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With One Exception Since 1904, the Show Me State Has Picked the President
Missouri may be the ultimate bellwether state. The Show Me State has failed to pick the president only once since 1904. The lone exception was 1956, when Missouri sided with Democrat Adlai Stevenson but the nation chose Republican Dwight Eisenhower.
With those odds, it makes the race in Missouri, which is in a statistical dead heat, even more intriguing. As the quintessential battleground state, the region's current political atmosphere may explain the tightness in the polls.
While Missouri can claim a Republican governor and senator, it has one Democratic senator and in the house its representatives are nearly equally divided between the parties. It has five Republican congressmen and four Democratic ones.
During the primary season both Barack Obama and John McCain captured wins there ??? albeit barely. Each only bested his opponent by 1 percent during the Feb. 5 contests.
It's no wonder Obama and McCain have been putting in a lot of face time in the Midwestern state.
The candidates have drawn in some of their largest crowds in the place where the East meets the West, as its famous gateway archway in St. Louis by the Mississippi River reminds passersby. It also could explain why as Missouri goes, so does the nation ??? or at least for more than a century.
That's likely part of the reason the lone vice presidential debate was held in St. Louis. The showdown between Palin and Biden saw no major gaffes.
But could the state with the most accurate presidential record in history get it wrong on Tuesday? Not according to Missourians.
"It's the Show Me state. So we show them," said one resident.
Yet coming to a conclusion may not be so simple for voters, who tend not to be swayed by certain political hot points.
"It is a moveable state and not anchored by a dominate ideology, not dominated by a particular econ or political interest so it responds to issues that are in the air," said Wayne Fields, who studies Missouri politics.
The most moveable voters lie in the suburbs, in places like St. Charles, and some of them remain undecided.
Reliable Republican Tilt of Colorado Shows Signs of Reversing This Year
The Centennial State is a major example of what's new in the American West ??? a political makeover. Colorado used to be a solid Republican state. In fact, it has gone for the Republican presidential nominee in every election since 1960, with the exceptions of 1964 and 1992. But this election season gives the state -- which was named after its largest river, named in turn by early Spanish explorers for its red silt ??? a chance to turn blue.
If you want further proof that it's a battleground state, just watch television for 10 minutes, as residents have been inundated with political ads, especially in the race's closing days.
That's in part because of a seismic shift in Colorado. Though President Bush won the state twice, now there's some Bush backlash. That combined with an influx of new residents may make it more favorable this year for Democrats. Colorado has seen tens of thousands of new residents settle annually, bringing with them high ideals and fierce independence.
Now, so many of those unaffiliated newcomers exist that their voters outnumber the rolls of either party.
"People that were unaffiliated used to default Republican. They don't do that anymore," said Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter.
It was a cue for Democrats, who, after years of wandering the political wilderness, pounced on the opportunity presented by the swelling ranks new voters. And Ritter benefited from it.
As a former prosecutor and Catholic, the Democrat could have run his gubernatorial campaign on a law-and-order, anti-abortion platform. Instead, he went with windmills, and snatched the governor's chair two years ago in a landslide with an issue nearly everyone could agree upon.
"We've found a way to govern to the middle. We're largely centrists," Ritter said.
State Senator Joe Rice is an Army colonel and one of the Democrats' rising moderate stars, and he worries his party may get drunk on power and taste its own backlash in two years.
"Whichever party starts to think they have a monopoly on good ideas, they start losing," Rice said.
Vigo Co., Ind., Has an Knack for Picking the Election Winner
You've heard of Joe the Plumber. Well, meet Joe the Boot Seller.
Joe Tanoos has owned Tromp and Tread, a work and sport shoe store, for 30 years. He lives in Vigo County in western Indiana, a place where they somehow always seem to pick a White House winner.
This county has gone with the winning presidential candidate all but two times over the last 100 years, and every time since 1952.
"I think we are probably a microcosm of the country," said Fred Bauer, a lifelong Terre Haute resident. "We've got a rural population, an urban population. And we are Hoosiers, so we are pretty independent."
Democrats outnumber Republicans in Vigo County and Terre Haute, the county's largest city, but even Democrats in this blue collar town tend to be socially conservative.
"The local Democratic label to the national label isn't very good, says Tom Steiger, a professor of sociology at Indiana State University. "So it really forces people here to become independent voters. They can't just sort of vote the ticket."
So it's not party affiliation but issues that rule in Vigo County. And this year, the economy is issue No. 1 for a community hit hard by manufacturing layoffs.
Fewer jobs in town mean less foot traffic at Joe Tanoos' boot store.
"I'm really concerned about my business and my pocketbook," said Tanoos. "I'm in safety footwear, and my factory business has really dropped off, as well as my walk-in business."
Tanoos voted for President Bush in 2004 because of national security issues, but this time around he's going with the Democratic choice.
"I believe we are ready for a change, definitely, a fresh approach, a fresh face. That's why I'm going to vote for Barack Obama," said Tanoos.
Indiana hasn't gone with a Democratic candidate for president since it chose Lyndon Johnson in 1964. And in the 2004 election, George W. Bush defeated Democrat John Kerry by nearly 20 points. Both parties usually bypass this solidly red state, but this election season has been different.
Singer John Mellencamp Shows 'GMA' Around Battleground Indiana
Sometimes the best way to see a state is with a local. So when ABC News' 50 states in 50 days project rolled into Indiana, we called up favorite son, singer John Mellencamp.
We all know he was born in a small town (Seymour, Ind., to be exact), and while chart-topping songs have helped him realize the American dream, he hasn't left the heartland behind. He and his third wife, former supermodel Elaine Irwin, now call Bloomington, Ind., home.
He can be stopped driving around in his 1956 Chevy Nomad. He says there's an authenticity to these back roads that you don't find in the big city, even if he disagrees vehemently with most of his neighbors.
"I never did really want to fit in, " Mellencamp said. "I enjoy being the outsider. You know I'm a loud talker and always have been even before I had a guitar and record deals and hit records."
He calls himself a political outcast in his home state. But he has never been shy about voicing, or singing, his politics.
"If I was to vote my interest I'd be a Republican. I don't vote my interest. I vote for what I think would be the best and most compassionate for the country," said Mellencamp. "You know, America used to be a great place. It's not now, and we will be again, but right now it's not a great place."
Mellencamp's career has spanned 32 years and 23 albums. And while he still writes a lot about changing tradition, he no longer cares what other people say.
"I'm an old man. I'm long past worrying when I sit down to write a song what people are going to think of it."
The lyrics to one of Mellencamp's most memorable tunes, "Jack and Diane," were inspired by his experiences growing up in Seymour, Ind. And while the line "suckin on a chili dog outside the Tastee Freeze" lives on, the actual Tastee Freeze is long gone.
"I see small towns across America going out of business," he said. "The town I grew up in, there's no stores in there anymore. Corporate America moved in and put all those stores out of business. I don't like the fact that we're now all the same."
Palin's Hunting Backyard Gives Republicans an Edge Here
For some Wyoming residents, guns are as much a part of life as the wildlife that inhabits much of the state's landscape. Firearms are an indelible part of the culture in places like Jackson Hole, where the buffalo don't just roam, they block traffic.
And for families like the Allans, Second Amendment concerns help mold their presidential picks. Because guns aren't just a political issue, they are a way of life.
"Guns are just part of our life," said Clark Allan, who added, "I have a chainsaw by the door, I have a shovel I have a gun and we use 'em all the time. Living in a big city they probably don't have chainsaws and shovels by the door either."
The family owns somewhere between 20 and 25 guns, but thinks it needs more.
Barack Obama Might Want to Be President, but James Akahi Wants to Be King (of Hawaii)
Sometimes being a journalist is a tough, tireless and, at times, dangerous job.
But then sometimes you get an assignment to cover a story that sends you to beautiful tropical islands where you trade shoes for sandals, monitor glare for sunshine and hurried showers for dips in the clear blue ocean.
If you are "Good Morning America Weekend's" Bill Weir that is.
Somehow Bill managed to nab the most coveted assignment on ABCNews' 50 States in 50 Days project: Hawaii.
But all is not surf and sun in Barack Obama's home state. While there, Bill found that Hawaii boasts a complex and proud history and is watching closely as one of its own attempts to change the future.
It has been more than a century since American sugar plantation owners led an overthrow of the Queen of Hawaii. By the time statehood arrived almost a half century ago, there were so many American "haolies" that any Hawaiian protest was drowned out by parties in the street.
But after years of development, the natives got restless, and this summer a simmering movement made news when a group of radical secessionists broke into the Iolani Palace in Honolulu.
James and Grace Akahi claim that their bloodline makes them the rightful King and Queen of Hawaii. They travel on their own homemade passports and they are suing the government for $100 trillion.
But such secessionist vigor is balanced on the islands by an equally fierce patriotism and belief in democracy. It is a land of contradictions, where minority opinions compete because everyone is a minority. Hawaii has the highest mixed-race population of any state.
And it is here that a half-black, half-white kid named "Barry" came of age before the world knew him as Barack Obama.
The Obama camp is so confident that Obama's statesmen will vote in his favor, they don't run ads on the island.
Brian Schatz, chairman of the Democratic Party in Hawaii, told "Good Morning America" that the numbers speak for themselves.
"We went from 2-3,000 people normally showing up to our caucuses to 38,000 people," Schatz said.
Long Winter Nights, Short Letters to Battleground States
Alaskan resident Ryan Kopiasz, 27, is passionate about organizing for Barack Obama.
"I think the Obama campaign and their strategy -- that every vote matters, every voter matters, every community matters -- resonates really well with a lot of Alaskans," Kopiasz told ABC News.
But the young organizer is fighting an uphill battle; Alaska has not gone for a Democrat in a presidential election since Lyndon Johnson defeated Barry Goldwater in 1964.
Back in the summer, when the nights were bright, the Obama team thought they might have a chance in the northernmost state. The FBI went after Republican lawmakers for corruption, while the state's senior GOP senator, Ted Stevens, was indicted for corruption.
