Mitt Romney's shown strength among Republican primary voters in the West in most of our recent polling throughout the region and Colorado's no exception. He leads the GOP field there with 19% to 16% for Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee, 12% for Newt Gingrich, 9% for Ron Paul, 7% for Tim Pawlenty, 4% for John Thune, and 3% for Mitch Daniels. Romney's lead in Colorado adds to first place finishes we've found for him in Arizona, California, and Nevada since the beginning of the year. Only in New Mexico have we found Romney out of first place in a western state.
Romney manages leads, albeit narrow ones, with both conservative and moderate voters in Colorado. Among conservatives he gets 18% with Palin right behind at 17%, Huckabee at 15%, Gingrich at 13%, and Paul with a rare performance hitting double digits at 10%. With moderates Romney has 22% to Huckabee's 20%, and 10% for Palin and Gingrich.
In some states where Romney leads he doesn't have the highest favorability of the Republican candidates but is first anyway because he's seen as more Presidential than some of the other folks who are better liked. But that's not the case in Colorado- he's first for the nomination choice and first in popularity. 60% of primary voters have a favorable opinion of him with Palin and Huckabee at 59% and Gingrich at 54% coming in further behind.
Full results here
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Promise Scholarships Going Up
The Board of Directors of The Pittsburgh Promise has approved doubling the potential dollar amount of scholarships from the current maximum of $20,000 per student over 4 years to a maximum of $40,000 beginning with the class of 2012.
Promise Executive Director Saleem Ghubril says they committed four years ago to the doubling of the maximum amount...
"We stipulated that the additional 20 thousand would be given to those who provide evidence of...this if the language of the agreement...'mastery of subject matter.' So, we're ready now to say alright folks show us the proof of mastery."
To qualify for the first $20,000, the student must be a resident of Pittsburgh, graduate a city high school with at least a 2.5GPA and have a 90% attendance record.
To receive the second $20,000, the student must score "advanced" on the PSSA reading, math and writing tests. Ghubril says if they don't score "advanced," the students can still qualify for the addition scholarship money by scoring 600's on their SAT's in reading, math and writing.
Ghubril says in the first 3 years of The Pittsburgh Promise, they've given scholarships to more than 2,400 students who are "performing at (delightfully) high levels."
Promise Executive Director Saleem Ghubril says they committed four years ago to the doubling of the maximum amount...
"We stipulated that the additional 20 thousand would be given to those who provide evidence of...this if the language of the agreement...'mastery of subject matter.' So, we're ready now to say alright folks show us the proof of mastery."
To qualify for the first $20,000, the student must be a resident of Pittsburgh, graduate a city high school with at least a 2.5GPA and have a 90% attendance record.
To receive the second $20,000, the student must score "advanced" on the PSSA reading, math and writing tests. Ghubril says if they don't score "advanced," the students can still qualify for the addition scholarship money by scoring 600's on their SAT's in reading, math and writing.
Ghubril says in the first 3 years of The Pittsburgh Promise, they've given scholarships to more than 2,400 students who are "performing at (delightfully) high levels."
Wrestling: Six Loudoun Athletes Crowned Region II Champion; Freedom Finishes 4th
Loudoun County's Keton Perez won a regional title at 160
(Feb. 15, 2011) - Loudoun wrestlers represented very well at the Region II meet over the weekend at Orange County High School as six area athletes were crowned champions and Freedom High School finished a solid fourth place.
The Eagles -- with two individual champions as did Loudoun County and Potomac Falls -- scored 150 points to
Thoughts on... Blue Valentine (2010)
Blue Valentine, 2010.
Directed by Derek Cianfrance.
Starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams.
SYNOPSIS:
The story of love found and love lost told through past and present moments in time.
During the 26th Annual Sundance Film Festival, many films were introduced to the world. Many films that went on to do well among public audiences. Films such as Winter’s Bone, Waiting for Superman & Happythankyoumoreplease. Another film, directed by Derek Cianfrance, entitled Blue Valentine also seemed to get a lot of attention due to its deep drama induced story about a married couple played by Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams. After a good showing at Sundance as well as other festivals, Blue Valentine finally found its way into theaters nationwide.
