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| BLOG ARCHIVE: SEPTEMBER 2005
QUICK
TAKES: Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar (R) will announce
his decision on Friday on whether or not he'll seek to regain
his old job again next year. Polls show he'd be the strongest
possible GOP candidate against Governor Rod Blagojevich (D). However,
WLS-TV in Chicago is reporting GOP insiders who spoke with Edgar
over the past day say "the answer is probably no ... but
no final decision has been made yet" ... Judge John Roberts
was confirmed for US Supreme Court Chief Justice on Thursday by
a solid 78-22 vote ... DC Mayor Anthony Williams (D) announced
he will not seek re-election next year. A large group of Dems
are already
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 9.30.05 | Permalink | DELAY
INDICTED: US House Majority Leader Tom OPPOSING IMMIGRANTS ... AND REPUBLICANS. Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO) -- a 2008 White House hopeful and the leading Hill advocate of imposing a radical crackdown on immigration into the US -- broke with the GOP in the upcoming California special election for the congressional CD-48 seat recently vacated by SEC Chair Christopher Cox (R). Although ten of the 17 candidates -- including frontrunners State Senator John Campbell and former Assemblywoman Marilyn Brewer -- are Republicans, Tancredo formally endorsed an ideological ally. Tancredo endorsed American Independent Party nominee Jim Gilchrist, the founder of the "Minuteman Project" of citizen border patrols. "I need Jim Gilchrist with me in Congress. Together Jim and I can fight to stop illegal immigration," said Tancredo. Based upon the most recently filed campaign finance reports, Gilchrist has outraised any of the individual Dems in the race. SPEAKING FOR GOD. State Senator Hank Erwin (R-AL), a former radio talk show host, wrote a newspaper column about Hurricane Katrina that is causing controversy. After touring storm-ravaged areas on the Alabama and Mississippi coast last week, Erwin wrote the hurricane was God's punishment on the region for its "gambling, sin and wickedness." He continued: "Warnings year after year by godly evangelists and preachers went unheeded. So why were we surprised when finally the hand of judgment fell? ... Sadly, innocents suffered along with the guilty. Sin always brings suffering to good people as well as the bad ... New Orleans has always been know for sin ... The wages of sin is death." Equally disturbing, Alabama's NBC TV-13 conducted a poll on their website asking readers if they agreed with Erwin. The results (as of when I checked on Wednesday evening): 33% agreed. ALABAMA. Within the next ten days, we'll know who is (or isn't) running for GOP nomination for Alabama Governor next year. On October 8, Governor Bob Riley (R) will use his birthday party to announce his candidacy for re-election. Possibly spoiling the fun for Riley will be ousted Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore (R) -- the "Ten Commandments Judge" -- who will announce his decision on the race on October 3. Moore appears likely to enter the primary contest. NAKED TRUTH. The Fargo Forum newspaper revealed the bare truth about Crystal Dueker, the co-founder and spokesperson of the Americans for Condi Rice '08 draft campaign. Duecker, who briefly weighed a 1998 GOP bid for US Senate against Byron Dorgan (D-ND), is apparently a "self-proclaimed nudist rights advocate." A NAGIN SUSPICION OF INCOMPETENCE: Just so I don't come across as a shrill partisan hack (well, at least not come across entirely as one), I'll concede former FEMA Director Michael Brown wasn't the only buffoon who did damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Day after day, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin (D) proves that he may well have been a great businessman in his past career ... but he's a truly incompetent elected official. The fiasco of the evacuation buses, his repeating of exaggerated and false reports of storm aftermath violence, his "come back ... wait, don't come back ...okay, come back ... maybe not ... wait ... okay, come back" directions to the residentsc are just a few examples of his ineptness.
WILL
LIGHTNING STRIKE TWICE? On Monday (09.26.05), we presciently
wrote: "House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) has also been
the subject of a state grand jury probe in Texas, although
it appears less likely that he'll personally face any charges."
I was proven wrong. Well, let's see if I can cause results twice
by expressing my pessimistic views that a true investigation of
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove's role in the illegal
leaking of the covert CIA status of spy Valerie Plame is unlikely
to happen. Thus, I'd offer this prediction: "White House
Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove has also been the subject of a
federal investigation, although it appears less likely that
he'll personally face any charges." Prove me wrong,
again. Please!!
NYC MAYOR: A new WNBC/Marist College poll shows incumbent Mayor Mike Bloomberg (R/IP) well placed to win re-election in November over former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer (D). The numbers: Bloomberg-53%, Ferrar-38%. WEST VIRGINIA. US Senator Robert C. Byrd (D), 87, officially announced his candidacy for re-election on Tuesday. Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito was the leading GOP prospect to oppose Byrd earlier this year. Following a series of weak independent poll numbers, Capito these days appears much less likely to oppose Byrd next year. If Capito passes on the race, WV GOP leaders are trying to convince former WVU basketball coach Gale Catlett to run against Byrd. Three little-known Republicans are already in the race. Byrd was first elected to political office in 1946, when Harry Truman was in his first term as President. He formerly served as US Senate Majority Leader and was a candidate for President in 1976. FEMA-GATE. Former FEMA Director Michael Brown, testifying before a Congressional committee on Tuesday, said "I know what I'm doing, and I think I do a pretty darn good job of it." Yeah, right -- tell it to the residents of New Orleans. Brown blamed state and local officials for all of the failures, maintaining he did what he was supposed to do. VIRGINIA: According to the Washington Post, Virginia Democratic Party leaders apparently are trying to persuade actor and Dem activist Ben Affleck to run next year against US Senator George Allen (R). Affleck and his wife -- actress Jennifer Garner -- are reportedly already buying a home in Charlottesvillle, Virginia. A Massachusetts native and recently registered NY voter, Affleck campaigned for Al Gore in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004. Affleck's spokesman downplayed the rumors: "He would be a superb candidate for public office in the future. Right now, he's very busy directing his first feature movie." Dems apparently want to keep Allen tied down with a costly campaign in '06, in order to help derail his 2008 White House ambitions. Former Reagan Administration Navy Secretary and author James Webb -- a sharp Iraq War critic -- is also a possible Dem candidate against Allen.
ROVE-GATE.
Just a new mention so that this scandal stays in the public debate.
What's the latest with the federal investigation of White House
Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove's role in the illegal leaking
of the covert CIA status of spy Valerie Plame? When is someone
going to charged with the felony? Will it be Rove ... or Vice
President Cheney Chief of Staff Scooter Libby ... or some other
White House insider?
