Uncategorized /
Presidential Puncture Wounds
President-elect Barack Obama has assembled his transition team, and will make a raft of important choices over the next couple months as he prepares to govern the country. He will not only look forward, but will also evaluate the actions of his predecessors and learn from the mistakes of presidents past.
Uncategorized /
A Mutt Like Me
Not since Richard Nixon’s famous Checkers speech has a dog featured so prominently in presidential politics. During President-elect Obama’s acceptance speech on Tuesday night, he told his daughters, Sasha and Malia, they “have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House.” When asked about the puppy during his first post-election press conference on Friday, Obama explained in more depth:
Elections /
A Big Election Day for Animals
On Tuesday, voters from coast to coast sent a strong message that animals deserve to be protected from cruelty and abuse, and the humane movement won resounding victories in the presidential race, congressional races, and ballot issue contests. These new public policies and new and reelected policymakers will have a meaningful impact on the lives of animals for years to come.
Ballot Measures /
Lead Solidifying for Prop 2 in California
With 21.5% of precincts reporting, the YES side is leading 62% to 38%. We are not ready to express any certainty about the outcome, but it is looking quite good for the farm animals at this point.
Elections /
How Has HSLF Fared in Congressional Races?
There are many races still too close to call, but I want to give you a broad look at how the HSLF-backed candidates are doing tonight in the House and Senate contests. So far, 248 candidates endorsed by HSLF have won tonight, and ten have been defeated. We have lost some good friends in Congress, but we've gained some new allies as well.
Ballot Measures /
Sacramento Bee Calls Resounding Victory for YES on Prop 2
http://www.sacbee.com/elections/story/1371526.html
Voters approve Proposition 2 on farm animal treatment
Bee Capitol Bureau
Published: Tuesday, Nov. 04, 2008
California voters on Tuesday approved the Humane Society-sponsored measure, 68 percent to 32 percent with about 10 percent of precincts reporting, to outlaw caging practices that prevent farm animals from lying down, standing up, turning around or extending their limbs.
Ballot Measures /
Arizonans Protect Animals and Voting Rights
California's Proposition 2 and Massachusetts' Question 3 were not the only victories for animals tonight on statewide ballot measures. Arizonans soundly rejected Proposition 105, which would have made it nearly impossible to pass any future ballot initiative dealing with animal protection.
Elections /
Update on Congressional Races
The returns continue to come in, and HSLF-endorsed candidates in the House and Senate races now stand at 279 wins and 13 losses. We've lost some great friends of animals in Congress, such as Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.) and Reps. Nancy Boyda (D-Kan.), Don Cazayoux (D-La.), Phil English (R-Pa.), Ric Keller (R-Fla.), Jon Porter (R-Nev.), and Chris Shays (R-Conn.). We were not against their opponents so much as we were for these incumbents who had been strong supporters and leaders for animal welfare.
Ballot Measures /
The Rural Vote on Prop 2
The factory farm corporations that spent $9 million to oppose Proposition 2 in California would have us all believe that urban city slickers just don't know what it's really like on the farm. They tried to romanticize agriculture and use farmers as spokespersons, even though these are the very corporations that have polluted rural communities and pushed family farms out of business.
Ballot Measures /
Can California Break the #2 Curse?
I've been leafleting at the polls in Los Angeles this morning, and talking to Californians about Proposition 2. Voting here ends in about seven hours, and we will soon have an answer to the question that's been on my mind: Can animal advocates break the jinx of #2?
Of the dozens of statewide ballot measures on animal protection issues over nearly two decades, we've won more than 70 percent of the time. But we've never won a battle when it was #2 on the ballot.
Elections /
Mark Warner Wins Virginia Senate Race
The first candidate endorsed by the Humane Society Legislative Fund has been declared a winner this evening. CNN has called the race for Virginia's open U.S. Senate seat, and Democrat Mark Warner is the winner. Warner was a supporter of animal protection when he served as governor, and we congratulate him on the victory and look forward to working with him next year in the Senate.
Elections /
Joe Knollenberg Under Fire in Michigan's 9th District
Here's an update from Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund, who is on the ground in Michigan's 9th Congressional District:
