There is a new Truth Squad in town and this time they are defending the record of Barrack Obama. Yeah I didn’t know he had a record either. I guess they saw how well it worked for McCain last week, so they built their own team of winners (and some losers).

• Former Democratic Attorney General Nominee Steve Benjamin
• Former SC Democratic Party Chair Joe Erwin
• Former SC Democratic Party Chair Dick Harpootlian
• Former SC Governor Jim Hodges
• State Representative Todd Rutherford
• State Representative Bakari Sellers
• 2006 Democratic U.S. Senate Nominee Inez Tenenbaum

Here is the rest of the email since I know you’re so interested.

Today, I’m pleased to announce the formation of the South Carolina Truth Squad — an effort to keep this campaign focused on issues instead of personal attacks and smear tactics.

Our goal is to elevate the tone of the Democratic primary by pushing back on negative attacks and correcting inaccuracies in statements from our opponents.

The Truth Squad is encouraging South Carolinians to report false attacks and smears and to keep a sharp eye out for old-time political tricks.

If you have encountered a false attack in your mail or email, via an automated phone call, in fliers dropped at your door, or anywhere else, report back immediately. With our primary coming up this Saturday, January 26th, we also encourage you to report any schemes to discourage voting or block access to the polls.

Call the SC Truth Squad Hotline at 877-622-6228 or visit us online:

Members of the South Carolina Truth Squad include:

• Former Democratic Attorney General Nominee Steve Benjamin
• Former SC Democratic Party Chair Joe Erwin
• Former SC Democratic Party Chair Dick Harpootlian
• Former SC Governor Jim Hodges
• State Representative Todd Rutherford
• State Representative Bakari Sellers
• 2006 Democratic U.S. Senate Nominee Inez Tenenbaum

The truth is only as strong as your voice.

Stand up for a new kind of politics and join the South Carolina Truth Squad today:
Thank you,

Stacey

Stacey Brayboy
South Carolina State Director
Obama for America

P.S. — The best way to change politics in South Carolina is to go get involved in your community. Join us in getting out the vote for the Democratic primary this Saturday, January 26th.

I don’t write about celebrities if I don’t have to, but FoxNews is reporting stunning news that actor Heath Ledger was found dead in his Manhattan apartment at 3:45 p.m. today. It has nothing to do with South Carolina politics, but I bet most of us have seen at least one of his movies, so we can all identify. He was 28 years old.

UPDATE: More from the New York Times:

At 3:31 p.m., a masseuse arrived at Apartment 5A in the building for an appointment with Mr. Ledger, the police said. The masseuse was let in to the home by a housekeeper, who then knocked on the door of Mr. Ledger’s bedroom. When no one answered, the housekeeper and the masseuse opened the bedroom and found Mr. Ledger unconscious. They shook him, but he did not respond. They immediately called the authorities. The police said they did not suspect foul play and said they found pills near body.

I know that people can do some stupid (I really mean awesome) things when they get drunk at Tailgates, but this really takes the cake.  Too bad Ric Flair doesn’t go to Clemson games or this guy would already be wrestling Rowdy Roddy Piper for the WCW Championship Belt.

Starting somewhat before 7 PM we’ll open a live blog/chat window for SC results. Click the “Read The Full Story” Link below to join in.

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Read more: mikesamerica.blogspot.com

It’s getting nasty!

Political phone calls ave been coming in every hour here at Mike’s America. Most of them don’t even connect, but hang up after I answer.

One call which did connect was especially curious.
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In the search for the next Reagan, why do some GOP voters seem intent on ignoring the Reagan legacy?

During the South Carolina GOP Presidential Candidate’s Debate on January 10, Former Arkansas Governor, Mike Huckabee, referred to the late President Reagan six times. He went so far as to make the claim that he “stayed faithful to the things that Ronald Reagan stayed faithful to.”

Early on former Senator Fred Thompson challenged Huckabee’s attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of conservatives:

THOMPSON: This is a battle for the heart and soul of the Republican Party and its future. On the one hand, you have the Reagan revolution. You have the Reagan coalition of limited government and strong national security.

On the other hand, you have the direction that Governor Huckabee would take us in. He would be a Christian leader, but he would also bring about liberal economic policies, liberal foreign policies.

He believes we have an arrogant foreign policy and the tradition of, blame America first.

He believes that Guantanamo should be closed down and those enemy combatants brought here to the United States to find their way into the court system eventually.
He believes in taxpayer-funded programs for illegals, as he did in Arkansas.

He has the endorsement of the National Education Association, and the NEA said it was because of his opposition to vouchers.

He said he would sign a bill that would ban smoking nationwide. So much for federalism. So much for states’ rights. So much for individual rights.

That’s not the model of the Reagan coalition, that’s the model of the Democratic Party.

There are many of us who remember the Reagan Revolution and what it stood for because we were there at the beginning. We were privileged to see and hear and some to know the man who led this nation in difficult times and succeeded spectacularly in unleashing the power of freedom which brought waves of prosperity and democracy to the entire world.

Here’s what conservative leaders and thinkers with long memories have to say about Mike Huckabee:
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Since the College Football season is now officially wrapped up, Rivals.com has already released their 2008 Preseason Top 25. Clemson comes in at #10 and South Carolina at #24.

They also nailed the one liners on each team.

10. Clemson (9-4)
With so much talent back on offense and defense, the Tigers can’t come up short in a big situation again. Can they?

24. South Carolina (6-6)
This is a leap of faith considering how the Gamecocks ended 2007, but we’re guessing South Carolina should have one of the nation’s most improved teams.

I think Rivals forgot to take into account the amount of players South Carolina is going to lose in the off season to off the field trouble. I hope I’m just kidding…