The story begins with the couples’ daughter Frankie (Faith Wladyka) looking for her dog, Megan, who has gotten out of the yard. After not finding her, she wakes up her father, Dean (Ryan Gosling) who playfully disturbs the slumber of his wife, Cindy (Michelle Williams). The audience is then introduced to the occupation of both; Cindy is a nurse while Dean is a painter. Like every other married couple, they go through their trials and tribulations as we are taken through a routine day in their life. The story is filmed in such a way that shows the two as they are in the present while flashing back to tell the origin of how they came to be.
The road that they traveled on to come to be together was not an easy one. From the time that they met they were tested by serious occurrences and major life decisions. One coming in the form of an unexpected pregnancy after a bad break-up between Cindy and a former boyfriend right before she met Dean. A chance encounter between Cindy and that same ex-boyfriend in the present brings up some bad memories and adds to an already seemingly growing rift between her and Dean. Now as the past is revisited, they must make more tough choices about their relationship, little girl and future together.
The script for this film was actually written back in 2006 and won the Chrysler Film Project award. Co-written by Derek Cianfrance, Cami Delavigne and Joey Curtis, the story begins sort of slow but aids the growth of intrigue from the audience as it flows along. I actually think the slow and usually steady pace adds to the realness of the film. It relates to real life issues and problems encountered by everyday couples, not just those who are married.
The performances by Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams went along with the intentions of the story very well. Intentions which seemed to be meant for the audience to feel as if they were the characters in the film going through their drama. The pair of actors actually rented a home, brought their own belongings and staged out arguments in order to prepare for their roles. It seemed to have worked because they were pretty believable as two people who have been married for quite some time.
Blue Valentine was released in Australia before making its American debut in December of 2010. Not knowing quite much about this film, I wasn’t sure what to expect going into it but am glad that I spent the time to watch it. The only real grievance that I might have with it is that it seems to have an inconclusiveness to it on some aspects. But I won’t dive into that area not wanting to give anything away. I’m sure it can be assumed that it was shot that way purposely to add even more to the authenticity of the movie. Another detail I can attest to is that it definitely earns its R rating, but in a romantic way, if you know what I mean. I give Blue Valentine “4 love & marriage-induced arguments out of 5”.
“In my experience, the prettier a girl is, the more nuts she is, which makes you insane.”
Sean Guard
Follow me on Twitter @SilentScribbler
Movie Review Archive
Directed by Derek Cianfrance.
Starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams.
SYNOPSIS:
The story of love found and love lost told through past and present moments in time.
During the 26th Annual Sundance Film Festival, many films were introduced to the world. Many films that went on to do well among public audiences. Films such as Winter’s Bone, Waiting for Superman & Happythankyoumoreplease. Another film, directed by Derek Cianfrance, entitled Blue Valentine also seemed to get a lot of attention due to its deep drama induced story about a married couple played by Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams. After a good showing at Sundance as well as other festivals, Blue Valentine finally found its way into theaters nationwide.
The story begins with the couples’ daughter Frankie (Faith Wladyka) looking for her dog, Megan, who has gotten out of the yard. After not finding her, she wakes up her father, Dean (Ryan Gosling) who playfully disturbs the slumber of his wife, Cindy (Michelle Williams). The audience is then introduced to the occupation of both; Cindy is a nurse while Dean is a painter. Like every other married couple, they go through their trials and tribulations as we are taken through a routine day in their life. The story is filmed in such a way that shows the two as they are in the present while flashing back to tell the origin of how they came to be.
The road that they traveled on to come to be together was not an easy one. From the time that they met they were tested by serious occurrences and major life decisions. One coming in the form of an unexpected pregnancy after a bad break-up between Cindy and a former boyfriend right before she met Dean. A chance encounter between Cindy and that same ex-boyfriend in the present brings up some bad memories and adds to an already seemingly growing rift between her and Dean. Now as the past is revisited, they must make more tough choices about their relationship, little girl and future together.
The script for this film was actually written back in 2006 and won the Chrysler Film Project award. Co-written by Derek Cianfrance, Cami Delavigne and Joey Curtis, the story begins sort of slow but aids the growth of intrigue from the audience as it flows along. I actually think the slow and usually steady pace adds to the realness of the film. It relates to real life issues and problems encountered by everyday couples, not just those who are married.
The performances by Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams went along with the intentions of the story very well. Intentions which seemed to be meant for the audience to feel as if they were the characters in the film going through their drama. The pair of actors actually rented a home, brought their own belongings and staged out arguments in order to prepare for their roles. It seemed to have worked because they were pretty believable as two people who have been married for quite some time.
