DALEY
WINS SIXTH TERM; UDALL-McINNIS SEN RACE SHAPING UP IN COLORADO. ILLINOIS: Chicago Mayor Richard M. "Rich" Daley
(D) cruised to a landslide re-election win on Tuesday for a sixth
term. Daley scored 72% against his two minor opponents in the
non-partisan race. If Daley serves out this full four-year term,
he will pass his father -- Richard J. "Dick" Daley --
as the city's longest serving mayor. Daley's father died in office
in 1976 after serving 21 years as Mayor. If he completes this
term, Daley will have served 22 years as mayor. COLORADO: It more than a month after US Senator Wayne Allard
(R) announced his retirement, but Republicans finally have an
official candidate for the open seat. Former Congressman Scott
McInnis (R) filed FEC paperwork this week to seek the seat. Former
Congressman Bob Schaffer (R), who lost a 2004 US Senate primary,
is also looking at the contest. Congressman Mark Udall (D) is
a lock to be the Democratic nominee. Udall was already running
when Allard announced his retirement. A Udall-McInnis race would
be highly competitive, with Udall seemingly holding a slight advantage
at the outset based upon money, his early organizing efforts,
and recent statewide voting trends in Colorado.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.28.07 | Permalink
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Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.28.07 | Permalink
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TUESDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
BREAUX
FACES LEGAL BAR; SIMMONS OUT; EX-BLACK PANTHER CHAIR ENTERS GREEN
RACE. LOUISIANA: Rumors are continuing to swirl that Governor
Kathleen
Blanco (D) -- a Breaux friend -- will quit her race for re-election
this year so Breaux can jump in. In an effort to deter Breaux,
State GOP Chair Roger Villere said research by the party's lawyers
show Breaux is no longer eligible under state law to run for Governor
in 2007. Villere said Breaux no longer meets the state constitutional
requirement of being a Louisiana “citizen" for “at
least the preceding five years.” According to the AP, "Breaux
is registered to vote and lists his primary address in Maryland,
about 70 miles from Washington, where he works for the lobbying
firm of Patton Boggs. Breaux changed his voter registration to
Maryland after he retired ... in 2005." Villere says Breaux
is not eligible and the GOP would be willing to go to court to
disqualify him from the race. "We would have a strong case
that he’s not qualified because he doesn’t meet our
residency requirements," said Villere. Breaux's spokesman
declined to comment on the story. If this information is correct,
it could provide a very quick end to any further Breaux-Blanco
"secret deal" stories. CONNECTICUT: Freshman Congressman Joe Courtney (D) got
some great news on Monday. The Politico reports former
Congressman Rob Simmons (R), who was ousted last year by Courtney
in the closest House race in the nation, is now unlikely to seek
a rematch. The reason: Simmons just accepted a new job as the
State Business Advocate in the office of Governor Jodi Rell (R).
GREENS: Former Black Panther Party National Chair and author
Elaine Brown -- a close associate of the late radical Huey
Newton -- has announced her candidacy for the Green Party's
Presidential nomination. She intends
to run on a platform "that addresses the interests of poor
and working families, in terms of living wages, free health care,
decent housing and increased funding for public education and
higher education, ending the war in Iraq, restoring the environment
and bringing about economic parity." Brown believes her candidacy
could help grow the Greens. "I know the party can earn a
significant increase in votes and membership, which will increase
our viability to take congressional seats, state house seats,
and local offices," she explains. AL GORE - AN EDITORIAL: Yes, I'm openly and vocally supporting
Obama for President. I've already contributed to his campaign
and have encouraged others to do likewise. And, yes, I also like
Edwards. I'll even acknowledge Clinton (not one of my top choices)
is a strong favorite to win the Democratic nomination. Richardson
and some of the others look good, too. That said, I'd be willing
to walk away from all of the current field if Al Gore could be
persuaded to enter the race later this year as a "Democratic
unity" candidate. Gore repeatedly says he "has no plans
to run" and seems sincere about it. But he'd make a great
candidate in the general election, possibly the strongest candidate
the Democrats could possibly put forward. Vietnam War veteran.
