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| FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE. OBAMA LANDS TWO MORE SUPERS; CONGRESSMAN FOSSELLA, OHIO A.G. SINKING IN SEX SCANDALS; ... AND HOW BIG OF A TENT? P2008 - DEMS. Barack Obama landed two more superdelegates on Thursday: Congressmen Rick Larsen (D-WA) and Brad Miller (D-NC). The Larsen endorsement came after Obama paid a surprise visit to the House floor. No new supers on Thursday for Hillary Clinton.
OHIO: Another brewing sex scandal involves Attorney General Marc Dann (D). Over the past two weeks, Dann -- elected in 2006 as a self-styled reformer -- has acknowledged he engaged in a sexual affair with his scheduler and has mismanaged the office. Two top aides to Dann were fired and a third resigned last week following an internal investigation into sexual harassment claims by two female staffers. Dann says he lacked any professional management experience required to properly run a staff as large as the AG's office. Governor Ted Strickland (D), the Ohio AFL-CIO and leading state Dems openly called on Dann to resign or face impeachment. The AFL-CIO called Dann "a disgrace." In a sign that Dann plans to fight back, he hired a Texas political consultant Thursday who specializes in crisis management. FLORIDA.
Republicans love to use the phrase "Big Tent" to describe
the purported range of views welcomed within the GOP -- but a
new Republican candidate in Florida may be testing the limits.
Meet criminal defense attorney Gary Ostrow, the new GOP nominee
for Broward County Public Defender. Ostrow garnered media coverage
when he previously represented Miami Dolphins star runningback
Ricky Williams for testing positive for marijuana, in violation
of the NFL's substance abuse policies. Does Ostrow have unusual
views? Ostrow is a Republican who plagiarizes Karl Marx for his
personal quote on his
AOL Instant Messenger page. "Organized religion is the
sign of the oppressed creature ... It is the opium of the people,"
writes Ostrow. Colorful? Check out Ostrow's personal YouTube
page -- linking to all his favorite soft-core porn and stripper
videos. But -- most unorthodox of all -- was how Ostrow celebrated
the last-minute filing his candidacy papers just before last Friday's
deadline: by announcing he put $200,000 of his own money into
his campaign account ... and then getting himself arrested a few
hours later on felony cocaine possession charges. THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE. OBAMA LOOKS TO FALL CAMPAIGN AS MORE SUPERS START TO COMMIT; CLINTON LIKELY TO EXIT RACE IN MID-JUNE. P2008
- DEMS. A day after essentially eliminating Hillary Clinton
as a viable rival, Barack Obama started to lock up the remaining
superdelegates needed to clinch INDIANA
REDUX. Here is the one race result we couldn't call last night.
Former Congresswoman Jill Long Thompson scored a very narrow 0.5%
victory over wealthy businessman Jim Schellinger in the Dem gubernatorial
contest. Schellinger conceded the race and will not request a
recount. Long Thompson will face Governor Mitch Daniels (R) in
November. Race rating: Toss-Up. WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE. OBAMA WINS LANDSLIDE IN NC; INDIANA TOO CLOSE TO CALL; ALL CONGRESSIONAL INCUMBENTS SURVIVED TUESDAY'S PRIMARIES. P2008 - DEMS. A day after essentially eliminating Hillary Clinton as a viable rival, Barack Obama started to lock up the remaining superdelegates needed to clinch the nomination. Superdelegate and Virginia State Delegate Jennifer McClellan unendorsed Clinton and switched to Obama. Other supers endorsing Obama on Wednesday: Florida State House Minority Leader Dan Gelber, North