Apparently Jon Powers, who is running in a Democratic primary in NY's 26th district, was named man of the year by the Ancient Order of Hibernians. The Order is an Irish group that strongly opposes abortion, gay rights and embryonic stem cell research.

The Order would not have honor Powers if they hadn't been confident that his social views aligned with theirs. Powers has been extremely hesitant to discuss his views on abortion rights, gay rights, and stem-cell research. His website is entirely devoid of any mention of these topics.

Powers used to be a Republican, and all indications are that he's quite conservative on social issues. That's not an automatic disqualifier in my opinion (although it's certainly concerning). But at least he needs to let voters know whether he supports abortion rights, stem cell research, and gay rights.

Obama's introduction today of a bill to end the war in Iraq is not only the best substantive bill he's backed since entering the Senate 2 years ago, it's also by far his best political move since then.

The Democratic base is clearly looking for leaders who will advocate seriously to end the war now, and although about 30% of the country is still against ending the war now and perhaps as much as 50% are currently against cutting off funding for the war, those numbers will shrink dramatically by the end of this year, and will be almost non-existent by November, 2008.

Even if Obama's bill does not succeed in ending the war - if it either gets defeated in Congress or vetoed or ignored by the President - it will position him as the clear frontrunner among Democrats. All of those -- legitimate -- complaints about how in the Senate Obama has never stood up and fought for something, never proven his bona fides as a real leader will largely go away. (Note Stollar and Bowers' excitement today...they aren't Obama boosters by any means). And simply by introducing the legislation - and advocating for it, which I imagine he'll do - he's dramatically changing the debate away from escalation and back to redeployment. (Where it was, you'll remember, circa-ISG and the election, and before Bush pulled quite the conversation-changer). By pushing our national conversation back to redeployment, he'll be playing a big role in, sooner or later, ending this war. Come November, 2008, that will be an extremely popular position. Voters will reward him. And he knows it.

In 2000, the GOP stole votes in Florida and stole the presidency. In 2004, the presidential election was once again a disaster. But it happened right here in Southwest Ohio. There are widespread allegations that the integrity of the vote had been compromised Clermont and Warren counties. Help us make sure it doesn't happen this year. Email tony@wulsinforcongress.com to help us protect the vote.