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OUTED
AS GAY, GOP CONGRESSMAN QUITS. A shocking series of revelations
about conservative Congressman Ed Schrock (R-VA) forced him to
retire late Monday. Gay activist Michael Rogers posted a story
on his BlogActive
site outing Schrock as gay on August 19 -- and it slowly began
to gather attention on the net. ...
AND SPEAKING OF QUITTING CONGRESSIONAL RACES. Usually,
Green Party and Libertarian Party candidates are the most hardcore
advocates of promoting third parties. Typically, they look upon
the Big Boys -- the Dems and Reps -- with disdain. That wasn't
the case this week in two hot Oregon Congressional races. In CD-5,
software developer Mitch Besser (Green) quit this competitive
race last week because -- he told reporters -- he did not want
to be "a spoiler" and hurt the re-election chances for
liberal Congresswoman Darlene Hooley (D). Now, CD-1 candidate
and businessman Rich Whitehead (Libertarian) quit and endorsed
conservative businesswoman Goli Ameri (R) in her race against
Congressman David Wu (D). Whitehead even held a joint news conference
with Ameri at the Libertarian Party's headquarters to announce
the endorsement. To date, all five of the state's Constitution
Party nominees for Congress are still running in their respective
races.
NO
"DO-OVERS" FOR LOUISIANA DEMS. Congressman Rodney
Alexander (R-LA) can breathe a bit easier today, now that a state
court of appeals ruled that he validly qualified to run for re-election
as a Republican. A lower court last week ruled that Alexander's
last minute party switch -- after he had previously qualified
two days earlier to run again as a Democrat -- denied voters in
his district of a meaningful choice. The lower court judge had
ruled that candidate qualifying must be re-opened to allow more
candidates to run. Now, the appellate ruling cancels the new qualifying
period. The ruling makes Alexander a safe bet to win a new term
as a Republican. In related news, the New Orleans Times-Picayune
reported Monday that Alexander apparently made the switch on his
own without any discussions with or assurances from GOP leaders
that he will obtain a good committee assignment in the next
Congress. TUESDAY
OPEN THREAD. The GOP Convo ... Giuliani in '08 (or against
HRC in '06)?? ... McCain in '08?? ... Michael Moore visits the
GOP in NYC ... whatever. GOP
CONVENTION PREVIEW. The Republican
National Convention officially kicks off Monday in New York
City. TRACKING
THE BATTLEGROUND STATES. In Florida, a new South Florida
Sun-Sentinel/Research 2000 poll shows Kerry and Bush tied
at 46% apiece. The results are also identical in Ohio, where a
new Columbus Dispatch poll also shows both men even with
46% each. Wow ... the two most prized battleground states in the
nation are now dead heats! FINAL
FLORIDA PRIMARY PREVIEW. In Florida's open seat US Senate
race, either former Congressman Bill McCollum and former US Housing
Secretary Mel BOOK
REVIEW: THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED. Howard
Dean didn't capture the Democratic Presidential nomination, but
that shouldn't minimize the value of former MONDAY
OPEN THREAD. You pick 'em! WEEKEND
OPEN THREAD. Your turn. HEAD SIGNS, GAS MASK WEDNESDAYS, CLEAN LAUNDRY, SPEED BUMPS, AND THE "TOY FACTORY." Over the past week, the advance party of our "adopted" 1/23 Marines were joined in Al-Asad, Iraq, by the rest of the unit. Here's the latest from special correspondent Lt. James Crabtree:
If
you'd like to send the 1/23d any care packages, please address
the packages to Lt Crabtree, 1/23 H&S Co, Unit 41900, FPO,
AP 96426-1900 ... and James will ensure that whatever you
ship gets distributed to the Marines in the 1/23. If you'd like
to read more about our adopted 1/23 Marine battalion in Iraq,
please click here. TRACKING
UPDATES
FOR FL & PA SENATE, OK CD-1 RACES. MORE
HELP FOR THE 1/23 MARINES. A special note of recognition
for the folks in the Katy
Independent School District Police Department in Texas. Public
Safety Director Mark Hopkins noted his nephew was in 1/23 and
they wanted to do something to help more of the unit. "We
will collect items for the care packages, send letters, and recruit
others to join in making sure our brave Marines know we care about
them," said Hopkins. Many thanks to the KISDPD from Politics1
and the 1/23. If you'd like to help, please address any care packages
to Lt Crabtree, 1/23 H&S Co, Unit 41900, FPO, AP 96426-1900
... and James will ensure that whatever you ship gets distributed
to the Marines in 1/23d. If you'd like to read more about our
adopted 1/23d Marine battalion in Iraq, please click
here. Finally, for those 1/23 family members who inquired,
Lt. Crabtree advised that "Most of our Marines [who left
the US earlier this week] have arrived, but some are still waiting
on flights out of Kuwait." FRIDAY
OPEN THREAD. Sorry about yesterday, but it was one of those
work days that I was so busy (i.e., in my "real job")
that I just didn't have time to post any updates Thursday. MURKOWSKI
VS. KNOWLES SENATE RACE SET IN ALASKA.
