Rasmussen:

Fifty-three percent (53%) approve of Pawlenty’s job performance, including 28% who Strongly Approve, according to a new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Minnesota voters. Forty-six percent (46%) don’t approve of the Republican governor, with 26% who Strongly Disapprove.

The governor’s approval ratings are largely unchanged from two months ago.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it’s in the news, it’s in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates also available on Twitter.

Fifty-nine percent (59%) of the state’s voters now say it is at least somewhat likely that Pawlenty will run for president, including 17% who say it’s Very Likely he will do so. Twenty-nine percent (29%) say the governor is not very or not at all likely to seek the White House.

But just 37% say Pawlenty is even somewhat likely to win the GOP presidential nomination in 2012. Only seven percent (7%) say it’s Very Likely. For 55%, it’s not likely that their governor will be the party’s standard-bearer.

Minnesota Republicans are more hopeful. Fifty-three percent (53%) say the governor is at least somewhat likely to be the party’s presidential nominee.

In March, 61% of Minnesota voters said Pawlenty should not run for the presidency.

CNN:

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has rolled out a succession of endorsements from national Republicans since announcing his entrance into the 2010 Senate race.

Now his Republican primary rival, former Florida House speaker Marco Rubio, has a national endorsement of his own from a conservative heavyweight: Mike Huckabee.

The former Arkansas governor will formally endorse Rubio in about two weeks, according to a Florida Republican familiar with the plans. The details of where the endorsement will take place have not been decided.

Rubio endorsed Huckabee’s presidential bid in late 2007.

Benjamin Hodge at Race42012.com:

Remember how a good number of Americans were/are convinced that Barack Obama would be a more fiscally-responsible president, and a lower-taxing president, than John McCain?

If Democrats appear to the right of Republicans on basic GOP issues (national defense, taxes, the courts), Republicans don’t have a chance.  And you can bet that Gov. Charlie Crist just peeled off at least 2-3% from his margin of victory in a general election, by doing two things for which he will be attacked by the Democratic Party:  raising taxes and going against his no-new-tax pledge.

If there are details or intracacies here that I’m missing, please let me know.  From what I understand at this moment, this is not a difficult situation that Crist is in, with regard to whether or not he should sign or veto the tax increase.  This was not good policy, nor was it a good political move; if Crist is expecting Democrats to reward him for his pragmatism, then he will be disappointed.

From Club for Growth:

Charlie Crist: As Good as His Word

Washington - Times are tough in Florida, but not for Governor Charlie Crist. Rather than clamping down on government spending, he broke his no-new-taxes pledge today by balancing the state’s budget with over $2 billion in new taxes and fees (”Crist signs budget,” Miami Herald, 5/27/09).

“It’s one thing to change your position, and quite another to flat-out break your word,” said Club President Chris Chocola. “Charlie Crist sent a strong message to Florida voters today that he’s just another politician.”

Crist had firmly committed to oppose new taxes as Governor, signing a pledge that reads, “I, Charlie Crist, pledge to the taxpayers of the State of Florida, that I will oppose and veto any and all efforts to increase taxes” (ATR Taxpayer Protection Pledge). Crist has signed a similar pledge for federal candidates.

Audio at RCP.

Rasmussen:

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Wednesday shows that 34% of the nation’s voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Twenty-nine percent (29%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of +5 (see trends). Democrats now have a three-point advantage on the Generic Congressional Ballot.

As the Senate considers the President’s first Supreme Court nominee, 45% of the nation’s voters say a nominees legal competence is more important than concerns about diversity or their position on issues. Voters are fairly closely divided over the political makeup of the current high court. Thirty-three percent (33%) say the court is too liberal, while 23% believe it’s too conservative. Thirty-seven percent (37%) say the political balance is about right.

From K-State:

News release prepared by: Katie Mayes, 785-532-6415, kmayes@k-state.edu

K-STATE STUDENT WINS FIRST PRIZE IN COMPETITION FOR HOSPICE CARE DESIGN

MANHATTAN - Kansas State University’s Nicholas Turner, a fifth-year architecture student, Jefferson City, Mo., took first place in the recent 2009 Environmental Design Research Association’s Student Design Award Competition. (more…)

From Jerry Moran:

Friends,

In the coming months, I will be hosting town hall meetings all across the state of Kansas.  I look forward to taking your questions and having a spirited discussion on the issues currently facing our nation.

On Saturday morning, June 6th, I will be in Johnson County at the Tomahawk Ridge Community Center in Overland Park.  I encourage you, your family, and friends to join.

If you cannot join us in Overland Park, I do hope you will share this opportunity with your friends in the area and I will continue to keep you updated on our upcoming events in Kansas.

I look forward to visiting with you soon.

Very Truly Yours,

Jerry

The HIll:

Half of Nevada voters view Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) unfavorably, according to a new poll, but he’s still without a serious challenger.

The poll, conducted for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, also showed just 38 percent see him in a positive light. A full 45 percent say they will definitely vote to replace Reid, with just a third saying they will vote to reelect him. Seventeen percent will consider another candidate.

