the channel's coverage of Bush's prime-time address.) The one early evening program that doesn't is "Tucker" at 6 p.m. with Tucker Carlson, and it is in "real danger of being cancelled," according to the Times.

Having a cable channel that's throwing rotten vegetables at the administration as enthusiastically as Fox News does cartwheels for it would seem like natural business niche-seeking. But the Times points out a catch: "Having a prime-time lineup that tilts every more demonstrably to the left could be risky for General Electric, MSNBC's parent company, which is subject to legislation and regulation far afield of the cable landscape."

In other words, MSNBC's parents have a lot more to lose if one of those rotten tomatoes actually hits Cheney in the double chin.

New York's Clogged Airspace Ruins Flying For Everyone

Start spreading the news: If you want to be a part of it, you'd better drive or take the train, because New York's airports are so clogged they are singlehandedly ruining the service averages for the entire industry.

It's well known that this year will go on record as the country's worst for flight delays and airport gridlock. But USA Today adds an extra twist for New Yorkers: Most of the nation's aviation system is actually performing relatively well and reducing delays.

It's the volume of late flights at the New York City area's major airports - John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, Newark Liberty and Philadelphia, which shares New York's airspace - that surged so much this year that it swamped the entire aviation system.

According to a USA Today analysis of flight delay data and interviews with airline executives, the largest 31 airports outside New York saw an 8 percent improvement in delays so far this year over the same months last year. Meanwhile, delays at the four New York-area airports jumped nearly 23 percent, driving a 3.7 percent in total delays nationwide.

"It's as if there are now two different aviation systems in the USA," the paper reports. "In New York, ther are too many scheduled flights and hemmed-in airports that can't expand. But in other major airporst, new runways, incremental improvements in air-traffic procedures and airlines' moves to improve efficiency have begun to make a measurable difference to travelers."

For many travelers, the key to a tolerable trip is simple: Avoid the Big Apple.

A NOTE TO READERS: The Skinny is available via e-mail. Click here and follow the directions to register to receive it in your inbox each weekday morning.

[rowdytexan2]

cbscrash07 "Sorry but I''''m not gonna watch some one who thinks the World Trade center was brought down with explosives. I can''''t even begin to tell you how low my opinion is of people who beleive that ***."

You''re entitled to your opinion...however many of those who survived believe it...several engineering experts have puzzled over it...and the debris was hauled to another country out of reach of those who want to examine it and find out. In the videos, you can see explosions that are puzzling.

I won''t rule out anything in regard to 9/11, including those who want to push the issue. SOMEBODY in this country let it happen. That''s a given. And the arrow points right at those who KNEW about Al-Queda and sat on the information. Sitting back and allowing 3,000 of your countrymen to die such a horrible death for the greed of those who hold your puppet strings should not go unpunished.

Go Rosie! Go anybody that will push issues that need to be brought to light and solved!

Impeach them! And set forth trials so justice can be served.

[ninerman168]

Can''t blame the housing foreclosures on the Bush Administration,this seemed to pick up steam after the dems took control.Go figure.LOL

[prinzowhales]

There is no real risk in attacking Bush for GE. They will be positioning behind a War Pig candidate that isn''t so much "left" as she is "not Bush". There is method to the seeming madness at MSNBC. By telling the truth about Bush, they win plaudits and maintain influence...something the rest of the mainstream-- like CBS--will not have as viewers leave them in droves for alternative media.

[kansas1946]

It is always risky to get lazy and decide you are a "Republican for Life," or a "Democrat for Life." Now being and independent for life is a lot easier. You never have to defend a party that has gone banana''s, and you are far more likely to look seriously at the candidate, not his or her party. If the suburbanites thought Bush and Co., or Republicans were looking out for their insterests, (or the Democrats for that matter) I have some ocean front property to sell them in Nevada. Politicans look out for their own interests, power and re-election, so you just have to make sure and vote for someone whose power lies in your direction. And that changes with the breeze, so you can''t get lazy and assume it is a particular party.