P2008: DEMS. Of the potential Democrats looking to run for President, most have lined up in opposition to the confirmation of Judge John Roberts as Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court. Of those who have already announced positions, here is how they stand. AGAINST ROBERTS: Evan Bayh, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, and John Kerry (and not eligible to vote but says he is against: John Edwards). FOR ROBERTS: Russ Feingold. To date, 15 Dem Senators have announced opposition to Roberts versus 13 Dems who announced they plan to vote for confirmation. Roberts will be confirmed with 75+ votes. P2008: GOP. Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO) brought his anti-immigration message to the Granite State this week. According to the Concord Monitor, Tancredo decried the "cult of multiculturalism" and complained that "printing signs in both English and Spanish [was] ...an 'attack on [US] citizenship.'" As for the other hopefuls, Mitt Romney and Sam Brownback wrapped up visits to Michigan, George Pataki is on his way home from a NY "trade mission" to China and Finland, Newt Gingrich is heading to NH, Mike Huckabee just visited DC, and the "Draft Rice" folks bought TV time this week in Iowa (well, they'll run one primetime network spot Tuesday night). FEMA-GATE. CBS News reported Monday that former FEMA Director Michael Brown -- who resigned in disgrace after he botched the post-storm relief efforts in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina -- has found a new job. You've gotta ask yourselves what morons would hire this incompetent. The answer: FEMA. Get this ... Brown "has been rehired by the agency as a consultant to evaluate its response following Hurricane Katrina." Yup, Brown is being paid to consult on how well Brown did (or didn't do) his old job. Couldn't they have just subpoenaed him for free? This one rates pretty high on the W*T*F scale! FLORIDA: If at first you don't succeed (2000), try (2004), try (2006) again. After losing two runs for US Senate, we're hearing that former Congressman Bill McCollum (R) -- a former House Clinton Impeachment Manager -- is getting ready to enter next year's race for Florida Attorney General. He'd be the heavy favorite to win the GOP nomination. State Senator Skip Campbell -- a multimillionaire trial lawyer -- appears unlikely to face serious opposition for the Dem nomination.
CONGRESS.
We've reported in recent months that Congressmen Duke Cunningham
(R-CA) and Bill Jefferson (D-LA) are both facing separate federal
political corruption investigations (and, in the case of these
two, likely indictments). House OREGON:
Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski (D) is clearly vulnerable as he
faces re-election next year. Although he has indicated he will
run again, elected officials in his own party are openly lining
up to oppose him in the primary. State Senator Vicki Walker, State
Senator Rick Metzger and Lane County Commissioner Pete Sorensen
have announced plans to challenge CALIFORNIA: Movie star and liberal activist Warren Beatty (D) continued his hard-hitting attacks on Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) in a speech last week. However, in subsequent comments to reporters, Beatty made it pretty clear he does not intend to seek the Dem nomination for Governor. Beatty said he believes he can achieve much in opposition to Schwarzenegger while doing so in his capacity as a private citizen. MICHIGAN: New independent poll numbers out on the statewide races in Michigan. According to the latest EPIC/MRA poll, Governor Jennifer Granholm (D) leads billionaire businessman Dick DeVos (R) by a vote of 49% to 36%. In the US Senate race, incumbent Debbie Stabenow (D) appears a safe candidate to win another term. She leads her closest opponent -- Bishop Keith Butler (R) -- by a whopping 24% margin. A
CORRECTION. I received an email from Tony Lopez-Cisneros,
a candidate for Illinois State Treasurer in 2006. You see, I described
TLC on our Illinois page as an "Anti-Gay
Activist." In an email to Politics1, TLC demanded the following
correction: "Your website indicates that I am an 'Anti-Gay
Activist' ... [THIS IS] GROSSLY INACCURATE AND UNTRUE ... I AM
AN ANTI-SODOMY/SODIMITE ACTIVIST & PRO-HISTORIC/AUTHORIZED-BIBLICAL/JUDEO-CHRISTIAN
TRADITIONAL FAMILY VALUES CANDIDATE FOR PUBLIC OFFICE." Thanks
for clearing that up, Tony -- guess I stand corrected for being
so "grossly inaccurate" -- but I still think my three-word
summary was more concise. TLC is running as a Dem in '06, after
making failed runs as the GOP nominee for Congress in 2002 and
2004 against Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D). WEEKEND OPEN THREAD. YOUR
TURN. What's on your mind? POLITICAL
APPRENTICE. Will the voters say TEXAS: Points to Governor Rick Perry (R) for making a very astute political move. Perry selected former State Comptroller John Sharp (D) -- his longtime rival -- to head the state's new blue ribbon panel that will seek to identify new tax sources for public education and property tax relief. In return, Sharp announced he would not run for Governor in 2006. Sharp and Perry previously faced-off in the hotly contested '98 race for Lieutenant Governor -- and recent polls showed Sharp was only Dem with a real chance of defeating Perry next year. Sharp was also the object of a slick draft campaign. "You can rule out all politics during this process. I don't intend to go to any partisan fundraisers ... I'm not very good at politics anyway. If I were good, I would be appointing him," joked Sharp. Former Congressman Chris Bell (D), State Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorne (R) and country music singer Kinky Friedman (Independent) are already announced candidates against Perry. FLORIDA: Even a GOP polling firm says that Congresswoman Katherine Harris (R) is unlikely to defeat US Senator Bill Nelson (D) next year. According to the new Strategic Vision (R) poll, Nelson would defeat Harris by a 48% to 36% vote. NEW
YORK: State
EDITORIAL:
CONFIRM ROBERTS. Yes, I'm a proud liberal (and also a
civil libertarian lawyer). Yes, this editorial will likely piss-off
some of my friends and allies.
KENTUCKY: During his close re-election battle last year, newspaper stories raised questions about US Senator Jim Bunning's (R) mental capacity. Certainly, Bunning acted belligerent and erratic during the close weeks. Well, Bunning weighed in now with an opinion that places him at odds with most other GOP leaders in his state. In comments to the Louisville Courier-Journal, Bunning said he expects embattled Governor Ernie Fletcher (R) will win the 2007 GOP primary -- and went on to say Fletcher's renomination "would be best for the party." The Kentucky Dems certainly hope Bunning proves correct. NEBRASKA: Former Navy pilot Shane Osborn (R) announced Wednesday that he will not run against US Senate Ben Nelson (D) next year. Recent polls placed Osborn -- who gained fame for his heroism when his place was forced down by the Chinese in 2001 -- in a solid second place for the GOP nomination. Instead, the 31-year-old Osborn said he will oppose State Treasurer Ron Ross in next year's GOP primary.
NEW
YORK: Jeff
Cook -- an attorney and former National Field Director of
the gay Log Cabin Republicans -- has launched a primary challenge
against Congresswoman Sue Kelly (R-NY). Cook, 26, says that the
incumbent has "lost sight of the Contract With America."
He attacks Kelly for supporting excessive "pork" and
"larger and larger government." The American Conservative
Union has also blasted Kelly for many of her votes on budget and
tax issues. Cook hopes to raise money from gay activists nationwide,
and says Republican primary voters shouldn't have a problem with
his views on the issues they care most about. Kelly's spokesperson
wouldn't directly acknowledge Cook's candidacy, but said: "When
the time comes, [Kelly] will run an aggressive campaign just like
she always does." Three Dems are also running: attorney Judy
Aydelott, political fundraiser Darren Rigger, and teacher Bert
Shuldiner.
