Lt. Gov. Michael Steele: You don't mess with Palin, she shoots moose

"You don't want to mess with Sarah Palin, she shoots moose. What do you think she will do to donkeys?" Lt. Gov. of Maryland Michael Steel said while speaking at the Values Voter Summit for the Family Research Council.

The summit focused on family values and what Republicans need to do to insure the victory of Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin.

Speaker and journalist Lou Dobbs opened the three day event saying " Your voice, the voice of citizens all over this country cannot be heard in this town and won't be heard, irrespective of whom you decide to vote for until we push back against the forces that arrayed against what this country stands for."

Dobbs also touched on issues that separate McCain from Sen. Barack Obama. " One is far more evolved and far more enlighted than the other."

The coach of the Washington Redskins, Joe Gibbs also spoke at the summit. Gibbs talked about his life journey and how he started to believe in God and family values that made him who he is today. " I was put on this Earth, not to coach football and win Superbowls, but to help others realize the power God can have in your everyday life and to help others realize that family values can help guide you on the right path."

Besides the issues of religion and family values, Palin's candidacy was a topic of interest throughout the day. Lt. Gov. Steele quoted Palin several times in his speech, making it known that she is "a real and authentic woman."

Over the next three days there will be numerous speakers attending the summit including; former presidential candidate Mitt Romney, Actor and evangelagist Stephen Baldwin, Fox News host Sean Hannity, Sen. John McCain and/or Sen. Barack Obama, and pro-life activist Lila Rose.

Students protest peacefully in Saint Paul

Today at Mears Park in Saint Paul the Swift Students For Truthiness gathered to advocate their standpoint on contemporary politics.

The peaceful, non-partisan organization, mainly comprised of students from Wisconsin and the Will Mitchell University in Michigan, stood promoting their progressive views on education, taxation, war and other similar issues.

Thomas Fraint, one of the organizers, said "I think one of the biggest reasons I'm out here is because we have been hurting for the past eight years and I don't think [McCain] really realizes it."

He detailed one of the group's liberal views when he spoke of universal health care: "from a moral standpoint, every American deserves health care; but from an economic standpoint we spend more money than any other country, yet we are ranked right above Cuba, so maybe it's about time we should steal someone else's good idea."

When asked why the group is non-partisan as opposed to Democrat (since the Swift Students For Truthiness clearly share the Democratic point of view), he replied: "if I was out here with an Obama sign wearing blue, people's minds would then close."

Young College Conservatives Take to the Denver Streets

by Jessica Sall

Supporters of Presidential candidate John McCain arrived today at the Colorado Convention Center. They attempted to be heard by protesting against the Obama campaign. “We want to support our candidate,” stated protest leader of the supporter group, Charlie Smith, referring to Sen. John McCain.

“It’s a good thing for us to have the alternative view point out here,” Smith said, “As people become more familiar with Obama, the celebrity aspect of him will pass.”

The McCain supporters consisted mostly of college students from around the Denver area. “There’s a lot of youth support of McCain that doesn’t gets out there,” said Smith. According to Smith there will be other McCain supporter groups waking around downtown Denver with McCain signs, trying to get their message out. They will stay the length of this convention before continuing to the Republican National Convention next week.

Energy becoming new 'global race'

"It's nothing short of a disgrace for the Speaker to leave the Congress, not call us back and remain on a promotional book tour while 'everyday Americans' are suffering all over this country", said Rep. David Camp (R-Mich.) today at a press conference to discuss the ongoing speeches on the floor of the House of Representatives. The Republican members of the House are entering their second week of continuous discussion calling for the return of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to Washington, and that an emergency session of Congress be called to deal with America's rising energy costs.

"Many of us during the Cold War remember the days of the arms race. Well let me tell you, there is a global race going on for energy right now", said Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-Texas). "And quite honestly, the United States of America is behind in this race." He went on to say that global oil issues are primarily a supply and demand problem, with the demand for oil continuing to increase and the supply remaining the same.

Rep. Sue Myrick (R-N.C.) pointed out that this oil crisis is not only affecting families, but small businesses, schools that rely on busing systems, and other organizations that depend on fuel. As such, she says the issue demands immediate attention from Speaker Pelosi.

Republicans bring down the House

Republicans continued their impassioned speeches on the floor of the House without lights or microphones today. Tourists flooded the floor, taking advantage of a rare opportunity to sit in seats generally held by congressman and to listen to the congressmen speak.

Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) commented on the outbursts of applause from crowd members, pointing out that these expressions from the public in attendance would never be possible if Congress were in session. He went on to discuss new energy options, said in response to nuclear energy, “I’m not a big fan of doing things how France does them, but we have to keep the option on the table”. He went on to say “San Francisco may have the majority speaker from there, but [their views] are not the will of the American people!” to the cheers and applause of many attending the speech.

Rep. Ron Lewis (R-Ky.) said in response to allegations that Republicans are working for the benefit of big oil companies, “If anyone is working for big oil, it’s the Speaker who is keeping the prices high by not allowing us to increase [oil] supply”. Rep. Gohmert also brought bumper stickers for audience members which said “It’s the supply, stupid”, referencing former President Clinton’s 1992 campaign slogan, “It’s the economy, stupid.”

House Minority Leader Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) will be returning to the floor August 6th.