Congressman. US Senator. Vice President. Environmental activist.
Author. Oscar winner. Nobel Prize nominee. Best of all, his years
out of elective politics since 2000 have turned him into a much
more seasoned and likable guy in terms of his personality. Count
me among the chorus of those saying: Run Al Run!
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.27.07 | Permalink
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Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.27.07 | Permalink
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WANNA
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I'm interested in building up my collection of Canadian campaign
buttons. If you've got Canadian political buttons to
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pins. Please drop me
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MONDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
DEMS
TRY TO LIMIT '02 WAR RESOLUTION; IRAN WAR PLANNING; RON PAUL UPDATE. IRAQ: Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Carl Levin
(D-MI) confirmed Sunday during an appearance on Meet the Press
that he will introduce legislation to revise the initial 2002
congressional authorization resolution for the war in Iraq. Levin's
plan, which is backed the Dem leadership, would require that “most”
troops be withdraw from Iraq by March 2008. Don't look for the
plan to go anywhere, as Levin acknowledged the Dems don't have
enough votes to kill a likely Republican filibuster to block any
Iraq withdrawal plans. IRAN: The Sunday Times (London, UK) reports that
at least four top ranking US generals have made it clear they
will each resign if the Bush Administration decides
to take military action against Iran. The newspaper did not identify
either the UK & US sources nor the names of the generals.
However, they did report Defense Secretary Robert Gates "has
repeatedly warned [the White House] against striking Iran."
Gates and the generals purportedly believe the US lacks the military
capacity to take Iran on in any meaningful fashion and would be
a major "error of judgment." In related news, New
Yorker magazine reported this weekend that the Joint Chiefs
of Staff -- at the urging of the Bush Administration -- recently
created a special Pentagon planning group to plan a bombing attack
on Iran that could be implemented within 24-hours of getting word
from the White House. The official Pentagon response was a non-denial
denial: "The United States is not planning to go to war with
Iran. To suggest anything to the contrary is simply wrong, misleading
and mischievous." It all depends on what is meant in that
quote by the use of the word "war." LIBERTARIANS: Anti-tax activist Michael Badnarik, the Libertarian
Party's 2004 Presidential nominee, has endorsed Congressman Ron
Paul (R-TX) for President. While Badnarik understands Paul is
seeking the GOP nomination, he also is encouraging the LP to nominate
Paul for President. Paul was previously the LP Presidential nominee
in 1988, and has not expressed any interest in the 2008 LP nomination.
In fact, Paul has already said he also plans to seek re-election
to the House next year as a Republican. At least ten candidates
have announced campaigns for the LP nomination.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.26.07 | Permalink
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FREE
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The daily open thread.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.26.07 | Permalink
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WANNA
TRADE?
I'm interested in building up my collection of Canadian campaign
buttons. If you've got Canadian political buttons to
trade, I'm interesting in swapping with you for some great US
pins. Please drop me
a note!
WEEKEND NEWS UPDATE.
VILSACK
QUITS; RUDY & JOHN SKIP; RICHTER PROTECTING US GOALS; ARNOLD'S
FUTURE. P2008
- DEMS: Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack (D) -- the immediate
past chair of the centrist Democratic Leadership Council -- quit
the Presidential race on Friday. Vilsack announced his candidacy
in early November
2006, and positioned himself as a strident foe of the Iraq War.
However, independent poll numbers repeatedly showed him running
fourth in his homestate of Iowa behind the "first tier"
trio of Clinton, Obama and Edwards -- which likely convinced Vilsack
he was a very longshot at best to break into the leader group.
For the record, Vilsack attributed his withdrawal to serious fundraising
problems. P2008
- GOP: Both John McCain and Rudy Giuliani will be "no
shows" at the first New Hampshire candidates debate in April
sponsored by WMUR-TV. Both men have scheduling conflicts and informed
the TV station they will not attend. CT/NY:
According to the Rothenberg Political Report, retired pro
hockey goalie Mike Richter is looking to run for Congress in 2008
-- but he's shopping around for the best possible district. Richter,
who played college hockey at Yale and in the NHL for the New York
Rangers, is looking at seats in both Connecticut and New York.