VIRGINIA: Yet another poll shows the gubernatorial contest narrowing. The new SurveyUSA poll placed former Attorney General Jerry Kilgore (R) at 46%, Lieutenant Governor Tim Kaine (D) at 43%, and State Senator Russ Potts (Independent) at 4%. SUPREME COURT: US Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) says he will vote against confirmation of Judge John Roberts as the next Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court. Despite this, look for Roberts to be easily confirmed.
FLORIDA:
According to the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, Congressman
VIRGINIA: The latest Richmond Times-Dispatch/Mason-Dixon poll shows this year's race for Governor has further narrowed. According to the newspaper, former Attorney General Jerry Kilgore (R) now holds a "statistically insignificant" lead over Lieutenant Governor Tim Kaine (D), with GOP State Senator Russ Potts (Independent) trailing far behind. The numbers: Kilgore-41%, Kaine-40%, Potts-6%. In further analysis, the newspaper reported that "Kaine and Kilgore have their bases intact, [while] the Democrat appears to have a negligible advantage among those voters who typically decide Virginia contests: independents ... [and Potts is] apparently less of threat to Kilgore than he was two months ago."
P2008: The private Carter-Baker Commission -- that's former President Jimmy Carter (D) and former US Secretary of State James Baker (R) -- have released their bipartisan recommendations for electoral reforms. Officially called the Commission on Federal Election Reform, the group suggested a major overhaul of the Presidential primary process. In a salute to tradition, they suggest allowing Iowa and New Hampshire to remain the first two contests -- but say changes are needed in what follows. They suggest four regional series of primaries -- staggered one month apart and with the regional order rotated every four years. The group also proposed auditable paper trails for electronic voting machines, requiring voters to produce photos IDs at the polls on Election Day, and moving the voter registration process from the local level to the state level.
NEW MEXICO: Ohio is currently dealing with "Coin-gate" -- the state investment fiasco that has mired the Taft Administration in an ongoing corruption probe. Well, now New Mexico's state government is facing a similarly embarrassing investment fiasco. State Treasurer Robert Vigil (D) and former State Treasurer Michael Montoya (D) were both arrested and charged with felony racketeering charges for allegedly lucrative steering state business contracts to investment advisers in return for hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal kickbacks. According to the indictment, three financial advisers paid state commissions for helping invest public funds directed the cash to Vigil and Montoya. Both men -- who face 20 years in prison apiece if convicted -- pled not guilty in their initial court appearances and were released on their own recognizance. "I feel I’ve done a great job and continue to do a great job," said Vigil, who stated he will not resign. Montoya refused to comment.
HURRICANE
RITA AND SHARKS: Our office is closed Tuesday because
we're under a storm watch (yet again) for the day, so it sounds
like a great morning to get out and do some boardsurfing on double
overheads. In the realm of close encounters, I was just out swimming
Sunday afternoon and -- about 70 yards off the beach -- found
myself swimming in the middle of a large school of flying fish.
That was pretty cool, but then I caught a quick splash beyond
a nearby wave and saw a flying fish yanked backwards out of the
water and pulled down. Before I had time to even think WTF, I
had a four-foot shark quickly buzz past me about a foot or so
below the surface (maybe 3 to 4 feet away). Hey, I was in his
home and it was his food I was in the middle of, so I quickly
swam away. In all my years of playing in the ocean, it was only
my second shark close encounter (the first was years ago in Mexico,
on the far side of a coral reef, and it was a really BIG, scary
shark). Real sharks always seem much more menacing than political
sharks. Thus, I live to blog another day! MISSISSIPPI.
Hurricane CALIFORNIA: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) ended speculation that he was considering leaving office next year. Instead, he announced on Friday he will seek re-election in 2006. Polls shows Schwarzenegger locked in a very tight contest against either of his two leading Democratic challengers: State Controller Steve Westly and State Treasurer Phil Angelides. In related news, State Senator Joe Dunn (D) announced his candidacy the same day for State Controller. In a true picture of indecision, this is the third statewide office Dunn has announced for in 2006. He previously announced -- then quit -- runs for Attorney General and State Treasurer when better known candidates entered those contests. HAWAII: What Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D) is to the Republicans, Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle (R) is the Democrats. Both women are up for re-election next year, are members of the decidedly minority party in their respective states, and yet both lack major challengers (although Sebelius does have some second-tier challengers). In Hawaii, Democrats are having even more problems. Retired Army Chief of Staff Eric Shinseki confirmed he is moving back to Hawaii, but said he will not run against Lingle in 2006. The former Army General left open, however, the possibility that he may run for political office someday. This news means the only announced Lingle challengers to date are nightclub crooner Brian Evans (D) and comic Ozell Daniel (Libertarian). Lots of Dem names floating, but none of them appear to be stepping forward.
GERMANY:
Despite all pre-election polls showing that Chancellor Gerhard
Schroeder's Social Democrats (SPD) would certainly lose power
in Sunday's FRIDAY OPEN THREAD. YOUR
TURN. I've been just way too busy at work during these
recent days ... and now am way too exhausted this evening to write
much ... so, use the open thread to post news, comments, etc.
You folks are in charge for the day. NEW
YORK CITY: SUPREME COURT: No nominee yet named for the O'Connor seat ... and Judge John Roberts appears cruising to an easy Senate confirmation as the next Chief Justice. With Roberts' answers to the Senate Judiciary Committee -- to wit: that he greatly values upholding precedent and that he explicitly recognizes a constitutional right to privacy -- will ensure his confirmation with broad support. While Roberts is an ideological conservative, his answers vaguely implied he would uphold Roe v. Wade (abortion), Lawrence v. Texas (gay rights), and other similar historic rulings. Yes, he skirted any direct answers on Roe and other controversies -- but with enough wiggle room to leave partisans on both the left and right skeptical and uneasy. RHODE ISLAND: Governor Don Carcieri (R) continues to hold a comfortable lead in his race for re-election, according to a new Brown University poll. Carcieri leads Lieutenant Governor Charlie Fogarty (D) by a 42% to 31% vote. Interestingly, both men lost support: Carcieri is down 6-points and Fogarty is down 8-points since the last Brown Univ poll three months ago. GAY
RIGHTS: Wednesday was a very good day for supporters
of gay rights laws. In DC, the US House unexpectedly passed the
Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes NEW
JERSEY: Wealthy businessman Doug Forrester (R) has an
explanation why he is now trailing US Senator Jon Corzine (D)
by a 20-point margin in the latest polls. Forrester tells the
AP his decline in the polls should be attributed to "a backlash
against the Bush Administration's handling of the hurricane relief
effort." NEW
YORK CITY: MONTANA: According to a new Rasmussen Reports poll, US Senator Conrad Burns (R) continues to hold a solid lead over his two most likely Democratic opponents. Burns leads State Auditor John Morrison (D) by a vote of 51% to 39%. Burns also defeated State Senate President Jon Tester (D) by a vote of 51% to 38%. Morrison and Tester both have name I.D. levels of under 50%, meaning both have room to improve as voters learn more about them. Morrison is viewed as a more centrist Dem, while Tester is a favorite of more liberal activists. Businessman Clint Wilkes and former State Representative Paul Richards are also seeking the Democratic nomination, but were not included in the poll. RHODE
ISLAND: A new Brown University poll shows moderate US
Senator Lincoln Chafee (R) holding an advantage over both his
primary and Democratic challengers. Chafee would currently defeat
conservative Cranston Mayor Steve Laffey by a 20-point margin
in the GOP primary. For Dems, centrist former Attorney General
Sheldon Whitehouse leads liberal Secretary of State Matt Brown
by a 32% to 16% vote in the primary contest. Here are the general
election matchups: Chafee-38%, Whitehouse-26% ... Chafee-41%,
Brown-18% ... Whitehouse-35%, Laffey-25% ... Brown-30%, Laffey-26%.