Carolina Democratic State Chair Jerry Meek, and two DNC members. "I think that Senator Obama is going to be a tremendous boost for down-ballot races in North Carolina. He's going to turn out segments of the electorate -- particularly young people and African-Americans -- who have historically low turnout levels. That will help candidates up and down the ballot," said Meek to the AP. Clinton also picked up three superdelegates: Congressmen Heath Shuler (D-NC) and Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) and a Texas labor union leader. While Clinton made a brief campaign visit to West Virginia -- in large part to kill the rumors she was on the verge of exiting the race -- her standard stump speech eliminated all of her previous criticisms of Obama and now contained a muted vow to remain in the race "until we have a nominee" (versus her former "until the convention" pledge). Lawrence O'Donnell reported that a senior Clinton strategist hinted Clinton is planning to exit the White House race in mid-June. The insider said the Democrats "will have a nominee by June 15." The source emphasized to O'Donnell that Clinton will be "reasonable" and make a "reality-based" decision in June about the outcome of the race. Meanwhile, Obama took Wednesday off from the campaign trail -- and his staff announced the candidate will immediately start focusing on the general election by scheduling a quick series of visits to key swing states. P2008 - GOP. Here is a set of Tuesday election numbers you're not hearing discussed, but which seem significant. John McCain won the NC primary with 74% -- meaning that 26% of North Carolina Republicans showed up at the polls and voted against McCain. In Indiana, 22% of Republicans voted against McCain in the primary. Looks like McCain still has a ways to go to shore up his base for November. NORTH
CAROLINA. Here are the results of key down-ballot races from
Tuesday's primaries. GOVERNOR: Lieutenant Governor Bev
Perdue won the Democratic nomination over State Treasurer Richard
Moore, winning by a 55% to 41% vote. On the GOP side, Charlotte
Mayor Pat McCrory won the primary with 46%. INDIANA.
Here are the notable gubernatorial and congressional primary results.
GOVERNOR: Former Congresswoman Jill Long Thompson and wealthy
architectural firm owner Jim Schellinger were locked in a virtual
tie nearly all night long as the Democratic primary results were
counted. Schellinger held a narrow lead at 50.4% with most votes
counted. A recount is possible. The winner will face vulnerable
Governor Mitch Daniels (R) in November. Race rating: Toss-Up.
CD-5: Congressman Dan Burton (R) survived an aggressive,
year-long challenge to defeat former Marion County Coroner John
McGoff by a 52% to 45% vote. Race rating: Safe GOP. CD-7:
Congressman Andre Carson (D), who was recently elected in a special
election to replace his late grandmother, won his crowded primary
race. Carson took 46%, versus 24% for former State Health Commissioner
Woody Myers, and 21% for State Representative David Orentlicher,
and 8% for State Representative Carolene Mays. State Representative
Jon Elrod (R) won his primary and will face Carson in a November
rematch of the special election.
Race rating: DEM Favored. TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE. FINAL IN, NC DEM PREZ POLLS; NC & INDIANA PRIMARIES FOR GOVERNOR, CONGRESS. P2008
- DEMS. Since the NORTH
CAROLINA. Several other races are also on Tuesday's Presidential
primary ballot. GOVERNOR: Governor Mike Easley (D) is term-limited,
so both parties have competitive primaries to replace him. On
the Dem side, polls show Lieutenant Governor Bev Perdue leading
State Treasurer INDIANA.
