Tuesday, January 3, 2012

While Republicans battle, Obama never far away in Iowa (Reuters)

DES MOINES, Iowa (Reuters) ? While Republican presidential candidates dominate headlines in Iowa with their caucus quest, President Barack Obama's Democrats have quietly built a massive organizational structure to round up voters and win the state in November's general election.

Thousands of Democratic volunteers have mobilized across Iowa to garner support for Obama, who used the state as his launching pad for a White House victory four years ago.

The president may need that organizational advantage.

Iowa is considered a battleground state that could swing to either side, and Republican candidates have been wooing voters one-on-one here for months if not years, generating media coverage and public attention for their cause.

Obama's volunteer army has worked to offset those headlines with a quiet, on-the-ground apparatus to get out the vote. They opened eight campaign offices across the state and made more than 350,000 calls to supporters, officials said.

"Come Wednesday morning, no matter who wins the Republican race, we will have the best organization," said Tyler Olson, 35, a state representative who is campaigning for Obama.

"And we'll continue to build on it while the Republican candidates go around the country and keep battling it out."

Part of building that structure involves luring Democrats on Tuesday to their Iowa caucuses, where voters typically express support for candidates and causes.

This year the Democratic candidate -- Obama -- is already chosen, but the campaign wants supporters to turn out anyway as a sign of organizational support.

"Obviously, the celebrity is on the Republican side, and people I've called today didn't even know the Democrats were even going to have a caucus," said Leni Stastny, 63, a retired insurance worker who was volunteering at a call center in Cedar Rapids.

"I've got a lot of people (on the phone) that were going. And some people hung up on me. And some people didn't want anything to do with it. And some people were really mad at Obama because of ... healthcare (reform)."

Republicans will seek to exploit that anger among Obama's supporters, organizational advantages or not.

"The president's team is boasting about its organization in Iowa but the reality is Obama's going to need it," said Kirsten Kukowski, spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee.

"Iowa today is completely different than the state that launched him to the presidency four years ago. The so-called spark is gone in Iowa for President Obama."

GETTING ATTENTION

Obama's supporters are trying to get that spark back.

At the call center in Cedar Rapids, volunteers ranging from their late teens to their late sixties use cell phones to dial up long lists of Democrats in their neighborhoods. Obama campaign signs decorate the walls and windows, and a large statue of a donkey -- the symbol of the Democratic party -- greets visitors when they walk in.

"In essence, the Obama organization never left," said Peggy Whitworth, 69, a neighborhood "team leader" for the president in Iowa. "There's been this staying connected to people who were involved the first time around."

Obama campaign spokesman Ben LaBolt said the Iowa operation was representative of a nationwide grassroots organizing push, which it hopes will create a strategic advantage for the president in November.

"It's indicative of the type of unrivaled organizations we've built across the country," he said.

But some supporters worry that the strong Republican presence in Iowa has drowned out Obama's message.

"I haven't seen anything from Obama this year, it's all been Republican," said Wind Goodfriend, an author and Obama supporter, while walking her dogs in the town of Storm Lake.

"I think in some ways (the campaign is) probably waiting to decide what strategy based on who the Republican nominee is, but I'm not sure if it's a good or bad thing that no attention has gone to Obama," she said.

Whitworth said Obama's presence or visibility would increase.

"Some people see the presence as lots of bumper stickers and lots of yard signs. Yard signs don't vote, you know?" she said, noting that the "thrifty" Obama campaign has been careful about how much money it wants to spend on such things.

"We will continue to be more and more visible. We've certainly been visible in the last several weeks," she said.

Obama will address a group of Iowa caucus-goers from a hotel in Washington on Wednesday, adding his voice to a scene that will otherwise be drowned out by intrigue over who wins the first Republican nominating contest in the country.

The president will travel to Iowa to campaign in person, too, though his campaign declined to say when his first trip this year would take place.

He has a reason to come often: among five nationwide state-by-state scenarios that Obama campaign manager Jim Messina has designed for victory in 2012, three of them include winning Iowa.

(Editing by Alistair Bell and Jackie Frank)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/gop/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120103/pl_nm/us_usa_campaign_obama_iowa

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Supe Up The Resume With Sears Automotive

Searching for Sears Auto jobs? Before you get willing, there?s a wealth of information which you might such as to know. The Sears Holdings Company is trustworthy for their many places, including the Sears Car Centers vs also Kmart places. The company pulls in around $40 billion a year, vs also there tend to be currently over 300,000 workers employed by Sears. The shop is proven to offer its employees great advantages, in addition to the Sears coupon code which they offer all consumers.