President Bush, meanwhile, scored a 25% approval rating -- meaning
that Chafee's perceived independence from Bush will be a plus
for him if he survives the GOP primary. NEW
YORK CITY: MICHIGAN: It took less than two months, but eventually the bottomless financial resources of businessman Dick DeVos (R) scared away all GOP primary opposition in the gubernatorial contest. State Senator Nancy Cassis quit the race on Monday, making her the last of three state legislators to exit from the contest after several months of campaigning. Like the earlier departures, Cassis endorsed DeVos. The billionaire Amway heir will face Governor Jennifer Granholm (D) next year. CONGRESSIONAL OUTLOOK: Respected political pundit Stu Rothenberg is out with a new edition of his US House outlook for 2006. In the new issue of The Rothenberg Political Report, he wrote: "Republicans have few Democratic targets next year, and GOP insiders acknowledge that for them 2006 will largely be a test of whether they can hold what they've already won. They will have a measurable financial advantage for the cycle. Democrats have recruited more top tier challengers than have the Republicans , but they don't now have enough opportunities to net 15 seats and control of the House of Representatives. Still, atmospherics could give Democrats a significant boost next year, handing the party a few seats that they would not win in a neutral political environment. For that reason, we would expect modest but not insignificant Democratic gains in the order of 4-6 seats, or possibly even a bit higher. Democrats would need a major wave to exceed those levels."
NORTH DAKOTA: The White House is continuing to put pressure on Governor John Hoeven (R) to challenge US Senator Kent Conrad (D) next year. Fifty state polls simultaneously conducted recently for SurveyUSA showed that both Conrad and Hoeven had among the highest approval ratings of any Senators and Governors in the nation -- meaning this would be a hot contest. Adding to the pressure will be a new poll conducted by PMR for the Fargo Forum newspaper. The results in a direct matchup: Hoeven-35%, Conrad-27%, Uncommitted-38%. Why the very high undecided? Probably, we'd guess, because most ND voters seems to truly like both men. Hoeven just won re-election last year, so he could make the race without risking his job -- but he still hasn't made any decision on the race. BROWN
OUT: Not that anyone didn't expect it, but Bush Administration
FEMA Director Mike Brown quit on Monday amid complaints about
his inept performance in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and the
false claims Time magazine uncovered in Brown's professional
resume. Victims died because of his poor response, so good riddance. VIRGINIA:
A VERMONT: State Representative David Zuckerman (Progressive) launched his campaign for the state's lone congressional seat being vacated by Congressman Bernie Sanders (Independent). Zuckerman's candidacy has the potential to split the liberal vote, possibly aiding the eventual GOP nominee. KANSAS: Some top GOP leaders and donors are trying to recruit USAF General Dick Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to run for Governor next year. Myers is retiring from the military next month. According to the Hutchinson News, US Senator Sam Brownback is among those involved in the effort. OHIO: Former steel company president John Hritz quit his GOP primary campaign against US Senator Mike DeWine last week. Instead, Hritz will challenge State Treasurer Jennette Bradley in her GOP primary. In related news, Congressman Tim Ryan (D) announced he would not challenge DeWine next year. Ryan joined Congressmen Sherrod Brown, Ted Strickland and others who are encouraging Iraq war veteran Paul Hackett to oppose DeWine. P2008: Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO) is probably not hoping for much support in the 2008 Louisiana Presidential caucuses. He was one of only eleven Members of Congress -- all Republicans -- who voted against the $51.8 billion in emergency relief for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. "The urgent need of resources does not excuse us from our duty to safeguard the American taxpayers’ money," explained Tancredo, who said much more oversight was needed before he'd support any appropriation for storm victims. CONNECTICUT:
Liberal college professor John Orman ended his Democratic primary
challenge to US Senator Joe Lieberman, who Orman said was far
too conservative and too friendly to President Bush to represent
a progressive blue state. Orman noted he had raised just $1,000
versus Lieberman's $3.8 million. WEEKEND OPEN THREAD. YOUR
TURN. Have at it. RHODE
ISLAND: Despite behind the scenes pressure from party
leaders to instead run for Lieutenant IRAQ: Former US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Thursday told ABC News his pre-war speech to the United Nations accusing Iraq of hiding weapons of mass destruction was a "blot" on his career. "It was painful -- it is painful now," said Powell, because it "will always be a part of my record." Powell went on to say he was "devastated" by the fact that "people in the intelligence community who knew at the time that some of those sources were not good, and shouldn't be relied upon, and they didn't speak up." Powell added he never believed there was any connection between Saddam Hussein's regime and the 9-11 Al Qaeda terrorists. "I can't think otherwise, because I'd never seen evidence to suggest there was one," he added. CONNECTICUT: Secretary of State Sue Bysiewicz (D) is scheduled to announce Friday she's quitting the race against Governor Jodi Rell (R). Instead, Bysiewicz plans to seek re-election. With her exit, New Haven Mayor John DeStefano and Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy are the two remaining contenders for the Democratic nomination. Lieutenant Governor Kevin Sullivan (D) may still jump into the contest, as could Attorney General Richard Blumenthal -- although Blumenthal's name floats every four years and he never jumps into the race. TENNESSEE: State Representative and former State GOP Chair Beth Harwell quit the US Senate race this week. Harwell said she is "confident" several of the other Republicans in the race could each win the seat. Instead, observers believe Harwell is re-tooling herself to jump into the race against Governor Phil Bredesen (D). No major Republican has yet entered the Guv race in this fairly Republican state. Even if she enters the contest, the popular Bredersen would remain favored to win a second term.