There are also gubernatorial and congressional primaries here
on Tuesday. GOVERNOR: Former Congresswoman Jill Long Thompson
appears to have a slight edge over architectural firm owner Jim
Schellinger in the Dem gubernatorial primary. Schellinger had
fallen far behind, but recent polls show him rapidly closing the
gap again. The winner will face vulnerable Governor Mitch Daniels
(R) in November. CONGRESS: While the ballot is filled with
US House races, only two primaries merit real attention. In CD-5,
Congressman Dan Burton appears likely to score a comfortable win
over former Marion County Coroner John McGoff. In CD-7, recently
elected Congressman Andre Carson (D) should be able to fend off
an aggressive and free-spending primary challenge from wealthy
former State Health Commissioner Woody Myers. State Representatives
David Orentlicher and Carolene Mays, plus four other Dems, are
also running. MONDAY NEWS UPDATE. DEM SCORES UPSET PICKUP IN LOUISIANA CONGRESSIONAL SPECIAL ELECTION; OBAMA WINS GUAM BY 7-VOTE MARGIN; NEW NC, IN POLLS. LOUISIANA. State Senator Steve Scalise (R) easily won the CD-1 congressional seat left vacant by the election last year of Congressman Bobby Jindal as Governor. Scalise won 75% of the vote against three opponents in the special election run-off. The big news of the day, however, was the upset win of State Representative Don Cazayoux (D) in the CD-6 special election. Cazayoux defeated former State Representative and newspaper publisher Woody Jenkins (R) by a 49% to 46% vote, with three Independents capturing the remainder. The CD-6 seat had been in GOP hands for over 30 years. Cazayoux -- a self-proclaimed centrist "Blue Dog Democrat" -- won despite a heavy barrage of Republicans TV ads and mailings trying to equate Cazayoux with "liberal" Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama/Jeremiah Wright and House Speaker "Nancy Pelosi and her San Francisco values." The same NRCC message also failed to sway conservative voters in the Mississippi special election primary last month. P2008
- DEMS. Barack Obama narrowly defeated Hillary Clinton on
Saturday's Guam primary. Voters in Guam cast ballots for delegate
slates committed to a candidate. Delegates pledged to Obama won
2,264 votes, while Clinton's slate captured 2,257 votes. Obama's
seven vote victory -- a virtual tie -- means that Obama and Clinton
won two delegates apiece. There are also some new polls for Tuesday's
primary contests: GEORGIA.
Candidate filing closed in Georgia. Click here
to view the statewide and congressional candidate listings. WEEKEND OPEN THREAD.
FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE. FORMER DNC CHAIR SWITCHES FROM CLINTON TO OBAMA; NEW IN, NC, OR POLLS. P2008
- DEMS. Former THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE. A SUPER(-DELEGATE) DAY; NC GOV & US SEN POLLS; A "MAY DAY" HISTORY LESSON. P2008 - DEMS. Several new superdelegate endorsements to announce. Three members of Congress -- Bruce Braley (D-IA), Lois Capps (D-CA) and Baron Hill (D-IN) -- endorsed Barack Obama. Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) and two non-elected official "supers" endorsed Hillary Clinton. The Wall Street Journal and The Politico both reported that nearly all of the 80+ uncommitted superdelegates remaining in Congress have actually picked sides and conveyed their future announcement plans to the respective campaigns. According to WSJ, a majority of the remaining superdelegates in Congress plan to endorse Obama. FYI: No new primary polls to report today. NORTH
CAROLINA. The
HAPPY MAY DAY. Today was the original International Labor
Day (or International Workers Day, depending upon the translation)
-- the date selected by the international trade union movement
in honor of the memory of Chicago's framed Haymarket
martyrs -- but the date of the formal Labor Day in the US
was later moved to the first weekend in September when May 1 become
associated too closely with the Labor Day celebration around the
globe by international socialists and communists. WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE. OBAMA SAYS WRIGHT IS WRONG; KY CONGRESSMAN ENDORSES OBAMA; NEW NC, IN, KY POLLS; INDIANA GOV & US REP RACES. P2008
- DEMS. Barack Obama fired INDIANA.
Former Congresswoman Jill Long Thompson appears likely to win
the Democratic primary for Governor next week. All polls for the
past two weeks have shown Thompson leading. The latest poll --
Howey Politics/Gauge Mkt Research -- shows her widening her lead
over wealthy businessman Jim Schellinger. The number: Thompson
- 45%, Schellinger - 27%. The same poll also gave some insights
into two of next week's congressional primaries. In CD-5, Congressman
Dan Burton (R) leads former Marion County Coroner John McGoff
by a 57% to 22% vote. In CD-7, freshman Congressman Andre Carson
holds a comfortable lead in the eight-candidate Democratic primary.