AP:

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon is prepared to leave fighting forces in Iraq for as long as a decade despite an agreement between the United States and Iraq that would bring all American troops home by 2012, the top U.S. Army officer said Tuesday.

Gen. George Casey, the Army chief of staff, said the world remains dangerous and unpredictable, and the Pentagon must plan for extended U.S. combat and stability operations in two wars. “Global trends are pushing in the wrong direction,” Casey said. “They fundamentally will change how the Army works.”

Audio of McCain’s comments.

AFP:

In the United States, where driving while using telephones without hands-free adaptor kits and texting at the wheel are not widely illegal, one in four people confesses to texting and driving, a survey found Wednesday.

“We often like to say 26 percent of people admit to driving while texting. We are sure that underestimates the problem,” said Dave Grannan, of Vlingo, a mobile voice application company that polled 4,800 people.

Ben Cunningham:

Link
These rust and scratch stickers are designed to make your beautiful bike/car look rusted and scratched so that passing thieves assume it’s not worth stealing due to its apparent shabbyness.

The Star:

Another place with “pizza” in its name, Rosati’s Pizza at 103rd Street and Wornall Road, has Vienna hot dogs as well as several enthusiastic fans. Rosati’s has other locations in the area, too.

There’s a joint called River Dogs in the East Bottoms that sounds promising, and in the Northland, on Barry Road off Interstate 29, is a place called Cirque d’Alex.

A couple of carts outside of Lowe’s stores supposedly have good Chicago-style dogs. One’s at 133rd Street and State Line Road, and another in Lee’s Summit. And there are a couple of custard stands - that’s right, custard stands - that might be worth a look: Custard’s Last Stand in Blue Springs (and other locales) and Twisters at 135th Street and Antioch Road.

Charlie Hooper’s in Brookside has a Saturday hot dog special, and don’t forget Werner’s smoking-Saturday event on Johnson Drive in Mission.

KC Biz Journal:

Mediware Information Systems Inc. bought SciHealth Inc., a software company with a product that tracks clinical and financial performance data for health care providers.

Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed in a release late Wednesday.

Lenexa-based Mediware (Nasdaq: MEDW), which makes software to manage blood and medication, said in the release that more than 100 hospitals nationwide use Atlanta-based SciHealth’s Insight software.

By Pete Lucas, a contributing author:

It’s been interesting to watch the reaction to Obama’s nomination of Sonia Sotomayo. The fact that she is Hispanic and female seems to be the most salient point of the national reaction.

I’m not naive enough to think that racism is dead, but it makes one ponder when someone is given an opportunity due to what you might call “racial justice.” The fact we’ve never had a Hispanic Supreme Court (by the way, I have a pretty big problem with the term “Supreme” being used to describe that court) should not mean that we have to “right the wrong” by nominating someone Hispanic.

We’ve never had a Chinese justice either, but I don’t see anyone clammoring to appoint one. Why might that be? Could it be that Hispanics make up a huge and expanding portion of the voting public? Hmmm.

Sonia Sotomayor has an interesting personal story of rising from poverty, and she’s served well as a federal judge. However, there seems to be no dispute with the fact there are MANY people more qualified for the spot than Sotomayor.

Obama, who himself became president because of his race, knows all too well that appealing to the Democrat base through any means necessary is more important than doing what’s right. It’s a matter of qualification, and just like Obama, Sonia Sotomayor is not the correct choice, simply based on experience.

Unfortunately we live in a country now that is more devoted to political correctness than to principles that made us great: freedom to let those who work hard succeed and those who don’t, fail. We have become a country that feels an obligation to undo past racism by using reverse racism.

It won’t work, because last time I checked, two wrongs don’t make a right.

Wash Times:

No welfare for terrorists. That is my message to the Obama administration’s suggestion that taxpayers should foot the bill for terrorist detainees it wants to release into our society so they can start a new life in America.

Far from theory, the Obama administration this month sought to make this terrible idea a reality. The administration was nearly successful in releasing 30 terrorists into communities in Northern Virginia but was stopped thanks to efforts by Republicans who understand the danger this would have created for American citizens. The suggestion by National Intelligence Director Dennis C. Blair that we should provide these terrorists public welfare prompted me to introduce legislation called the No Welfare for Terrorists Act of 2009 to ensure this never happens.

About 240 hardened terrorists held at Guantanamo Bay have been captured on the battlefields in Afghanistan, Iraq and in terrorist training camps. If President Obama and the Democratic majority shut down the Guantanamo Bay terrorist detainee facility - the safest and most secure prison in the world - many of these terrorists could be released onto our streets and be eligible for public welfare assistance.