NADER
OFF MICHIGAN BALLOT ... AT LEAST, FOR NOW.
RODNEY REDUX. Congressman Rodney Alexander's campaign
website gives lots of info about him. Where he went to school.
His birthday. Where he's lived. His business background. It even
contains this gem of info: "Rodney, a pro-life, pro-2nd Amendment
Democrat, is an active member of the Blue Dog Coalition, and serves
as a conservative voice in the Democratic Party in Congress."
That may have been true when the site was originally written --
and even a few weeks ago -- but the freshman legislator switched
parties to the GOP on August 6. BASE LIFE IN IRAQ. Now that the advance party of our "adopted" 1st Battalion/23d Marines have been in Iraq for about week, they're already getting used to life in Al-Asad. Here's a latest report -- and pix -- from special correspondent Lt. James Crabtree:
If
you'd like to send the 1/23d any care packages -- and they'd really
be appreciated -- please address the packages to Lt Crabtree,
1/23 H&S Co, Unit 41900, FPO, AP 96426-1900 ... and James
will ensure that whatever you ship gets distributed to the Marines
in 1/23d. If you'd like to read more about our adopted 1/23d Marine
battalion in Iraq, please click here. Just
an aside here, but I really like how James' reports give us a
unique look -- from the mundane and annoying to challenges and
professionalism -- at the Iraq War from the unfiltered perspective
of the young Americans who serve in uniform. Thanks again, James,
for these reports.
WEDNESDAY
OPEN THREAD. Whatever. TRACKING
THE BATTLEGROUND STATES.
DEMS CLOSER TO LAGNIAPPE FILING PERIOD IN LOUISIANA.
Congressman US
SENATE UPDATES FROM ARKANSAS, ILLINOIS ... AND THE KY CD-3 RACE.
Dems look fairly certain to hold the US Senate seat in Arkansas
and pickup the open Illinois seat according to two new polls.
TUESDAY
OPEN THREAD. New computer up and running, so Politics1 is
back in business again. MONDAY
OPEN THREAD ... AND SOME TECHNICAL PROBLEMS. My laptop that
I normally work on died on Sunday morning. So, sadly, there won't
be any new articles for Monday morning. I'll be back with new
stories on Tuesday after I get all of my programs and files installed
on my new laptop. Sorry. Until then, use this thread to talk amongst
yourselves. SUNDAY
OPEN THREAD. As always, you call the shots here. WELCOME TO IRAQ. The advance party of our "adopted" folks in the 1st Battalion/23d Marines have been in Iraq for less than a week -- and they've already come under hostile fire. Here's a new report from special correspondent Lt. James Crabtree:
If
you'd like to send the 1/23d any care packages -- and they'd really
be appreciated -- please address the packages to Lt Crabtree,
1/23 H&S Co, Unit 41900, FPO, AP 96426-1900 ... and James
will ensure that whatever you ship gets distributed to the Marines
in 1/23d. If you'd like to read more about our adopted 1/23d Marine
battalion in Iraq, please click here. SATURDAY
OPEN THREAD. Swift Vets? GOP Convo? Polls? Whatever. McGREEVEY
SAGA TAKES A TURN FOR THE EVEN MORE BIZARRE. Golan Cipel
-- the alleged former lover or sexual harassment victim (depending
on who you believe) of New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey (D) --
flew back to Israel this week. "I have had a very difficult time,"
Cipel told reporters in Hebrew outside his parents' home. TRACKING THE BATTLEGROUND STATES. In Pennsylvania, a new Pittsburgh Tribune-Review/Franklin & Marshall College poll shows that Kerry is leading Bush in the state. The numbers: Kerry-48%, Bush-42%, Nader-3%. In South Carolina, a new WCSC-TV/SurveyUSA poll shows Bush leading Kerry by a 53% to 42% vote. In California, the new KPIX-TV/SurveyUSA poll has Kerry leading by a surprising close 49% to 46% vote. Wait a minute ... SC and CA ??? ... are we so polarized that every state is becoming a swing state this year or are these two SurveyUSA polls simply weird anomalies?
OUT, OUT ... AND NEARLY OUT. In Louisiana, former
FRIDAY OPEN THREAD. Plans for the weekend? Any stories I missed?
GOP CONGRESSMAN SAID HIS SUPPORT FOR IRAQ "HOWDY FROM AL-ASAD, IRAQ." The 1/23d advance party is now in Iraq. We just got our first note and pix from Iraq from our "adopted" folks in the 1st Battalion/23d Marines. The advance party -- which includes our special correspondent Lt. James Crabtree -- arrived a few days ago. Here is what James wrote:
Regardless of your views on the war itself, Politics1 asks you to please support the brave Americans in uniform who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. If you'd like to send the 1/23d any care packages -- and they'd really be appreciated -- please address the packages to Lt Crabtree, 1/23 H&S Co, Unit 41900, FPO, AP 96426-1900 ... and James will ensure that whatever you ship gets distributed to the Marines in 1/23d. Thanks!! THURSDAY OPEN THREAD. Apropos of nothing but ... I was out drinking with friends at a club Wednesday night. While in the bathroom, I noticed a posted for "3 Vodka - Ask for it by number." What struck me amusing was not the stupid brand name but the claims on the advertisement. "Zero Carbs. Gluten-Free." Yeah, whatever, because when I'm looking to get buzzed, like I'm really thinking a lot about gluten. Rant over.