Blue Valentine was released in Australia before making its American debut in December of 2010. Not knowing quite much about this film, I wasn’t sure what to expect going into it but am glad that I spent the time to watch it. The only real grievance that I might have with it is that it seems to have an inconclusiveness to it on some aspects. But I won’t dive into that area not wanting to give anything away. I’m sure it can be assumed that it was shot that way purposely to add even more to the authenticity of the movie. Another detail I can attest to is that it definitely earns its R rating, but in a romantic way, if you know what I mean. I give Blue Valentine “4 love & marriage-induced arguments out of 5”.
“In my experience, the prettier a girl is, the more nuts she is, which makes you insane.”
Sean Guard
Follow me on Twitter @SilentScribbler
Movie Review Archive
Upcoming Spider-Man reboot is officially 'The Amazing Spider-Man'
Next year's reboot of Spider-Man has now been officially named - Andrew Garfield will star as the epoynymous webslinger in The Amazing Spider-Man. The title is interesting because it harks back to the comic-book source of Spidey and will further stoke expectations about the new series.
Spidey's latest outing has been lamented in some quarters as following too soon after Sam Raimi's sometimes great, sometimes awful Spider-Man trilogy, which came to a close in 2007.
A new image has also been released by Sony, giving another view of Spider-Man's newest costume:
The darker colouring is immediately apparent, and it is interesting to note the mechanical web-shooters, opposed to the fan-grating choice of biological goo shooters of Raimi's films.
With the title now locked in and the new image's seeming closer adherence to Spider-Man comic book lore, The Amazing Spider-Man looks to be evoking an intriguing, somewhat faithful reading of everybody's favourite neighbourhood webslinger.
Starring in the reboot alongside Garfield's Peter Parker/Spider-Man is Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, with Martin Sheen (Uncle Ben), Sally Field (Aunt May), C. Thomas Howell (Ray Cooper), Denis Leary (George Stacy), Irrfan Khan (Nels Van Adder / Proto-Goblin) and Rhys Ifans (Dr. Curt Conners / The Lizard), while Philip Seymour-Hoffman is rumoured as Venom (!?).
Spidey's latest outing has been lamented in some quarters as following too soon after Sam Raimi's sometimes great, sometimes awful Spider-Man trilogy, which came to a close in 2007.
A new image has also been released by Sony, giving another view of Spider-Man's newest costume:
The darker colouring is immediately apparent, and it is interesting to note the mechanical web-shooters, opposed to the fan-grating choice of biological goo shooters of Raimi's films.With the title now locked in and the new image's seeming closer adherence to Spider-Man comic book lore, The Amazing Spider-Man looks to be evoking an intriguing, somewhat faithful reading of everybody's favourite neighbourhood webslinger.
Starring in the reboot alongside Garfield's Peter Parker/Spider-Man is Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, with Martin Sheen (Uncle Ben), Sally Field (Aunt May), C. Thomas Howell (Ray Cooper), Denis Leary (George Stacy), Irrfan Khan (Nels Van Adder / Proto-Goblin) and Rhys Ifans (Dr. Curt Conners / The Lizard), while Philip Seymour-Hoffman is rumoured as Venom (!?).
Wrestling: Stone Bridge Senior Pat Taylor Qualifies for AAA State Meet
Stone Bridge wrestlers medal at Regionals (photo courtesy Karen Faul)
(Feb. 15, 2011) - Stone Bridge High School 145-pound senior Pat Taylor has qualified for the VHSL AAA state wrestling meet this weekend at Robinson High School with a fourth place finish last weekend at the Northern Region meet.
Stone Bridge had two other medal winners as Garrett Maged (112) and Jonathan Faul (152) both
Corker looks good, except against Bredesen
Democrats could pick up a Senate seat in Tennessee next year...but it would require the biggest recruiting coup of the cycle. Recently retired Governor Phil Bredesen leads Bob Corker 46-41 in a hypothetical contest. If Bredesen isn't in the mix Corker is in pretty good shape, leading the other five Democrats tested against him by margins ranging anywhere from 15 to 23 points.
Corker's popularity is pretty average for a US Senator, with 42% of voters approving of the job he's doing to 36% who disapprove. His numbers break down much as you would expect- 62% of Republicans give him good marks and an almost equal number of Democrats at 57% think he's doing poorly. Independents are split nearly even with 43% rating Corker positively to 41% with a negative opinion. In a state that's trended increasingly red over the last few years average popularity is probably going to get you reelected as a Republican incumbent.