[kjvprophet]

Noticed prices are higher lately? So have I. Inflation, which increases the price of everything you buy, be it a dozen eggs at the store, or the price you pay for gas at the pump, is caused when The Federal Reserve, a group of private banks run by unelected officials, who are not accountable to we the people, lowers the interest rate, notwithstanding the fact that the Dollar has been undergoing a major devaluation overseas, rather than increasing the interest rate like it should have done. That''s Economics 101, folks. Everything costs more in U.S. Dollars, because the Dollar is worth less. Because the Fed is allowed to print unbacked money out of thin air, and then loan it to the our government, which is then saddled with an interest obligation to pay it back, our money is becoming worth less and less each day, and our National debt to the Fed is approaching 10 trillion dollars. It gets worse. Most of our debt is owned by China (25%) and Saudi Arabia who buy our Treasury Bonds, which finances our runaway military spending overseas. This is a threat to our nation, folks. We need to stop this madness. We need to bring our troops home from overseas, and use the trillions we would then save thereby to reduce our debt, and to re-invigorate our currency. We can then use this money to ensure that Social Security and other essential programs will still be solvent in ten years. Vote for Ron Paul. He''s written entire books on the topic of sound economics. ronpaullibrary.org

[kjvprophet]

If he is elected President, Dr. Paul''s will work to abolish the Federal Reserve System as well as the IRS, returning return our country to the Gold Standard. He believes, as I do, that our current Income Tax System is unconstitutional, because it''s is a direct tax that is not equally apportioned as The Constitution requires. Whenever taxes are raised by the federal government, it should be done as The Constitution DOES require--in an indirect way which is equally apportioned. This system would benefit all of us, creating more individual wealth, and allowing us to make more decisions for ourselves about our lives. Dr. Paul will also work to abolish the Federal Reserve, a group of private banks which loans our government money that they print out of thin air, making each dollar in your pocket worth less, and increasing our national debt. The Federal Reserve is not a government agency. It is a group of private banks run by unelected officials who are not required to be accountable to we the people. Worse, our economy and our very independence as a nation is increasingly in the hands of foreign governments such as China and Saudi Arabia, which finance our runaway spending. If we don''t cut spending now, especially overseas military spending, higher taxes and economic disaster will be our future. Our guidelines for governing taxation and spending is called The Constitution. Ron Paul has ACTUALLY read it! He''s published three books on economics. Read ''em free at ronpaullibrary.org

[kjvprophet]

RON PAUL SETS NEW GOP FUNDRAISING RECORD
Freedom is apparently popular, folks. I''m glad it is. In just the last 24 hours (Nov 5, 2007), he raised over $4,200,000 in grass roots donations from his supporters nationwide, beating Mitt Romney''s previous one-day (Republican) record of 3.1 million Dollars. Do the math, folks. Ron Paul certainly isn''t getting any money from the bankers or the military industrial complex like all the sold-out NWO candidates both on the left and the right who pretend to be his equal. He''s getting support from millions of REAL people who share in his Hope For America:

-- No more meddling in other country''s political affairs
-- No more aggressive military actions overseas
-- No more pseudo-wars like the "War on Drugs"
-- No more IRS and unconstitutional income taxes
-- No more Federal Reserve (the group of private banks which owns our government)
-- No more abortion
-- No more U.N. participation
-- No more federal Laws which are not authorized by The Constitution
-- No more federal erosion of State sovereignty
-- No more all-powerful federal government

They don''t call him "Dr. No" for no reason. The Doctor is in! Join us in this 21st Century political revolution at ronpaul2008.com

Remember, folks. Freedom isn''t free.

Thanks to everyone for your support!

[Syndicate]

I can''t stand to watch hardball anymore. Don''t get me started with Keith Olbermann. When you name Bill O''riely the worst person in the world over and over again when their is any number of murders and child rapist out there to pick from you loose credibility. Rosie what would I say to Rosie? I know. Building seven collapsed when the dust settled on its floors overloading them several hours later. Sorry but I''m not gonna watch some one who thinks the World Trade center was brought down with explosives. I can''t even begin to tell you how low my opinion is of people who beleive that ***.

[omega39-2009]

Hmmmmm, I would have thought "trickle down" economics finally kicking the collective pants of those voting against their best self interest would have been the story to comment on.

[getcentered]

Walt 1944!!

You said it. Every one should read it.

[macusweil]

We as Americans need to stomp all the neo.cons, rightwing-nuts, hate mongers, fascist corporate elite & radical American clerics back into their small filthy corner of the universe. That malodorous region from which they have crawled like roaches to multiply and plague the US government and political landscape this past quarter century.

Let''s return the GOP to it''s rightful heirs those who care most deeply for the rights of the individual over government and corporate greed. Great republicans like Abe Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt & Dwight D. Eisenhower will forever inspire generations of American leadership to follow the path of true honor through service to these ideals.

[luvcomments]

Big mistake. She is as much despised as Bush. Her self-righteous, obnoxious rants would only serve to help the issues she''s against.

[walt1944-2009]

The Great Emperor Bush is upset that MSNBC, already the network made famous by that ardent Emperor Bush II critic, Keith Obermann, will be giving him company by signing another "fan" of the Great Emperor Bush II and all Fascist Republicans everywhere, Rosie O''Donnell!