"For the first time in years and years and years and years, the three Alaska electoral votes were in play for the Democrats against Republicans," Prof. Stephen Haycos of the University of Alaska told "Good Morning America." "That was the case for a little while."
But then, the political earth shifted under Alaska's feet when GOP presidential candidate John McCain chose Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.
"A lot of Republicans might not have gone to the polls," Haycox said. "They didn't want to vote against Republicans, but they didn't particularly want to vote for a Democrat. So they might have stayed home. But now, everybody is going to come out for Sarah Palin."
The governor is extremely popular in her state, Alaska GOP chairman Randy Ruedich said.
"The governor has been overwhelmingly successful in maintaining a positive image here," Ruedich told "Good Morning America." "Popular is a soft understatement."
And though there are anti-Palin rallies in Alaska, polls are projecting a Republican victory in the state by double digits.
As the nights grow long again and winter looms closer, Obama supporters in Alaska have shifted their focus away from their own state. Instead, they write postcards to battleground states. Some Republicans are responding in kind, sending their own postcards to the same battleground states.
For a while it seemed the good times would roll forever, but now luck might be running out for Connecticut's two largest casinos.
Foxwoods is laying off 700 workers this month. A $700 million expansion at Mohegan Sun has stopped cold, putting the brakes on 2,000 new jobs. For the first time in 15 years, the casino business is slow.
Reissa Mello, a casino bartender, said, "So what do you see happening to the tip jar? We see we're getting 30 percent less at the end of the week and that adds up. Scary? Very scary."
Mohegan Sun executives say the slowdown is across the board, from high rollers to retirees.
Race always has had a place in South Carolina's politics. It was the first state to secede from the Union, and 140 years later effectively killed John McCain's 2000 presidential bid after rumors about him fathering a black child surfaced.
(This time around, the McCain camp made sure to dispel such rumors months ago by distributing handouts explaining how the McCains adopted their daughter, Bridget, from Bangladesh.)
South Carolina is a place where large numbers of African slaves met their new world and where the black population at times outnumbered the white population ??? though never in government, higher education or prosperity.
The first high school football game of the season is a welcome escape from a troubled economy here.
Helena is hurting; the town needs jobs. Arkansas has lost another 6,000 manufacturing jobs, just this year.
Darius West is Helena's biggest star -- the top high school football player in the state.
Darius just announced he's staying in town to play football for the University of Arkansas. It's a shining moment for a challenged city.
Darius's mom, Debra West, said some people in Helena have to decide, do I pay for gas today or buy food?
"People struggling to pay for simple things, like a meal for their kids!" Debra West said. "That's a struggle they go through every day."
Polling indicates the state will go to Sen. John McCain in the presidential election. But president Bill Clinton said this week that that Arkansas, which voted for President Bush in the last two elections and for native son Clinton in 1992 and '96, could go either way in November.
Even within families, voters are divided.
Little Rock couple Tate and Ashley Olinghouse joke about how their 10-week-old boy will vote one day, in a household where mom and dad disagree.
Both say the economy is their No. 1 issue, but they differ on how to fix it.
"We are in a time that we don't need to be rolling the dice in, in choosing somebody that's untested and unproven," Ashley said. "And, especially when we have a candidate such as Senator McCain who is so proven and tested."
Tate broke in to ask, "But isn't the question: How have the last eight years -- how has that worked out for us, and????" "No. That's not the question."
"OK. It just feels that way," Tate said.
"No! Because I think that each represent an element of change. It's just which kind of change are you looking for," Ashley said.
The 50 States, 50 Days tour spent part of Day 5 in Washington, D.C. as the Bush administration announced plans of a massive government bailout of Wall Street that could cost American taxpayers in the neighborhood of $1 trillion.
On Good Morning America, Senate Banking Committee Chair Chris Dodd, D-Conn., stressed that both parties would work together to find a solution but emphasized that the "total meltdown of the financial market" was "avoidable."
Exhausted and euphoric. Those are the words to describe me right now. Six days after boarding the "Good Morning America" Whistle-Stop '08 Tour train, and beginning the adventure of a lifetime, it's over.
We just wrapped the last show of our little Odyssey from the Newseum in the nation's capitol, Washington D.C., and for me, it was an appropriate but bittersweet ending to our tale.
Appropriate because the point of our tour was to go out and ask real people what was on their minds, to hear straight from them their concerns about our nation. By ending in Washington, D.C., we brought their thoughts, problems and hopes to the doorstep of the government -- to the people that can do something about them.
Watch Jake Tapper's piece from Good Morning America Thursday on the way the financial crisis has impacted the election strategies of both Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain. <
In dueling TV ads, both Obama and McCain seek voter trust that their own administration would be able to fix the economic woes plaguing the nation.
Obama mocks McCain as part of the problem; McCain hammers Obama for proposing some tax increases
On the federal bailout of insurance giant AIG that dominated headlines yesterday, McCain shifted his answer -- supporting the bailout though he originally opposed -- while Obama held off on taking a position, saying he wants to see more details.
Biden Dismissed Concerns About Obama's Dwindling Lead in Polls
Vice-presidential candidate Joe Biden is dismissing concern among Democrats about why Sen. Barack Obama hasn't opened a commanding lead in the polls, expressing confidence that voters will turn against the incumbent party when they focus more on the key issues.
In an interview with ABC's Kate Snow, Biden said many voters remain skeptical about the Democratic ticket's ability to effect change -- but said such concerns will be assuaged by Election Day.
"They believe in the change we want. They just don't know that we can accomplish it," Biden, D-Del., said in an interview to be broadcast on "Good Morning America" Thursday, when ABC's "50 States in 50 Days" project visits West Virginia.
Riding along in Pennsylvania, a few giant windmills loom on a mountain nearby. It's only the latest example of clean energy opportunities we've witnessed this week.
Clearly, wind power is a big part of any effort to achieve energy independence and cut carbon emissions. As is hydroelectric power -- and there is no greater demonstration of the potential there than Niagara Falls.
Rail travel itself is a "clean" method of personal and commercial transportation. So it's been interesting to see some other opportunities outside our windows here.
The cardinal serves as West Virginia's state bird, but it's not the bird the state's known for ??? that would be Byrd, Robert C. Byrd to be exact. And the Mountain State's senior senator is affiliated more with pork than fowl.
Thanks in part to the 90-year-old senior senator, West Virginia takes the No. 4 spot when it comes to states that receive the most pork per capita. Between 1995 and 2006, Byrd single-handily brought in more than $1 billion in federal funds for projects in his state.
The train is no longer just a train Its not just a banner, a welcome wagon "come to town" It has become a sounding board for the people in the towns we visit...
Sure, they are considerate enough to come meet us, and to hear us thank them for the opportunity to meet the morning together.
But they are also there with a sense of profound purpose: to tell us what is, and often what is not, working in their beloved hometown.
"GMA" stopped by Pymatuning Valley High School in Andover, Ohio, during the show's "Whistle-Stop Tour" countdown to the November election. Students and faculty gave Diane Sawyer, Robin Roberts, Chris Cuomo and Sam Champion a big Buckeye welcome, including a pep rally in the school gym. Click here to check out students' video coverage of the event.
Remember yesterday when I told you that today's show was going to be amazing? I love being right.
Despite heavily diminished visibility due to fog, the show was fantastic and, along the way, I got to interview country superstar Brad Paisley. Not a bad start to a day.
We rolled up to the northern Ohio farm while the sun was trying desperately to rise and the dark bluish hue that precedes it seemed to be soaked into a thick layer of fog that had settled over endless corn stalks. Where yesterday the house and barn of the Lipps family, who owned the farm, had been readily visible, today only corn in front and fog behind.
But the scene was so serene and Midwest idyllic that I half expected a team of phantom baseball players to emerge from the stalks to play catch with me, a la Field of Dreams.
GUSTAVUS, Ohio -- I caught up with country music star Brad Paisley shortly before his concert on "GMA" this morning, and asked him about the state of the race.
He had a refreshing take for a celebrity: He's not sharing his personal thoughts, and he had a pretty good explanation for why not.
"I've got a lot of fans who've got their own ideas -- some of them are smarter than me. They've got to make up their own minds," Paisley said.
"I think aligning yourself with a candidate, I've just seen too many people stumble," he added. "Imagine the people that were on the John Edwards bandwagon, you know, just watching that happen. And it can happen to anybody out there -- they're all human. I'm not saying that scandal, but something."
"So I don't necessarily ever align, and I don't really talk about it."
He said he is feeling the impact of high gas prices -- tour buses are expensive to fill up with fuel -- and knows his fans are, too. That, he said, is the No. 1 issue out there these days.
The Whistle Stop train is making its way through Ohio today, a state that could prove to be one of the most crucial swing states this election.
Running a campaign in Ohio is like running in five separate states, each region proving to be its own unique battleground. Watch more about the war being waged in Ohio here.
Regional directors of both campaigns are waging their fights meticulously. The Obama side is counting on numbers, saturating the state with 70 field offices over McCain's 40.
While the McCain side is counting on technology---- using internet phones to help volunteers place more than four thousand calls a night and the time tested tradition of talking to your neighbor.
Experts say the grassroots, phone calls and door knocking might be able to add up to 1 to 2 percent on election day, a percentage that very well could decide a race.
Asked whether he agreed with the government bailout of insurance giant American International Group on today's "Good Morning America," Sen. John McCain answered ambiguously, in stark contrast to a Tuesday interview where he adamantly opposed it.
"I didn't want to do that. And I don't think anybody I know wanted to do that. But there are literally millions of people whose retirement, whose investment, whose insurance were at risk here," the Republican presidential nominee told ABC News' Robin Roberts, sounding somewhat accepting of the Fed's action on AIG.
"They were going to have their lives destroyed because of the greed and excess and corruption," McCain said.
But on Tuesday, the day following Lehman Brothers' collapse after the government declined to bail out the 158-year-old bank, McCain was opposed to the notion that the government should act to save AIG, teetering on the brink of collapse itself.
McCain was adamant in an interview with "The Today Show." "No, I do not believe that the American taxpayer should be on the hook for AIG, and I'm glad that the Secretary [Henry] Paulson has apparently taken the same line."
