Author: Randy Slovacek

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Herman Cain wins Florida straw poll

From the StarTribune: Business entrepreneur Herman Cain shocked the political world by winning the Florida GOP’s influential presidential straw poll Saturday, while Minnesota Republican Michele Bachmann finished dead last in the field of eight candidates.

Cain, the former Godfather’s Pizza CEO who appears to have caught fire in recent weeks, topped the GOP field with 37.1 percent of the 2,657 votes cast.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, the current leader in most polls, finished second with 15.4 percent of the delegates’ votes in Florida, edging out former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who won 14 percent.

Michele Bachmann’s poor showing in Florida – receiving only 40 ballots, or 1.51 percent of the vote, seemed to further diminish the fast-waning luster of her campaign.

Unlike the Ames Straw Poll in Iowa, nearly all candidates running were included on the Florida ballot, and delegates representing counties throughout the state paid their own way to the event. The last three Florida GOP straw poll winners have become their party’s nominee.

Among the rest of the field, Texas Congressman Ron Paul, a perennial favorite among grass-roots GOP activists, came in fifth behind former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, each receiving a little more than 10 percent of the vote.

Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich finished sixth at 8.4 percent, and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman finished seventh with 2.2 percent.

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Joe Manganiello to appear on “Two and a Half Men” in October

From EW: Two and a Half Men may have found a way to build upon its stellar premiere week ratings: Alcide is coming to Malibu!

With Manganiello at 6’4″, I’d say this brings the cast size of the hit sitcom to “Four Men.”

The True Blood star Joe Manganiello will make an appearance in the Oct. 24 episode of the CBS comedy. He’ll play the smoldering hot boyfriend (as if he could play anything less) of Bridget, the ex-wife of Walden (Ashton Kutcher). Bridget will be portrayed by Judy Greer, who makes her first appearance on Monday.

Manganiello just wrapped his fourth season of True Blood but he’s definitely staying ripped to play “Big Dick Richie” in Steven Soderbergh’s movie about male strippers.

He’s also set to star opposite his old school pal Matt Bomer in an episode of USA’s White Collar that will air in January.

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Kids at the door

So, whenever I head out to Michael’s office (which is in a casita in front of the house) the dogs race me to the door and I have to move fast so they don’t run out into the front yard – although most of them are terrified of the “big, bad world out there” so they never get farther than about six feet from the door before they freeze and head back in the house.

Anyway, no matter how long I’m out in Michael’s office, when I do come in they are always at the door waiting.  I used to think they hear me approach the door and come running, but John – Michael’s associate – took this picture, and apparently they stay at the door however long it takes for me to come back in…

I am loved.

(Or at least I’m the one who gives out treats most often…)

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Michael Caprio honored at St. Therese Center’s Annual “Circle Of Roses” Gala 2011

Tonight at the Riviera Hotel, my husband Michael Caprio will be honored with others in our community for the support and service he volunteers to this amazing organization.

I’m very proud of Michael. He’s one of the hardest working people I know, but never so busy to not help promote the St. Therese Center’s work and mission. Throughout the year, and indeed for many years, he spends many hours promoting and getting the word out about the Center’s many events.  He also has been instrumental in getting others, like Broadway’s Brent Barrett and the Chippendales among others, to participate and donate their time and energy to this great charity.

The St. Therese Center, named after Saint Therese of Lisieux, is a Catholic ministry that welcomes and serves people of all faiths and extends the Lord’s healing to all persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Emphasizing wellness, Saint Therese Center reaches out to those touched by HIV/AIDS to provide spiritual, physical and emotional support, educational and social services in the spirit of love and compassion.

If you have time tonight, come to the Riviera Hotel on the Strip, donate to the gala dinner and find out more about this terrific organization. Drinks are at 6PM, dinner around 7PM.

Click here for more info about the Saint Therese Center.

