Here is a very good glimpse into what I do out here in DC.

One of the biggest things LCV does is the Scorecard. We rank every member of Congress, every President and every Governor objectively on their environmental record. For Congress it is easy: voting record. What this allows us to do is pick our Dirty Dozen, the worst 12 members that have an upcoming election and try to prevent their re-election. The Scorecard is a big deal here because it is really our identity. If you were to ask someone in Washington how an elected official is on the environment, the response would likely be something like, "well, what is their LCV score."

The other major thing we do elections wise is endorse people. A major part of endorsements are the candidates responses to a questionnaire they fill out, as well as an interview. We use the answers to either thank them and show how they are keeping promises in the future, or to hold them accountable when they don't. Today, we are doing accountability.

This morning LCV launched an ad campaign to hold four members of the House accountable for broken promises. If you look at this today there should still be the graphic on the front page of the broken hard hat, signifying the 1.7 million jobs that could be created if the American Clean Energy and Security Act passes, but that the member voted against.

I actually think the ads are good. However, they make life busy. Since I got here at about 8:30, I've finished my earlier post, gone through about 40 emails with news stories related to clean energy/global warming, updated some Twitter, read the news and opinion sections of all the newspapers I look through in 23 states and then, when the release was ready, began the media blitz that comes with putting out these ads.

First as I was riding to work today, I saw the link I posted earlier from Ben Smith detailing what was about to happen.

Then, after everything started, I wrote three blog posts. One that is up now (as of 3:15 pm ET) and two more to be posted later today. That is on top of whatever I do this afternoon, which I haven't gotten to yet. In addition I spent some time creating graphics for possible usage later, my first foray into photoshop in quite some time. And of course I tweeted about it just a few minutes ago.

There continue to be other things planned as the day goes on, included at least five more tweets, so stay tuned.

What is crazy is that you look at that and say, "well it wasn't that much." But it is time consuming. And it is on top of everything already planned for the day. See, while the campaigns department plans for this stuff, it is something we usually learn about week-of. In this case I knew before hand because I actually did the research on the newspapers they were placed in. That said, it still comes on top of the normal schedule of the day. And that is what I love about this place. Just when you think you're bored, the world turns upside down. That is why there are so many bars in this town. Without a night of relaxing and a drink every now and then, you just couldn't keep up. Your body could not physically handle it.

And the crazy thing about this is: it's recess. Wait a couple of weeks.

Anyway, hope that enlightened some of you. And apologies for any of you who may check my blog during the day for your daily news updates. Unfortunately I am not John Stewart. Sixty percent of the country can not look at me as the "most trusted anchor in news." I wish. I'll have some links later though.

For now:

Ben Bernanke is staying put.

Is it just me or are planes just dropping out of the sky this year?

Forty percent of SAT test takers are now minorities, an awesome statistic. This number is up nearly 10 percent in the last ten years. The average score for the class of 2009 was 1609 (but don't worry those of you who graduated before 2006 - it is out of 2400 now, with writing included). This is all positive news, albeit with one glaring problem. Race and socioeconomic class are still creating gaps in success rates. Blacks and poorer people are less likely to do well. While I am NOT a proponent of throwing out the SAT - some of you know very my belief that there has to be a standard of some kind (more on that in the D.C. education conversation) - there are some questions. This is the firefighter issue that the Republicans tried to use to derail Sonia Sotomayor, but there are questions about how we can help minorities do better on this test. You don't change the standard. You bring people up to it. Something to look at.

Close election in Afganistan. It is actually pretty cool to pay attention to this and see if, in reality, they can get this done.

This is coming together like an episode of CSI/Law and Order/NCIS. Wouldn't want to demean the military like that though, or my favorite show, so maybe just the first one.

RCP Horse Race Blog on Obama's approval rating numbers. It speaks truth, worry about seniors, because they vote.

Later.

So if you're like me - and if you are I suggest you see a doctor or do something to right yourself - you slipped into the small conference room in your office for a minute to watch the end of the Mariners game. You actually cut a meeting short in order to do it. And what you saw made you cringe as your Michigan-dominated office celebrated their hometown team breaking the hearts of M's fans.

Okay, maybe a little dramatic, but only a little.

C'mon Kenji, you gotta catch that ball.

M's are now seven games out of the wild card and fading fast, though not as badly as last year.

