By 59 percent to 36 percent, more Americans say accused Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed should be tried in military court, not a civilian criminal court.

About half (51 percent) think the trial should be held somewhere other than New York City. Still, 71 percent think it’s very likely he will be found guilty.

Read more at GALLUP.com.

Republican state Rep. Brian Yates is resigning from the Legislature, the Independence Examiner reports.

There will be a special election in February to select his replacement. Yates is about to enter his final year as a state lawmaker. The newspaper said Yates may resign at the of the month.

He’s quoted in the article, “I have honestly have realized my priorities in life, and family is more important to me than politics.”

Yates is termed limited. That means he cannot run for another term in the General Assembly for now. Yates said by stepping down early he may give his replacement a leg up in seniority in the Legislature.

Here is a portion of the White House Thanksgiving Turkey ceremony and the President’s remarks:

“I want to thank Walter Pelletier, chairman of the National Turkey Federation, and Joel Brandenberger, its president, for donating this year’s turkey.  His name is “Courage,” and he traveled here from Goldsboro, North Carolina, where he was raised under Walter’s own precious care.

(Turkey gobbles.)

THE PRESIDENT:  There you go.  (Laughter.)

Now, the National Turkey Federation has been bringing its finest turkeys to the White House for more than 50 years.  I’m told Presidents Eisenhower and Johnson actually ate their turkeys.  You can’t fault them for that; that’s a good-looking bird.  (Laughter.)  President Kennedy was even given a turkey with a sign around its neck that said, “Good Eatin’, Mr. President.”  But he showed mercy and he said, “Let’s keep him going.”  And 20 years ago this Thanksgiving, the first President Bush issued the first official presidential pardon for a turkey.

Today, I am pleased to announce that thanks to the interventions of Malia and Sasha — because I was planning to eat this sucker — (laughter) — “Courage” will also be spared this terrible and delicious fate.  Later today, he’ll head to Disneyland, where he’ll be grand marshal of tomorrow’s parade.  And just in case “Courage” can’t fulfill his responsibilities, Walter brought along another turkey, “Carolina,” as an alternate, the stand-in.

Now, later this afternoon, Michelle, Malia, Sasha and I will take two of their less fortunate brethren to Martha’s Table, an organization that does extraordinary work to help folks here in D.C. who need it the most.  And I want to thank Jaindl’s Turkey Farm in Orefield, Pennsylvania, for donating those dressed birds for dinner.  So today, all told, I believe it’s fair to say that we have saved or created four turkeys.  (Laughter.)

You know, there are certain days that remind me of why I ran for this office.  And then there are moments like this — (laughter) — where I pardon a turkey and send it to Disneyland.  (Laughter.)

Here is a portion of the White House Thanksgiving Turkey ceremony and the President’s remarks:

“I want to thank Walter Pelletier, chairman of the National Turkey Federation, and Joel Brandenberger, its president, for donating this year’s turkey.  His name is “Courage,” and he traveled here from Goldsboro, North Carolina, where he was raised under Walter’s own precious care.  

     (Turkey gobbles.)       THE PRESIDENT:  There you go.  (Laughter.)  Now, the National Turkey Federation has been bringing its finest turkeys to the White House for more than 50 years.  I’m told Presidents Eisenhower and Johnson actually ate their turkeys.  You can’t fault them for that; that’s a good-looking bird.  (Laughter.)  President Kennedy was even given a turkey with a sign around its neck that said, “Good Eatin’, Mr. President.”  But he showed mercy and he said, “Let’s keep him going.”  And 20 years ago this Thanksgiving, the first President Bush issued the first official presidential pardon for a turkey.  Today, I am pleased to announce that thanks to the interventions of Malia and Sasha — because I was planning to eat this sucker — (laughter) –

“Courage” will also be spared this terrible and delicious fate.  Later today, he’ll head to Disneyland, where he’ll be grand marshal of tomorrow’s parade.  And just in case “Courage” can’t fulfill his responsibilities, Walter brought along another turkey, “Carolina,” as an alternate, the stand-in.  

Now, later this afternoon, Michelle, Malia, Sasha and I will take two of their less fortunate brethren to Martha’s Table, an organization that does extraordinary work to help folks here in D.C. who need it the most.  And I want to thank Jaindl’s Turkey Farm in Orefield, Pennsylvania, for donating those dressed birds for dinner.  So today, all told, I believe it’s fair to say that we have saved or created four turkeys.  (Laughter.) You know, there are certain days that remind me of why I ran for this office.  And then there are moments like this — (laughter) — where I pardon a turkey and send it to Disneyland.  (Laughter.)

The President of the Concerned Clergy, Rev. Michael Brooks  says his group is expected to state they “will not forget”, the way former City Manager Wayne Cauthen was dismissed.

Mayor Mark Funkhouser suspended Cauthen last Thursday afternoon. Later that same day, the City Council ratified the suspension, meaning Cauthen was fired.

In a statement the group outlined several things they want to bring up at an afternoon news conference. They include:

1)The “unprofessional manner” Cauthen was suspended.

2) The fact that Cauthen was escorted from the building by a member of the City Hall security staff.

3) Whether or not “the process followed the rule of law”.

4) That Cauthen’s dismissal, according to a press release,  ”was done ‘in secret’, without discussions with the other six members of the Council”. 

Six council members voted for removal. Six opposed it. With Mayor Mark Funkhouser’s motion to ratify Cauthen’s suspension, it turned it into a 7-6 vote.

5) They want a reason why Cauthen was suspended.