UPDATE: Thank you for everyone who came out to support the St. Therese Center and celebrate Michael being honored for his contributions.  Especially Gordon Miles, Alex Chavez, John Genovese, Joey Gonnello, Ben Lemke, and Chris Saldana.  Much fun was had at the table, and it was a great night for the St. Therese Center.

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DOJ: Rick Perry’s TX Redistricting Plan Purposefully Discriminated Against Minorities

From TalkingPointsMemo: The Justice Department said late Friday that based on their preliminary investigation, a congressional redistricting map signed into law by Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry appears to have been “adopted, at least in part, for the purpose of diminishing the ability of citizens of the United States, on account of race, color, or membership in a language minority group, to elect their preferred candidates of choice to Congress.”

DOJ’s Civil Rights Division is specifically contesting the changes made to Texas Districts 23 and 27, which they say would not provide Hispanic citizens with the ability to elect candidates of their choice.

Read more here.

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Victor Garber – the new voice of “Charlie’s Angels”

Victor Garber has been named the new voice of the boss on Charlie’s Angels, USA Today reports.

The 62-year-old actor, who you might recognize from Alias, replaces the earlier announced Robert Wagner in the role.

In the original series, Charlie was voiced by John Forsythe.

Charlie’s Angels, starring Minka Kelly, Annie Ilonzeh, and Rachael Taylor, premiered last night on ABC.

Anyone see it? Thoughts?

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Video: GOP Debate Crowd Boos Soldier Serving in Iraq

During the FOX News/Google GOP presidential debate, a YouTube question regarding ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ from Stephen Hill, a soldier serving in Iraq, was directed at Rick Santorum.

Asked Hill: “Do you plan to circumvent the progress that has been made for gay and lesbian soldiers in the military?”

In a disgusting display of disrespect, Hill – an active soldier serving in Iraq – was booed by members of the audience at the debate.

Answered Santorum:

“Any type of sexual activity has absolutely no place in the military. And the fact that they are making it a point to include it as a provision within the military – that we are going to recognize a group of people and give them a special privilege, I think tries to inject social policy into the military and the military’s job is to defend our country. We need to give the military, which is all volunteer, the ability to do so in a way that is most efficient and protective of our men and women in uniform and I believe this undermines that ability.”

Megyn Kelly followed up: “So what would you do with soldiers like Stephen Hill. Now he’s out. What would you do as president?”

Said Santorum: “What we’re doing right now is playing social experimentation with our military right now, and that’s tragic. Going forward we would reinstitute that policy…”

In addition to the disrespect shown to an active US soldier serving overseas, Santorum makes the odd statement that “any type of sexual activity has absolutely no place in the military.” So I’m guessing he feels no soldier – gay or straight – has the right to have ANY sex while in the military. Also, he refers to allowing gay and lesbian citizens the right that all heterosexual citizens have as a “special privilege.” I’m not sure how more backward that comment could be. Allowing all citizens the SAME rights is hardly doling out ‘special privileges.’

Notice not ONE of the candidates on that stage defended the soldier from those in the crowd booing.

One more thing – imagine how FOX News would play out the scenario of a Democratic crowd booing a US soldier. Think about that.
(via towleroad)

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Reva Rice “Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries”

Reva Rice, current star of “Vegas the Show” in Las Vegas, stops the evening with her rendition of “Life Is Just A Bowl of Cherries” at Jim Caruso’s Cast Party in Las Vegas with musical director and co-hort Billy Stritch. Btw, this was at about 1AM after two performances of “Vegas The Show.”

Jim Caruso’s Cast Party is a wildly popular weekly soiree that brings a sprinkling of Broadway glitz and urbane wit to the legendary Birdland in New York City every Monday night. Now occasionally in Las Vegas, Jim continues his cool cabaret night-out enlivened by a hilariously impromptu variety show. Showbiz superstars hit the stage alongside up-and-comers, serving up jaw-dropping music and general razzle-dazzle.