Real Clear Politics's Reid Wilson and Politico's Josh Kraushaar have started a hot new political web site called The Scorecard. The site will focus on Congressional races and will be filled with interesting news from the key congressional races. Make it part of your morning coffee read! Welcome guys.

Speaking of The Scorecard, the guys have a great item this week about how Republican freshman Congressman Vern Buchanan shook down his car dealership employees. Formal complaints have been filed and possible lawsuits are lurking. Nothing like playing to stereotype as an used car salesman, right, Vern?

Taegan Goddard's Political Wire reports that long time John McCain friend and confident, John Weaver, has said that the McCain campaign so far "diminishes John McCain". He continued by saying, "There is a legitimate mockery of a political campaign now, and it isn't Obama's."

Towleroad.com continues its brilliant and consistent coverage of hate crimes against the LGBT community. What is becoming increasingly clear is that transsexuals are bearing the blunt of=2 0the hateful violence. Towleroad.com reports that an arrest has been made in Greeley,Colorado in the brutal killing of a transgender woman named Angie Zapata. Thanks Andy for all the spectacular journalism on this important issue. Whjle you are at Andy Towle's site be sure to check out his excellent weekly theater and music reviews. They are first rate.

The Democratic Governors Association reports on a race that Democrats should not have to worry about this year. New Hampshire Democratic Governor John Lynch has an astounding and unheard of 51 point margin over his Republican opponent! Can't get any better than that!

Alison Teal is continuing to have "Hot Flashes from the Campaign Trail." The travels with Alison and Sam bring us news from New Mexico, this time from Albuquerque where the Democrats hope to pick up a seat with the hopeful election of Martin Heinrich from new Mexico's 1st District. Teal says of Heinrich, "But it is Heinrich’s issues driven campaign and his great work as city council president that has proved to be his advantage. The biggest issue in the state is the economy stupid – just like everywhere else." “Heinrich may have boyish charm, but he has a very tough streak as well, says Fred Harris, former senator and presidential contender from Oklahoma now teaching and writing in Albuquerque. “When he was president of the City Council, he put together a coalition to pass a local minimum wage bill against all odds. The first thing he did was go to the people he knew were going to work against him. It took two years, but he brought business and labor to the table and forced them to work things out. Now Albuquerque is one of four cities in the U.S. to have a minimum wage above the national level." You can donate to his campaign by clicking here.

Just when you thought it was safe to sip the Susan Collins Kool Aid! The DSCC reports that Maine's Republican Senator Susan Collins, in an effort to support right wing Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, voted against a package of 35 run of the mill bills. The DSCC reports, "Republican Senator Susan Collins voted against a package of 35 non-controversial bills today, some of which she cosponsored, because her party leaders instructed Republicans to block all bills in the Senate. The bills Collins voted against, all but one of which already passed the House by huge bipartisan margins, have all been blocked by Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK), who has s ingle-handedly obstructed nearly 80 bills – the most of any senator. The bills in today’s package cover a huge range of subjects, from protecting children from sexual predators to improving stroke prevention to expanding access to broadband internet services to helping victims of Lou Gehrig’s disease and paralysis"

If you are in Miami tomorrow night (August 2) there is a really exciting fundraiser for Barack Obama with Matt and Luciana Damon and Ben Affeck and Jennifer Garner. Know it is a little late but high-tail it over there if you can by just clicking here!

Have you made your contribution yet to the great epic battle for marriage equality in California? Be sure to send you check to No on Proposition 8 just by clicking here.

And you believed that you were paying those historically high gas prices to help find new sources of oil. Exxon reported (just for the second quarter alone!) the highest quarterly profit in the history of corporate America. They made in just one quarter an astounding $11.6 BILLION dollars of profit. It is time to tax the hell out of them.

From the "What in the hell were they thinking!" department, comes news that Stonewall Democrats of New York City endorsed four members of the State Assembly who voted against Marriage Equality.  The Empire State Pride Agenda strongly condemned the endorsements.