History Is Not Enough, Says Clinton, Urging Support for Obama-Biden Ticket
Sen. Hillary Clinton, who came close to making history as the first female presidential nominee, concedes that Gov. Sarah Palin has created a lot of excitement as a possible history-making first female vice president.
Palin's presence on the Republican ticket has drawn Sen. John McCain into a dead heat with the Democratic ticket of Sens. Barack Obama and Joe Biden, fueled largely by a surge in support among white women.
"A lot of people are missing the boat here," Clinton told ABC News' Diane Sawyer, aboard the "Good Morning America" Whistle-Stop Express.
Watch Wednesday's exclusive interview with Sen. John McCain and Cindy McCain aboard "Good Morning America's" Whistle Stop Express starting at 7 a.m. ET
Palin has generated a great deal of interest, Clinton acknowledged, but added, "That's not a good enough reason to vote for that ticket. There's a lot of talk in the country about who are you for in this election, but that's not the right question. The right question is, who is for you."
Clinton suggested that the McCain-Palin team doesn't understand "the struggles you face."
"So I don't think it's inconsistent for a lot of people to say well hey, that's exciting, what an exciting pick, and still say, but that's not the ticket for me and my family," she said.
An angry Sen. John McCain indicated today that as president he would launch a 9/11-commission style investigation into what he called "the old-boy network and Washington corruption" that created the current Wall Street crisis and has endangered peoples' savings and retirement funds.
McCain and his White House rival Sen. Barack Obama traded furious accusations and charges Tuesday on the economy as both campaigns jostled for position on the unfolding financial meltdown.
The economy had already been established as the No. 1 issue for voters, but the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, the fire sale of Merrill Lynch, and the desperate efforts of American International Group to avoid collapse has rattled Main Street as well as Wall Street.
Watch Wednesday's exclusive interview with Sen. John McCain and Cindy McCain aboard "Good Morning America's" Whistle Stop Express starting at 7 a.m. ET
The future of AIG, the country's largest insurance company, hung in the balance Tuesday. Its stock dropped 61 percent since Monday and the federal government ruled out any taxpayer rescue. McCain said Tuesday he agreed with the decision of the federal government to not intervene with AIG saying taxpayers should not be "on the hook" for AIG's problems.
"We cannot have the taxpayers bail out AIG or anybody else. This is something that we're going to have to work through," he said.
McCain's stance on the economy has been under attack from Democrats since he released an ad Monday that said the economy was in crisis, but later gave a speech saying the "fundamentals of our economy are strong." He defended himself Tuesday and laced into a denunciation of corporate greed.
"I said the fundamental of our economy is the American worker. I know that the American worker is the strongest, the best, and most productive and most innovative," McCain, R-Ariz., told ABC's Chris Cuomo on "Good Morning America" Tuesday.
"They've been betrayed by a casino on Wall Street of greedy, corrupt excess -- corruption and excess that has damaged them and their futures," he added.
[DISCLAIMER: Despite the text of the below narrative, the tone hopefully makes it obvious that everything that follows was in jest and was met with laughter by all. A lot of laughter.]
When Cleo bought Chris Cuomo and Sam Champion a monopoly board, everyone expected a little light-hearted fun when a game broke out in the antique Warrior Ridge car between Chris, Sam, and producers Cleo and Kendall.
I don't think anyone realized just how far and quickly the game would degenerate from light-hearted fun to "You will never get this property, you understand this? Never, ever. You will die old and poor!"
The wake-up call came at 2:45 a.m. That's how dedicated we are to you, America.
We had to wake up so early because before we could board the train today, a Secret Service dog had to go through our bags. So we stood in the cold at 3:00 a.m. and watched the furry little guy go sniffing through everything and then we were allowed to board.
Today I spent the pre-show period down in the "Good Morning America" offices where the writers, producers and higher-ups get everything in order so that the two-hour-long show runs smoothly, at least on the editorial side. After witnessing the rehearsal yesterday, I know that there's a lot to coordinate and a great show to produce.
"Everyone non-essential, get off the train," someone announced and I panicked for a second. Am I essential?
Doubtful, but I took a shot.
"Hey Jim," I said after a short but frantic search for "GMA" executive producer Jim Murphy. "Can I stick around and shoot this?"
The phrase "classic television" gets thrown around a lot these days, especially since "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" landed a spot on Nick at Night. But there is one scene from one show that will forever be the definition of the term: Lucile Ball stomping grapes on "I Love Lucy."
In an effort to recreate that iconic scene, the "GMA" "Whistle-Stop '08 Tour" stopped off at a vineyard in Silver Creek, New York to try their hand, or foot, at grape stomping.
When the train pulled up and stopped, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, it took me a little while to realize that what I was looking at out the window were rows upon rows of grape vines and in the distance, just before the horizon, Lake Erie sparkled. I had no idea the North could be so, well, pretty.
Here's the scene from about twenty minutes ago: Diane Sawyer, Robin Roberts, Chris Cuomo, political reporter and The Note author Rick Klein, a camera man and myself packed into Sam Champion's tiny train bedroom with a bewildered Sam Champion squeezed into a corner.
"We're really three to a room?" he asked wide-eyed.
"Yup, and you've got top bunk," Rick said without cracking a smile that I was desperately trying to hide.
A Death-Defying Stunt, but Is Anyone Paying Attention?
It's very early in the morning aboard the "GMA" Whistle-Stop '08 Tour train, and Chris Cuomo is cool.
Not cool like James Dean cool (although that's debatable), but cool like Tiger Woods on the 18th hole at the Masters cool. And he needs to be.
Today we're headed to Niagara Falls, N.Y., for what I've been told are breathtaking views and a few major surprises, including a life-threatening, death-defying, insanity-inspired stunt that is only now being slightly overhyped.
They really don't tell me much, but I do know that at some point Chris' life could literally be on the line and that he'll get a view of the falls few people get, save those that have been over in a barrel.
Tune into GMA Tuesday 7 a.m. EST for an exclusive interview with Sen. Hillary Clinton
ALBANY, N.Y. -- Weighing in on Gov. Sarah Palin's impact on the presidential race, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton says in an interview to be broadcast Tuesday 7 a.m. EST on Good Morning America that she has full confidence in Sen. Joe Biden as Sen. Barack Obama's running mate, praising his knowledge of the economy and world affairs.
Asked to respond to Palin's assertion that she thinks Obama is "regretting not picking [Clinton] now" -- with many former Clinton supporters now saying they will support the McCain-Palin ticket -- Clinton demurred, saying she's excited to campaign for Obama and Biden.
Watch Good Morning America's Exclusive Interview with Sen. Hillary Clinton at 7 a.m. Eastern.
"We have a great Democratic vice-presidential candidate," Clinton told ABC's Diane Sawyer, aboard the "Good Morning America" "Whistle-Stop Express." "Joe Biden is a friend of mine. He's been a strong leader both on issues here at home when it comes to the economy and stresses on middle class working families, and he understands the strategic challenges that we face around the world. So I'm very happy going out campaigning as hard as I can for both Barack and Joe."
ALBANY, N.Y. -- There's a certain charm to confusion in that when you don't know exactly what's going on, you're sometimes pleasantly surprised.
Such was the case just now in Albany, New York when we stopped momentarily and, much to my surprise, Sen. Hillary Clinton boarded the train.
She boarded straight through the "Good Morning America" offices where I was fiddling with footage from earlier today, walking not ten feet away from me.
Tune in to "Good Morning America" tomorrow to see Diane Sawyer's full interview with Sen. Hillary Clinton.
Eyes wide but hands at the ready, I grabbed for my camera. Luckily Cleo, a much better photographer, beat me to it and snapped a few pictures.
What Hillary and Diane talked about is top secret and not to be released until tomorrow's show, but I've got my sources and I do know that Diane asked if Hillary was secretly pulling for Palin to break the now-famous "glass ceiling."
Tomorrow morning "Good Morning America" will air that answer along with full interview with the former presidential candidate.
After her interview with Diane was finished, Hillary chatted with the other anchors and then they all came out of the train together to meet "GMA" fans and Clinton supporters on the station platform.
Sporting her usual sophisticated pantsuit ??? light blue this time ??? Hillary made her way through the crowd and waved to more fans that were further away behind fences.
In the back of some of their minds must be a question that has been commented on recently by both Sarah Palin and Joe Biden ??? Would the election be different if Obama had chosen her for VP?
But just like that she was off and so were we. Now I'm back to fumbling with my camera and preparing for our next stop.
What will happen there? It's likely to surprise me as much as you.
I mean, they just said over the loud speaker, "In the next leg we will be going 100 miles per hour. We've never done that before. Hold on."
What can I do? I hang on.
Watch the exclusive interview with Sen. Clinton Tuesday on "GMA."
ALBANY, N.Y. -- Here in New York State, the financial crisis on Wall Street is a critical local issue in a different way than it matters nationally. Here, Wall Street is Main Street -- or, at least, one of them.
And Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's message on Monday: "Everybody should be concerned," she told reporters in Albany after a quick stop aboard GMA's "Whistle-Stop Express."
"Obviously here in New York we have the special concern of the thousands of jobs that are at risk," said Clinton, D-N.Y. "Now we're in the crisis, and we all have to be smart and focused on how we're going to get ourselves out of it."
"I'm very concerned about the impact on New York -- we're going to see a drop in revenues in government, for the city, for actually all the jurisdictions around New York City," she added. "The job loss is something I'm worried about. So we're just going to have to do the best we can to make up for what wasn't done, and frankly a real failure of leadership and oversight."
Clinton's exclusive interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer will air Tuesday on "Good Morning America."
ALBANY, N.Y. -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton -- with entourage, and Secret Service contingent -- just boarded the train here in Albany, for her sit-down with Diane Sawyer. We're in her home state -- so in a sense, we came to her.
Behind the Scenes on the Whistle-Stop Tour
Success! "GMA" Makes History
I don't know if people said we couldn't pull this off, but if they did, they were dead wrong because we totally did. "Good Morning America" just became the first network television show ever to broadcast live from a moving train.