The numbers: Carson - 45%, former State Health Commissioner Woody
Myers - 27%, State Representative David Orentlicher - 7%, State
Representative Carolene Mays - 4%. Myers has already spent over
$550,000 out of his own pocket on the contest. TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE. NC GOV EASLEY ENDORSES CLINTON, OBAMA GETS ANOTHER US SEN; NEW INDIANA & N.C. POLLS; PAUL LIKELY WON'T BACK McCAIN. P2008
- DEMS. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama both landed significant
super-delegate endorsements on Monday -- but Clinton's was definitely
more significant, in light of the upcoming NC primary next week.
North Carolina Governor Mike Easley threw his support behind Clinton,
and US Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) endorsed Obama. New Mexico
already voted. Dr. Jeremiah Wright -- Obama's former pastor --
also is aggressively pushing himself back into the headlines via
a series of speeches and press conferences. Wright, who sounded
rather jealous of the positive attention lavished on Obama's recent
race speech, seems intent on making incendiary comments intended
to generate headlines. Obama, in response, seems to be further
distancing himself from his controversial retired pastor. Here
are the latest primary polls: P2008
- GOP. Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) told CNN he has no plans
to campaign this fall in support of John McCain. "There’s
not much difference between the three [McCain, Clinton and Obama],"
said Paul. When asked if he would campaign for McCain, Paul answered:
"Probably not, not unless he changes his tune -- like bring
the troops home." Despite these comments, Paul insists he
is being a very loyal Republican: "Maybe you are a good Republican
if you stand up for Republican principles. I would argue that
leadership in the last few years has drifted from the Republican
principles. More bureaucracy, more regulations, more entitlements,
policing the world, but that is not what we stand for. I would
say that our position is very much in tune with being a good Republican." MONDAY NEWS UPDATE. OBAMA SAYS "NO" TO MORE DEBATES; BOSWELL STRONG IN IOWA; NADER GETS N.M. BALLOT SPOT; KEYES LOSES FOR CONSTITUTION NOMINATION, RUNNING AS INDY NOW. P2008. Despite Hillary Clinton's call for more debates with opponent Barack Obama, Obama made it clear he will not agree to any more debates before the Indiana and North Carolina primaries on May 6. Obama said they had already engaged in 21 debates, which was more than enough for now. Meanwhile, Obama and Clinton each picked up one superdelegate apiece over the weekend. Neither new super was an elected official, with Obama's coming from Arizona and Clinton's from New Hampshire. IOWA.
Congressman Leonard Boswell (D) appears well positioned to survive
an aggressive primary challenge from the left by former State
Representative Ed Fallon. According to the new KCCI-TV poll, Boswell
leads by a 52% to 28% vote. The primary is June 3. INDEPENDENTS. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader secured a spot on the November ballot in New Mexico on Friday, making it his first for the 2008 campaign. New Mexico is expected to be a key swing state. Nader and VP runningmate Matt Gonzalez will appear on the NM ballot under the Independent Party name -- an "alter-ego party" created solely to help with ballot access in some states. CONSTITUTION
PARTY. The Constitution Party overwhelmingly rejected former
Ambassador and frequent GOP candidate Alan Keyes' bid for their
Presidential nomination on Saturday. Baptist pastor and local
radio talk show host Chuck Baldwin of Florida -- the party's 2004
VP nominee -- easily defeated Keyes by a delegate vote of 383.8
(74%) to 125.7 (24%). Tennessee attorney Darrell Castle won the
VP spot. In a conference call Saturday evening with supporters,
Keyes vowed to remain in the Presidential race as an Independent
candidate. WEEKEND NEWS UPDATE. INDIANA POLLS; ANOTHER SUPER-D FOR OBAMA; CONSTITUTION PARTY FOUNDER BLASTS KEYES. P2008.