One possible opponent: vulnerable Congressman Chris Shays (R-CT). ARNOLD: California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) told
The Politico he very much likes both John McCain and Rudy Giuliani,
but plans to make no endorsement in the race until after the GOP
selects a Presidential nominee. He also said he is interested
in running for either US Senator or Los Angeles Mayor once he
is term-limited in 2010.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.24.07 | Permalink
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FREE
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Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.24.07 | Permalink
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FRIDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
POSSIBLE
JOE-FECTION; COCHRAN TO RUN AGAIN; MEEHEN SPECIAL LOOKS MORE LIKELY.
US SENATE: US Senator Joe Lieberman (Independent Dem-CT)
is dropping vague hints he'd
consider switching to the Republican Party if congressional Dems
block or cut federal funding for the US military effort in Iraq.
"I have no desire to change parties. If that ever happens,
it is because I feel the majority of Democrats have gone in a
direction that I don't feel comfortable with ... We will see how
that plays out in the coming months," said Lieberman to The
Politico. MISSISSIPPI: US Senator Thad Cochran (R) says he is now
likely to seek re-election in 2008. He has begun scheduling fundraising
events to show he's serious about the race. Cochran told the Clarion-Ledger
he "felt that Mississippi had too much invested in me and
I have too much invested in Mississippi" to walk away from
30 years of seniority. MASSACHUSETTS: Congressman Martin Meehan (D) was named
one of three finalists for the chancellorship at University of
Massachusetts-Lowell. If Meehan gets the appointment -- as many
believe will happen -- expect a free-for-all in the special election
to fill his seat. Three Dems have already announced they will
run in the special, and at least seven more are looking at the
race. GEORGIA: Govenor Sonny Perdue (R) set June 19, 2007, as
the date for the CD-10 special election primary to replace the
late Congressman Charlie Norwood (R).
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.23.07 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
I've received a bunch of emails asking me what I think of Circuit
Judge Larry Seidlin, of the current Anna Nicole Smith body trial
infamy. Yes, I know him and have appeared before Judge Seidlin
in the past (although the last time I appeared before him in on
a case was at least 15 years ago). Well ... to be rather diplomatic
here ... I'm enjoying that now the rest of the nation has a chance
to learn what those of us here have already known about him. "The
wheels of justice aren't always round. Sometimes they're kind
of square, and like in the Old West, the ride can be bumpy."
Huh? There were square wheels in the Old West? Please,
please don't anyone give this embarrassment a TV show.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.23.07 | Permalink
|
THURSDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
NEW
IOWA POLL NUMBERS; R.I. BACKDOORS GAY MARRIAGE. IOWA: A new Strategic Vision-R poll was released Wednesday
of likely Iowa caucus participants. Republicans:
Rudy Giuliani - 29%, John McCain - 22%, Newt Gingrich - 11%, Mitt
Romney - 9%, Chuck Hagel - 5%, Tommy Thompson - 3%, and all others
with 2% or less apiece. Democrats:
John Edwards - 24%, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama tied with
18% each, Tom Vilsack - 14%, Joe Biden - 5%, Bill Richardson -
3%, and all others with
2% or less apiece. Interestingly, 48% of Republican respondents
said they favored "a withdrawal of all United States military
from Iraq within the next six months" -- versus 37% opposed
the idea. By contrast, Democrats favored withdrawal by
a 64-9 margin. These pro-withdrawal numbers could bode ill in
Iowa for candidates in both parties who either are pro-surge or
waffle on Iraq. GAY MARRIAGE: Attorney General Patrick Lynch (D) issued
an advisory opinion on Wednesday that the state will grant full
recognition and marital benefits to all same-sex Rhode Island
couples who got married in Massachusetts. "Rhode Island will
recognize same sex marriages lawfully performed in Massachusetts
as marriages in Rhode Island," wrote Lynch. While the advisory
opinion is significant, it is not binding. Legal observers expect
most state and local governmental entities in the state will honor
Lynch's directive.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.22.07 | Permalink
|
FREE