From the opening shot of Diane and Robin greeting the nation live from the back of the speeding Whistle-Stop '08 Tour train all the way to the closing shot once again from the back of the train, the whole thing went off without a hitch. The madness caused by the switching to live shots and the timing to make everything work just right while the train powered along came together in genius when it needed to.
Everyone stayed safe. Most people stayed happy. And a few people even stayed sane.
Unknown forces tried to conspire against the train as a tree branch fell in front of it, causing a minor delay but providing the train engineers an opportunity to show off their brawn by moving it for us.
Then we were back on schedule, making three stops at towns in Massachusetts, providing up-to-the-minute news and weather reports and even relaxing a little as we listened to James Taylor and Yo-Yo Ma play a concert live in Stockbridge, Mass., from the front porch of the famous Red Lion Inn.
From the antique buildings to the small shops with smiling patrons, Stockbridge is truly an American city. Even the lyrical white picket fences have a deep texture to them that exudes sturdiness with age.
It's no wonder the town looks as if it stepped out of a Norman Rockwell picture -- the famous artist had his first studio in Stockbridge, just a stone's throw from the Red Lion Inn.
I met one person there who knew that studio very well -- Claire Williams, who was 29 when she posed for a Rockwell drawing in 1959.
"Oh, he was very nice. And I look as good now as I did then," she said with a long laugh.
With an attitude like that, she, like the idyllic town she grew up in, seems to have only gotten better with age.
Behind the Scenes on the Whistle-Stop Tour
There was a sort of golden age in American history not too long ago when presidential candidates would load up their staff and travel the country by train.
There's that classic black-and-white photo of the candidate, arms raised as he shouts out a speech to as many people as can hear him, projecting from the very back of a flag-draped train.
No sound bites. No stadium-size conventions. It was a genuine way to get to the people, and even if the candidates were less than genuine, the people could look them in the eye when they asked the candidates how they would help.
While town hall meetings still abound, the Whistle-Stop Tour is a rare occasion these days.
But "Good Morning America" is bringing it all back, and to do so took some impressive engineering. Just walking from one end of the train to the other is like traveling through time.
Of the 11-car train, two of the middle cars have been specially modified to house a rail-bound television studio. Lining the walls of the Stars and Stripes decorated cars are a mass of monitors covering every possible camera angle of the train, and even two domes have been carved out of the roof to allow for satellite communication equipment.
Helicopters trail the train, sometimes three at a time, both to get dramatic shots of the speeding locomotive and to provide communication boosts when necessary.
But far more breathtaking than the electronic wizardry are the last two cars, the antique Warrior Ridge and PRR-120 cars.
The Warrior Ridge, the "Lounge Buffet Car," was built in 1953 and has not lost even an edge of that polished steel class. The interior was decorated in the style New Orleans Bourbon Street -- think cool jazz, leather and brass, not spring break.
The PRR-120 is the car with history, though. The train has carried both foreign dignitaries and American icons. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor and Juan and Eva Peron rode in this car. The entire Kennedy family, including President Kennedy, also graced the leather seats. In a more somber moment, the car was used to transport the body of Robert F. Kennedy to his burial at Arlington National Cemetary. More recently, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall rode in the car.
With as much history as these cars bring along for the ride, it's only appropriate that "Good Morning America" make a little history of its own on this extraordinary trip.
Sen. Hillary Clinton in an Exclusive Interview With GMA Tuesday
"Good Morning America" will interview the biggest political names of this election year as part of its unprecedented "Whistle-Stop Tour."
"GMA" anchor Chris Cuomo interviews Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama Monday morning.
Presidential and vice presidential nominees and their spouses from both parties were invited to be interviewed. "GMA" is still waiting to hear if Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin will participate.
Tuesday: Sen. Hillary Clinton talks exclusively to "GMA" on the train when it rolls through New York.
Wednesday: Sen. John McCain and his wife, Cindy, will talk to "GMA" during a live broadcast from an Ohio farm.
Thursday: Sen. Joe Biden, the Democratic vice presidential candidate, sits down with "GMA."
Friday: Michelle Obama wraps up the exclusive series of interviews from the campaign trail.
ABC News and USA Today began its "50 States in 50 Days" tour Monday, an unprecedented initiative to report from every state in the nation during the 50 days leading up to the presidential election.
Over the course of the next two months, ABC News anchors and correspondents and USA Today reporters and photographers will report on one state each day in the run-up to the historic vote Nov. 4.
Good morning, America!
Welcome to one of the most ambitious network television projects ever undertaken, GMA's "Whistle-Stop '08" Tour - the first show ever to broadcast live from a moving train!
Over the course of the next two months, ABC News' anchors and correspondents and USA Today's reporters and photographers will report on one state each day in the run-up to the historic vote Nov. 4. We'll hit all fifty states in fifty days! The trip begins right here, in Lenox, Massachusetts, where we've just pulled in to kick of the show's five-day Whistletop
Yesterday we got a glimpse of the impending frenzy.
Greetings from aboard the "Good Morning America" "Whistle-Stop Tour '08," a splendid 11-car train specially designed to broadcast live television starting Monday.
(We're technically not moving yet -- rehearsals and other preparations are in order to make sure everything goes off without a hitch.)
ABC is starting its "50 States in 50 Days" tour leading up to the 2008 election in the state where, in a sense, the last election ended: Massachusetts, Sen. John Kerry's home state, where he delivered his (slightly delayed) concession speech the morning after Election Day 2004.
But for those who would mock Massachusetts as outside of "real America" (as the Republicans sought to argue four years ago), know that we're far from Boston -- in the beautiful Berkshires, on the other side of the state.
We are, at this moment, perched beside lake at the foot for a mountain, next to the historic train station in Lenox.
The 11 cars that make up ABC's "Whistle-Stop Express" are a technological marvel -- stuffed with satellite dishes, high-end television equipment, servers bringing rolling WiFi access, and plenty of really expensive contraptions that do I know not what.
And car No. 11 -- the caboose -- carries ghosts and whispers that connect the train with political history.
It's the Pennsylvania 120 -- something that meant absolutely nothing to me before this trip, either.
But to train buffs, this is the Hope diamond -- one of the most storied and expensive pieces of Americana.
Built in 1928, the car carried every president from Herbert Hoover to Lyndon Johnson. Rat Packers Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Peter Lawford once chartered it.
Perhaps most famously, the car carried Robert F. Kennedy's body from Los Angeles to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia in 1968, in a journey that drew millions of mourning Americans along the tracks.
A great article in Cigar Aficionado, from 1998, tells you everything you need to know about the train and its owner, Bennett Levin.
From the outside, the most striking feature is the observation deck -- one can imagine a politician's wave to curious crowds, back in the era of whistle-stop campaigning.
Inside, it feels and smells like the Roaring '20s -- rich walnut, etched glass, red velour couches, walls decorated by paintings of trains. (Walking through, I felt like I would open a door onto the poker room from "The Sting.")
Not a bad way to see the country.
As the "GMA" anchors arrived at the historic train station in Worcester Sunday morning -- greeted by a crowd of several hundred, including a man in a yellow smiley-face outfit (Worcester-invented symbol, merrily oblivious to current economic plights) -- something else was out in force. Palin Power.
By one very unscientific count, McCain-Palin signs outnumbered Obama-Biden signs by roughly 10-1. Surprise -- they didn't wake up on a rainy Sunday morning to show their love for Sen. John McCain.
"I didn't think anybody would have the chutzpah to pick someone like her," said Daniel Schur, 47, of Westborough, Mass., who came to greet the train along with his daughter to hold a McCain-Palin sign -- emphasis on the Palin.
Key to Gov. Sarah Palin's appeal, Schur said, is her ability to relate to so many in the country.
"That's one thing people from the East Coast and the West Coast forget -- how many people live in the middle of the country," he said.
ABC News Radio's Aaron Katersky caught up with one older woman on the train platform who said she was an avid Hillary Clinton supporter -- and now said family members aren't speaking to her because she's leaning toward McCain-Palin.
"Was Hillary was defeated, I started to listen to the others more carefully, and I find that my agenda matches up more with the Republicans," she said.
On Palin, she added: "I was very pleased to hear her speak -- I think she's a very smart woman. . . . I like a thinker -- somebody who can look at a situation, assess it, come up with a plan, and go forward from there. I think she's that kind of person."
Here in the birthplace of basketball, where Dr. James Naismith invented a wholly American sport that's gone global, there's reason to be happy for hoops these days.
One almost certain result of this year's presidential contest will be an elevation of basketball by our new leaders.
Talk about change: The Bush years have been baseball years -- complete with T-ball on the White House lawn, and a president who once owned a Major League team.
In 2008, both tickets have genuine hoops players, and even real hoops nicknames: It's Barry O'Bomber vs. Sarah Barracuda.
(For the record, the "GMA" crew was shamed on the court by some local high-school students, in a free-throw shooting contest near the train station.)
Barack Obama can trace his roots to the heart of the heartland -- and while there's no place like home, even family connections are unlikely to make the difference in Kansas.
Obama's mother was born in Kansas, a factoid he's played up in advertisements and on the stump as she seeks to highlight his cross-cultural, red-state appeal.
Yet that may be the extent to which Kansas is a battleground in 2008.
What's the matter? Notwithstanding some recent Democratic successes, Kansas remains solidly conservative, with a large rural vote and a high number of religious voters proving unwilling to vote Democratic at the national level. The state sits astride a sea of red, a near-certain six electoral votes for the McCain-Palin ticket.
Obama may have stood his best chance to make Kansas competitive if he had chosen Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, D-Kan., as his running mate. But while Obama and Sebelius are close, many observers predicted a backlash from Clinton supporters if he tapped a woman who isn't named Hillary Clinton, and Obama went in a different direction.
The biggest electoral prize on the map looms as a tempting and glittering target for John McCain -- but this is one star he's not likely to seriously chase.
California's politics are as diverse as its demographics, with Hollywood and Haight-Ashbury, in addition to huge tracts of farmland, large rural stretches, and a giant immigrant community.