TRACKING THE BATTLEGROUND STATES. Not much in new numbers to report today. However, pollster Zogby International reported Tuesday that -- based on recent poll numbers -- that they "will soon begin tracking the 2004 Presidential election in four new Battleground States: Colorado, Arizona, North Carolina and Virginia." Hmm ... we've treated two of the four (CO, AZ) as battleground states for a few months already, and also declared NC and VA as new "swing states" within the past month. On the flip side of that, it's probably time to remove Tennessee from the list and throw it into the likely Bush column.
PROSECUTOR LOCATES INTERNATIONAL FUGITIVE ... ON CONGRESSIONAL BALLOT. In 2002, little-known candidate Jack E. Shepard lost to Norm Coleman in Minnesota's GOP primary for US Senate by a lopsided 94% to 6% vote. In fact, few people paid any attention to Shepard then. WEDNESDAY OPEN THREAD. Whatever.
N.C., WYOMING VOTE TUESDAY. Voters go to the polls in North Carolina on Tuesday to decide one of the most colorful and nasty congressional races this year. In CD-5, Winston-Salem City Councilman WAIT, DID I MISS THE END OF THE 2004 PRESIDENTIAL RACE? After months of dropping coy hints, US Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) confirmed to a newspaper in his homestate that he will explore a 2008 run for President. "I will consider a race for the Presidency ... If I decide to run for the Presidency -- OLYMPICS POLITICAL TRIVIA - PART 2. Yesterday we came up with the names of ten former US Olympians who later went into politics (Anderson, Bradley, Camejo, Campbell, Mathias, McMillen, Metcalfe, Richard, Ryun, Spock). Notes from Politics1 readers revealed the names of even more former US Olympians who went on to serve in or seek elected office:
Honorable Mentions go to 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Committee President Governor Mitt Romney (R-MA); Peter Ueberroth (R-CA), President of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Committee and a 2003 candidate for Governor; and General Douglas MacArthur (R-WI) -- a 1948 and 1952 candidate for President -- who was President of the US Olympic Committee in 1928. TUESDAY OPEN THREAD. Ready, set, go. TRACKING THE BATTLEGROUND STATES. In North Carolina, the latest Raleigh News & Observer/Research 2000 poll shows President Bush's lead in the state dwindling. The numbers: Bush-48%, Kerry-45%. In related news, the same poll also showed Governor Mike Easley (D) leading in his race for re-election over former State Senate Minority Leader Patrick Ballantine (R) by a vote of 51% to 35%. LIBERTARIAN V.P. NOMINEE TOUTING FAKE DOCTORATE. Last month we wrote about Libertarian Presidential nominee Michael Badnarik refusing to get a driver's license, use zip codes, or pay federal income taxes. It turns out his Vice Presidential nominee is just as unconventional. BOOK REVIEW: THE CANDIDATE. A new John Kerry book on shelves these days is news reporter Paul Alexander's The Candidate: Behind John Kerry's Remarkable Run for the White House. The |
Schrock
holds a 92% approval rating from the Christian Coalition and a
0% rating from the Human Rights Campaign. What drew Rogers' ire
was that Schrock voted for the Marriage Protection Act and also
signed on as a co-sponsor of the Federal Marriage Amendment. Rogers
detailed how Schrock -- whose district contains Pat Robertson's
Regent University and nine military bases -- would use an interactive
phone sex service to hook up with other men (BlogActive even posted
a recording today of Schrock using the phone sex service). The
whispering grew so intense that Schrock finally released a written
statement that he was immediately withdrawing from his race for
re-election. Without ever directly addressing the allegations,
Schrock said they have "called into question my ability"
to serve in Congress. "After much thought and prayer, I have
come to the realization that these allegations will not allow
my campaign to focus on the real issues facing our nation and
region," he said. Schrock, a 63-year-old retired career Navy
officer and Vietnam War veteran, was first elected to Congress
in 2000. Rogers has no regrets for outing Schrock, noting that
during the 2000 campaign Schrock said he wanted to end "Don't
Ask, Don't Tell" so that potential enlistees could be questioned
about past homosexual experiences in order to bar them from serving.
The
Second District Republican Committee will hold a special meeting
Tuesday night to select a replacement nominee. State Senator Ken
Stolle and State Delegate Thelma Drake have both expressed an
interest in the GOP nomination. Iraq War veteran and attorney
David Ashe is the Democratic candidate. Rogers, meanwhile, says
he will next focus on outing another Congressman and highly placed
officials in the Bush Administration. "The time has come
for these gay homophobes to step up or be outed. Schrock is the
first -- more will follow," vowed Rogers.