This will now mean that MSNBC will have 2 voices speaking out against the Emperor and all his loyal Fascist Republicans. When you add Lou Dobbs (no great fan of the Emperor''s either) at CNN, and the sudden leftward leanings of Chris Matthews on ABC, together with the "Progressive" radio stations sprouting up around the country featuring such people as Randi Rhodes, Stephanie Miller, Ed Shultz, Bill Press, and Bob Hartmann, the Emperor is becoming increasingly perplexed.

It is getting more difficult to find his favorite neocon personalities ranting and raving on the radio, spewing out their hate and venom at everything and anything that moves. Though their rating are, supposedly, still high, it appears that the ratings for hate-mongers like Bill O''Reilly, Micheal Savage, Rush Limbaugh, and Shawn Hanritty have peaked and are on the decline. The only person capable of ticking people off anymore is Anne Coulter who is, apparently begging for a major lawsuit from someone.

So, the Great Emperor is upset and is secreatly admiring Musharref of Pakistan who has shut down all anti-Musharref radio and newspapers and thrown critics in jail.

SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!

[scoliosuxs]

Give me a break. Rosie is obnoxious on a good day. I don''t care for her at all. One more reason not to watch MSNBC or any other of the political programs. Think for yourself don''t try to let a Hollywood name influence your vote. I got news for you they put their pants on one leg at a time just like everyone else.

[humanistic-2009]

So... let me get this straight. It''s entirely acceptable for an entire network to be one giant right-wing propaganda machine (thus a commercial for the Republicans), but not OK for one liberal perspective to be represented on a network "news" channel? Looks like you right-wing nutjobs are about to get a taste of your own O''Reilly medicine. :D

Additionally, those of you who say CNN and CBS are biased to the left is the most hilarious thing I''ve heard all day. All of these networks are bought out by the corporations and therefore, very right-wing biased.

[greeneyes222]

Free speech and all that, but putting Rosie on is one less reason to watch MSNBC. The woman''s a nut, and that''s before we even get to politics.

[mcvet]

By no means is this a "tilt" to the left by MSNBC...with the addition of Rosie to their already Liberal programing, they are grabbing on to the left with both hands.


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Posted by tcoleman12 at 12:47 PM : Nov 06, 2007
+ report abuse

Now with the 60''s generation about to become the DOMINATE Generation, I''d say that is a pretty fair bet. The Fascist had their shot folks and they not only have FAILED, but so bad who knows how long it''s going to take to clean up the mess. When the Reich gives up rights to Rush Limpballs then it''s okay for Rossie to not be on... difference? Rush tank''s on TV so he''s limited to Radio... LOL

[gkc99]

"I think CBS is a little disingenuous by pretending that they don''''t tilt left. Granted, not as badly as MSNBC and CNN, but they do! "--Posted by Signof4


If that''s true, CNN can dump Glenn Beck any time! He gets an inordinate amount of time on CNN headline news.

His beady little pig eyes, chipmunk cheeks, and Tighty Whitey Righty rants make him a junior Rush Limpbough. And of course we got billionaire Rupert Mordork and his private mouthpiece, *** News, to feed red meat to the Neoconscum. I don''t think I''ve ever heard *** "News" mention Al Gore''s name without the usual gamut of smirking, sneering, and chuckling from the Rightie hosts.

After all, freedom of the press is great if you happen to own one, and it takes a Mordork like billionaire to do so. Most billionaires are Repugniscum.

[mcvet]

My pose makes no sense? Yet just the thought of Rosie beings such defensive behavior. I never called anyone names or resorted to demeaning rhetoric. My point is that "God and Country" is all I hear from the right about the situation in Iraq and the Resident Bush. I have been told I do not support the troops because I do not support the war. This is insane. Wanting them not to die for a wasted cause is not a lack of support, but in fact the opposite.
When we returned from Vietnam and were spit on, THAT was a lack of support for the troops.


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Posted by stormsinger1 at 12:02 PM : Nov 06, 2007
+ report abuse

We only move forward if we learn from our mistakes. We made a big mistake going into Vietnam and we made just as big a one going into Iraq. In other words some, namely NeoCons, did NOT learn from that mistake. You can''t "Give" our system of Government to others, ESPECIALLY when you treat OUR constitution the way Bush has. We came mighty close to a FASCIST State under this creature and Rove.

[mcvet]

Even women like to have their bushes bashed occassionaly. Who is really opposed to "bashing" bushes? It''''s not American to not bash a "bush".



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Posted by radiob at 12:55 PM : Nov 06, 2007
+ report abuse

LOL I think the "Bush" they are talking about is our dictator. LOL You know the Imperial President who''s about the law and all. Sieg Heil Bush!!