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1.) Hamas supporter to speak at Democratic convention — Sadly, he also happens to be a former American president. TheDC’s Caroline May reports:
“The Democratic National Convention Committee and Obama for America announced Tuesday that former President Jimmy Carter will be addressing the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte via video cast … ‘President Carter is one of the greatest humanitarian leaders of our time and a champion of democracy around the globe,’ said 2012 Democratic National Convention Chair Antonio Villaraigosa in a statement Tuesday. ‘A lifelong champion of human rights and investments in education and energy to spur economic development, President Carter will provide unique insight into President Obama’s ability to move our country forward and why we need his vision and leadership for a second term.”
Yes, Jimmy Carter champions human rights … and the terrorist group Hamas. If this seems like a contradiction, that’s because it is.
2.) Petraeus-mania — You’ve heard of an October Surprise — but what about an August Surprise so powerful it could spell game over for President Obama’s re-election prospects? TheDC’s Alex Pappas reports:
“With a vice presidential announcement expected in the coming days, Gen. David Petraeus is now being floated as possible dark-horse option for Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney. The possibility that Petraeus, the Central Intelligence Agency director who oversaw American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, could be chosen by Romney as his running mate surfaced Tuesday on the Drudge Report.“
Petraeus is quite possibly the most respected living American and could possibly make Mitt Romney nearly unbeatable. Petraues would certainly sure up any concerns voters have about Romney’s foreign policy credentials. But where does he stand on domestic issues? TheDC Morning still thinks Romney should go with Paul Ryan — and appoint Petraeus to Defense Secretary should he be elected president.
3.) Plouffe’s pungent puff — TheDC’s Mickey Kaus opines that senior Obama adviser David Plouffe’s large payday from a firm doing business with Iran stinks — beyond the fact that the company paying him was doing business with Iran:
“Doesn’t Obama aide David Plouffe’s $100,000 speaking gig stink, even without the Iran connection of the firm that paid him? a) It’s just too much money.** I’ve seen Plouffe talk. He’s a smart guy. But he’s not a $100,000 speaker, or even a $30,000 speaker. He’s not Colin Powell, or Bill Clinton, or Beyonce. What did he think his benefactors–a telecommunications firm called MTN Group–thought they were getting for their 100Gs? Just a short talk (on ‘digital communications’)? There is some kind of bonus there for Plouffe. What was it for?”
4.) AK-4why? — Maryland’s first lady talks to TheDC’s Nicholas Ballasy about gun control:
“Reacting to the shooting at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, Maryland first lady Katie O’Malley told The Daily Caller that she does not ‘understand why somebody needs an AK-47’ or an ‘arsenal,’ but stopped short of calling for President Barack Obama to push Congress on enacting gun control laws …’I don’t know why anybody needs an AK-47. I certainly do appreciate hunters and their sporting reasons for having weapons, and I appreciate people who want to have weapons for their safety… I don’t understand why somebody needs an AK-47 or why somebody needs to have an arsenal. I don’t understand why we can’t get a better control of that as a country,’ she said.”
5.) Poll of the Day: Close in Colorado — Rasmussen Reports poll of likely Colorado voters: President Obama 47%, Mitt Romney 47%.
6.) Tweet of Yesterday — David Burge: Modest proposal: let’s organize thousands of young people who want to make a difference by working in Washington, then ship them to Somalia.
VIDEO: Chick-fil-A employee tells fired bully she forgives him