"IS THAT A CLASSIFIED ANTI-TERROR REPORT IN YOUR PANTS OR ARE YOU JUST GLAD TO SEE ME?" A federal judge on Thursday fined former Clinton Administration Security Advisor Sandy Berger $50,000, placed him on two years probation, ordered him to perform 100 hours of community service, and barred him for three years from having any access to classified government records for three years -- in exchange for not having to serve any prison time. Berger pled guilty to secretly removing classified documents from the National Archives by hiding them in his clothing. Prosecutors recommended only a $10,000 fine. "The court finds the fine is inadequate because it doesn't reflect the seriousness of the offense," said the judge. Berger admitted to the court he removed the Clinton Administration documents on terrorism -- and destroyed some -- while preparing to testify before the 9-11 Commission. "I let considerations of personal convenience override clear rules of handling classified material," said Berger. HURRICANE
KATRINA: In our home, it's strangely personal to watch
the New Orleans stories on TV. My other half, Dana, went to law
school in New Orleans and over the last two days he saw on TV
both of the homes he had lived in: the one near Tulane was mainly
under water, and the one in the Garden District burned down yesterday.
In related news, the much-publicized FEMA memo to journalists
instructing them to not photograph any of the thousands of bodies
that litter New Orleans is rather bizarre. So ... if you don't
photograph them or show them to us, then they're not really there?
People died. We all know it. FEMA is just so pathetic. Anyways
... please join us in helping the American
Red Cross and the Mercy
Corps respond to the terrible devastation left in the wake
of this deadly storm. Here
are some more ways you can help. THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE. THE SUPREMES. Some conservative blogs claim US Attorney General Al Gonzales has quietly taken himself out of consideration for Justice Sandra O'Connor's open seat -- and, to date, there is nothing that confirms these rumors -- while other leading conservatives continue to openly fret that Bush will pick his centrist friend Gonzales anyways. Some key Republican US Senators -- including Judiciary Committee Chair Arlen Specter (R-PA), John Cornyn (R-TX) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) -- have called on President Bush to find a woman to replace O'Connor on the Court. By contrast, Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Tom Coburn (R-OK) said the President should simply pick the best candidate regardless of gender or ethnicity.
NEW YORK CITY: A new Quinnipiac University poll shows incumbent NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg (R) remains in great shape to win re-election. What is rather interesting, however, in the latest poll is the changing look of the Dem primary. Former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer -- the early Dem frontrunner -- continues to lead, but with unimpressive numbers. Meanwhile, Congressman Anthony Weiner has steadily climbed from last place a few months ago to second place today. Manhattan Borough President Virginia Fields continues to drop, while NYC Council Speaker Gifford Miller remains mired in third. The Dem numbers: Ferrer-32%, Weiner-21%, Miller-17%, Fields-13%. With the primary less than a week away, it looks like Ferrer and Weiner will advance to a Dem run-off. The winner will face Bloomberg in November. HURRICANE
RICK: HURRICANE
KATRINA: Please help the American
Red Cross and the Mercy
Corps respond to the terrible devastation left in the wake
of this deadly storm. Here
are some more ways you can help. KATRINA UPDATE. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin says there is plenty of blame to around -- including for himself -- because leaders at the local, state and federal levels all grossly failed the city's residents. Nagin also issued orders on Tuesday evening to the NOPD to remove the estimated 10,000 still remaining in the city. Under Nagin's order, the police are instructed "to compel the evacuation of all persons ... regardless of whether such persons are on private property or do not desire to leave."
VIRGINIA: Perhaps the Virginia Farm Bureau should consider growing a spine. The group's political arm -- Virginia AgPAC -- decided to endorse both Lieutenant Governor Tim Kaine (D) and former Attorney General Jerry Kilgore (R) in this year's gubernatorial contest. "Both candidates have worked closely with Farm Bureau on issues critical to the viability of agriculture and forestry in Virginia ... We look forward to supporting both campaigns," said the group's leader. Virginia AgPAC had no problem, however, taking sides in the races for Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General: they endorsed the GOP nominees in both races. CALIFORNIA: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's (R) approval rating continue to plummet. According to the latest Field Poll, 52% of California disapprove of his performance versus 36% who approve. Even among Republicans, nearly a quarter give the Gov a failing grade. While Schwarzenegger has yet to make any formal decision on seeking re-election next year, he appears to be assembling a campaign team of consultants.
KENTUCKY: Former Congressman Carroll Hubbard (D) -- a convicted felon -- is trying to make a political comeback. Hubbard, who served in Congress from 1975-93, lost his 1992 primary due to his legal problems. Later convicted of felony campaign finance violations, Hubbard served a sentence in federal prison from 1995-97. Since he release, his license to practice law was reinstated. This week, Hubbard filed paperwork to run against State Senator Bob Leeper (Independent) -- a Democrat who switched to the GOP in '99 before becoming an Independent earlier this year. "I sincerely believe people realize I made huge mistakes, paid the penalties -- both prison and monetarily," said Hubbard, who told the AP he hopes voters "would focus more on the future than the past." HURRICANE
KATRINA: Please help the American
Red Cross and the Mercy
Corps respond to the terrible devastation left in the wake
of this deadly storm. Here
are some more ways you can help.
|
in
the race to succeed Williams ... State Senate Majority Leader
Derrick Schmidt (R) said he will not run for Kansas Governor next
year ... GOP candidates around the nation who accepted money from
Tom DeLay's PAC or held fundraising events featuring DeLay have
tough decisions to make. Do they give back the tainted money or
keep it and risk being closely tied to DeLay. Congressman Jeb
Bradley (R-NH) became the first to announce he'll return the $15,000
he received from DeLay's PAC ... Reliable sources tell Politics1
that former Ambassador and two-time GOP Presidential candidate
Alan Keyes will become the latest Republican to cross party lines
to endorse Minuteman Project founder Jim Gilchrist (AIP-CA) in
the CD-48 special election set for Tuesday. Keyes is expected
to make the endorsement in California on Friday afternoon at an
event celebrating the first anniversary of the controversial civilian
border patrol group.
DeLay
(R-TX) was indicted on Wednesday by a Texas grand jury on a conspiracy
charge related to a long-running state corruption investigation
into campaign financing -- an action that could have shocking
political repercussions. The lack of a DeLay indictment in recent
months led most observers believe the threat of actual criminal
charges against the powerful GOP leader had largely passed. He
had assured his GOP House colleagues for months that the criminal
threat had passed and he would not be indicted. DeLay and two
political associates are charges with conspiring to illegally
funnel corporate donations to Republican candidates for the Texas
Legislature. If convicted, DeLay would face up to two years in
prison and up to $10,000 in fines. DeLay was quick to proclaim
his innocence, claiming the charges were "political retribution"
directed by "partisan hack" District Attorney Ronnie
Earle (D). In response, Earle notes he has prosecuted nearly three
times as many Democrats as Republicans over the years on political
charges -- including former Attorney General Jim Mattox (D), former
State House Speaker Gib Lewis (D), and Supreme Court Justice Don
Yarborough (D). DeLay immediately stepped aside as House Majority
Leader, so as to not continue as the face of House Republicans
during this critical candidate recruitment period. In a meeting
behind closed doors, House Republicans elevated House Majority
Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO) to Majority Leader and announced House Rules
Chair Dave Dreier (R-CA) would "share" leadership responsibilities
with Blunt. 