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Your daily open thread.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.22.07 | Permalink
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WEDNESDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
FL
GOP KILLS STRAW POLL; MULTIPLE CHOICE REPUBLICANS; IRAQ; FEDS
SEEK LIBBY FLIP. FLORIDA: John McCain's allies won a strategic victory over
rival Mitt Romney in behind-the-scenes maneuvering for this fall's
Florida Republican Convention. Romney -- who is backed by many
of former Governor Jeb Bush's closest allies in the state (although
Jeb is officially neutral) -- is viewed as as having the best
field organization in the state. McCain -- who is backed
by many of Governor Charlie Crist's closest allies (although Crist
is officially neutral) -- was worried he would be embarrassed
by Romney's purported superior ability in Florida to turnout supporters
at key events. That's why it is being viewed as a McCain victory
that state party leaders this week cancelled the planned straw
poll of delegates and replaced it with a Presidential candidates
debate. Romney's campaign was officially "disappointed"
by the move. While the change of plans helped McCain avoid a possible
straw ballot defeat at Romney's hands, Rudy Giuliani and others
may all benefit by this deep-sixing of the convention vote. ABORTION: Pro-life GOP Presidential candidates John McCain
and Mitt Romney both have some 'splaining to do to social conservative
primary voters. Two new videos surfaced on the popular YouTube
website showing both men making fairly recent statements in support
of preserving a woman's right to abortion secured by the controversial
Roe v. Wade decision. For McCain, it is a clip of him speaking
during the 2000 primaries. "But we all know, and it's obvious,
that if we repeal Roe v. Wade tomorrow, thousands of young
American women would be performing illegal and dangerous operations,"
said McCain in the 2000 video. For Romney, it is a clip from a
2002 gubernatorial debate. Speaking about Massachusetts' liberal
abortion laws, Romney is seen on the video saying: "I will
preserve them, I will protect them, I will enforce them."
As for video airtime of the other (i.e. positive) kind, Romney
is already on TV with a 60-second spot in select
media markets in Iowa, New Hampshire, Florida, Michigan and South
Carolina. THE DEMS: Since we gave the GOP two stories today on the
P2008 race, it's only fair we also cover the Democrats. Congressman
Dennis Kucinich this week became the first Democratic candidate
to open a campaign office in New Hampshire. Also, Governor Bill
Richardson said Tuesday his first act as President will be to
close the controversial US detention
camp at Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba. IRAQ: British Prime Minister Tony Blair will announce Wednesday
that his nation will begin the timed withdrawal of his nation's
7,100 troops from Iraq. The first 1,500 British troops will be
withdrawn within weeks. The White House spin: "The United
States shares the same goal of turning responsibility over to
the Iraqi Security Forces and reducing the number of American
troops in Iraq." Hmm ... so the White House agrees with the
British plans ... and we're proposing to send 21,500 more
US troops to Iraq. LIBBY: MSNBC reports that federal prosecutors are very
interested in possibly cutting a deal with former VP Chief of
Staff Lewis "Scooter" Libby if he is convicted this
week on felony perjury charges. They'd reportedly be willing to
offer Libby sentencing leniency in exchange for his cooperation
with them in pursuing similar criminal charges against Vice President
Dick Cheney. All of this is related to Cheney's office leaking
information in 2003 that Valerie Plame was an deep cover CIA agent
in retaliation for Plame's husband being a prominent Bush Administration
critic.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.21.07 | Permalink
|
FREE
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Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.21.07 | Permalink
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TUESDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
GOOD
NEWS FOR MITCH; RNC THREATENS FLORIDA; GEORGIA CD-10 SPECIAL UPDATE. INDIANA:
Most political pundits see Governor Mitch Daniels (R) as the one
of the most vulnerable gubernatorial incumbents in the nation
for 2008. That said, Daniels got some great news this past weekend
when the strongest potential Dem -- Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson
-- announced he will not run for Governor
next year. With Peterson out, the Democratic field is much thinner.
