KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Facing potential bankruptcy, the board that governs the once flush-with-cash Kansas City school district is taking the unusual and contentious step of shuttering almost half its schools.

Administrators say the closure…

Whoa:

Arkansas’ filing deadline passed Monday afternoon and while Republicans made a lot of noise about their chances in the 1st district in the days after Rep. Marion Berry (D) announced his retirement, all the sound and fury may have actually signified nothing….
In the end, the only Republican to join the contest after Berry announced his retirement was Princella Smith, a former congressional aide to freshman Louisiana Republican Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao.

Smith will face off against the equally unknown and untested Rick Crawford, an Army veteran, farm broadcaster and businessman who entered the race in May 2009.

This is a solid Republican R+8 district, and the GOP hailed the open seat as key for its path toward control of the House. Instead, it appears to be a dud. Crisitunity adds:

Republicans had sought to get one of several state legislators into the race — state Sens. Davy Carter or Johnny Key. However, both said no, leaving the GOP without a backup plan. Meanwhile, top-tier Democrats piled into the race in this historically-Democratic district, including state Sen. Steve Bryles, former state Sen. Tim Wooldridge, state Rep. David Cook, and Berry’s former CoS, Chad Causey. Like PA-12, here’s a district where the Democratic tradition and the disparity between the two parties’ benches may just save our bacon despite an ominous trend at the presidential level.

For all the talk about massive gains in November, the specific data points still don’t come anywhere near suggesting a change in control. 10-20 GOP pickups seems more likely than the 40 pickups Republicans would need to win the House.

Rep. Alan Grayson drives Republicans crazy. Insane. They hate him more than probably anyone else in the House, because he doesn’t mince words, doesn’t suffer GOP fools, doesn’t run scared in what is a lean-GOP district (R+2).

They also hate him because he knows how to poke them in the eye, time and time again. Like throwing his name into a Republican primary question. From his press release:

Rep. Grayson Has Huge Lead in Republican Primary

No, that’s not a typo.  According to a poll of registered Republicans last week, Congressman Alan Grayson has an enormous lead in the Republican primary for Florida Congressional District 8 (FL-8).

Of course, Grayson is a Democrat.  Yet Grayson is far and away the leading choice among registered Republicans in FL-8.  In fact, he has almost twice as much support among Republicans as all his Republican opponents combined.

In the poll, Grayson won the support of 27.8% of registered Republicans.  None of Grayson’s 13 opponents scored higher than 3.7%.  Their combined performance was only 14.5%.  The remaining 57.7% of registered Republicans were undecided.

30.1% of registered Republican women support Grayson.  And Grayson has the support of 25.5% of registered Republican men.

Grayson also has an enormous lead in name recognition.  76.9% of Republicans know Grayson; none of his opponents scored higher than 15.1%.  81.4% of Republican men know Grayson, and 72.4% of Republican women know him.

Grayson received high marks from Republicans for his Constitution initiative.  Over half of all Republicans said that they were more likely to vote for Grayson because he passed a resolution urging high schools to teach the Constitution, and he had distributed tens of thousands of copies of the Constitution throughout the district.

Interestingly, Grayson is more popular among Republicans than Republican Governor Charlie Crist is.  42% of Republicans have an unfavorable opinion of Crist, far more than those who have an unfavorable opinion of Grayson [...]

The poll was conducted on Feb. 26th.  There were 324 respondents, all registered Republicans in FL-8.  The margin of error was 5%.  The poll was conducted by Middleton Market Research.

Cheeky, to say the least. Of course, Republicans are simply besides themselves.

“This is the most bogus thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” said Andy Seré, Regional Press Secretary for the National Republican Congressional Committee.

That seems to be their stock response whenever they see poll results that don’t match their preconceived reality. Remember their response to polling showing strong secessionist sentiment in their ranks, or the birther stuff? The NRCC can always duplicate the poll to try and prove it wrong, but it won’t. Maybe Rasmussen will fill the void, eager as he is to carry the Right’s water with his magical (and secretively funded) polling.

In any case, Republicans expect Democrats in Grayson-style districts to run scared, and most do. National election prognosticators duly slot incumbents like Grayson into the “going to lose” category, because as everyone (in DC) knows, strong Democrats never win reelection.

Yet there is Grayson, poking them with a stick. Mocking them to their face. The GOP has no idea how to respond.