Congressman Bob Brady (D-PA) -- who is also the Philadelphia Democratic
Party Chair -- told reporters that he will cast his superdelegate
vote in support of the candidate who overwhelmingly carried his
district this past week (i.e., Barack Obama), as he doesn't believe
it would be proper to go against the will of his district's voters.
But, oddly, Brady said he'll make an official announcement "later."
There were also a few new Indiana primary polls released Friday:
FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE. OBAMA GETS ANOTHER SUPER-D; CONSTITUTION PARTY PREZ CONVO; LEADING LIBERTARIAN PREZ CANDIDATE DEFENDS CHILD PORN. P2008.
Barack Obama scored another superdelegate on Thursday: Congressman
David Wu (D-OR). None for Hillary Clinton today. CONSTITUTION PARTY: The Constitution Party Presidential Nominating Convention is taking place in Kansas City this weekend. The CP is a vocal Religious Right entity. The nominating speeches are set for Friday, and the delegates will vote on Saturday. The two leading candidates for the Presidential nomination appear to be former Ambassador Alan Keyes and pastor/radio talk show host Chuck Baldwin. Keyes is a former three-time GOP Presidential candidate and three-time GOP nominee for US Senate. Baldwin was the party's 2004 VP nominee. The party's ticket in 2004 achieved ballot status in 36 states. LIBERTARIAN PARTY: Research scientist, medical professor and Libertarian activist Mary Ruwart -- a frontrunner for the LP Presidential nomination -- is in hot water over statements she previously wrote in her book Short Answers to the Tough Questions on the issue of child pornography. Ruwart has been a frequent LP candidate for US Senate and other offices in the past, and has been a popular speaker at LP gatherings nationwide for many years. This is what Ruwart wrote In response to the question "How can a libertarian argue against child pornography?":
One
of Ruwart's rival LP candidates -- wealthy sports handicapper
Wayne Root -- is calling on her to quit the race. Don't expect
Ruwart to exit, however. The bottom line: Ruwart's stumble probably
locks-up the LP nomination for former GOP Congressman Bob Barr
at next month's nominating convention. THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE. DEMS HIT McCAIN ON EQUAL PAY LAW; OBAMA, CLINTON LAND NEW SUPERDELEGATES; GA CONGRESSMAN GETS PRIMARIED. P2008.
Dems are hitting GEORGIA:
State Senator Regina Thomas announced she will challenge Congressman
John Barrow in this year's Democratic primary. Thomas, known for
her independent streak, told the Savannah Morning News
her candidacy does not arise from any sharp disagreement with
the incumbent: "This is not about John Barrow, but about
what I can do for the people of the 12th Congressional District.
I like John, but I think I can do a better job." Barrow has
raised over $1.3 million to date, and Thomas starts with no funds
in her account. However, Thomas is African-American and two demographic
facts appear to help her: the district is 40% black and a majority
of all primary participants will be black voters. Barrow said
he wasn't particularly concerned with the challenge, feeling confident
Dems approve of his performance.
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NEW
YORK. Congressman Vito Fossella (R) appears on the verge of
retirement -- something seemingly unthinkable a week ago -- after
his DUI arrest and subsequent admissions of fathering a child
during an extramartal affair. "I have had a relationship
with Laura Fay, with whom I have a three-year-old daughter. My
personal failings and imperfections have caused enormous pain
to the people I love and I am truly sorry. While I understand
that there will be many questions, including those about my political
future, making any political decisions right now are furthest
from my mind," said Fossella in a written statement on Thursday.
GOP insiders expect Fossella to shortly announce he will not seek
re-election to the CD-13 seat. If convicted on the DUI charge,
he faces a five-day mandatory minimum jail sentence. Fossella
is the only Republican currently representing a New York City
district.
the
nomination. Superdelegate and Virginia State Delegate Jennifer
McClellan unendorsed Clinton and switched to Obama. Other supers
endorsing Obama on Wednesday: Florida State House Minority Leader
Dan Gelber, North Carolina Democratic State Chair Jerry Meek,
and two DNC members. "I think that Senator Obama is going
to be a tremendous boost for down-ballot races in North Carolina.
