There is a fantastic website that I've talked about before called electoral-vote.com, where "The Votemaster" breaks it down for you every day. This is what I read while I sip my tea in the morning. He churns out an enormous amount of data on a daily basis, and it really helps in understanding the news that's reported via the regular media channels. I also like it because it's citizen journalism at its best. He's just a guy (CS prof) who lives in Amsterdam, and is the best at what he does.

• National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League: 100%
• American Civil Liberties Union: 100%
• Americans for Democratic Action: 95%
• Children's Defense Fund: 90%
• League of Conservation Voters: 95%
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People: 92%
• Service Employees International Union: 94%

This gives Baird an average rating of 95%, and makes him the second most liberal member of the WA caucus (behind Adam Smith). There are 91 more liberal members of Congress. Baird also appeared on the Colbert Report segment called: "Better Know a District" that you can view here.

Last Saturday's Democratic Convention and Caucus seemed to be a success. Preliminary estimates announced after Saturday morning's registration period were that around 1,400 delegates and alternates were in attendance for the day's deliberations.

There was debate and dissent, passion and play. Thurston County Democrats Caucus Information

Thurston County will be sending 88 Obama Delegates and Alternates, and 36 Clinton Delegates and Alternates to Congressional District Caucuses.

Here's the TCD platform video presentation:

The Puget Sound is in serious danger. Pollution has wreaked horrible consequences on this majestic waterway. For example, 92% of wild salmon runs are no more, and several stocks of other species are collapsing as well. Why is the Puget Sound in danger? Ask an expert.

Take it from William Dietrich. He published an article in the Seattle Times yesterday. It's about this very subject. It's very well written and it's titled: "Puget Sound: One man's indictment, love poem and call to arms", here's a link: seattletimes.nwsource.com/

Commentary:

Citizens of Olympia woke up this morning to find that our state captiol building has been vandalized. Some one or some group of vandals spray painted anti-war slogans and the symbol for anarchists on some pillars.

With a typically callous disregard for our state, and the people who live here, they chose to vandalize public property to try to get a message across. The message comes after the milestone of four thousand U.S. casualties in the War On Terror began. A slightly longer news story can be found here.

In the past six months we have heard much discussion on Congressman Brian Baird and his public support for the “surge” military strategy in Iraq. Many people have disagreed with his decision and some accuse him of not appropriately representing his constituents. Well, it looks like the question “Is Congressman Baird representing the citizens of the 3rd Congressional District?” will get it’s real test this summer and fall.

Ms. Cheryl A. Crist is challenging Congressman Baird for the Democratic nomination for the 3rd Congressional. On her campaign website, she lists her positions on a number of issues including: