Hot Links: Ward Connerly, Jeff Flake, Barack Obama, Trent Franks, Joe Arpaio, Gwen Stefani, and more.

By Stephen Lemons

Ward Connerly’s anti-affirmative action initiative off the ballot. (Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, hey hey-ey, goodbye.) Congressman Jeff Flake defends anti-Ready letter as Rep‘s Nelson learns the joys of LexisNexis. Obama to announce Veep soon. D-Backs whup Padres, 4-1. Rep reporter who wrote up death of Lovejoy dog, charged in his own canine’s hot-car cruelty case. Congressman Trent Franks’ reservations re: Arpaio’s Surprise sweep. Cards at Oakland Saturday for third preseason. Group says photo radar sucks. (No argument from us). ICE ends self-deport program. And Anne Denogean on the anti-Bush T-shirt ruling.

Ward Connerly initiative fails to make ballot.

Rep’s Nelson pooh-poohs Flake’s anti-Ready letter, discovers LexisNexis.

Tribune’s Le Templar weighs in on Flake letter.

The Obama Veep guessing game.

ICE’s self-deport plan a bust.

Trent Franks troubled by Arpaio’s Surprise sweep.

Camerafraud.com protests cop photo radar.

Rep reporter who wrote up Lovejoy charged in doggie cruelty.

D-Backs dominate Padres.

Preview of Cards at Oakland.

Gwen Stefani pops out another puppy.

Citizen’s Denogean on anti-Bush T-shirt ruling.