He's going to turn out segments of the electorate -- particularly
young people and African-Americans -- who have historically low
turnout levels. That will help candidates up and down the ballot,"
said Meek to the AP. Clinton also picked up three superdelegates:
Congressmen Heath Shuler (D-NC) and Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) and
a Texas labor union leader. While Clinton made a brief campaign
visit to West Virginia -- in large part to kill the rumors she
was on the verge of exiting the race -- her standard stump speech
eliminated all of her previous criticisms of Obama and now contained
a muted vow to remain in the race "until we have a nominee"
(versus her former "until the convention" pledge). Clinton
strategist Lawrence O'Donnell, in an interview with the liberal
Huffington Post website, hinted Clinton is planning to exit the
White House race in mid-June. He said the Democrats "will
have a nominee by June 15." O'Donnell emphasized that Clinton
will be "reasonable" and make a "reality-based"
decision in June about the outcome of the race. Meanwhile, Obama
took Wednesday off from the campaign trail -- and his staff announced
the candidate will immediately start focusing on the general election
by scheduling a quick series of visits to key swing states.
State
Senator Fred Smith was second with 36%, and three others split
the remaining votes. Race rating: Leans DEM. US SENATE:
State Senator Kay Hagan -- the DSCC's candidate -- won the Democratic
nomination in a landslide, taking 60% against four opponents.
She will face US Senator Elizabeth Dole (R) in November. Race
rating: GOP Favored. CD-3: Congressman Walter Jones Jr.
-- a vocal Iraq War opponent and Ron Paul ally -- scored a surprisingly
lopsided GOP primary win. The district is heavily dominated by
giant military bases, but Jones still won by a 60-40 vote. Race
rating: Safe GOP. CD-10: Congressman Pat McHenry (R) defeated
retired USAF officer Lance Sigmon by a 2-to-1 margin, despite
a weathering a very nasty attack campaign from the challenger
and a widespread whispering campaign that McHenry is gay. Race
rating: Safe GOP. CD-11: Asheville City Councilman Carl
Mumpower captured 48% in the three-way GOP contest for the right
to oppose freshman Congressman Heath Shuler (D) in November. Race
rating: DEM Favored.
NHL
playoffs are going on these days, a hockey metaphor seems rather
appropriate. Barack Obama is clearly playing the trap -- safe,
runs out the clock, dull as hell to watch, but usually works.
Let's face reality -- and risk pissing off the Hillary Clinton
folks out there -- but most observers now acknowledge Obama will
win the nomination. It's a matter of mathematics. Securing the
nomination won't look like a knockout win (unless possibly if
Obama wins both Indiana and North Carolina), but a win is always
a win. So can we please get this thing over with already! That
said, here are some new polls for Tuesday's primary contests:
Richard
Moore by several points. On the GOP side, initial frontrunner
Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory has seen his advantage disappear.
State Senator Fred Smith has either tied or narrowly passed McCrory
in recent polls, although GOP insiders believe McCrory may be
a stronger candidate in November with better crossover appeal.