Sears Car Centers around the country tend to be currently hiring in these capacities:

Customer Support Consultant ? In Sears Auto Centers, the automotive sales associate is trustworthy for making visits in the car center, notifying customers about costs vs also possible difficulties with their vehicle, explaining repair possibilities, vs also showcasing certain merchandise such as tire models. These workers must have general mechanical vs also automotive knowledge, however the position is otherwise entry-level vs also only needs applicants to be 18 or older to make use of for a job at a Sears Car Center. Pay is approximately $8 to $11 one hour based on prior retail vs also automotive experience. These jobs tend to be a great method to get your start in a center vs also do anything towards jobs in repairing cars.

Repair Technician ? There tend to be many levels of repair technician which garner different pay rates. A level I technician is only trustworthy for basic car maintenance, such as tire changes vs also rotations, oil changes, vs also power substitution. All repair technicians tend to be required to have Auto Service Excellence (ASE) certification, however at level I, this really is usually only one certification vs also prior experience in automotive sales. By level IV, a repair technician is normally expected to hold around 8 ASE certifications. These workers handle the more hazardous vs also complicated do anything, such as repairing brakes, alignment, vs also mechanical difficulties. Salaries at level I tend to be around $13 one hour vs also level IV technicians can be paid over $18 one hour.

Management ? As a associate of the management team, your job duties will include explaining complex technical issues to your customers, scheduling workers, assigning repair schedules, training new hires, vs also having a cooperative relationship with the corporate office, your district manager, vs also your individual shop owner. Assistant car center managers normally do anything more closely with the repair staff members members while general managers often handle the administrative side of factors. The qualifications for this position tend to be usually which you be at least 18 or older, have some mechanical training, at least a extremely few ASE certifications, some hands-on experience working on cars, and a high school diploma, GED, or vocational training. Assistant car center managers have an average salary of $20,000 to $40,000 a year vs also general managers can earn as a lot as $55,000 or perhaps even more every year.

As a associate of the Sears Auto Team, you?ll have access to the same advantages packages afforded to other qualified Sears employees. Employees can be eligible for healthcare options, impairment vs also lifetime insurance, paid vacation, associate discounts, and a plethora of other exciting perks when working for Sears.

With such an exciting array of options, it?d be hard certainly not to use online at Sears Auto. If you?re still certainly not convinced, want a little more information, or a direct link to make use of at Sears, you?re in the right put. There?s tons of information out there, vs also now you?re more effective ready to handle the tough job market when it comes to finding automotive work.

Source: http://www.cbnicheblueprints.com/supe-up-the-resume-with-sears-automotive/

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Titans edge Texans 23-22, await playoff fate

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak, left, and Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak, right, meet after their NFL football game on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Houston. The Titans defeated the Texans 23-22. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak, left, and Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak, right, meet after their NFL football game on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Houston. The Titans defeated the Texans 23-22. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Donnie Avery (82) and Marc Mariani (83) celebrate Avery's touchdown catch in the second quarter against the Houston Texans in an NFL football game on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Tennessee Titans strong safety Jordan Babineaux (26) grabs Houston Texans running back Ben Tate (44) as Titans' Cortland Finnegan (31) follows in the third quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)

(AP) ? The Tennessee Titans' regular-season finale came down to a 2-point conversion.

The Texans botched it, and the Titans stayed alive in the playoff hunt ? at least for a few more hours.

Matt Hasselbeck threw two touchdown passes, and Tennessee staved off Houston's last-minute rally in a 23-22 victory Sunday.

Tennessee (9-7) earned its first winning record since 2008 in Mike Munchak's first season, but its postseason fate depended on the outcome of later games in Cincinnati, Oakland and Denver.

The Titans got some early help when the New York Jets lost in Miami, but then had to sweat out the final two minutes when Ahmard Hall fumbled, and Jake Delhomme drove Houston for a touchdown with 14 seconds left.

The Texans (10-6) were locked into the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs before the game began.

With their position secured and nothing to lose but more players to injury, coach Gary Kubiak called for a two-point conversion to avoid overtime and win the game in regulation.

"You would never go for 2 there in any other situation," Kubiak said. "But where we were physically, at the end of the game, I had a tight end (Garrett Graham) playing linebacker. Our team, I had to get them to next week."

But tight end Joel Dreessen was flagged for illegal motion, and then backup center Thomas Austin flipped the snap over Delhomme's head and the game was over.

Kubiak and Munchak shared a chuckle at midfield after the game.

"I think if they were shooting for the playoffs, they probably kick the extra point and go to overtime," Munchak said.

Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan took offense to Kubiak's decision.