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS THAT DON’T HAVE TO FOLLOW THE RULES

by Lucy, a contributing author

A recent news article in the London Times reveals that the world’s richest men and women have agreed their “number one issue” is population control. Bill Gates, David Rockefeller, Ted Turner, Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffett, George Soros and Michael Bloomberg and others met together three weeks ago in an “informal secret meeting” to discuss a plan to cap global population at 8.3 billion—one billion less than currently projected. Most of those at the meeting have already added to the coffers of groups promoting abortions world-wide, so their words are not hollow promises, but intended to be “seed money” for their dream to become reality. (more…)

Source:

The first of four overnight fishing opportunities planned at Shawnee Mission Park Lake during 2009 will take place May 30.

After 11 p.m. on that date, the park will be open strictly for fishing only and park police officers will be on duty throughout the night. All park gates will be open, but access within the park will be limited to roads leading directly to the marina area.

Fishing will be allowed from the bank or from watercraft. State law requires a white light be on at all times on boats on the water after sunset.

Eagle:

WICHITA - The financial pressures that had threatened Wichita’s physician training program have eased for now, but the work isn’t done for the partners in the Wichita Center for Graduate Medical Education.

First, the three must work with the Kansas Health Policy Authority to complete the steps that will make WCGME eligible for an additional $2.4 million in federal funding in the coming year.

Then, they say, they must look to the Kansas Board of Regents for a long-term solution to funding issues.

Earlier this year, the Kansas Legislature approved $3.5 million in state dollars for WCGME. The money will go to the Kansas Health Policy Authority, which will use it to bring in the federal money and pass along the full amount.

Eagle:

WICHITA - Surrounded by construction equipment and protected by hard hats, Sedgwick County commissioners on Tuesday showed off the National Center for Aviation Training to Gov. Mark Parkinson.

Parkinson was wowed.

“What impresses me is that you’ve not only recognized the need, but you’ve done it in such a first-class way,” Parkinson said of the campus at Col. James Jabara Airport.

Calling the research and training campus a “bright star” for Wichita and Kansas, Parkinson noted that “we’re always encouraging people to think big, and you’ve obviously thought very big.”

LJ World:

On that date, Danny Anderson, vice provost for academic affairs, will assume Steinmetz’s responsibilities as new interim provost.

Steinmetz is the third high-ranking KU academic official to announce he would leave his position this summer.

Provost Richard Lariviere will become president of the University of Oregon, and Chancellor Robert Hemenway will retire to return to teaching and writing, both effective July 1.

Anderson said turnover is common in higher education leadership, and he would seek to ensure continuity as a priority when he begins work in his new position.

Prime Buzz:

This week’s Funk’s Front Porch:

Dear Folks,

This Week’s City Business

The Mayor will deliver his State of the City speech this Thursday in the Legislative Chamber on the 26th floor of City Hall at 1 p.m. He has worked long and hard on putting together a speech that is an unvarnished version of the state of Kansas City. (more…)

Politico:

Yet Burris says he’s still considering running in 2010, confounding his colleagues in the Senate and Democrats in his home state. His strategy, at the moment, is to point out the value he’s created by simply showing up to work every day the past four months and voting for the agenda of his predecessor, President Barack Obama.

From Kansas Senator Tim Huelskamp:

Fowler, KS - Senator Tim Huelskamp is applauding the passage of legislation authorizing a new coal plant in Western Kansas with no carbon tax mandate.  “I am excited we were able to get this bill passed,” said Huelskamp. (more…)

LA Times:

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said this morning that he would carry out the Supreme Court’s ruling backing Proposition 8 but that he believes gay couples should have the right to marry and would obtain it someday through an initiative or the courts.

“He voted no on Prop. 8. He supports the idea of giving same-sex couples the right to marry. I think he was hoping it would go the other way,” said spokesman Aaron McLear.

RCP:

Word out of Washington is that the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the political wise-guys from the Obama administration plan on “visiting with” Pennsylvania Democrat Rep. Joe Sestak. Their objective? A clear message: Get off of the stage and out of a possible primary race against “incumbent” Democrat Sen. Arlen Specter. (more…)

The Post:

IN THEORY, a government bailout should provide a short-term infusion of cash to give a struggling company the chance to right itself. But in its aggressive dealings with U.S. automakers, most recently General Motors, the Obama administration is coming dangerously close to engaging in financial engineering that ignores basic principles of fairness and economic realities to further political goals.

It is now clear that there is no real difference between the government and the entity that identifies itself as GM.

Reuters:

WASHINGTON, May 21 (Reuters) - Sensitive documents about U.S. taxpayers were found in trash outside all Internal Revenue Service sites visited in a investigation, putting the people at risk of identity theft, an inspector’s report says.

The tax collection agency must bolster oversight of contractors who dispose of papers with personally identifiable information, the inspector general for tax administration at the U.S. Treasury said in the report released on Thursday.

Source:

At present, Democrats control the governorship and the legislature in 17 states, while Republicans have complete control in 10 states (22 states have divided party control, and one, Nebraska, has a nonpartisan legislature). If Janet Napolitano is confirmed as US Secretary of Homeland Security [note: this subsequently occurred], Republicans will gain complete control in AZ as well. (more…)