TRACKING
THE BATTLEGROUND STATES. In Florida, the Miami Herald/St.
Petersburg Times poll shows Bush now narrowly leading Kerry
by a 48% to 46% vote. In Iowa, the new CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll
shows Kerry has moved out to a 51% to 46% lead over Bush. In Wisconsin,
Bush is leading Kerry by a 50% to 47% vote according to the new
CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll. In Pennsylvania, the latest CNN/USA
Today/Gallup tracking poll shows Bush-48%, Kerry-47%. In related
news, a three-judge appellate panel threw Ralph Nader off the
ballot in Pennsylvania on Monday. They found he was not eligible
under state law to seek signatures as an Independent candidate
in Pennsylvania while filing to run as the nominee of a party
-- the Reform Party -- in other states. Nader's spokesman called
the ruling "amazingly absurd" -- but said they were
unsure if they would appeal to the State Supreme Court.
Martinez
is in the lead for the GOP nomination -- depending on what poll
you trust. The final Orlando Sentinel/Mason-Dixon poll
shows that Martinez has passed McCollum and moved into first place.
The numbers: Martinez-33%, McCollum-27%, businessman Doug Gallagher-12%,
House Speaker Johnny Byrd-7%. However, the final pre-primary South
Florida Sun-Sentinel/Research 2000 poll released the same
day shows McCollum still leading Martinez by a vote of 35% to
31%, with Gallagher again at 12%. On Sunday, the Miami Herald/St.
Petersburg Times poll released Sunday gave the lead to McCollum
by a 32% to 30% vote -- with a 3.5% margin of error. Republicans
are looking forward to an end to the very nasty, personal and
divisive McCollum-Martinez fight. McCollum -- a prominent Clinton
Impeachment Committee floor manager -- was the 2000 GOP nominee
for the US Senate. Martinez was recruited into the race by the
White House -- although even Governor Jeb Bush openly criticized
Martinez' harsh anti-McCollum TV spots over the weekend and issued
a written statement calling on Martinez to yank them off the air.
On the Democratic side, Sunday's Miami Herald/St. Petersburg
Times survey confirmed yet again that former State Education
Commissioner Betty Castor appears have the nomination locked up.
The numbers: Castor-48%, Congressman Peter Deutsch-24%, Miami-Dade
Mayor Alex Penelas-9%, Other-2%. Deutsch has savaged Castor for
"coddling terrorists" who worked as professors when
she formerly led a state university -- but there has been an apparent
backlash for the intensity of the attacks. Liberal icons were
also abounding throughout the contest: Howard Dean stumped in
the state for Castor, while Michael Moore and Jesse Jackson campaigned
for Deutsch. Retiring US Senator Bob Graham (D) made no endorsement
in the primary, but vowed to actively campaign for the winner
of the Democratic primary. The Castor versus McCollum/Martinez
contest will be one of the most hotly contested Senate races in
the nation this November.
In Florida, the latest Orlando Sentinel/WESH-TV/Mason-Dixon
poll shows that former State Education Commissioner Betty Castor
appears likely to win next Tuesday's Democratic primary for US
Senate. The numbers: Castor-45%, Congressman Peter Deutsch-31%,
Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas-9%, Other-1%. 
No
new GOP poll in Florida, but former Congressman Bill McCollum
and former US Housing Secretary Mel Martinez are the clear frontrunners.
In recent days, Martinez has repeatedly attacked McCollum for
being insufficiently conservative because he supports embryonic
stem cell research and is too moderate on gay rights issues such
as federal hate crime legislation. Martinez' heavy-handed gay
baiting of the McCollum campaign drew a public rebuke from conservative
former US Senator Connie Mack (R-FL). Mack said that Martinez
"has forfeited his ability to attract mainstream Democrats
and independents in November." Martinez was recruited into
the open seat race by the White House. In Pennsylvania, the latest
IssuesPA/Pew tracking poll shows US Senator Arlen Specter (R)
continuing to lead challenger Congressman Joe Hoeffel (D) by a
wide margin. Specter led by a 54% to 36% vote -- and he even captured
one-third of all those who said they planned to vote for Kerry.
In Oklahoma's CD-1, Congressman John Sullivan (R) appears safely
on his way to re-election. A new KJRH-TV/SurveyUSA poll shows
Sullivan leading former Tulsa School Board President Doug Dodd
(D) by a 23-point margin.