Three other Republicans are also running. US SENATE: Incumbent
Elizabeth Dole (R) will win her primary in a landslide. State
Senator Kay Hagan -- the DSCC's candidate -- is favored over investment
banker Jim Neal for the Democratic nomination. CD-3: Congressman
Walter Jones Jr. (R) is facing an aggressive primary challenge
from Onslow County Commissioner Joe McLaughlin. Jones -- a former
Iraq War supporter-turned-vocal critic -- was the only Congressman
to endorse Ron Paul for President. McLaughlin strongly supports
the Iraq War, which is helping him in this district heavily dominated
by giant military bases. This race could go either way. CD-10:
Congressman Patrick McHenry (R) is being challenged by retired
USAF officer Lance Sigmon. Sigmon argues McHenry is dishonest
and has "character" flaws, but the challenge really
seems to be grounded upon the ongoing whispering campaign that
McHenry may be a closeted gay man. Retired Congressman Cass Ballenger
(R) has endorsed Sigmon, but McHenry is still expected to win
by a comfortable margin. CD-11: Three Republicans are fighting
to win the right to oppose freshman Congressman Heath Shuler (D)
in November. Based upon fundraising to date, none of the Republicans
look to be particularly viable against Shuler.
FREE
SPEECH ZONE. Filing for Congress closed in 
latest
WTVD-TV/SurveyUSA poll gives us a good snapshot of next week's
primaries for US Senate and Governor. In the Dem primary for US
Senate, State Senator Kay Hagan leads investment banker Jim Neal
by a 38% to 17% vote, with all others in the low single-digits.
The winner will face US Senator Elizabeth Dole (R) in November.
In the open gubernatorial race, both parties are seeing competitive
contests. The Democrats: Lieutenant Governor Bev Perdue - 45%,
State Treasurer Richard Moore - 38%, Other - 2%. The Republicans:
Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory - 36%, State Senator Fred Smith -
32%, former Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr - 7%, attorney Bill
Graham - 5%. Governor Mike Easley (D) is term-limited.
back
at self-aggrandizing retired pastor Jeremiah Wright, calling him
"divisive and destructive." Obama went on to say he
was "outraged" by Wright's latest comments this week,
was "saddened by the spectacle" and that Wright was
"giving comfort to those who prey on hate." Wright this
week seemed intent upon creating further controversy -- even at
Obama's expense -- if it helps promote himself for his upcoming
book. In other news, Congressman Ben Chandler (D-KY) endorsed
Obama on Tuesday. Chandler joins Congressman John Yarmuth -- the
only other Kentucky Democrat in the US House -- in backing Obama.
Obama also picked up another superdelegate Tuesday: a DNC member
from Iowa. Meanwhile, here are the latest primary polls:
CONSTITUTION
PARTY: Constitution Party founder Howard Phillips -- the party's
1992, 1996 and 2000 Presidential nominee -- used his Friday speech
at the conservative party's Presidential nominating convention
to savagely blast former UNESCO Ambassador Alan Keyes. Keyes,
who bolted to the CP recently after having made six failed runs
for office as a Republican, is one of the two leading candidates
for the CP nomination. Phillips attacked Keyes as an "ego-driven"
candidate, an opportunist, and a "neo-con" who doesn't
share the party's views on the Iraq War, the United Nations, foreign
aid, and other international policies. He also said that Keyes'
frequent attacks on libertarian Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) proved
Keyes was out of step with the CP's views. Phillips then urged
the delegates to nominate pastor and Religious Right radio talk
show host Chuck Baldwin for President in Saturday's vote. Phillips'
remarks so unnerved the Keyes supporters that CP National Chairman
Jim Clymer -- who is not a Keyes supporter -- took to the stage
immediately after the speech to announce he disagreed with the
personal nature of Phillips' attacks and urged party members to
not attack each other.
John
McCain (R) for his opposition to the federal legislation to guarantee
equal pay for women as men holding the same jobs. Hillary Clinton
and Barack Obama are now battling for Indiana, which will be a
competitive contest. In related news, Clinton's campaign expected
to raise nearly $10 million online in the 24-hours since winning
the Pennsylvania primary. Both sides also announced superdelegate
endorsements on Wednesday. Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry and a
Nebraska DNC member endorsed Obama. Congressman John Tanner (D-TN)
endorsed Clinton. Also, Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH) and Congresswoman
Betty Sutton (D-OH) endorsed Clinton a few days ago.
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