MSNBC has a story today about Presidential candidates and the potential confusion that their names cause when attempting to translate. Apparently folks in Boston have decided that Asian characters should be printed on ballots in Asian-heavy areas of the city, and that is posing problems as the Presidential contenders have their names translated into Chinese. For example:

Mitt Romney - The characters that make up his name also could mean “Sticky Rice” or “Uncooked Rice”

Barack Obama - “Oh Bus Horse”

Fred Thompson - “Virtue Soup”

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino seems to make out the worst though. His name translates to: “Barbarian Mud No Mind of His Own”. Ouch.

Mayor Mark A. Lauretti announced his plan for reelection last night with a kick-off fundraiser at his home. Lauretti is one of the shining stars of the Republican Party. He won promising to cut taxes, rebuild the infrastructure of the decaying city and bringing jobs and opportunity.

Lauretti has delivered on all these promises with a strong fiscal hand and a vision. Slowly Shelton has emerged into a dynamic small city, which has become a place to not only do business but also move to and raise a family.

If you had stayed away from Shelton for 14 years and drove through its downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, you wouldn’t recognize it. Lauretti has never lost his common touch and stayed close to the people. He has no opponent, but Lauretti has left nothing to chance. He runs hard each and every time and doesn’t let his foes get off the canvas. A good model for other Republicans seeking local office and for those who govern.

Here is a funny one: Former Senator Fred D. Thompson was something of a ladies’ man during his days as a single man - but at least a few of the former ladies are saying nothing but good things about Thompson now.

A “legion of former girlfriends” were interviewed heaping lavish praise on the noted actor and lawyer from Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. Among them country music star Lorrie Morgan, who is quoted thus: “I couldn’t think of a bad word to say about Fred if somebody put a gun to my head.”

It didn’t stop there for Ms. Morgan, obviously and clearly still smitten with ‘Arthur Branch’: “I think he has a great chance of capturing the women’s vote. He’s majestic. He’s a soft, safe place to be and that could be Fred’s ticket. Women love a soft place to lay and a strong pair of hands to hold us.”

Georgette Mosbacher added: “Another thing that is extremely attractive about Fred is that he is a really good listener. As a woman you can talk to Fred about any subject and know that you’re getting someone who respects your opinion and isn’t just being polite.”

Thompson has already gotten some criticism from some corners about his ‘womanizing’ past. In the article, the Senator is quoted as responding this way: “I was single for a long time and yep I chased a lot of women,” Thompson told them with a grin. “And a lot of women chased me. And those who chased me tended to catch me.”

The Senate is in now, considering the State Budget. State Senator Dan Debicella had favorable comments - commendation for the Governor and the teamwork displayed by the Democrats in the Senate on the budget.

Senator Kissel of Enfield has similiar comments - noteworthy comments on retaining young people in Connecticut and on the need for additional focus on health care.

Senator Guglielmo of Stafford - He is concerned about spending going forward.

UPDATE: In the anti-climax, the budget deal passed in the Senate and will now head toward the Governor’s office for an expected signature.

Need the latest evidence that the free market is working to deliver better goods and services to Americans? iPhone and the race to make that contraption on your belt work better than ever.

The New York Times had an interesting article on the new French President Nicolas Sarkozy yesterday. Hailed by many as the best hope in decades for fundamental reforms in France, the NY Times depicts the scene of Sarkozy at last week’s European Summit - negotiating tough deals with the Poles and others in order to revive EU progress that has largely stalled since the French voted to reject the European Constitution as crafted in 2005.

Though sometimes characterized as too brash and arrogant to be diplomatic, it certainly seems like Sarkozy is getting the job done in Europe.

Former Michigan Congressman Guy Vander Jagt died last week of cancer at the age of 75 and many remembered him as a tireless Republican who gave his heart and soul of our party. He was more than that - he was gentle caring guy who would go anywhere anytime to help a Republican - especially during his tenure as head of the Republican National Congressional Committee.

For eight years, from 1978 to the time he lost a 1992 primary, Vander Jagt raised millions for Republican candidates including Chris Shays, Nancy Johnson, Gary A. Franks among others who didn’t make it to Washington. In many ways he paved the way for the 1994 revolution by encouraging and fighting for his beliefs. Born in Cadillac, Michigan, Vander Jagt was a brilliant orator and gave probably the best keynote address in recent memory when in 1980 he gave a booming stem winder from memory to rally the convention for Ronald Reagan.

Vander Jagt had no airs about him. He would treat staffers and interns with the same deference as Presidents and Senators. He enjoyed a drink and smoke and a round of golf and made no apologies for ripping the bark of Democrats.

We owe a lot to those who toiled in the minority for years and never quit, Vander Jagt was such a man and we are poorer for his passing.