US
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) won her primary yesterday, as expected,
by a comfortable margin over former State Senate President Mike
Miller and two others. On the Democratic side, former Governor
Tony Knowles won an easy victory in his primary with 95% of the
vote. The GOP vote: Murkowski-58%, Miller-37%, Others-4%. Miller
is a pro-life conservative who supports the constitutional amendment
to ban gay marriage, while the incumbent is a pro-choice centrist
who opposed the amendment. Miller also frequently raised the issue
of nepotism, as Murkowski was appointed to the seat two years
ago by her father, Governor Frank Murkowski (R). Murkowski outspent
Miller by an 8-to-1 margin in the primary. "When 41% of the
voters are rejecting the establishment, I think it sends a loud
message," said Miller's spokesman. When the outcome became
clear, Miller said he would stick to his pre-primary pledge to
support the GOP nominee. "I have some real differences with
Lisa ... but we cannot have the US Senate in Democratic control,"
said Miller. Murkowski said she was "pleased" with the
primary results and immediately took aim at Knowles. "People
need to be reminded there are two teams in the US Senate: Democrat
and Republican. Tony will be part of a team led by Tom Daschle,"
she said. "We have our issues, the ones Alaskans feel are
important," said Knowles, who promised to focus on health
care, jobs, and education. The Murkowski-Knowles contest will
be one of the most hotly contested US Senate races in the nation.
DESPITE
INDICTMENT, EX-ALABAMA GOV PLANNING COMEBACK. In 2002, Alabama
Governor Don Siegelman (D) lost for re-election to Bob Riley (R)
by a margin of less than 3,200 votes out of more than 1.7 million
ballots cast. Three months ago, Siegelman was indicted on federal
big rigging, conspiracy, and corruption charges. This week he
sent a fundraising letter to supporters urging them to contribute
to his legal defense fund -- but it also urged them to keep him
in mind for the 2006 gubernatorial race. Siegelman's spokesman
told the AP that he won't let "these outrageous charges"
stop him from "fighting for what he believes in." In
fact, Siegelman went so far as to say he will again make support
for the creation of state lottery to fund education programs the
central theme of his 2006 campaign. Despite the indictment, Siegelman
has maintained a high profile in recent months with constant campaign-like
appearances around the state. In a sign that Dems expect Siegelman
to run, State House Speaker Seth Hammett (D) announced a few weeks
ago that he will not run for Governor. Ousted Supreme Court Chief
Justice Roy Moore (R) -- better known as the "Ten Commandments
Judge" -- is considering a primary challenge to Governor
Riley, who saw his early popularity plummet after he made a failed
effort to push through a massive tax hike last year.
In
the face of various legal challenges filed by the Democrats, the
Michigan Board of State Canvassers voted 2-2 to place Ralph Nader
on the ballot for November. The two Republicans voted to place
him on the ballot, and the two Democratic members voted against
it. Because Nader failed to secure a majority vote, he did not
survive the challenge to the validity of the petitions he filed.
Dems complained that the State Republican Party violated the law
in the manner it collected most of the petitions Nader filed.
Nader will now appeal the matter to the Court of Appeals. One
faction of the state's Reform Party -- which is officially affiliated
with the Reform Party of the US that nominated Nader -- offered
Nader the Reform Party line on the ballot. The problem is that
their rival faction -- the faction aligned with the former "Buchanan
Brigade" and unaffiliated with the national Reform Party
of the US -- is the group that legally controls the "Michigan
Reform Party" ballot line. The Buchananites do not back Nader.
A Nader spokesman said he expects the federal courts to award
Nader the Reform line in the state, avoiding the need for a lengthy
state court battle. Meanwhile, in West Virginia, Attorney General
Darrell McGraw (D) filed motions in court this week to knock Nader
off the ballot in the state even though he filed more than enough
total petition signatures. McGraw's motion said that "there
is doubt as to the legitimacy and the validity of the petitions"
and challenged the methods used to collect the signatures. McGraw
also asked the judge to compel Nader to appear at the upcoming
hearings on the case or use that as grounds for knocking him off
the WV ballot.
Rodney
Alexander (R-LA) ensured himself an easy re-election race this
year when he changed from Dem to GOP just minutes before the close
of filing and leaving the Dems without a viable candidate ...
or so he thought. On Monday, State District Court Judge Allen
Edwards ruled in favor of the State Democratic Party that the
candidate filing period in the race must be reopened to allow
additional candidates to file. "Mr. Alexander has attempted
to subvert the electoral process for his own personal gain. His
action deprived voters of the right to vote for a Democratic candidate,"
ruled Edwards. He found that Alexander fully qualified to run
as a Democrat during the first day of filing and -- by making
his last minute switch -- acted improperly by later fully qualifying
in the same race as a member of a different party. Edwards, however,
stayed his own order pending the Republican Party's appeal so
as to minimize electoral chaos until the matter is dispositively
resolved. Unless the ruling is reversed, it looks like Senator
Breaux, Senator Landrieu and others may still get the opportunity
to recruit a candidate into the race.
In
Arkansas, a new KTHV-TV/SurveyUSA poll shows US Senator Blanche
Lincoln (D) holding a big lead over challenger State Senator Jim
Holt (R). The numbers: Lincoln-58%, Holt-34%. In Illinois, the
latest Chicago Tribune/WGN-TV poll shows State Senator
Barack Obama (D) cruising to a likely landslide victory over former
Ambassador Alan Keyes (R) by a 65% to 24% vote. "The poll
suggests that Keyes' candidacy could hurt other Republicans in
local and legislative races. Nearly three in ten voters said they
were less likely to back GOP candidates because of the way party
leaders went about settling on Keyes as their candidate,"
explained the Tribune. Keyes even trailed Obama among
self-described "fairly conservative" voters by 9-points.