State Senate Minority Leader Richard Young (D) is an announced
candidate. Wealthy architectural firm owner and community activist
Jim Schellinger (D) -- who is close to Peterson -- is expected
to formally announce his candidacy soon. Former State House Speaker
John Gregg is frequently mentioned as a possible candidate, but
he told the Indianapolis Star he will not run if Schellinger
jumps in. Gregg called Schellinger "a fresh face" and
"the 800-pound gorilla" because of his ability to raise
large amounts of money from the business community. "His
decision makes mine a lot easier," said Gregg. P2008 CALENDAR: DNC threats to Florida legislators in recent
weeks seemingly had little effect in derailing the Florida bill
which would move the Sunshine State's 2008 Presidential primary
to the Tuesday "one week after the New Hampshire primary."
This would move Florida's primary to January 29, and break the
RNC/DNC fixed schedule that bars all except a few designated states
from holding primaries or caucuses before February 5. Since the
Dems struck out in their attempt to kill the advancing legislation,
RNC National Chair Mike Duncan stepped in this past weekend in
a secret meeting in Florida with key state party leaders. The
RNC message, according to a reliable Republican source: If Florida
goes forward with a January 29 primary, the RNC will strip the
state of many delegate spots, eliminate all the VIP floor and
gallery passes that Florida party leaders traditionally distributed,
give Florida terrible floor seating and hotel location at the
convention, and bar state party leaders and GOP elected officials
who are not officially elected delegates from access to the convention
floor. State GOP leaders didn't like the message, but it is unclear
if they have the clout (or the desire) to push the primary back
to February 5. GEORGIA: Timing is everything, and State Senator Ralph
Hudgens (R) clearly has no sense of it. As Congressman Charlie
Norwood (R) lay dying of cancer two weeks ago, Hudgens released
a preemptive statement saying he would run in the special election
once Norwood died. Hudgens previously lost three races for the
US House. Then, when Norwood died last week, Hudgens released
another statement just a few hours later announcing his candidacy
for the seat. That tasteless behavior clearly rubbed some GOP
leaders the wrong way. State Senator Jim Whitehead (R), who smartly
waited a few days to say anything, this week jumped into the race.
State Representative Barry Fleming (R) and former CD-12 Congressman
Max Burns (R) -- who both looked at the Norwood special election
-- immediately endorsed Whitehead. Former University of George
football coach Vince Dooley is yet again mentioned as a possible
candidate -- as either a Dem or GOP candidate -- but don't look
for him to really run.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.20.07 | Permalink
|
FREE
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Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.20.07 | Permalink
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MONDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
GOP
SENS BLOCK IRAQ DEBATE; HRC "NO APOLOGY"; STORMING THE
CASTLE; LA GOV SWITCH? IRAQ
#1: US Senate Republicans scored a strategic victory this
weekend as they again succeeded in blocking debate on the non-binding
resolution expressing opposition to the President's plan to send
an additional 21,500 US soldiers to Iraq. Seven GOP Senators voted
with the Democrats to invoke cloture and end the GOP filibuster,
but surge opponents fell three votes short of
the 60 votes needed to end the obstructionist tactics. IRAQ #2 (AND HILLARY): US Senator Hillary Clinton (D) continues
her contortions trying to explain her 2002 vote in support of
going to war with Iraq versus her rather ambiguous stance on the
war today. A week ago she was unable to say to three words --
"I was wrong" -- when openly asked to do so at a New
Hampshire event. The New York Times now reports Clinton
has decided that she has no apology to make and does not plan
to say those three words. "Several advisers, friends and donors
said in interviews that they had urged her to call her vote a
mistake in order to appease anti-war Democrats, who play a critical
role in the nominating process. Yet Mrs. Clinton herself, backed
by another faction, never wanted to apologize ... [Y]esterday
morning Mrs. Clinton rolled out a new response to those demanding
contrition: She said she was willing to lose support from voters
rather than make an apology she did not believe in. 'If the most
important thing to any of you is choosing someone who did not
cast that vote or has said his vote was a mistake, then there
are others to choose from,' Mrs. Clinton told an audience in Dover,
N.H.," referring to Barack Obama and John Edwards. McCAIN: For all those Dems who like to view Senator John
McCain (R) as a social moderate, check out what he said Sunday
in South Carolina. Speaking before a crowd of 800 conservatives,
the AP reports McCain said "I do not support Roe v. Wade.