Here’s the statement from the Roy Blunt Campaign regarding MU Chief Garry Foresee’s decision to oppose Cap & Trade:

We welcome the University of Missouri’s opposition to this job-destroying cap and tax legislation. President Forsee is correct that cap and tax would hurt the university, just as it would hurt Missouri families by costing them thousands of dollars in higher energy bills. Environmental extremists who support Robin Carnahan’s position in support of cap and tax are airing false ads in Mid-Missouri and across the state against Roy Blunt for opposing this job-killing tax. By necessary implication, the MU President’s statement further cuts the ground out from under false ads from the liberal extremist group League of Conservation Voters, a Robin Carnahan political ally. Robin Carnahan supports the cap and trade national energy tax that would cost Missouri jobs, further undermine the University of Missouri’s budget in the midst of state budget cuts and hit Missouri families with higher utility bills.”

From the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce:

The Board of Directors of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce today unanimously approved the appointment of Kristi Smith Wyatt as interim president of The Chamber.  The search continues, meanwhile, for a successor to current president Pete Levi.  Levi is retiring December 31 after 19 years as head of The Chamber.

Wyatt has been with The Chamber since 1994, and serves as Senior Vice President for Government Relations & Policy Development.  The announcement was made Tuesday by Chamber Chair Peter deSilva (UMB).

“Kristi has the knowledge and experience,” deSilva said.  “Most importantly, she has the respect and admiration of our board members and her peers.  We’re very pleased that she’s agreed to step into the post as we continue the search for a new president.”  Wyatt says she is not a candidate to replace Levi, but is happy to serve in the interim.  Her appointment is effective January 1, 2010. 

Wyatt is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, and began her career in government on the Washington staff of her hometown Congressman, the late Jerry Litton of Chillicothe.  She served as Chief of Staff to Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Richard Berkley for 11 of his 12 years in office. 

Levi, meanwhile, says, “Kristi was the obvious choice to handle the upcoming transition.  She’s well-respected by staff, and has the broad knowledge of the community and The Chamber the position requires.”

EFL Associates of Leawood, Kansas, is managing the search process; deSilva and Peter C. Brown (Grassmere Partners) co-chair the Selection Committee.

“We’ve been pleased and, quite frankly, a little astounded by the sheer number of quality applicants,” deSilva said.  “Obviously this is an important position – for The Chamber and the community – and the process will take as long as it takes.  To have Kristi at the helm until that person is in place is tremendously reassuring.”

While Kansas Democratic Chairman Larry Gates said “We’re not conceding the Kansas 3rd,” after the Dennis Moore’s retirement announcement, others are not so sure.

The National Republican Congressional Campaign’s Tom Erickson is zipping portions of these assessments around town: The respected Cook Political Report’s David Wasserman says, Moore’s decision now makes the K3D, one of the GOP’s “top take-over opportunities in the country.”

Wasserman challenged the Democrats existing local wisdom that the K3D isn’t a Republican as it was before Moore’s 12 years in Congress.

“Most critical is suburban Johnson County, where 77 percent of the 3D total vote is cast, and in 2008 John McCain won 54 percent,” Wasserman wrote.

But also know President Barack Obama actually carried the Kansas 3rd District with strong showings the rest of the district in Wyandotte and portions of Douglas County.

But Wasserman continued, “Nearly all elected officials in Johnson County are Republicans and it will be next to impossible for local Democrats to find a candidate who can match Moore’s credibility in the heart of the district.”

Congressional Quarterly and Roll Call’s Shira Toeplitz sees Democratic trouble, too, with Moore not on the ticket. CQ-Roll Call wrote, “The development led CQ Politics to change the rating on this race to toss-up from the far less competitive ranking of likely Democratic.”

And Cook’s assessment: Move the race from one column to another:
“to the toss-up column, which may be generous to Democrats at this stage.”

Former congressional candidate Nick Jordan says he’s now running for the GOP nomination for the Kansas 3rd District seat.

“We’re in!” said Jordan.

Jordan’s decision comes hours after Democratic incumbent Dennis Moore announced he’s retiring after 2010.

Moore defeated Jordan easily in 2008.

Former State Rep. Patricia Lightner has been in the Congressional campaign for four months.  She had accused Moore of voting with the liberal leadership in Congress.

“We’re still going to tell 3rd District voters Nancy Pelosi’s view for America is wrong,” said Lightner.

Other politicians who did not want to challenge a six-term incumbent may now reconsider their chances now that the 3rd District has turned into an open seat.

Here’s part of Politico’s take:

“Moore, a leading Blue Dog Democrat, was already facing the likelihood of a tough re-election, given his votes for the stimulus, cap-and-trade energy legislation and the Democrats’ health care bill – all of which would be a tough sell in a swing Kansas City-area district. Moore wasn’t facing any serious GOP competition, but Republican recruiters were looking to land a top challenger in the race.

Moore is the first Democrat representing a politically-competitive district to retire, without seeking higher office.  Republicans are hoping other vulnerable members will follow Moore’s lead, given that the political environment in 2010 is looking favorable for Republicans.”
From Real Clear Politics, citing The Hill:

Moore’s exit will pave the way for a tough open-seat defense for Democrats, as the six-term incumbent has resolutely held on to a conservative-leaning district that has often frustrated Republicans.

Moore, 64, won the seat from one-term Rep. Vince Snowbarger (R-Kan.) in 1998 and has been a target ever since. Despite his perseverance, Republicans believed they had an opening again with Democrats pushing proposals that could be unpopular in the deep-red state.

Former state Sen. Nick Jordan, who fell to Moore 56-40 last year but was seen as a good recruit, is among those already eyeing Moore’s seat.

The current field includes former state Rep. Patricia Lightner.