Politically Illustrated.com

Five Misconceptions in the Tampa, Florida Republican Debate

Republican candidates met in Tampa, Florida on Monday for the eighteenth debate held six days before Florida casts votes on their favorite Republican candidate.

Tina Dupuy: Global Warming Denial Is Like Closing Your Eyes to Make Your Opponent Disappear

According to Oakland, California’s Harold Camping, the Rapture was supposed to hit American Samoa (the location of the International Dateline) at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2011. Despite what all the billboards claimed, that would have been 11 p.m. PST on Friday for the west coast. And from there the Rapture was to roll across the globe to 6 p.m.‘s everywhere, killing billions along the way.

• Supreme Court Favors Westboro Baptist Church in 8-1 Decision

Republican Perspective: Texas Gov. Rick Perry Becomes Strong Choice for Republicans

Rush Limbaugh is starting a movement, a movement to draft Texas Governor Rick Perry for President. Here’s what Rush said this week on this radio program: “There’s no way you’re gonna hear Rick Perry supporting amnesty in any way, shape, manner, or form. He’s solid on that, plus pro-life. Rick Perry stands in opposition to inside the Beltway Washington elites, I don’t care what party they are.”

• Barack Obama: ‘America Must Use All Our Influence to Encourage Reform in the Middle East’
• U.S. Government Reaches $14.3 Trillion Debt Ceiling

Rhode Island House Passes Civil Unions, Sending Bill to Senate for Final Vote

Rhode Island’s House of Representatives passed a bill giving gay and lesbian couples the same rights as their heterosexual counterparts on Thursday sending the measure to the Senate for a final vote.

• Bill Banning Gay Adoptions Fails in Illinois Senate

Republicans Twist and Shout on Health Care Reform

The best thing about the upcoming 2012 election is that the ominous “Obamacare” was a Republican idea. But now since this alternative to Hillarycare was signed into law by a (gasp) Democratic president the GOP has been trying to peg as a radical socialist Kenyan – Republicans now have to be against their own ideas.

• U.S. Government Reaches $14.3 Trillion Debt Ceiling
• Obama Urges Congress to Repeal Tax Breaks for Billion-Dollar Oil Companies

U.S. Will Not Pay $25 Million Osama bin Laden Reward

No one will receive the $25 million reward for the capture of Osama bin Laden, according to U.S. officials, because his death was a result of government intelligence, not from any single individual.

• Barack Obama: ‘America Must Use All Our Influence to Encourage Reform in the Middle East’

Is 2012 the Year of the Good-Looking Presidential Candidate?

During a recent conversation with a friend I was reminded that Mitt Romney and President Obama have more in common than their appreciation of universal healthcare. Apparently they both have plenty of female (and male) admirers as well.

• Ron Paul Announces Third Presidential Run
• Bill Clinton Comes Out in Support of Gay Marriage in New York

Arnold Schwarzenegger Fathered Child with Mansion Employee

Former Gov. of California Arnold Schwarzenegger fathered a child nearly a decade ago with a member of his staff, leading Maria Shriver, all bones and skin, to move out of the house.

Republican Perspective: With Obama Vulnerable Republicans Jockey in the Starting Gates

It has been a busy week in presidential politics. With Barack Obama gaining only a minimal boost from the slaying of Osama Bin Laden, it is now obvious to Republicans considering a run that he is vulnerable.

• Ron Paul Announces Third Presidential Run

U.S. Government Reaches $14.3 Trillion Debt Ceiling

The U.S. government reached its $14.3 trillion debt ceiling on Monday as lawmakers continue to negotiate a deal to balance the federal budget.

Rhode Island Civil Union Bill to Face First Legislative Probing

A bill granting gay and lesbian couples the same rights as heterosexual couples will soon face its first legislative test next week.

• Uganda Drops Anti-Homosexuality Bill After Global Outcry, Debate Continues
• Popular Pastor Seeks ‘Death Sentence’ for Uganda’s Gays in Controversial Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Michael Moore: Some Final Thoughts on the Death of Osama bin Laden

Last week, President Obama fulfilled a campaign promise and killed Osama bin Laden. Well he didn’t actually do the killing himself. It was carried out by a very brave and excellent team of Navy SEALs.

• Pakistan Detains Dozens in Connection with Osama bin Laden Compound
• Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Denies Complicity, Incompetence

Republicans Scatter on Possible Order to Reveal Political Donations from Federal Contractors

It’s perfectly logical and reasonable to wonder what politicians who want to protect secret donations are hiding. You don’t want us to know something? Why? When it comes to public servants, especially our elected representatives, nothing financial should be “none of our business.”

Virginia Voters Support Same-Sex Marriage

A new poll found a near majority of voters in Virginia favor legalizing same-sex marriage , highlighting a drastic change of opinion in only 4 years.

• Bill Clinton Comes Out in Support of Gay Marriage in New York

Navy to Perform Same-Sex Marriages

The U.S. Navy will perform same-sex marriage in states that legally recognize such unions, according to a memo released by the service’s head chaplain.

Osama bin Laden News Nuggets Just Keep Coming

The news nuggets just keep on coming in the Osama bin Laden story, even as we wait patiently for the movie and the inevitable HBO documentary. For instance, we learned that the most wanted man in the world apparently dyed his beard – not as a disguise, but to look better on YouTube.

• Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Denies Complicity, Incompetence
• Pakistan Detains Dozens in Connection with Osama bin Laden Compound