NEW
JERSEY: There's a new Fairleigh Dickinson University
poll out on the NJ Gov race. The numbers: US Senator Jon Corzine
(D) - 48%, businessman Doug Forrester (R) - 38%. 
OKLAHOMA:
It appears Congressman Ernest Istook (R) has decided
to enter to race against Governor Brad Henry (D). Istook is expected
to announce his candidacy next Monday. A poll last week paid for
by the Oklahoma Republican Party showed Istook is easily the strongest
potential GOP candidate against Henry -- but the Republican poll
still showed Istook could not win the race at this time. The GOP's
numbers: Henry-44%, Istook-36%.
A
WAR HERO FOR THE LEFT. If those progressives who oppose
the Iraq War want a fallen military hero to adopt as a martyr,
the soldier should clearly be Pat Tillman. Check out the 
Majority
Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) has also been the subject of a state grand
jury probe in Texas, although it appears less likely that he'll
personally face any charges. Well, now you can add US Senate Majority
Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) and Congressman Bob Ney (R-OH) to the
list of DC officials who are targets of federal corruption probes.
Frist
has a potential "Martha Stewart problem" -- as some
are already describing it -- in that the SEC is investigating
him for alleged insider trading based upon his dumping of HCA
stock days before bad news was released that caused HCA stocks
to substantially drop in value. HCA is the national hospital chain
Frist and his family founded before he entered politics. As for
Ney, the Miami Herald reported Sunday the FBI is investigating
whether Ney abused his position in office to improperly help DC
lobbyist Jack Abramoff and Abramoff business partner Adam Kidan
get a better deal in 2000 when they purchased the Suncruz gambling
ships operation in Florida from company founder Gus Boulis. Abramoff
-- a close DeLay confidant -- and Kidan were indicted this summer
on federal corruption charges in Florida related to the purchase.
Boulis was later murdered in a still-unsolved mob-style hit as
he drove home from work at night in 2001, when his bitter dispute
with Abramoff and Kidan went public. To date, nothing has tied
Abramoff and Kidan to the killing. Ney admittedly inserted damaging
info about Boulis into the Congressional Record and allegedly
attempted to get federal regulators interested in Boulis while
Abramoff was actively negotiating the controversial purchase.
Ney denies any wrongdoing.
Kulongoski
in the primary -- and all openly fear the somewhat unpopular incumbent
would be vulnerable to defeat against the eventual Republican
nominee. While Kulongoski would likely be able to survive a primary
challenge from his more liberal rivals, a real primary threat
is now emerging. Some Dem activists are trying to persuade former
Governor John Kitzhaber (D) to seek a third-term comeback against
his endorsed successor. Kitzhaber confirmed people are talking
to him about the race -- "unsolicited" -- but that he's
listening to their concerns. Kitzhaber, a physician and former
State Senate President -- retired from office in '02 saying he
was "burned out" and frustrated he couldn't solve enough
problems as Governor. "It would take an awful lot to make
me believe that I could do more good for the world [my 7-year-old
son] Logan will inherit with another four years as Governor rather
than with what I'm doing privately," he told the Portland
Oregonian. Walker said that if Kitzhaber decided to get into
the race, she expected all of Kulongoski's current primary opponents
"would clear the decks" for Kitzhaber. While Kitzhaber
-- who admits he is disappointed in Kulongoski's performance --
seems disinclined to run again, he made a point of not closing
the door on the idea.
"You're
Fired" or "Your Hired" to candidates trying to
launch their political careers from appearances on Donald Trump's
GOP
Chair Stephen Minarik proudly announced this week to the media
there would be no GOP primary for Governor or US Senate next year
because all of the candidates agreed to seek the nomination at
next year's State Republican Convention and pass on making primary
challenges. The only problem with that is ... well ... almost
none of the candidates agree with his statement. A spokesman for
former Secretary of State Randy Daniels -- a gubernatorial hopeful
-- said "primaries are good for the Republican Party and
democracy." All three US Senate candidates -- Ed Cox, Jeanine
Pirro and John Spencer -- said through spokespersons that they
had not made any promises to Minarik. "Those responses and
others sparked disbelief from Minarik and other GOP officials,
who said the candidates had concurred with the no-primary stance
during candidate screenings over the summer," reported Newsday.
The Erie County GOP Chair agreed with Minarik, noting "there
wasn't a single candidate that said they would run a primary."
Guess they all changed their minds -- apparently deciding a primary
is preferable to a boss-controlled selection process.
And
yes, I oppose most of the positions espoused by the Bush Administration.
But, when it comes to US Supreme Court nominees, Presidents are
generally afforded the right to select the person of their choice
so long as the nominee doesn't have seriously disqualifying flaws
(i.e., the racist history of a Judge Carswell or the dark ages
fringe views espoused by a Judge Bork). If I were President, I
wouldn't have selected Judge John Roberts. But, if I were in the
US Senate, I would have to take the position espoused by Senators
Pat Leahy (D-VT), Russ Feingold (D-WI) and others. Here is how
Feingold explained it: "Judge Roberts's impeccable legal
credentials, his reputation and record as a fair-minded person,
and his commitment to modesty and respect for precedent have persuaded
me that he will not bring an ideological agenda to the position
of Chief Justice of the United States and that he should be confirmed."
Added Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), "I will vote my hopes today
and not my fears." I agree. Not enthusiastically -- but I
agree. There was no testimony produced, nor evidence advanced,
to reasonably disqualify Roberts. Could Roberts have misled the
Judiciary Committee? Yes. Could Roberts be seeking to advance
a Scalia-like radical right agenda? Possibly. Do I have concerns?
Yes. But there is nothing in the record of the confirmation hearings
that would disqualify him. Roberts would not have been my first
choice for the US Supreme Court. He wouldn't have been my tenth
choice, either. But I would vote to confirm him (just as many
conservative Senators voted to confirm liberal Justices Ginsberg
and Breyer during the Clinton Administration). Let us pray Roberts
meant what he said during his confirmation hearings. And let us
pray even harder that the nominee for the O'Connor seat is a centrist
more in the O'Connor mold -- because that seat will be the real
fight.
P2008?
It is tough to figure out what is up these days with former US
Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD). Defeated for re-election
in 2004, Daschle has recently reactivated and renamed his old
leadership PAC. Gone is the old DASHPAC moniker, replaced by "New
Leadership for America PAC." He's also transferred $500,000
from his old group to the new one. Daschle originally created
the DASHPAC group when he was looking to raise his profile in
anticipation of a possible '04 Presidential race. Further, the
Washington Post reports Dashcle will be speaker -- "a
coveted slot for any 2008 aspirant" -- at the upcoming Iowa
Democratic Party annual dinner. Does all this mean Daschle is
looking at a White House run or other political comeback. If he's
looking for an office to seek, the SD Dems still don't have a
viable candidate for Governor next year.