It should be overturned." He vowed to appoint only strict
constructionists to the US Supreme Court. McCain later attended
an event in the state promoting teenage sexual abstinence on Sunday
evening. McCain was also endorsed Sunday by former Oklahoma Governor
Frank Keating and former US Senator Phil Gramm. DELAWARE: The Wilmington News-Journal reports the
DCCC wants to make Congressman Mike Castle (R), 67, a top national
target for defeat next year. Castle is one of the more moderate
GOP House members, but the Dems think the seat is ripe for a pickup
with the state's strong Democratic lean. That, and they also noticed
Castle's suffered a minor stroke last year -- although he seems
perfectly healthy
now. According the newspaper, the DCCC is trying to convince either
Lieutenant Governor John Carney or State Treasurer Jack Markell
to run against Castle. Both men are currently heading towards
a very competitive primary next year in the open race for Governor.
Markell confirmed the DCCC has met with him, but he says he still
wants to run for Governor. Castle hasn't faced a strong opponent
on the ballot since 1992. LOUISIANA: Veteran Bayou State political reporter
John Maginnis wrote in the Business Journal that retired
US Senator John Breaux (D) is "very interested" in running
this year for Louisiana Governor -- but only if his friend, incumbent
Kathleen Blanco (D), would be willing to quit the race in support
of his candidacy. Otherwise, Breaux is supporting Blanco. In related
news, Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu (D) claims he's running
for re-election this year when asked. However, Landrieu's newest
campaign finance report lists the very vague "future election"
as the office he is seeking. MISSISSIPPI: Evangelist Shawn O'Hara is the poster child
of perennial candidates. He's run over the years as a Democrat,
Republican, Reform and Independent candidate. And he's lost race
after race after race. This year he's found a novel new way to
score lots of defeats all at once: he's filed to simultaneously
run in the Democratic primary this year for Governor, Lieutenant
Governor, Attorney General, State Treasurer, State Agriculture
Commissioner, Secretary of State and State Insurance Commissioner.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.19.07 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
What's with all the media buzz about how the new John McCain and
Barack Obama campaign websites? Glowing media reports effuse that
the sites are so amazing because "like Facebook and MySpace,
users can create their own personal pages, albums and links networks
of friends." Umm ... that's so four years ago! As apparently
everyone has forgotten this fact: the Dean for America campaign
website last time around had all of those features as of 2003.
After the Dean campaign ended a year later, that online community
evolved into Democracy for America's DFALink
community (which still exists).
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.19.07 | Permalink
|
FRIDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
GIBBONS
CORRUPTION PROBE; COLEMAN LOOKS STRONG IN MN SEN POLL. GIBBONS:
Recently inaugurated Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons (R) is the target
of a new FBI corruption investigation. According to the Wall
Street Journal, in probe is centered around allegations that
Gibbons "accepted unreported gifts or payments from a company
that was awarded secret military contracts when Mr. Gibbons served
in Congress." During his ten years in Congress, Gibbons served
on the House Intelligence and Armed Services Committees. MINNESOTA: A new KSTP-TV/SurveyUSA poll shows US
Senator Norm Coleman (R) currently holding a sizable lead over
his two most likely challengers. Coleman leads radio talk show
host/humorist Al Franken (D) by a 57% to 35% vote. Coleman holds
a 57-34 advantage over wealthy trial attorney and '00 candidate
Mike Ciresi (D). Franken and Ciresi both announced their candidacies
this week. State Representatives Joe Atkins (D) and Aaron Peterson
(D) and college professor Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer (D) are also looking
at the race. Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D) and Minneapolis
Mayor R.T. Rybak (D) have been frequently mentioned as possible
challengers, but neither appears likely to enter the race.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.16.07 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Okay, a bunch of you inquired about the "Politics1 Canada"
political site I've been building and wanted to know if it will
mark the end of the current Politics1 site covering US politics.