And it’s a thing of beauty.

Update: More in this rec list diary.

CERES, Calif. — Kent Hancock can’t remember tougher economic times in the two decades he’s sold used cars in California’s Central Valley.

He brings home less than half the money he cleared a few years ago and has dipped into savings to …

Don’t call it a comeback:

Former Democratic Rep. James Traficant, who in September was released from a federal prison after serving seven years on a bribery and racketeering conviction, told CNN Tuesday he will launch an independent bid to return to Congress.

“I will be running for congress…as an independent,” Traficant told CNN’s Kyra Philips. “I have been a Democrat all my life, and quite frankly I am disgusted with both parties.”

One thing Traficant did not reveal in the quasi-launch of his candidacy this morning was the district in which he intends to run. The two most likely places for him to land would be in the Ohio 6th (currently represented by Democrat Charlie Wilson) or his old district, the Youngstown-based 17th district.

The current incumbent in the 17th, Democrat Tim Ryan, has had the unique experience of having Traficant as an Independent challenger. Recall that in 2002, Traficant was expelled from the House. Undaunted, he ran as an Independent in the Fall, losing badly to Ryan and garnering just 15% of the vote.

Conventional wisdom would probably suggest that a Traficant Indie candidacy, based on his previous tenure in Congress as a Democrat, would siphon votes from either Ryan or Wilson (depending on where he lands). However, as a scathing editorial in the Youngstown Vindicator pointed out of the weekend, Traficant has also been cuddling up to the Teabagger contingent since his release from prison (there is a YouTube online of him speaking at a Tea Party rally less than two weeks after his release). This might imply that he could draw Republican and anti-Dem Independent voters.

Of course, given his fall from grace and his seven years in prison, it is also at least equally likely that his impact on the election cycle (outside of the entertainment value of his candidacy, of course) will be negligible.

Let’s jump right into a very busy day on the campaign trail. It’s time for the Wrap on this, the 278th birthday for the First President of the United States, George Washington…

THE U.S. SENATE

IN-Sen: Hill Expressing Some Interest In Senate Opening
In what could create an uncomfortable and awkward decision for Indiana Democrats, 9th district Congressman Baron Hill has spoken up, saying he might want his name considered for the Senate opening created by the retirement of two-term Senator Evan Bayh. Hill is looking at a much more perilous House election than neighbor Brad Ellsworth, and that might be serving as an incentive in this case.

IA-Sen: Ras Says Grassley Leads, But Not Overwhelmingly
Here is a headline that one will not see often in the campaign news cycle–Rasmussen has the Iowa Senate race closer than Research 2000. Indeed, incumbent Republican Charles Grassley still has a solid lead over Democrat Roxanne Conlin, but he was held to just 53% of the vote against Conlin (53-36). Remember, Grassley has never been under 60% in any of his electoral bids since his first run for the Senate in 1980. In a sign of Grassley’s relative weakness this time around, he only gets 55-56% against two lesser-known Democratic candidates, as well.

NV-Sen: Reid Might Enjoy The Tea Party, According to Poll
A new survey by GOP pollsters Public Opinion Strategies confirm some of the worst fears of Republicans in Nevada. Remember, of course, that the “Tea Party” qualified for the ballot in Nevada a few weeks back. P.O.S. runs the numbers, and finds that when Tea Partier Jon Ashjian is added to the mix, Harry Reid is more competitive than he has been in months. Former state party chair Sue Lowden leads the GOP primary field, and has the biggest lead over Reid. That lead, however, is down to just five points (42-37), with Ashjian locking down 9% of the vote. Danny Tarkanian’s lead evaporates almost entirely (40-39), with Ashjian at 11%.

THE U.S. HOUSE

AZ-08: GOP Senator Confirms Challenge To Democrat Rep. Giffords
It had long been in the planning stages, but now it is official–Republican state Senator Jonathan Paton resigned from the legislature today, in order to challenge sophomore Democrat Gabby Giffords for her seat in the Congress. Paton needed to make a move, as businessman Jesse Kelly had already raised over a quarter of a million dollars for his bid in the 8th, which is a classic swing district centered in the Tucson suburbs and southeastern Arizona.