P2008:
Despite inside-the-beltway buzz that the White House
is imminently planning to name Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney
(R) as the "Hurricane Katrina Rebuilding Czar" -- or
whatever catchy moniker they give it -- Romney says the rumors
are wrong. "Our office hasn't been contacted by the White
House nor has our office contacted the White House about this.
Governor Romney loves the job he has and is intent on serving
his full term," said Romney's press secretary on Tuesday.
The 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Committee brought Romney in to
manage the games after they became enmeshed in an embarrassing
bribery scandal -- giving the venture capitalist a reputation
as an effective troubleshooter. Romney has yet to decide if he
will seek re-election next year or instead run for President in
2008. Political trivia: Of Romney's three immediate predecessors,
two resigned to accept federal appointments.
Clay
Shaw (R-FL) is upset that liberal Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman
Schultz (D-FL) -- who represents an adjoining district -- is helping
raise money for Shaw's opponent. You see, Shaw worries that having
a viable opponent means he will have to spend his campaign money
on his own '06 campaign (i.e., he cannot distribute it in donations
to other congressional Republicans around the nation in an attempt
to score votes for Shaw's bid to become Ways & Means Committee
Chair in the next Congress). Shaw told the newspaper "the
Florida delegation should be unified behind his quest and stay
out of his re-election race." DWS -- who proudly described
herself as "a partisan Democrat" -- disagrees: "I
have a documented reputation of working both sides of the aisles.
I also believe we should elect more Democrats." In past years,
members of the Florida Congressional delegation -- regardless
of party -- had an unspoken agreement to never actively help the
opponent of any Florida incumbent. DWS is a rising star in the
Dems who is clearly breaking from the politics-as-usual traditions.
(Note: If this was Texas, does anyoe think Tom DeLay would
have any reservations about working to defeat Texas Dem incumbents?)
KENTUCKY:
You can almost hear the shouts of "Dead Man Walking!"
Yup, Governor Ernie Fletcher (R) announced this week he plans
to run for re-election in 2007 -- even as he remains the target
of a state hiring criminal ethics probe. "I see that it's
going to be more challenging, but I do believe we can move forward,"
he said. Fletcher was embarrassed this week when he demanded the
ouster of the State GOP Chair and the Kentucky Republican leadership
-- with the reported backing of powerful US Senator Mitch McConnell
-- refused to even consider Fletcher's demand. In fact, WHAS-TV
reported that McConnell "is in a not-so-private fight with
Fletcher." McConnell is reportedly one of those trying to
drum-up a serious primary challenge to Flecther in '07. State
Agriculture Secretary Richie Farmer, Secretary of State Trey Grayson,
Congresswoman Anne Northup, and State Senate President David Williams
are reportedly among the growing list of Republicans interested
in challenging Fletcher. Grayson is believed to be McConnell's
preferred candidate against Fletcher.
ALABAMA:
Ousted State Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore (R) -- the
self-proclaimed "Ten Commandments Judge" -- told the
Birmingham News he will make a formal decision next month
about running for Alabama Governor. "We've got a war going
on and most Christians are asleep ... I'll let you know if I decide
to run ... There are things to consider. Politics hasn't always
exactly been kind to me," said Moore. In other Alabama news,
former Governor Don Siegelman (D) -- indicted last year on corruption
charges he claims are politically motivated -- confirmed this
past weekend that he will be a candidate for his old job next
year.
NEW
YORK: The NY Independence Party -- a spin-off from Ross
Perot's faded national political network -- purged itself in recent
days of controversial Marxist psychotherapist Dr. Lenora Fulani
and five of her followers. Fulani played a leading role in the
NYIP for years, but her recent anti-Semitic statements -- calling
Jews "mass murderers of people of color" -- prompted
the ouster. Fulani, the former leader of the defunct New Alliance
Party, achieved ballot status in all 50 states as a Presidential
candidate in 1988. An overwhelming majority of the State Executive
Committee -- 74% -- voted to remove Fulani and her allies. "Dr.
Fulani's continuing need to falsely portray herself as the leader
of the Independence Party along with her inflammatory, wrongheaded
remarks about the Jewish people has caused our party's leadership
to take this action, " explained State Party Chair Frank
MacKay. The world is filled with "a ton" of anti-Semites,
answered a disappointed Fulani, "but Lenora Fulani isn't
one of them." 
Katrina
destroyed the Mississippi home of US Senator Trent Lott (R) --
causing Lott to consider retiring from politics next year. Lott
told the Washington Post his family home in Pascagoula
was his to be his retirement nest egg, he has "no personal
wealth" and his political career "has already crested."
Lott, 63, would like to become Senate Republican Whip if current
#3 GOP leader Rick Santorum (R-PA) loses for re-election next
year -- but he also realizes he could opt to retire next year
and earn big bucks as a DC lobbyist. "It's very, very tough,"
said Lott of the choice he is facing. He promises to make a decision
later this year. If Lott retires, potential candidates for his
open seat would include Congressman Chip Pickering (R), former
Governor Ray Mabus (D), former Attorney General Mike Moore (D)
and Congressman Gene Taylor (D). FYI: Taylor's home was also destroyed
by the hurricane.
German
national elections, it appears that conservative challenger Angela
Merkel (CDU/CSU) finished in a virtual tie with Schroeder -- and
both are far short of the parliamentary majority needed to form
a new government. The results: CDU/CSU - 34%, SPD - 33%. Even
if Schroeder partners with the Greens (8%), and Merkel partners
with the free market FDP (10%) -- as both had planned to do --
neither reaches the majority mark. The Left Party, a new entity
comprised mainly of the former Communist Party, captured 9% --
but Schroeder and Merkel both said they would not include the
Left Party in any coalition government. The remaining percentage
was captured by fringe parties. In terms of parliamentary seats,
here are the totals: CDU/CSU - 225 seats, SDP - 222, FDP - 61,
Greens - 51, Left Party - 54. While both Schroeder and Merkel
claimed victory -- and each vowed to form the next German government
-- it looks very likely they will be forced to form a shaky, power-sharing
"unity" government that includes both the CDU/CSU and
SPD leaders.
While
former Bronx Borough President Freddy Ferrer fell less than 0.05%
short of the total number of 40% requirement to avoid a September
27 run-off, he still finds himself today being the Democratic
nominee for NYC Mayor. This was Ferrer's third attempt to capture
the nomination. Congressman Anthony Weiner, who finished second
place with 29%, conceded the race to Ferrer and surprisingly declined
his right to compete in the run-off. "It was a difficult
decision ... but I believe it is the right thing to do ... We
must start getting behind Freddy Ferrer right away if we are to
beat a Republican like Mayor Bloomberg," said Weiner to the
New York Times. Weiner -- who will certainly earn future
goodwill for promoting party unity -- is expected to again run
for Mayor in four years if Bloomberg wins another term. Ferrer
will face incumbent Mayor Mike Bloomberg in November. Polls show
Bloomberg holding a wide lead. Several third party candidates
are also running.
