Wednesday Roundup - Richard Raymond on Who's Blue

Joining us for this week's episode of Who's Blue? &8212; Richard Raymond, State Representative from District 42. Have a listen.

Warren Chisum distributed a memo yesterday from Georgia state legislator Ben Bridges detailing the ways and means of halting the practice of teaching evolution in schools. He even mentions Pharisees, and details how evolution is actually teaching religion, because evolution is a belief that comes from "an ancient Jewish sect." Chisum later said that the memo doesn't reflect his own beliefs and that the memo was distributed as "a courtesy."

A hearing has been set as to whether or not Perry's HPV vaccine mandate will stand. I don't know if he was just trying to draw attention away from all the other issues, but yesterday Perry's top education adviser sent out a mass email encouraging university officials to endorse and testify in favor of his higher education reform plan. That's the one with all the grants you have to pay back. The warning tone in the email about "special items" for universities adds legitimacy to some arguments that the email reads like "marching orders."

The Burnt Orange Report has the story about state Senator Dan Patrick and the press conference he held this morning. At that press conference, Senator Patrick showed up with $1 million in cash to make a point about large dollar amounts. When Phillip Martin told me he showed up with $1 million, I asked if that was a rapper. I guess the point is well made &8212; that $1 million is a lot of money &8212; but when you don't have much else to say, you may as well say something like "bacon is delicious."

The California Senate shifted the state one step closer to moving its primary to February 5 yesterday, and by all accounts it will pass the House and be signed by Governor Arnold. Everything I hear about the Texas bill to do the same is that it will be a while before any debate begins on it, if we even get to it. If California and either Florida or Michigan moves to February 5, moving Texas to February 5 would more or less make it the de facto Super Tuesday. Either the election would be won then or the ground work for a floor fight at the convention would be laid.

Scooter Libby's defense team indicated in the last few days that Cheney and Libby will not be testifying as they make their case. They had long said that one of the two would be taking a turn on the stand, but things have changed. It does not look good for Libby, in Mudville or otherwise.

Finally today, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney announced yesterday that he is running for President. This is no surprise. It will, however, be interesting to see him dance the dance of his former socially progressive stances as he courts the socially conservative right.