McCain -- hoping to build on the electoral success of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, R-Calif. -- has made a handful of campaign stops in the Golden State, and aides claim publicly that the state could be competitive.
But at the national level, California is consistently Democratic. The state is too expensive for campaign head-fakes; indeed, McCain's stops have been mostly to shake the money tree, not to shake free votes.
Yet as the single largest cache of electoral votes, and home to the nation's most diverse economy, California can never be ignored. Check back for more ABC coverage from the Golden State, and see whether McCain is serious about making a play there.
It's hard to imagine Barack Obama winning the presidency without keeping Michigan in the Democratic fold -- and it's just as hard to envision John McCain expanding the electoral map without picking up Michigan.
There are no bigger battlegrounds than Michigan, where economic turmoil and scandal-plagued Democrats have helped shape a critical testing ground for both candidates.
Obama -- who did not campaign in the state during the primaries -- needs to demonstrate an appeal to working-class voters who have been skeptical of his leadership abilities and his economic plans.
And McCain -- who lost the state to a populist-themed Romney campaign in the primaries -- must put daylight between himself and the Bush administration, in a state that has seen its economy battered like few others over the past eight years.
The state has been solidly -- if narrowly -- Democratic at the presidential level, going back to 1992. A still-strong union presence is promising a big turnout effort for Obama.
Yet the white, working-class voters who form the state's voting core are the very people Obama had trouble attracting throughout the Democratic primaries.
His allies at the local level have done Obama few favors: Detroit's mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick, resigned in September and is now behind bars after pleading guilty to several felony charges. Gov. Jennifer Granholm, D-Mich., has seen her approval ratings plummet, in part due to the cratering economy.
Michigan and some of its neighbors in the upper Midwest figure to be where the 2008 race is settled. Check back for more to see when ABC will be dropping in to the most critical of battleground states.


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Churchill Downs Receives Accreditation From NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance
Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN) ("CDI") and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association ("NTRA") announced today that Churchill Downs racetrack has received full accreditation from the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance. The announcement was made at a joint press conference held at Churchill Downs.
Churchill Downs Gains Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Approval for Three Night Racing Dates, Two New Wagers
Churchill Downs has been granted permission by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission ("KHRC") to conduct three historic sessions of night racing during its April 25-July 5 Spring Meet. The regulatory panel has also granted approval to the track's request to offer two new wagers during the meet.
Wood Memorial Winner I Want Revenge Arrives at Churchill Downs
David Lanzman and IEAH Stable's I Want Revenge, winner of the Wood Memorial (Grade I) and one of the early favorites for the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI), arrived at Churchill Downs early Tuesday, April 7 to continue his preparation for the May 2 "Run for the Roses."
Kentucky Oaks 135 Update - Rachel Alexandra Cruises, Hooh Why Upsets Champion Stardom Bound in Ashland
L & M Racing's Rachel Alexandra may have earned the role of favorite in the 135th Kentucky Oaks (Grade I) on May 1 at Churchill Downjs when she romped to an effortless 8 ½-length romp in the $250,000 Fantasy Stakes (GII) at Oaklawn Park.
Kentucky Derby 135 Update - I Want Revenge, Pioneerof the Nile Win Big Kentucky Derby Preps
After a successful debut in New York in the Gotham Stakes (Grade III) that bordered on effortless, David Lanzman and IEAH Stables' California invader I Want Revenge encountered nothing but trouble in last Saturday's Wood Memorial (GI). But the result in each was the same: a victory that enhanced his status as one of the major contenders for the $2 million guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by
Wood Memoral Winner I Want Revenge Favored In Final Pool of Churchill Downs Derby Future Wager
David Lanzman and IEAH Stable's I Want Revenge, who overcame a poor start and significant traffic concerns to win Saturday's Wood Memorial (GI) at Aqueduct, emerged a solid favorite to win the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) as the third and final pool of Churchill Downs' Kentucky Derby Future Wager ("KDFW") completed its four-day run on Sunday, April 5.
Injury Knocks The Pamplemousse Out of Kentucky Derby; Wagering Suspended in Derby Futures
A leg injury has knocked Sham Stakes (GIII) winner The Pamplemousse out of consideration for the Kentucky Derby and wagering on the colt in Pool 3 of Churchill Downs' Kentucky Derby Future Wager was suspended Sunday afternoon.
Wood Memorial Winner I Want Revenge Is New Choice Heading Into Final Day of Derby Future Bet
A Saturday that featured three major prep races for the $2 million-guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) ended with a new favorite in the third and final pool of Churchill Downs' 2009 Kentucky Derby Future Wager ("KDFW") as a dazzling win in Aqueduct's Wood Memorial propelled I Want Revenge into the pool's top spot.
Churchill Downs and Mattel Team Up to Create Kentucky Derby Barbie Doll
With Kentucky Derby® 135 on May 2, 2009, quickly approaching, Churchill Downs, the legendary racetrack that hosts the annual "Run for the Roses®," and Mattel are pleased to announce that they have teamed up to create the Kentucky Derby® Barbie® doll.
Churchill Downs Welcomes 'Top Chef' to Infield Club for 2009 Kentucky Derby and Oaks
Churchill Downs will welcome one of cable television's most-watched shows, Bravo's Emmy® and James Beard Foundation® Award-winning "Top Chef," to the Infield Club on Kentucky Oaks and Derby Days, May 1-2, 2009. Top Chef: The Tour will be part of Churchill's new Infield Club hospitality area, which allows Derby and Oaks guests to enjoy the exuberant party atmosphere of the traditional infield w
Churchill Downs to Shift Simulcast Wagering to Trackside Louisville
Due to preparations for the upcoming Spring Meet and Kentucky Derby 135, Churchill Downs will move simulcast operations to its Trackside Louisville facility at 4520 Poplar Level Road from Wednesday, April 1, through Friday, April 24.
Remembering Alysheba
Alysheba, winner of the 1987 Kentucky Derby and 1988 Horse of the Year, was euthanized on March 27 at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Ky., due to injuries suffered in a fall at the Kentucky Horse Park. The son of Alydar was 25. Click the links at right for more photos from Alysheba's historic Kentucky Derby victory in 1987.
Churchill Downs Opens Infield to Welcome 52nd Annual Scout-O-Rama
The infield at historic Churchill Downs will be filled Friday through Sunday, March 27-29, with images of colorful tents, the scent of campfires, and the sounds of special activities and competitions as thousands of Boy Scouts of all ages and levels of experience gather to participate in the 52nd annual celebration of Scout-O-Rama.
Kentucky Derby 135 Update - Dunkirk, Quality Road Head Florida Derby
Last year's running of the $750,000 Florida Derby (Grade I) at Gulfstream Park saw the emergence of a major star when unbeaten Big Brown romped to an easy victory and became the favorite for the $2 million-guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI). Big Brown would later score an emphatic Kentucky Derby win.
Kentucky Oaks 135 Update - Justwhistledixie Tops Bonnie Miss
Streaking Justwhistledixie, the surprising favorite over reigning 2-year-old filly champion Stardom Bound and Silverbulletday (GII) and Golden Rod (GII) winner Rachel Alexandra in Churchill Downs' 2009 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager, will look to strengthen her credentials for the $500,000 Kentucky Oaks (Grade I) when she takes on five rivals in Friday's $200,000 Bonnie Miss (GII) at Gulfstream Par
Churchill Downs to Open at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 28 for Dubai World Cup Simulcast
Trackside at Churchill Downs will open early at 9 am (all times Eastern) on Saturday, March 28, to import the six lucrative stakes races that compromise the 14th annual Dubai World Cup program from Nad Al Sheba Race Course in the United Arab Emirates.
Solid-Gold Kentucky Derby 135 Winner's Trophy Scheduled to Arrive at Churchill Downs on March 25
The solid gold trophy that will be presented to the owner of the 3-year-old Thoroughbred that wins the $2 million-guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) on Saturday, May 2 is scheduled to arrive at historic Churchill Downs on Wednesday, March 25 at 2 p.m. ET.
Churchill Downs Introduces Official Kentucky Derby 135 Party Playlist
With Kentucky Derby® 135 on May 2, 2009, quickly approaching, Churchill Downs racetrack and the 2009 Kentucky Derby Chief Party Officer, Nick "RiNickulous" Ferrera, today announced the availability of the Official Kentucky Derby 135 Party Playlist.
Remembering Lil E. Tee
Lil E Tee, who captured the 1992 Kentucky Derby to give Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day his only Derby win, was euthanized on March 18 at Old Frankfort Stud near Frankfort, Ky., due to complications from an intestinal problem. The son of At the Threshold was 20. Click the links at right for more photos from Lil E.
Nick Ferrara (AKA 'RiNickulous') Named Chief Party Officer for Kentucky Derby 135
With Kentucky Derby 135® just around the corner, Churchill Downs, the legendary racetrack that hosts the annual "Run for the Roses," has announced that Nick Ferrara, also known as "RiNickulous," will be the new Chief Party Officer (CPO) of the 2009 Kentucky Derby infield. The reigning CPO, Tim "Stymie" Snyder will formally relinquish his party-ruling duties today, making Ferrara the official m


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Companies in St. Kitts & Nevis
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Location: Latin America ×
Location: St. Kitts & Nevis ×
VIA EXPO Ltd.
based in Plovdiv, BULGARIA
Via Expo is the organizer of the premier in the region South-East European Energy & Environmental Forum. It is held in Sofia, Bulgaria and incorporates five green energy business events: Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Congress and Exhibition ; 'Save the Planet' - Conference and Exhibition on Waste Management, Recycling, Environment; SEE Solar - Solar PV & Thermal ...
based in Arnhem, NETHERLANDS
MVOplossingen is specialist service provider in the field of CSR Reporting. Service based on a long standing experience, both as an independent consultant and as an employee at a large multinational.Services from MVOplossingen1. Creating better reports, read my reviews: On a weekly basis you can read my view on CSR Reporting in my Dutch blog: MVOptimist.2. Develop better ...