Meanwhile, in Kentucky, four-term Congresswoman Anne Northup (R)
seems to survive close races for re-election every two years in
her swing CD-3 district. In Northup's case, 2004 may be her toughest
contest to date. The new WHAS-TV/SurveyUSA poll shows the incumbent
trailing challenger Jefferson County Clerk of Courts Tony Miller
(D) by a 48% to 44% vote. "I don't know what more we can
do ... [Miller's] campaign so far is a stealth campaign ... It
seems the strategy is to avoid issues and comparison with Anne
and hope that the Democratic registration propels him into victory,"
said Northup's campaign manager. Gore defeated Bush in the district
by 2% in 2000, and Miller now frequently tries to tie Northup
to the President.
Well,
the big news here is that we got attacked by mortars this morning
around 0645 our time. I was in the chow hall, as were most other
Marines, and needless to say, it ruined our breakfast. They
landed away from us out on one of the flight lines, but its
quite a feeling to be "welcomed" to Iraq that way. They say
its been several months since the base has been hit and that
these fires are basically never accurate. We have our guesses
as to why this might have happened today, but you never know.
Perhaps some guy had a fight with his wife last night and wanted
to let off a little steam by dropping some rounds on the Marines?
If only it was that simple. 
P.S.
I saw someone post something about the enlisted living in tents.
Actually, our enlisted guys live in the same cans we do. The
only difference is that officers and senior enlisted get a can
to themselves while junior enlisted get a roommate. The Marine
Corps has a lot of officers that used to be enlisted (including
yours truly) so we tend to remember what it was like to be the
low one on the pecking order.
He
promised to return to the US "in a few weeks" to pursue his lawsuit
against McGreevey. Cipel has maintained he is straight and that
-- while McGreevey repeatedly hit on him -- that there was no
sexual relationship. This is entirely at odds with McGreevey's
account that he engaged in a sexual relationship with the man.
Cipel was a city tour guide and former Israeli Navy officer in
Israel when McGreevey first met him on a trip nearly two years
ago, before hiring Cipel to serve as New Jersey's Homeland Security
Advisor. On Wednesday, a 47 (or 51)-year-old (he gave differing
ages) Jersey doctor named Michael Miller came forward to claim
to the media that he was Cipel's ex-gay lover. Miller's credibility,
however, is much in question. "I like Golan. He can be very affectionate,"
Miller
told the New York Post. Miller claimed he spoke with Cipel
last week and plans to visit him in Israel. Miller said that Cipel
is gay and has also been involved with other men in the past.
However, as reporters waited outside Miller's house Wednesday
night, he emerged with his hair disheveled and wearing only socks
and shorts. "At times cursing and erratic, he alternatively told
scribes he would talk to them [only] in Hungarian, Spanish or
Hebrew," wrote the Post. Miller claimed Cipel was a gold
digger. "Out on a date, he would ask me how much money I have,
how many properties I own. We were out for a pleasant evening
and to have sex. It took away from the moment. Don't you think
it's a weird question to ask? Conversations with him always ended
up with money," explained Miller. The doctor also told reporters
that he spent "$100,000 on therapy" the year before he got divorced,
and that he was worth "several million dollars." Miller's interview
with the New York Daily News was even stranger. "We love
each other. Is that a crime? We're lovers," said Miller of Cipel.
The Daily News describer Miller as "manic, disjointed."
The newspaper also reported that Miller "also claimed to reporters
that he is a CIA operative who takes pills doled out by the intelligence
agency to make his skin darker so he can infiltrate unnamed groups"
and "insisted on speaking Spanish because, he said, he hates the
United States." In response to Miller's tales, Cipel told reporters
in Israel that he "never had any relationship with any man, so
I don't know what they want from me ... It doesn't bother me that
it is said I am gay, but I really am not. I'm straight," said
Cipel, who also denied he ever made any attempt to extort money
from McGreevey. Cipel added that Miller's account was "ridiculous
and laughable ... a blatant lie and manipulation" possibly orchestrated
by McGreevey or his allies. The Governor's office said that Miller
attempted to contact them a few days ago, but they neither followed-up
the contact nor looked into the allegations. Cue up the Twilight
Zone music.
SC, CA, OK SENATE POLLS. In South Carolina, the new WCSC-TV/SurveyUSA poll implies that the supposedly close open US Senate race is far from a tight contest. The numbers: Congressman Jim DeMint (R)-52%, State Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum (D)-39%. In California, the new KPIX-TV/SurveyUSA poll shows that a race the was supposed to be a Dem landslide is more competitive than anticipated. The numbers: US Senator Barbara Boxer (D)-48%, former Secretary of State Bill Jones (R)-42%. In Oklahoma, a new KFOR-TV/SurveyUSA poll shows maverick conservative former Congressman Tom Coburn (R) leading Congressman Brad Carson (D) by a 47% to 43% vote to the open US Senate seat. In Pennsylvania, the latest Pittsburgh Tribune-Review/Franklin & Marshall College poll shows US Senators Arlen Specter (R) to be a safe bet to win a fifth term. The stats: Specter-53%, Congressman Joe Hoeffel (D)-26%, conservative activist Jim Clymer (Constitution)-2%.