FL-10/MI-14/MI-15: Three Octogenarians In The 112th Congress?
You read that right: in the past several days, three Congressman who at the end of this term will have a combined 141 years of Congressional experience. In Florida, Bill Young, who turns 80 at the end of this year, and has been in the House since 1971, announced that he will seek his 21st term in the House. It was a good weekend for such statements, as Young was joined by Michigan Congressman John Conyers (80 years of age, elected for the first time in 1964) also confirmed that he will seek re-election.

While these young whippersnappers made their plans known, they were joined by no less than the Dean of the House, John Dingell (83 years of age and in the House since 1955) who also announced that he would seek re-election.

OH-06/OH-16/OH-17: Traficant Still Mulling ‘10 Bid
He can no longer do it as either a Republican or a Democrat (the filing deadline for major party candidates lapsed last week), but that doesn’t mean that disgraced former Congressman Jim Traficant is out of the 2010 electoral sweepstakes. Traficant is now saying that if he runs, he will do so as an Independent (this buys him an additional two months–the deadline for Indie candidacies is May 3rd). For what it’s worth, he is still not saying in which district he would run.

PA-12: Lots Of Movement in Murtha Special Election
A huge amount of movement since the last Wrap in the May 18th special election to replace the late John Murtha in southwestern Pennsylvania. Several candidates had tentatively entered the fray, promising to defer to Murtha’s widow, Joyce Murtha. As of today, that doesn’t appear to be an issue–Joyce Murtha is a no-go, releasing a statement this afternoon. Two other candidates went the other way, making noises that they are heading into the race. They are Murtha district director Mark Critz and Cambria County Controller Ed Cernic, Jr.

THE GUBERNATORIAL RACES

GA-Gov: Ras Gives GOP Lead, But Barnes Within Striking Distance
Rasmussen also lands in the Peach State this week, and they find former Democratic Governor Roy Barnes within single digits of any of the leading candidates for the Republican nomination. Even though she is a longshot right now in the GOP primary, Secretary of State Karen Handel does the best against Barnes, leading him by nine points (45-36). Republicans John Oxendine (45-37) and Nathan Deal (43-37) do incrementally worse when paired with the likely Democratic nominee, who served as the state’s governor from 1999-2003.

IA-Gov: Branstad Leads Culver, According to Rasmussen
Rasmussen’s new numbers in the Hawkeye State (already addressed vis-a-vis the Senate race earlier in the Wrap) confirm virtually every pollster on the gubernatorial matchup between incumbent Democrat Chet Culver and Republican Terry Branstad, who held the office for a decade-and-a-half. Indeed, Ras shows a lead identical to last weeks R2K poll in the state–sixteen points for Branstad (53-37). Ras being Ras, however, they do have one result a little different than the others: they have conservative alternative candidate Bob Vander Platts with a pretty solid lead (46-40) over Culver. Recent polls have either had Vander Platts up or down by three points or less.

In other Iowa Guv news, a quick headline, though not a critical one, that the Wrap missed last week–longshot Republican Chris Rants dropped out of the race late last week. The one potential loser in that could be Branstad. As has been reported here before, there is at least some discontent with Branstad on the right, owing to his days as Governor. Clearly, he benefits from a large primary field. The smaller the field gets, the fewer ways an anti-Branstad vote gets split.

NE-Gov: Democrats Finally Get Candidate in Gubernatorial Race
Given the recent history of statewide politics in the Cornhusker State, it is pretty tough to win as a Democrat unless your name is Ben Nelson. An Omaha-area businessman, Mark Lakers, is looking to change that. Lakers became the first Democrat of note to challenge the re-election of Nebraska’s GOP Governor Dave Heineman. Heineman, who was elected in 2006 with 73% of the vote, is a strong favorite for re-election.

NV-Gov: GOP Poll Shows Tight GOP Primary, Wide Split on General
The same poll out of the Silver State alluded to earlier has to be a cause of significant consternation for the GOP in this race, as well. The poll, done by respectable GOP pollster Glen Bolger, shows that the lead for former federal judge Brian Sandoval over embattled incumbent GOP Governor Jim Gibbons has dropped (PDF File) to just six points. Sandoval is sitting on 38% of the GOP vote, with 32% for Gibbons and 9% for North Las Vegas Mayor Mike Montandon. More intriguing, among those who are certain of their vote, the Sandoval lead drops to a single point. The danger for the GOP? In a general election, Sandoval has a double digit lead over presumptive Democratic nominee Rory Reid (50-34). Gibbons, meanwhile, is down by double digits to Reid (47-36).