Solidata Europe
based in Leiden, NETHERLANDS
Solidata is the leading manufacturer of Solid State Drives (SSD`s), a new technology emerging since several years in the consumer market. Solidata carries a full product line of different classes of SSD, from IDE to SATA II, from Industrial to consumer, from 1.8` to 3,5`, from field laptop to server to workstation.Use the top search box or product menu item for ...
Corporate Climate
based in New York, NEW YORK (USA)
ABOUT CORPORATE CLIMATECorporate Climate's primary purpose is to help businesses understand the return on investment (ROI) implications when considering implementing sustainable technologies and solutions. This information is delivered through podcasts, videocasts, webinars, periodic newsletters, and an annual E-Magazine comprised of the best Green ROI initiatives of the ...
Geothermal Resources Council
based in Davis, CALIFORNIA (USA)
With the experience and dedication of its diverse, international membership bolstering a 40-year track record, the Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) is the world's premier geothermal association. The GRC serves as a focal point for continuing professional development for its members through its outreach, information transfer and education services.GRC GoalsThe GRC is a ...
based in Fuengirola, SPAIN
Geotranslations delivers document translation and proofreading services to companies, organizations, institutions and professionals involved in the fields of Geoscience, Environment, Health & Safety, Renewable Energy, Carbon Markets and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction Projects and Climate Change.We translate and proofread a wide variety of materials of varying nature and ...


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It's All Politics
1:34 am
Tue January 24, 2012
Romney Redux: Did The Front-Runner Find A Way Back In?
Originally published on Wed January 25, 2012 9:35 am
On Tuesday, it is likely the presidential campaign's focus will shift to Mitt Romney's tax returns, which show him making $42.5 million in 2010 and 2011. That number may be bigger than he can finesse by saying in essence: Don't hate me because I'm successful.
Even if nothing more problematic looms in the 500 pages of supporting documents released early Tuesday, the magnitude of Romney's wealth — and the rather modest rate at which it is taxed — may explain his reluctance to release the returns up to now. Romney will pay a tax rate of 15.4 percent for 2011. The top marginal rate for wage earners is 35 percent.
Romney's camp released the returns several hours before they had promised to do so, perhaps encouraged by the candidate's improved performance in Monday night's debate in Tampa.
On stage in Tampa, Romney was a changed man. Gone was the defensive crouch from last week's debates in South Carolina. Gone too was the testiness that flared during earlier confrontations with rival candidates for the GOP nomination.
It would be too much to say Romney had turned his ship around. But at least he righted it again after the knockdown it suffered in South Carolina on Saturday, when former House Speaker Newt Gingrich bested the former Massachusetts governor by 14 percentage points.
Romney came to Tampa primed to tackle Gingrich and went on the offensive early, saying the former Speaker had been "a failed leader," fined for ethics violations and forced to "resign in disgrace." Worse yet, Romney said, Gingrich had stuck around Washington after his fall, making money for the next 13 years through "influence peddling."
Most of us braced ourselves for a stem-winding Gingrichian blast in retort, but instead the often volatile Gingrich said he wasn't going to try to rebut Romney's charges. He said it was all tactics and it had all been disproved and we could see how on his website.
But there was none of last week's fiery denunciation of the media, or the kind of charge-for-charge dueling with Romney we have come to expect in previous debates. Gingrich seemed either weary or, more likely, too resolved to alter his style.
In South Carolina, Gingrich had been gloriously combative, flexing his debate muscles and spoiling for a fight. In Tampa, he was not only more measured but downright subdued.
The contrast might not have been so distinct had there not been such a marked difference in the audience's behavior. Last week, in Myrtle Beach and Charleston, the crowds responded as though in a Roman coliseum. When Gingrich went after the media moderators, the audience rose to its feet and seemed ready to rush the stage.
In Tampa, by comparison, the audience reaction was nearly non-existent. NBC and moderator Brian Williams, along with the other sponsors of the event, had somehow prevailed on the attendees to stifle themselves. And with the exception of a few audible noises here and there — including some polite applause for Texas Congressman Ron Paul — the audience remained silent.
From the earliest exchanges between Williams and the candidates, the absence of whistling, cheering and stomping lowered the temperature on stage and raised the caliber of the discourse. It was obvious that in this cooler environment, Romney found his own comfort zone.
Romney bore in early on the House leadership question. When Gingrich said he had stepped aside due to the disappointment of the GOP's seat loss in the 1998 midterms, Paul (who was a member of the House at the time) corrected the record. Gingrich quit because he didn't have the votes to remain as Speaker, Paul said, voicing a judgment widely shared at the time.
Gingrich was also on the defensive over his years on retainer with Freddie Mac, the mortgage giant now deemed to have been part of the problem in the housing meltdown that began in 2007. He said his contract forbade lobbying, but that document had been released earlier in the day and showed him reporting to Freddie Mac's chief lobbyist. Lobbying was not explicit in the contract, but neither was it ruled out.
Rick Santorum, the former Pennsylvania senator, was also on hand for a barrage of challenges from NBC's Williams and others. Why had he lost so badly in his last race in 2006? Did he really think Congress should have intervened in the case of Terri Schiavo, a Florida woman who died after being taken off life support in 2005.
Santorum made a game effort to get into the debate by portraying both Romney and Gingrich as friends of the "individual mandate" feature in the Obama health care law.
But neither Santorum nor Paul managed to hold the cameras for long. The media generally prefer a two-person race to a multi-candidate field, and Monday night was another example of how that sorts out.
For the moment, at least, Romney may be glad to have the field simplified so he can stay on the attack against Gingrich. But the nature of the race to date has been that no story line holds for more than a week, and many do not endure even that long.


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Lake Placid The state Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) is looking forward to a lucrative winter season.
"We have great weather coming our direction," ORDA President and CEO Ted Blazer said during the Dec. 18 ORDA Board meeting at the Olympic Center. "I think it's important that we go in with enthusiasm."
The optimism comes on the heels of a less-than-lucrative 2012.
ORDA auditor Alan Walther released the authority's financial report for the first seven months of the fiscal year (April 1-Oct. 31) and said the net operating loss to date was $7.18 million, which is better than this time in 2011.
"Through October of 2012 there's an operating loss prior to depreciation of $7.18 million versus an operating loss last year of $7.583 million, so you're approximately $402,000 ahead of where you were last year," Walther said.
ORDA has seen revenue increase in some areas and decrease in others.
Contributing to the loss was a $135,000 decrease in snow sports and skating revenue and a $350,000 loss for fall events, both of which have been attributed to poor weather conditions.
On a positive note, total operating revenue went up by $101,000 to $4.6 million. And tour packages and event admissions also went up $260,000 due to increased events and a strong summer.
ORDA's budget includes revenue sources from its operations, such as corporate development and venues; non-operational revenue such as the $4.733 million state appropriation for 2012-13 and $750,000 annually from the town of North Elba in 2012 and 2013; personal services and non-personal services operating expenses; and non-operational expenses such as loan payments.
News from the venues
Other things are looking up this year, too.
All three ski resorts run by ORDA have opened for the season. Whiteface opened Nov. 17, a week ahead of schedule, Gore opened Nov. 23 and Belleayre opened Dec. 1.
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The beginning of the month brought residents an early Christmas gift in the form of MP3 players given by McNair, McLemore & Middlebrooks of Macon. With caroling visits from the likes of students from Gray Elementary School and the Jones County 4-H Program, there is no doubt that each heart was lightened by the generosity of the community that embraces this home away from home for so many Jones Countians.
Spirits continued to soar on Dec.12 as the associates and 94 residents, along with friends and family members, enjoyed their holiday family night.
The chilly evening gave way to the warmth of the fireplace as guests sat and listened to entertainment that included a selection of Christmas songs performed by Lynn Haven associates, as well as guest entertainer Terry Wiggins.
Before all could retire to a true holiday feast prepared in the dining room, everyone was given the treat of having Santa Claus arrive, ready to hear the wishes of the young and the young-at-heart. The greatest of all wishes was certainly answered through the hugs and smiles that were seen as residents were reunited for an evening of fellowship with their loved ones.
For the full story, pick up a copy of this week's newspaper or subscribe to our e-Edition at http://ee.jcnews.com.


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Please bear with us as we have launched in beta so you may notice a bug or two. The best thing you can do is let us know right here in the Site Feedback Forum. Have a question or comment regarding the new site? This is your place.
Hello all,
I currently subscribe to GI's print edition, but I'm toying with the idea of switching to the digital version. I've seen some horror stories on here about bad customer service, and the inability to access the digital version, so I just had a few questions before I go through with this:
1. The website advertises that you can look at over a year of old issues. Does this feature work? (I've seen some people saying they can't do it.)
2. Are you able to save the magazines to your hard drive in some form or fashion, or it that not supported? (I understand with DRM that this may not be possible.)
3. I know the interface for computers works somewhat decently, but does the interface for Android smartphones and tablets work OK? Is there a certain browser I should use in Android to get it working nicely?
Depending on what answers I get, I may have a few more questions! =)
Thanks in advance!
I would say to steer clear of it for now. I absolutely regret doing it.
Hey, I subscribe to both the print and digital versions, so I can answer these for you.
1: The digital issue archive goes back to March of 2010, the L.A. Noire cover. So yes, there is over a year of old issues available. The problem most people seem to have is opening their digital magazine from the website. For some reason, if I try to open from GameInformer.com, it doesn't work. Clicking the link in the monthly magazine email is what works. So if you switch to digital, ALWAYS KEEP THE EMAILS. That's the best way to make sure they work.
2: Saving the magazines to your hard drive isn't possible. I don't know the official reason for this, but there are two reasons I can guess:
A: Because if they were something you could save, people could share them on the internet and not pay for it.
B: Because there are a lot of links and videos in the digital magazine that require an internet connection to work.
3: The interface on computers is pretty easy, and runs in Flash. Unfortunately, I don't have a tablet, Android phone, or iPhone, so I'm not sure how they work on those devices.
If you have any more questions, just reply and I'll get an email because I'm subscribed to this thread.