State Health Secretary Bobby Jindal (R) can start packing for DC. This week saw State Rep. Steve Scalise (R) -- his last major opponent -- quit the race for the open CD-1 congressional seat. Jindal, who was the 2003 GOP candidate for Governor, should now easily roll over his five remaining little-known rivals. In Kansas, retired railroad worker Robert Conroy (D) withdrew as the US Senate nominee, saying he did not have the energy or resources to run a real campaign. The party may now file a replacement nominee -- but it is unclear if anyone wants to take on safe incumbent US Senator Sam Brownback (R). Meanwhile, in Florida, it looks like 
Congressman Clay Shaw (R) -- a DCCC target -- can be moved onto the "safe" list. Former Wilton Manors Mayor Jim Stork (D), 37, immediately suspended his campaign on Thursday for two weeks while he undergoes "some medical tests" for "health issues." Stork, who is openly gay, made a point of telling reporters that he remains HIV negative and this is unrelated to HIV/AIDS. While Stork says he plans to return to the race soon, many speculate that this paves the way for his withdrawal from the race for "health reasons." Stork said he has raised approximately $1 million to date, and has at least $375,000 cash-on-hand. To win against this entrenched incumbent, Stork needed every break to go his way. With the poor handling of this situation -- raising perceived doubts about his physical ability to serve -- he likely handed Shaw another term. If Stork withdraws, the Dems will be allowed to substitute another nominee -- but it is unlikely to matter unless the person is wealthy enough to adequately self-finance. Postscript: The Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel reported Friday that Dem leaders have already approached State Rep. Stacy Ritter about becoming the replacement nominee. Shaw himself was diagnosed with lung cancer earlier this year but only released a media statement after he had undergone treatment to say he had received a clean bill of health from his doctors.
"THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY" FROM THE FAMILY OF LCpl JUSTIN McDANIEL. We just got a touching note from the parents of LCpl Justin McDaniel of the 1/23d, who was killed last month in a training accident. I wanted to share it with all of you: "I wished you could have met my son. He was really an inspiration and full of life, and he really loved being a US MARINE. May God bless you for remembering him and especially for remembering his family. Again, thank you. - The McDaniel Family (Still a Marine Family)" Our thoughts and prayers are with the McDaniel family. If you'd like to read more about our adopted 1/23d Marine battalion in Iraq, please 
GOVERNOR, US SENATE RESULTS FROM MISSOURI, WASHINGTON. In Missouri, US Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond (R) continues to look like a solid candidate to win re-election in November. In the latest KSDK-TV/SurveyUSA poll, Bond leads State Treasurer Nancy Farmer (D) by a 55% to 38% vote. The same poll also shows Secretary of State Matt Blunt (R) leading State Auditor Claire McCaskill (D) by a 49% to 44% in the race for Governor. McCaskill defeated incumbent Governor Bob Holden in the Democratic primary last month. In Washington State, US Senator Patty Murray (D) still looks very strong. The new KING-TV/SurveyUSA poll has Murray leading by a 53% to 39% vote over Congressman George Nethercutt (R).
WAR WAS "MISTAKE." In a surprising open "letter to constituents" released Wednesday, conservative 12-term Congressman Doug Bereuter (R-NE) apologized for his previous support for the Iraq War. "I've reached the conclusion, retrospectively, now that the inadequate intelligence and faulty conclusions are being revealed, that all things being considered, it was a mistake to launch that military action, especially without a broad and engaged international coalition ... The cost in casualties is already large and growing, and the immediate and long-term financial costs are incredible ... Now we are immersed in a dangerous, costly mess and there is no easy and quick way to end our responsibilities in Iraq without creating bigger future problems in the region and, in general, in the Muslim world," he explained. Did the Bush Administration lie or manipulate data to provoke the war? "Left unresolved for now is whether intelligence was intentionally misconstrued to justify military action," he wrote. "He is not an opinion maker or someone who has taken a leadership role. I don't think you can take this as a sign his comments are a barometer of other Republican thinking," a Bush campaign aide told CNN. Bereuter, who is retiring this year, was the Vice Chair of the House Intelligence Committee.
FOXX, McHENRY WIN CONGRESSIONAL RACES IN N.C. In the most watched race in Tuesday's 
CLOSE ... AND NOT CLOSE. There are two new independent polls out today from US Senate races. In Colorado, a new KUSA-TV/SurveyUSA poll shows beer magnate Pete Coors (R) now leading Attorney General Ken Salazar (D) by a 48% to 47% vote. Salazar had been leading in all previous polls over the past several months. Meanwhile, in California, US Senator Barbara Boxer (D) continues to cruise to an easy re-election victory against former Secretary of State Bill Jones (R). The Public Policy Institute poll shows Boxer leading by a 53% to 36% vote.