The answer: No, I have no plans to discontinue the current Politics1
website. I may try to add the Canadian component to the site under,
perhaps, a sub-directory like http://canada.politics1.com (but
I don't know how to configure that just yet) -- or may set up
up at a new URL. Haven't decided yet.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.16.07 | Permalink
|
ZONE.
Kathleen
Blanco (D) -- a Breaux friend -- will quit her race for re-election
this year so Breaux can jump in. In an effort to deter Breaux,
State GOP Chair Roger Villere said research by the party's lawyers
show Breaux is no longer eligible under state law to run for Governor
in 2007. Villere said Breaux no longer meets the state constitutional
requirement of being a Louisiana “citizen" for “at
least the preceding five years.” According to the AP, "Breaux
is registered to vote and lists his primary address in Maryland,
about 70 miles from Washington, where he works for the lobbying
firm of Patton Boggs. Breaux changed his voter registration to
Maryland after he retired ... in 2005." Villere says Breaux
is not eligible and the GOP would be willing to go to court to
disqualify him from the race. "We would have a strong case
that he’s not qualified because he doesn’t meet our
residency requirements," said Villere. Breaux's spokesman
declined to comment on the story. If this information is correct,
it could provide a very quick end to any further Breaux-Blanco
"secret deal" stories.
intends
to run on a platform "that addresses the interests of poor
and working families, in terms of living wages, free health care,
decent housing and increased funding for public education and
higher education, ending the war in Iraq, restoring the environment
and bringing about economic parity." Brown believes her candidacy
could help grow the Greens. "I know the party can earn a
significant increase in votes and membership, which will increase
our viability to take congressional seats, state house seats,
and local offices," she explains.
November
2006, and positioned himself as a strident foe of the Iraq War.
However, independent poll numbers repeatedly showed him running
fourth in his homestate of Iowa behind the "first tier"
trio of Clinton, Obama and Edwards -- which likely convinced Vilsack
he was a very longshot at best to break into the leader group.
For the record, Vilsack attributed his withdrawal to serious fundraising
problems.
he'd
consider switching to the Republican Party if congressional Dems
block or cut federal funding for the US military effort in Iraq.
"I have no desire to change parties. If that ever happens,
it is because I feel the majority of Democrats have gone in a
direction that I don't feel comfortable with ... We will see how
that plays out in the coming months," said Lieberman to The
Politico.
backed
by many of Governor Charlie Crist's closest allies (although Crist
is officially neutral) -- was worried he would be embarrassed
by Romney's purported superior ability in Florida to turnout supporters
at key events. That's why it is being viewed as a McCain victory
that state party leaders this week cancelled the planned straw
poll of delegates and replaced it with a Presidential candidates
debate. Romney's campaign was officially "disappointed"
by the move. While the change of plans helped McCain avoid a possible
straw ballot defeat at Romney's hands, Rudy Giuliani and others
may all benefit by this deep-sixing of the convention vote.
select
media markets in Iowa, New Hampshire, Florida, Michigan and South
Carolina.
Governor
next year. With Peterson out, the Democratic field is much thinner.
State Senate Minority Leader Richard Young (D) is an announced
candidate. Wealthy architectural firm owner and community activist
Jim Schellinger (D) -- who is close to Peterson -- is expected
to formally announce his candidacy soon. Former State House Speaker
John Gregg is frequently mentioned as a possible candidate, but
he told the Indianapolis Star he will not run if Schellinger
jumps in. Gregg called Schellinger "a fresh face" and
"the 800-pound gorilla" because of his ability to raise
large amounts of money from the business community. "His
decision makes mine a lot easier," said Gregg.
of
the 60 votes needed to end the obstructionist tactics. 
target
of a new FBI corruption investigation. According to the Wall
Street Journal, in probe is centered around allegations that
Gibbons "accepted unreported gifts or payments from a company
that was awarded secret military contracts when Mr. Gibbons served
in Congress." During his ten years in Congress, Gibbons served
on the House Intelligence and Armed Services Committees.