Thanks for the responses!
@LOLz: Any particular reasons you'd suggest I stay away?
@Levi: Thanks for the detailed answer! Overall, would you say you prefer the print or digital issues, or is it a wash between the two?
I personally prefer print, but it depends on your habits. I subscribe to a lot of magazines and often grab one to bring with while traveling, even if it's just a quick trip to a place where I know I'll have 10 minutes to spare reading. The digital edition is good if you're the sort of person who likes to get all their news online, because it's like reading a newspaper with hyperlinks and videos and all the convenience of the internet.
Basically, if you usually read Game Informer at home when you've got an internet connection, you might like the digital edition more. If you usually read it when you're not connected for some reason, you'll probably want to stick with print, because realizing you can't bring it along wherever you go might be annoying.
I have had continual issues with the digital edition not working. I havent had very much time to read the magazine lately and I wanted to catch up but I do not currently have a working subscription even though it is active. The support is pretty terrible (both phone and email). The other big factor for me is the company they use. Other companies give you the ability to download a PDF version for when you don't have an Internet connection or you would like to have a backup. With GI, once your subscription is over or broken you can't read anything.
Levi King makes some great points as well and I mostly agree with what he has said. I wish I could comment on how it works on the iPad as I am currently typing on one for this reply.
The problem I have with the digital issue of the magazine is that like anything digital, it's prone to breakage and growing pains that directly effect the user. Guttenberg isn't wrong and though we live in a digital age, there's little reason for me to cram my digital devices with tiny, hard to read text so that I have to scroll around, squinting at my phone or iPad - none.
Secondly, no offense, but the material isn't so magnanimous that there's a pressing desire to have print and digital. I have the print for the occasional cover, but the content is covered elsewhere in greater depth, sometimes earlier and with better fact checking. That said, I see no reason to add old content to a web based subscription. That takes me to my third "issue."
Web based delivery is cumbersome and counter-intuitive toward "subscribing to a magazine." without a method to store and archive the data, it seems pointless. Though the ipad and tablets grew exponentially over the past year (and will again at Christmas), they are impractical and somewhat cumbersome to take with you compared to a phone. This makes the phone a more likely go-to device when on the go, and as touched on earlier, not worth the effort in real estate and method of navigating. Those who have a tablet and no 3G for it (like myself - I don't need to pay data plans on a device that has no practical purpose outside my house, that already has dual banded Wireless N) will likely use a tablet to read that magazine at home, giving them more of an excuse to actually have the tablet (like me and my ipad).
Long story short, the more practical and preferred method is the print magazine. That is, until someone sits down and decides to make a digital magazine with more of an idea than "lets do it for the sake of doing it," because that's how the magazine on the ipad feels - like it was done for the sake of telling people there is one and increasing (or maintaining) brand presence in the growing number of other publications that converted to digital delivery. Just a tip: look at how NYT and PopSci built their digital publications, or better yet, The Daily, and go from there.
CAUTION: Shawn's blog increases the risk of intelligence.
Thanks again for the replies.
I got my hands on a tablet to test the digital magazine, and for now I'm going to pass; with both the Android tablet and my Android phone, the interface is just terrible. It doesn't work with Android very well at all, and since I was planning on a tablet being my main reading device for it, I'm just going to pass for now.
Thanks for the help, everyone!
It doesn't work well on a android based tablet! you can't scroll up or down so you can only see part of the page. The reason is because for some reason when you pull up the magazine on a android tablet it pulls up a Iphone version of the magazine and it obviously doesn't work properly on an android OS! They really need to fix this problem
I ended up switching, and it definitely does have a ways to go for Android. It isn't very good in the default browser.
Having said that, you should try Firefox for Android. I find that using Firefox to view the magazine works out better. Not flawlessly, but better.
For the first go around, it is def the best choice, over the paper mag. The reason is its accessible from any where, and much of the magazine is interactive. Plus, you dont have a stack old mags setting around. I actually subscribe to PLaystation Mag throught the mail, but prefer the digital GI. It is your preference but a nice computer screen, really makes some of teh articles jump out.
If you want a really great gaming mag experience on a tablet, I highly suggest checking out atomix magazine. I have the digital subscription of gameinformer and while I think it's decent for use on a computer, atomix provides (in my opinion) the best digital experience for a digital magazine.
1) The covers of the magazines are animated (being that GI has some of the most amazing cover art I have ever seen, this would be one of my main selling points for a digital version.)
2) the issues are downloadable, but only accessible through an application.
3) as far as tablet features go, sometimes they have the illustrations in a format so that you can move them around the page to continue reading. For example, I was reading an article about the super mario game on the 3DS, I would read the first column, then to get to the second column, I would slide a picture of stacked goombas over the column I had just read.
I find myself applauding the creativity in the layout and design of the atomix magazine, thinking to myself "This is the future, this the ideal digital magazine experience."
I know it sounds like I am just trying to sell this other mag, but really I spend one half of my time marveling over how amazing the experience is, and the the other half wishing it was gameinformer.
Just convert it recently. In my own opinion i prefer the print version tho.
when i read any magazine it usually in the bathroom. Well i cant read the digital
in the bathroom can i? and my internet is kinda bad so each page it took around
6-7 second to download. right now just email them to convert back to physical copies
PS. Its just me tho maybe other would loved it more
PS2 my purpose for reading mag is just killing time. when i want to know the gaming
news i usually surf online. So that why i prefer print copies more
I just got my first digital issue after being on print issue for some time now,
Have no issues with connecting to the magizine on my PC,
But one thing really bothers me is There is no way to get the magizine without being connected to the internet. I use a tablet most of the time I am not by my PC. So going to a downloadable edition would be great.
I do have another subscription that is in pdf format so I can take it on a plane or where ever I chose.
When going to GAmestop to ask them about the digital editions they knew almost nothing about it on a tablet, since they all used it on PCs.
Just hope I didnt make a mistake.
And I did .. changed it back to print. The digital subscription is ok on tablet but some issues are you cannot read it if you are not connected to the web. Another is extras are not on tablet edition. That is not that large of an issue, but not being able to read it without internet or loading the pages from the web is a huge problem. To bad becouse it seemed so promising


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Home Care by Black Stone acquires local agencyWritten by Duane Ramsey | | firstname.lastname@example.com
Home Care by Black Stone has acquired Health Services Connection of Toledo, the second local home care agency obtained by the company in less than 90 days. Black Stone acquired Nursing Resources of Toledo in March.
Health Services Connection (HSC), founded by Kathy Crabtree in 1994, has 30 employees and serves mostly PASSPORT dual-eligible consumers covered by both Medicare and Medicaid. HSC will become part of Nursing Resources of Black Stone, according to the news release announcing the acquisition.
"Health Services Connection's focus on care quality and patient welfare is very consistent with Black Stone's philosophy and values. We're pleased to have them join our growing organization. As we continue to grow as a quality home care solutions, provider, the HSC caregivers will play an important role in our success and growth," David Tramontana, CEO of Home Care by Black Stone, stated in the release.
When Black Stone expressed an interest in acquiring HSC, Crabtree said it created a perfect exit scenario for her.
"I was delighted when Black Stone approached me because their business philosophy is very compatible with mine, so I knew I would be leaving my staff and patients in very good hands," Crabtree stated in the release.
"My business success was the result of my sincere belief that if you take care of your staff, your nurse aides and the patients, treat them with compassion, dignity, and respect, then your business will take of itself," she explained in the release.
Crabtree received her master's degree in nursing in December from Lourdes University where she taught nursing as an adjunct instructor. She is teaching nursing this summer at Linfield College in Portland, Oregon.
Crabtree and her husband, who is retired, are traveling in a motor home and plan to return to Northwest Ohio where they are selling their home. They plan to spend the fall in Ohio and travel to warmer climates in the winter, she said.
Ironically, Crabtree said she was instrumental in starting the home nursing service at Nursing Resources when it was just a staffing firm. She worked there until she started her own business, HSC, in 1994 before Darren Horrigan joined Nursing Resources.
Horrigan, now vice president of Northwest Ohio for Nursing Resources by Black Stone, explained that "one of the main reasons we pursued the HSC acquisition is because they serve predominantly dual-eligible PASSPORT patients – frail seniors who are covered by both Medicare and Medicaid."
"As the largest provider of PASSPORT home care, Black Stone serves a significant number of these dual-eligible patients as well, and is well positioned to help seniors age in place. It is a very nice fit for everyone – Black Stone, the HSC employees, and the patients," Horrigan stated in the release.
The acquisition further advances Black Stone's ability to meet the demands of MyCare Ohio, the state's new integrated care program currently being implemented and targeted to be fully operational by 2015, according to Horrigan.
The program targets the dual-eligible population because these group of typically frail, low-income consumers make up less than 15 percent of the state's Medicaid enrollment, yet account for about 40 percent of the total spending. The high cost of caring for this group is largely due to the fragmented, uncoordinated care delivery system currently in place.
The goals of MyCare Ohio is to reduce health care costs, increase provider accountability, and improve overall care results by creating a system based on integrated, person-centered care. In Northwest Ohio, MyCare Ohio was launched June 1 and covers nearly 10,000 consumers in the four-county region.
Black Stone was established in 1996 and is based in Cincinnati. It is a leading provider of home-based, non-medical assisted care, skilled nursing and therapy care in Southwest and Central Ohio.
For more information, visit www.blackstonehc.com.
Tags: Darren Horrigan, David Tramontana, Health Services Connection of Toledo, Home Care by Black Stone, Kathy Crabtree, Medicaid, Medicare, MyCare Ohio, Nursing Resources of Black Stone, Nursing Resources of Toledo, PASSPORT


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World War II film at WayWritten by Staff Reports | | firstname.lastname@example.com
Way Public Library will open its 2013-14 Reel Talk classic film series with the 1943 classic, "The More the Merrier," starring Joel McCrea and Jean Arthur. The plot: It's Washington, D.C., during World War II and housing is in short supply. Arthur's character patriotically rents half of her apartment to millionaire Charles Coburn, who rents his half to an army sergeant played by McCrea. Coburn plays Cupid in this golden-era film classic. The film earned six Academy Award nominations for 1943, and a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Coburn.