On to other things while I have a minute.

"There aren't many jobs for gun-toting, unstable women, unless you want to run for Governor of Alaska." - Letterman last night. And check this out. Wish I'd posted this morning Barney Frank's reaction to a woman calling Obama a Nazi:



John Stewart was in rare form. But in all seriousness, Frank did the right thing. These comparisons between Obama and Nazis are ridiculous. They have to be ignored. Nothing good comes from them. Not to mention, as Stewart mentions, Frank is a Jew. So...pretty much wrapped that one up.

Election in Afghanistan. Obama is good with it.

Cash for clunkers is getting junked. Really it's just ending, but hey, you know, trying to sound witty here.

Ted Kennedy wants a faster way to replace himself in the inevitable event that the unthinkable happens...and what do you know, Republicans don't like it.

Did someone join the mile high club publicly?

That is way more exciting than the long email exchange I had with my co-worker today about why my cream cheese got stolen from the fridge. Wish I could copy it here, but really? All I know is that it is someone else's fault - according to her - that I watched her eat my cream cheese.

A black AG indicting a bunch of Mexican drug dealers. Hmmm...think this will bridge the gap between our two cultures? No racism whatsoever. I am serious. But if I were Holder I'd move for a while. At least someone got it right when they blamed this problem on the U.S. having a drug problem.

This is not funny, at all. But I find it somewhat ironic that we have so much trouble convicting famous people, especially athletes, that actually kill people. Yet, despite the pride my co-worker talked about after watching Plaxico Burris make a big TD catch in the SuperBowl, the former receiver pulled a Cheddar Bob and shot himself, leading to gun charges that are going to land him in prison for two years. Like I said, not funny, but it definitely makes you scratch your head.

Usain Bolt needs to sign with the Seahawks Just have him run by people.

I do like that NASCAR is visiting Dems. Also that the President called NASCAR the "American sport", as is the weeklong tailgate that comes before it.

Which reminds me 14 DAYS TIL FOOTBALL!

Holla.

Good morning y'all. It's primary day in Washington State. Yes I voted yesterday and yes I voted for Robert Rosencrantz, father of Zack and all around good guy.

Quick update on stuff I'm doing. Well, that wouldn't be so quick as I am now doing work for my program (Heat Is On), Communications and Policy and Lobbying. It is busy, but I love it. Yesterday I did all of my normal research, reading several newspapers and other links I am sent. Then I spent some time on the phone with newspapers setting up an ad buy. Had a couple of staff meetings. It is clear that things are picking up a little bit. Today I will be up on the Hill in the afternoon. Maybe I'll sneak a workout in before trivia...

Back to the stories from yesterday. The Mariners did indeed sign Dustin Ackley. This was not really a surprise, as the story says, but still a great success for the Mariners.

The bigger surprise is that the Nationals got Steven Strasburg to sign as well last night. This is obviously a very big deal. Washington had back-to-back number one picks and was in danger of not signing that pick for the second year in a row. Furthermore, the organization was in danger of not signing a can't-miss kid that instantly is the most recognizable face of the franchise. Make no mistake about it - right now this is huge for for what is currently the worst team, and organization in baseball.

More:

This is long, but an incredible article. If I had more time I'd write a post about it. Maybe later today along with something about healthcare (I am formulating that as we speak, with sticky notes of links - and some John Stewart). Hate speech and political speech have always been separated by a fine line in this country. Near the end when he talks about stealing the line about replenishing the tree of liberty with blood, it reminds me of another person who said that revolutions are not peaceful, they are bloody - Malcolm X.

Follow that up with this story about race and law in Carolina.

Some interesting comments about the future of Jake Locker with the Angels.

This what I meant when I said the NFL isn't that bad. Count on Stephon Marbury. While you're on that page, scroll down to the bottom and check out the video of the end of the Giants-Panthers game from last night. Wild.

Abdelbasset Ali al-Megrahi, convicted of the Lockerbie bombing may be released.

CHECK YOUR CREDIT! That was not an ad. Seriously. Check it.

Project Hurricane Bill, the first of the season.

Hard to ignore H1N1 again, now that I personally know people that have had it. I'm fine. For now.

Many fear gun carriers won't be so peaceful around Obama at some point.

Look for more today if I can get some time.

Stay Classy.