This year -- filing again from an address in Italy -- Shepard is running for Congress in CD-4. He even posted a 
TRACKING THE BATTLEGROUND STATES ... AND DO YOU HAVE A PASSPORT? Yesterday we had one North Carolina poll, and today we have another: the WBTV-TV/SurveyUSA poll. The numbers: Bush-51%, Kerry-45%. Kentucky, meanwhile, is definitely not a battleground state. A new WHAS-TV/SurveyUSA poll found that Bush leads Kerry in the Bluegrass State by a 56% to 39% vote. Finally -- and I know I generally ignore all national polls (and I'm going to do so right now with the overall results of this one, too) -- we noticed this interesting item parsed from the latest national Zogby poll. "Voters with active passports prefer Kerry 58% to 35%, while those without a passport are for Bush 48% to 39%," explained Zogby's report.
Vernon Robinson and State Senator Virginia Foxx face-off in the GOP run-off for this open Republican seat. Robinson hurled numerous accusations at all his rivals in last month's crowded GOP primary (many consisted of fairly baseless or grossly exaggerated allegations of them being closeted liberals, pro-choice, or pro-gay rights) -- and then there were the rumor campaigns and poison pen letters that spread fictional stories of drug usage, drunkeness, infidelity, and other vices. Read about the infamous "
In related news, the latest WBTV-TV/SurveyUSA poll showed Governor Mike Easley (D) ahead of challenger Patrick Ballantine (R) by a vote of 51% to 44% -- a margin closer than any previous poll has shown. Ballantine avoided a run-off when early frontrunner Richard Vinroot -- who finished less than 1% behind Ballantine in the primary -- quit the gubernatorial run-off contest just days after last month's vote in order to promote GOP unity. The NC poll also has former White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles (D) leading Congressman Richard Burr (R) by a 50% to 42% vote in the open US Senate seat contest. By contrast, the new Raleigh News & Observer/Research 2000 poll of the US Senate race shows Bowles leading by a similar margin: Bowles-47%, Burr-38%. Elsewhere, 
Congresswoman Barbara Cubin (R-WY) is facing a primary challenge from State Senator Cale Case, attorney Bruce Asay, and two other minor opponents. Asay and Cubin are both conservatives -- both are pro-life and support the constitution amendment to ban gay marriage. Case is a GOP centrist who is pro-choice and opposes the marriage amendment. However, Case and Asay are not opposing Cubin because of any ideological differences. Instead, they both entered the race because of Cubin's poor attendance record in Congress. In the 107th Congress, she missed 27% of all votes -- and missed another 19% in 2003. In a state that only has one Congressman, they argued that hber record meant that Wyoming was frequently without any representation in the US House. Cubin counters that her husband was ill (he has since recovered) and that the votes she missed were not very important. Case and Asay had talked about working a deal where the weaker would have dropped out in favor of the stronger challenger so as to not splinter the vote -- but they could not agree on which man should have quit so both remain in the running. A Wyoming Tribune-Eagle poll last week showed Cubin holding a 40-point lead over her nearest rival. Also, we'd wish good luck to 22-year-old 
or seek re-election [in 2008] -- it will be for the right reasons, and the reasons are that I think I can make a contribution and help effect change in our country and have some influence over the direction of this country," he told the Lincoln Journal Star. At next week's GOP convention, Hagel plans to meet with the influential Iowa and New Hampshire delegations. Hagel -- a 57-year-old GOP centrist, wealthy former businessman, and Vietnam War veteran -- is John McCain's closest ally in the US Senate. Like McCain, Hagel has cultivated a reputation for being an outspoken political maverick. Even though Hagel is actively supporting President Bush's re-election -- and is the state co-chair for Bush -- it is not an unqualified endorsement. Earlier this year, Hagel called on the Bush campaign to pull a TV ad that attacked Kerry as "weak on defense." Hagel defended Kerry's voting record on military issues, and Kerry's Vietnam service record. This week, Hagel was again critical of the Iraq War. "I don't think we planned well [for the Iraq War]. I don't think we prepared well. I don't think we understood what we were getting into ... [But] when it comes to the role of government and the entirety of the record, I am far closer to Bush than to Kerry," he explained.
Silver medalist in decathlon at the 1952 Olympics, and gold medalist in decathlon at the 1956 Olympics. Later played pro football as a halfback for the Cleveland Browns. Candidate for State Senate in 2001.
Psychologist and attorney Rich Campagna occasionally touts himself as "Dr. Campagna" and holds himself out as "a multi-disciplinary professional." What makes no sense is why a guy with real Ivy League B.A. and M.A. degrees, another legit M.A. degree, and a real J.D. degree, would need to embellish his resume by adding a Ph.D. from the American College of Metaphysical Theology. If you'd like a Ph.D. from that school, you can get it for just $249 (see the school's 