Toledo resident Evan Chase, who coordinates the classic film series at the Maumee Indoor Theatre, will be the special guest speaker. The film will be shown at 10 a.m. Admission and refreshments are free. For more information, call (419) 874-3135.
The Way Public Library is located at 101 E. Indiana Ave. in Perrysburg.
Tags: 1943, Academy Award, Charles Coburn, Cupid, Jean Arthur, Joel McCrea, Reel Talk, Washington D.C., Way Public Library, World War II


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Campbell's 'American Salvage' taking center stage at OwensWritten by John Dorsey | | firstname.lastname@example.com
Owens Community College's latest theater production takes a look at the darker fabric of the American Midwest. The stage adaptation of Bonnie Jo Campbell's acclaimed short story collection "American Salvage" will debut in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre on Nov. 21.
Campbell's book was selected as the Campus Read book by the college literacy committee for 2013. The stage production features Jon Masters, Jeremy Stuart, Devon Held, Jamie Ramlawi, Ashley Helmke, Esteban Vega, Silvester Rodriguez IV., Landon Tavernier, Alyson Phillips, Alexandra Brackett and Dejah Rubel. The adaptation, by director Jeremy Meier, is based on Campbell's stories "King Cole's American Salvage" and "The Inventor, 1972." The production features original music by Eric Wallack.
"Bonne Jo's work is raw and gritty. She writes very interesting stories with compelling characters that translate well for the stage. This is the first time these stories have been adapted, which was a real learning experience for me coming from the world of conventional narrative theater, we don't really try to disguise that this production is based on short fiction. Bonnie Jo was involved in the process and was very encouraging, as was her publisher, who gave us the rights to do this for free. She basically said do whatever you want," said Meier.
"American Salvage" was published in 2009 by W.W. Norton and was a finalist for the National Book Award. Campbell is also the author of "Women & Other Animals: Stories" (University of Massachusetts, 2000), "Q Road" (Scribner, 2003) and "Once Upon A River: A Novel" (W.W. Norton, 2012), amongst others. Campbell has won of the AWP award for short fiction, the Pushcart prize, and the Eudora Welty Prize. More information on her can be found at her website www.bonniejocampbell.com
"I think that people should come out to this show because a lot of times you see the same shows being done again and again and this is just something new, something different with a real human element," Meier said.
Show dates are 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21-23 and 3 p.m. Nov. 24. A talk back with Campbell as well as the actors will be held following the Nov. 23 performance. The two pieces are performed back to back and contain adult language. Tickets are $6 and can be purchased at www.tix.com Admission is free with a valid Express Card ID.
For more information, call 1-800-GO-OWENS or visit www.owens.edu/arts
Tags: Alexandra Brackett and Dejah Rubel, Alyson Phillips, American Midwest, American Salvage, Ashley Helmke, AWP award for short fiction, Bonnie Jo Campbell, Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theater, Devon Held, Eric Wallack, Esteban Vega, Eudora Welty Prize, Jamie Ramlawi, Jeremy Stuart, Jon Masters, King Cole's American Salvage, Landon Tavernier, National Book Award, Owens Community College, Pushcart Prize, Silvester Rodriguez IV., W.W. Norton


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Extend upper cabinets to the ceiling for extra storage space.
The new Quarella countertop includes an overhang for informal meals. Narrow horizontal Carrara marble tile replaces the plain white backsplash and adds a modern yet classic touch. Fresh green accessories punch up the room's neutral palette.
For more kitchen storage ideas, see our photo gallery.
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Gabi picks out a name for her baby, Nick wants Will to sign away rights to his daughter, and Jenn takes a break from Daniel.
Nicole goes to confession thinking she's talking to Father Matt. She starts to confide about her sins and feelings that are out of bounds until she hears Eric's voice encouraging her to go on. She runs. He follows, but she shuts him down. There are some things she can't talk to him about, not as a priest or a friend. Eric seems satisfied and has to toddle off for a meeting. Sister Margaret arrives and Nicole asks if she thinks it's weird ratting herself out to her boss while in confession. Margaret claims opening up can be very cleansing. Nicole finds this helpful and leaves to clear her head. Eric returns looking for her.
At the square, Dan hugs Chloe as Jenn comforts Abby. Abe has called the cops. Rafe shows up and Chloe decides not to press charges. Daniel appreciates it. Abe apologizes and Rafe gets a statement while Daniel examines Chloe's arm. She sighs when Daniel goes to make sure Abigail's fine. He's sorry about what happened but gets the cold shoulder from Jenn who takes Abby home.
In the hospital, Gabi dreams Sami has taken her baby away from her. In another room, Sami continues to threaten Nick when EJ interrupts. Nick leaves and EJ admits he can't tell Sami what Gabi did last summer.
Lucas, Will and Sonny discuss Nick's blackmail. Will says he hasn't a choice and must turn himself in. Nick texts to meet and they all head out.
EJ drags Sami to the park. If he shares what Gabi did, Chad will go to jail. She freaks out and wants to call Will but can't find her cell phone. EJ calms her down and gets her to agree to stop threatening Nick.
Back at the hospital, Nick mumbles to a sleeping Gabi that he'll take care of her and the baby. Sonny, Will, and Lucas turn up. Nick tells them that he has a recorded confession that Will shot EJ and Lucas hid it. Just as Will decides he'll turn himself in, Sami and EJ walk up. Nick fills them in. Sami learns the truth but EJ tries to get Will to stay quiet. Sami takes a cell phone from the table while everyone's talking. Nick says he had no problem with Will until his family got involved. EJ goes to make a call and urges Will to keep quiet until he returns. Nick assumes EJ's calling a DiMera hit man. Sami starts in on Nick and is positive Gabi won't go along with Nick's blackmail. Nick says if anyone's responsible for Will losing his rights to his baby, it's Sami. Meanwhile, Gabi wakes up with Rafe sitting next to her. She tells him about her nightmare and he assures her he's looking out for her. He calls their mother, who is lighting candles and praying. Gabi wants to name her baby Arianna Grace. Rafe's touched and chokes up. Back in a waiting room, the arguing continues. Nick points out that Will's daughter could have a fighting chance at a stable life if Sami wasn't a part of it. A man arrives with documents for Will to sign away rights to his daughter. Will takes the document and a pen...
Abby and Jenn arrive home with Abby apologizing. She fills her mother in on Chloe provoking her by using Jack's death against her. Jennifer's appalled and Abby's ashamed. Jenn makes her some tea and Abby worries that Cameron will hear all about it.
Daniel returns home to Chloe and Parker. He asks what happened and she lies. Daniel finds it out of character for Abigail to go over the edge that way. Chloe says their nanny prospects are not looking good. She has an idea to have her mother come stay with her for a few weeks. Nancy would be a good go-between, since Jenn wants him to cut off contact with her. Daniel never agreed to cut off contact with her but he'll consider having Nancy take care of Parker.
Abby arrives at the hospital looking for Cameron. She finds him in nothing but his jockeys in the doctor's lounge and gasps. He tries hiding himself.
Nicole sits at the square, alone, telling herself that Eric wouldn't judge her if he knew her feelings for him. She vows to make her feelings disappear.
Daniel shows up on Jenn's doorstep with an apology. Jenn thinks it's time they take a break for a while.
Sneak peek!
Chloe puts a call in to her mother, asking Nancy to return to Salem in order to help her get Daniel back.
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March 21, 2013
Shawnee State University Outreach Services is helping middle school students by offering 21st Century Learning Center Programs to 10 participating schools.
The 21st Century LCP provides a safe place for homework centers, intensive mentoring in basic skills, drug and violence prevention counseling, and helps middle school students prepare for college preparatory courses in high school.
Several programs are available for LCP participants:
Communication and Tech Programs: The LCP offers short-term computer knowledge enrichment classes for students and their parents. Classes are taught by teachers and community members in computer labs in participating schools.
Homework Help and Tutoring: Each evening, participating students receive guidance from instructors regarding their homework assignments. For students with weaknesses in specific subject areas, tutoring is available.
Professional Development for Teachers: Shawnee State provides leadership and development to the ten participating schools. Program directors and site coordinators work onsite at each of the participating schools. Professional development is also provided.
Enrichment opportunities: The LCP offers a number of enrichment programs, including band classes, photography, and woodworking.
Drug and Violence Prevention: Led by local counseling centers, counseling, special education activities, and sessions will educate and encourage students and parents to be drug-free.
For more information, visit the 21st Century Learning Center Program website at www.shawnee.edu/off/uos/yep/clc.html.
Source: Shawnee State Communications


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Mostly Cloudy
Wind: 3 mph
To The Editor:
I was very surprised to hear that Harwood Union's middle-schoolers will be assigned iPads at the beginning of this school year. Although the school received a grant this summer, so that our taxpayers are not affected financially, is this still a good idea for the students? It is interesting to note that only Harwood middle-schoolers and not Crossett Brook middle-schoolers will be receiving iPads, because it appears that Crossett Brook did not apply for the same grant.
How will this affect the different students when they all attend the ninth grade together at Harwood? Are Harwood's past problems with students and technology going to increase by giving them this opportunity? These past issues have included egregious use of the internet, specifically in social networking involving cyberbullying, as well as unfettered access to pornography and other nonproductive sites.
Is the risk of this worth it for the technological benefit toward the students? How is the school planning to monitor and control these potential problems? However, aside from these issues, when I think back to my days of attending Harwood Union Middle School it would have definitely been an advantage having that as a resource during class. If these iPads can be controlled and monitored to the utmost extent, so that the typical wandering eyes of a preteen don't find some way to get distracted on an app they aren't supposed to be looking at, then I am all for the idea. Having the ability to research and visualize a classroom topic at hand is a wonderful benefit that many of us adults wish we could have had back when we were in seventh and eighth grade. As a last question, I ask to the parents of our middle-schoolers, what can you do to help Harwood with this upcoming opportunity?
Zak Harmon