Outspoken gay soldier discharged from Army

One of the most outspoken gay critics of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy said Thursday that he has been discharged from the Army.

Lt. Dan Choi, who was arrested in March for handcuffing himself to a White House fence in protest of the policy, released a statement saying he had been honorably discharged.

Palin backs a former Washington Redskin in Washington state

Palin backs a former Washington Redskin in Washington state. 

Former NFL tight end Clint Didier, who is definitely not underplaying his football experience on his campaign website, is the latest beneficiary of a Facebook shout-out from Sarah Palin.

 

Didier won two Super Bowl rings playing for the Washington Redskins.

Palin’s urging her fans to help meet his latest goal: $1.6 million in campaign fundraising. Washington state voters will pick candidates for the fall general election in a non-partisan runoff Aug. 17. The top two candidates, regardless of party, will face off Nov. 2.

Didier also boasts an endorsement from Rep. Ron Paul, a Texas Republican who became a libertarian hero during his unsuccessful 2008 campaign for president — and the father of “Tea Party” favorite Rand Paul, the Republican nominee for Kentucky’s Senate seat.

Rep. Charles Rangel under fire

After a nearly two-year investigation, a House investigative panel has found that Representative Charles B. Rangel probably violated a range of ethics rules, dealing a serious blow to Mr. Rangel, a Harlem Democrat, in the twilight of his political career.

The investigative subcommitee did not disclose any details about the nature of the violations that it found evidence, but one House official who has been briefed on the findings said that they included some of the most serious allegations that had been examined.

“All I know is that it was a majority of them,” the House official said, asking not to be identified as the ruling is supposed to remain confidential for one week.A lawyer involved in Mr. Rangel’s defense, who also asked not to be named, disputed that characterization, adding that the case is not over yet.

“He has not been found guilty of anything,” the lawyer said.

Romney adds second August fundraiser in New Hampshire

Mitt Romney will headline a fundraiser next month for New Hampshire’s Republican Party.

According to an invitation obtained by CNN, the former Massachusetts governor is listed as the “special guest” at the August 12 event in Tuftonboro, New Hampshire for the Republican State Committee.

One week earlier, the 2008 Republican presidential candidate will also be in New Hampshire for an August 5 fundraiser to benefit the House Republican Victory PAC, which supports GOP candidates in the state.

Earlier this summer, in what looked like another move towards a possible run for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, Romney donated $20,000 to the Republican Party of New Hampshire.

Gov. Joe Manchin sets sights on W.Va. Senate seat

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin, a Democrat, confirmed today he will seek the seat held for more than 50 years by the late Robert Byrd, setting up what could be an unexpectedly compelling race for the November midterm election.

Manchin, 62, won 70% of the vote when he ran for a second term in 2008 and has long been expected to make a run for the Senate seat. On Monday, the Legislature approved a bill that calls for an Aug. 28 primary and a Nov. 2 general election.

“If I am so fortunate and honored to have the support of the people of West Virginia, I can’t fill his shoes,” Manchin said of Byrd, according to the Associated Press. “I can only hope to follow his footsteps and serve the people of West Virginia as best I can.”

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Daniel Inouye

So who is Daniel Inouye? He is the newly sworn in President Pro Temore of the U.S. Senate. First elected into office in 1962, Inouye has represented the State of Hawaii with great courage and integrity. Inouye quickly assumed the position after the passing of former Senator Robert Byrd. Inouye is energetic and has held many leadership positions within the Senate. With his great judgment and knowledge, we can be sure that he will lead the senate in the right direction.