"I think they wanted to show that no matter who they put on the field, they want to embarrass us and beat us," Finnegan said. "And we ended up winning."

The victory might turn out to mean nothing.

Tennessee needed the Bengals to lose to Baltimore and victories by Oakland and Denver to earn a playoff berth. And that would land the Titans right back in Houston next week to play the Texans.

"Of course, having a chance to still make the playoffs is a great thing," running back Chris Johnson said. "That's one of the team goals around here to make the playoffs and hopefully make it to the Super Bowl."

The Texans, meanwhile, will head into the franchise's first postseason on a three-game losing streak and new concerns about their quarterback.

Rookie starter T.J. Yates left the game after one series and was replaced by the 36-year-old Delhomme. Kubiak said Yates had a bruised left shoulder but could've returned if necessary.

"Obviously, I didn't want him to go back in the game," Kubiak said. "We'll know better where we're at (Monday), at this point."

Delhomme, signed Nov. 29 in the wake of season-ending injuries to starter Matt Schaub and backup Matt Leinart, completed 18 of 28 passes in his first action since December 2010.

Johnson ran for 61 yards to go over 1,000 for the fourth consecutive season, and Rob Bironas kicked three field goals for Tennessee.

"It was an interesting ending," Munchak said. "Our goal was to come in here and win this game. We did that. We're 9-7 and that's all we can control."

Yates was sacked on Houston's first snap by Jurrell Casey and Derrick Morgan. He completed passes to Dreessen and James Casey for first downs, before Ben Tate and Derrick Ward started alternating touches for the rest of the drive.

Tate plowed into the end zone with 5:15 left in the first quarter, but Yates came off the field favoring his left shoulder and went to the locker room.

Yates jogged back to the Houston sideline for the start of the second quarter. But after Bironas kicked a 21-yard field goal, Delhomme returned for the Texans' next possession.

Titans defensive end Dave Ball sacked Delhomme and knocked the ball loose, and safety Chris Hope recovered at the Texans 33. Hasselbeck threw a 25-yard pass to Jared Cook, then found Donnie Avery in the corner of the end zone to move Tennessee in front.

Hasselbeck completed 22 of 35 passes for 297 yards without an interception.

Delhomme threw a 16-yard pass to Andre Johnson to get Houston moving again. Johnson caught two passes and sat out the second half after missing the previous three games with a strained left hamstring.

Notes: Hall and Titans LT Mike Otto left with "probable" concussions, Munchak said. WR Damian Williams has a rib injury, Munchak said, and would be re-evaluated Monday. ... Chris Johnson is the third player in Titans history to reach 1,000 yards rushing in at least four straight seasons, joining Eddie George (1996-2000) and Earl Campbell (1978-81). ... Bironas extended his own NFL record by kicking a field goal of at least 40 yards in his 10th consecutive game. ... The Texans dropped to 5-1 in season finales under Kubiak. ... Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips worked from the press box after missing two games following kidney and gall bladder surgery.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2012-01-01-Titans-Texans/id-70cbcd65da9b47cf9ae5147fd2b00fc0

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Monday, January 2, 2012

Katy Perry Divorce: Russell Brand Files on Behalf of Both For Family's Sake


The divorce of Katy Perry and Russell Brand was months in the making, and the pop star was NOT blindsided by the actor/comedian's filing, reports say.

They decided Brand would file the court papers in the divorce because she didn't want to upset her religious parents, sources close to the couple indicate.

Katy and Russell knew the relationship was on the rocks months ago, but didn't want to bail on the marriage without a concerted effort to work it out.

Sadly, both sides ultimately felt "it just wasn't there."

Russell Brand, Katy Perry

Katy Perry and Russell Brand in happier times.

Katy and Russell were on board with the divorce weeks ago - there was no massive fight that triggered the split - but didn't want to be in L.A. when the papers were filed.

Thus, he went back to England and she went to Hawaii for Christmas.

Fans of Katy know her parents are evangelical Christians, who raised her to believe that divorce is morally wrong. Out of respect to Katy and her family, Russell was the one to officially file; It's unclear how or when Katy will legally respond.

Brand released a statement confirming the split but insisting the two will always love each other and remain friends. Here's hoping that's true, but don't bet on a reconciliation.

These two appear to have had problems since the get-go.

[Photo: WENN.com]

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2011/12/katy-perry-divorce-russell-brand-files-on-behalf-of-both-for-fam/

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Bachmann, Perry plan to put post-caucus focus on South Carolina instead next-up New Hampshire (Star Tribune)

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Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/181769974?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Sunday, January 1, 2012

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