That is, unless you have to run against a politician with transcendent popularity- and that description applies to Bredesen. His overall favorability is certainly impressive, with 63% of voters holding a positive opinion of him to only 19% with a negative one. But what's more impressive is how the numbers break down along party lines- 71% of Democrats, 61% of independents, and 57% of Republicans like Bredesen. Politicians with that kind of universal appeal across the aisle are few and far between these days. As a result Bredesen gets 83% of the Democratic vote while Corker can only keep 73% of Republicans in line, and Bredesen leads by nine points with independents. That gives him his overall five point lead.
When you get beyond Bredesen Democratic hopes don't look as good. The next closest to Corker is admittedly pie in the sky as a potential candidate Al Gore, who trails by a 53-38 margin. It's safe to say feelings toward Gore on the home front haven't thawed since he lost the state in the 2000 Presidential race- only 40% of voters have a favorable opinion of him to 51% with a negative one.
Another Democrat who has fallen far out of favor with Tennessee voters is Harold Ford Jr. He came quite close to winning this seat in 2006 but has firmly established himself as a New Yorker now and would trail Corker by 23 points in a rematch at 55-32. Ford's favorability is now down all the way to 26%, while 42% of voters say they see him in a negative light.
The other folks we tested are Congressman Jim Cooper who trails 50-32, country singer Tim McGraw who trails 50-28, and former Congressman Bart Gordon who trails 52-29. McGraw is a Democrat and has said he might be interested in running for office in the future. He is quite popular in the state with 38% of voters expressing positive feelings toward him to only 16% who rate him negatively. Democrats, Republicans, and independents all give him good marks. But he would have some work to do to establish himself as a credible political figure. Cooper (53% of voters with no opinion) and Gordon (58% with no opinion) are both largely unknown at this point.
Corker's not in huge peril by any means but this one at least has the potential to be interesting, and it would certainly be if Bredesen got into the field.
Full results here
Corker's popularity is pretty average for a US Senator, with 42% of voters approving of the job he's doing to 36% who disapprove. His numbers break down much as you would expect- 62% of Republicans give him good marks and an almost equal number of Democrats at 57% think he's doing poorly. Independents are split nearly even with 43% rating Corker positively to 41% with a negative opinion. In a state that's trended increasingly red over the last few years average popularity is probably going to get you reelected as a Republican incumbent.
That is, unless you have to run against a politician with transcendent popularity- and that description applies to Bredesen. His overall favorability is certainly impressive, with 63% of voters holding a positive opinion of him to only 19% with a negative one. But what's more impressive is how the numbers break down along party lines- 71% of Democrats, 61% of independents, and 57% of Republicans like Bredesen. Politicians with that kind of universal appeal across the aisle are few and far between these days. As a result Bredesen gets 83% of the Democratic vote while Corker can only keep 73% of Republicans in line, and Bredesen leads by nine points with independents. That gives him his overall five point lead.
When you get beyond Bredesen Democratic hopes don't look as good. The next closest to Corker is admittedly pie in the sky as a potential candidate Al Gore, who trails by a 53-38 margin. It's safe to say feelings toward Gore on the home front haven't thawed since he lost the state in the 2000 Presidential race- only 40% of voters have a favorable opinion of him to 51% with a negative one.
Another Democrat who has fallen far out of favor with Tennessee voters is Harold Ford Jr. He came quite close to winning this seat in 2006 but has firmly established himself as a New Yorker now and would trail Corker by 23 points in a rematch at 55-32. Ford's favorability is now down all the way to 26%, while 42% of voters say they see him in a negative light.
The other folks we tested are Congressman Jim Cooper who trails 50-32, country singer Tim McGraw who trails 50-28, and former Congressman Bart Gordon who trails 52-29. McGraw is a Democrat and has said he might be interested in running for office in the future. He is quite popular in the state with 38% of voters expressing positive feelings toward him to only 16% who rate him negatively. Democrats, Republicans, and independents all give him good marks. But he would have some work to do to establish himself as a credible political figure. Cooper (53% of voters with no opinion) and Gordon (58% with no opinion) are both largely unknown at this point.
Corker's not in huge peril by any means but this one at least has the potential to be interesting, and it would certainly be if Bredesen got into the field.
Full results here
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