NM-Gov: Domenici Leads In First GOP Primary Poll
This won’t come as a surprise, seeing how he undoubtedly has the highest name recognition of any of the candidates in the field. That said, Pete Domenici Jr. leads the GOP primary field for Governor in the Land of Enchantment. Undecided is the real leader, since 42.5% of the voters are expressing no preference. Domenici leads with 29%, with Dona Ana County DA Susana Martinez running second with 12% of the vote. The poll was conducted by New Mexico State University, and was conducted before the revelation (of sorts) that Domenici used drugs in college.

NY-Gov: Paterson Continues To Hurt, According to Siena Poll
Was there any good news for Governor Paterson in the latest incarnation of the Siena Poll (PDF)? Well, voters didn’t buy the variety of negative rumors about the incumbent. That’s the only good news, however, as the poll shows that little has changed in Paterson’s electoral fortunes. He continues to trail state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo badly in the Democratic primary (64-22), and he continues to trail likely GOP nominee Rick Lazio in the general (46-39). Meanwhile, Cuomo continues to blast Lazio in a prospective general election match-up (63-26).

Samantha Geimer is making another kind of plea now — not to a crime, but for the privilege of her and her children to be left alone.

Many have lauded the secret surveillance powers of Mac laptops. See, e.g., Engadget’s HOW-TO: Turn your laptop into a home security system. There have been nifty stories about people having their laptops stolen and then activating their cameras remotely to catch the thieves.

Now we’ve got a not-so-nifty story. A school district in Pennsylvania brings us the dark side of secret surveillance.

According to Courthouse News Service, the Lower Merion School District supplied personal laptops to each of its 1,800 students — a laudable initiative. The computers all came equipped with webcams. That’s where the trouble started.

A vice principal took advantage of the fact that she could activate the webcams remotely. She punished a student for “improper behavior in his home,” using a webcam shot from his computer. Well, that’s creeptastic, and class-action-lawsuit worthy, according to the students and his parents…

From the complaint [PDF]:

23. On November 11, 2009, plaintiffs were for the first time informed of the above-mentioned capability and practice by the school district when Lindy Matsko (‘Matsko’), an assistant principal at Harriton High School, informed minor plaintiff that the school district was of the belief that minor plaintiff was engaged in improper behavior in his home, and cited as evidence a photograph from the webcam embedded in minor plaintiff’s personal laptop issued by the school district.

24. Michael Robbins thereafter verified, through Ms. Matsko, that the school district in fact has the ability to remotely activate the webcam contained in a student’s personal laptop computer issued by the school district at any time it chose and to view and capture whatever images were in front of the webcam, all without the knowledge, permission or authorization of any persons then and there using the laptop computer.

25. Additionally, by virtue of the fact that the webcam can be remotely activated at any time by the school district, the webcam will capture anything happening in the room in which the laptop computer is located, regardless of whether the student is sitting at the computer and using it.

26. Defendants have never disclosed either to the plaintiffs or to the class members that the school district has the ability to capture webcam images from any location in which the personal laptop computer was kept.

The complaint never identifies the “improper behavior.” But we have suspicions. A high school boy + his own laptop + webcam = trouble.

The school district was not just monitoring their webcams — it was allegedly tracking all of their activity on the computers (although the webcam watching is the most disturbing aspect). As Boing Boing notes, this means that the principals and teachers who activated the webcams probably got an eyeful:

If true, these allegations are about as creepy as they come. I don’t know about you, but I often have the laptop in the room while I’m getting dressed, having private discussions with my family, and so on. The idea that a school district would not only spy on its students’ clickstreams and emails (bad enough), but also use these machines as AV bugs is purely horrifying.

Pennsylvania high school student Blake Robbins has filed a class action lawsuit against the Lower Merion School District on behalf of all 1,800 students provided with laptops, for invasion of privacy, theft of private information, and unlawful interception of personal information (in violation of the the Electronic Communications Privacy Act), among other claims.

Meanwhile, we’re considering a sticker to cover the camera on our own employer-purchased laptop.

Big Brother Is Here: Families Say Schools Snoop in Their Homes With District-Issued Laptops & Webcams [Courthouse News Service]
School used student laptop webcams to spy on them at school and home [Boing Boing]

Pennsylvania – Webcam – School district – Lower Merion School District – United States

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