Prevention
Act by a 223-199 vote. The bill explicitly includes sexual orientation
as a protected category within the hate crimes law. While this
bill has passed before in the US Senate, it always met with failure
in the House. Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, the State House defeated
a proposed constitutional amendment that would have banned gay
marriage by an overwhelming and bipartisan 157-39 vote. The same
proposal passed last year by a 105-92 vote. The amendment had
to be approved by the legislature in two consecutive years in
order to appear on the ballot. "Gay marriage has begun, and
life has not changed for the citizens of the Commonwealth, with
the exception of those who can now marry. This amendment which
was an appropriate measure or compromise a year ago, is no longer,
I feel, a [needed] compromise today," said State Senator
Brian Lees (R). By contrast, State Representative Phil Travis
(D) complained: "The union of two women and two men can never
consummate a marriage ... The other 49 states are right and we
are wrong."
Voters
cast primary ballots on Tuesday in NYC to help decide which Democrat
will face incumbent Mayor 
new
Washington Post poll shows former Attorney General Jerry
Kilgore (R) leading Lieutenant Governor Tim Kaine (D) by a vote
of 45% to 41%, with 5% for State Senator Russ Potts (Independent).
Governor,
conservative Cranston Mayor Stephen Laffey announced Thursday
he would challenge moderate US Senator Lincoln Chafee in next
year's GOP primary. Rhode Island is one of the more liberal states
in the nation, and some GOP strategists fear that a hotly contested
primary could either weaken Chafee for the general election or
advance Laffey into a general election race he is too conservative
to win. Chafee angered party loyalists in recent years by his
record of frequently siding with Senate Democrats, his pro-choice
views, his on-and-off flirtation with switching parties, and his
announcement last year that he wasn't voting for President Bush's
re-election. Still, Republicans are split into two camps: one
believe they need someone as independent and liberal as Chafee
to hold the seat in this blue state, versus the other group that
note conservative Republicans like Governor Don Carcieri were
able to win statewide races. Which faction is right? I guess we'll
next year on September 12th. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Matt
Brown, former Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse and business
appraiser Carl Sheeler will compete for the Democratic nomination.
Does an incumbent losing a primary hand the seat to the opposing
party? Not always. Here are the incumbent US Senators who lost
primaries since 1980: Jacob Javits (NY - GOP held seat), Don Stewart
(AL - Dems lost seat), Dick Stone (FL - Dems lost seat), Mike
Gravel (AK - Dems lost seat), Alan Dixon (IL - Dems held seat),
Bob Smith (NH - GOP held seat), and Sheila Frahm (KS - GOP held
seat).
NEBRASKA:
An independent poll conducted for the Lincoln Journal-Star
shows Congressman Tom Osborne holding a comfortable but dwindling
lead over Governor Dave Heineman in next year's GOP primary. The
numbers: Osborne-49%, Heineman-37%, and businessman Dave Nabity-4%.
Another independent poll conducted four months ago showed Osborne
holding a 40-point lead over Heineman. Osborne acknowledged he's
lost ground to the incumbent, which he attributed to being away
working in DC much of the year. He told the newspaper his congressional
responsibilities often place him in the position of being “out
of sight, out of mind." In the GOP primary for US Senate,
former Attorney General Don Stenberg led with 36%, followed by
former Navy pilot Shane Osborne at 21%, former State GOP Chair
David Kramer at 3%, and wealthy Ameritrade heir Pete Ricketts
last with 2%. "I’m honored that Nebraskans consider
me a viable candidate even when I’m not in the race,"
said Osborne, who promised to make a decision on the race by the
end of this month. The winner will face incumbent Ben Nelson (D),
the most conservative Dem in the US Senate.
CALIFORNIA:
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) must now face a tough
choice on the gay marriage issue. This week the California Legislature
approved legislation legalizing same-sex marriages in the state.
The bill is now before Schwarzenegger, who must decide whether
to sign it or veto it. In the face of dismal approval ratings,
he must decide what is best for his potential re-election plans
next year. Does he shore up his base with conservative Republicans
by vetoing it ... or does he sign it in an attempt to win over
socially liberal swing voters? A few months ago -- when chances
of passage looked unlikely -- Schwarzenegger indicated he would
likely sign the bill if it reached his desk. Now he's waffling,
so stay tuned. Meanwhile, in other California news, US Senator
Dianne Feinstein (D) holds a comfortable margin in her 2006 race
for re-election. The latest Field Poll shows DiFi leading multimillionaire
technology executive Bill Mundell (R) by a 56% to 30% vote. Postscript:
Schwarzenegger's office announced Wednesday evening he will veto
the gay marriage bill "out of respect" for the state's
voters who voted in favor of the Defense of Marriage proposition
five years ago.
Earlier
this week former First Lady Barbara Bush told a Texas radio reporter
that it "was scary" that many of the displaced New Orleans
storm victims may decide to permanently stay in the Lone Star
state. She even went so far as make a joke about the poverty of
the victims: "And so many of the people in the arena here,
you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this -- this [she chuckles]
is working very well for them." Well, US Senator Rick Santorum
(R-PA) just went and out did those comments for outrageousness.
In a local TV interview on Tuesday, Santorum said: "There
may be a need to look at tougher penalties on those who decide
to ride it out and understand that there are consequences to not
leaving." Let me repeat that one: Santorum called for "tougher
penalties" for poor people who are abandoned by their government
and are unable to leave before a killer storm strikes!! Even Santorum
soon realized he had gone way too far in his remarks. A few hours
later Santorum clarified them: "Obviously, most of the people
here in this case, an overwhelming majority of people, just literally
couldn't have gotten out on their own .. and that really was a
failure on the part of local officials ... I criticized the Mayor,
the Governor, the President, FEMA, and I criticized those who
should have left and could have left and didn't, and that is a
problem. For the people who couldn't leave, we let them down."
MISSOURI:
A new poll shows the US Senate race is likely to be very hotly
contested. According to the Rasmussen Reports survey of likely
voters, US Senate Jim Talent (R) and State Auditor Claire McCaskill
(D) are already tied with 46% apiece. Talent is strongest with
voters in the 30-40 age range, while McCaskill runs best with
voters under 30 and over 65. If these kind of polling numbers
continue, look for this one to quickly jump to the top of the
DSCC and NRSC target races.
NEW
YORK: Conservative Party activist George Marlin is trying
to sink any chance former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld (R) has of
winning his party's nomination next year for NY Governor, according
to the New York Post. Marlin -- who was the party's nominee
for NYC Mayor in 1993 -- researched and wrote a compilation of
Weld's past quotes, and mailed it to hundreds of party leaders
around the state. Here are some of the Weld quotes reprinted in
the report: (1) "I consider myself a pretty good friend of
Bill Clinton and quite a good friend of Hillary Rodham";
(2) "[I am] culturally more like an urban Democrat than a
suburban Republican"; (3) "[Legal late-term abortions
are] a price I would pay in order to have government stay out
of the thicket"; and (4) "I do have gay friends who
plan to seek a marriage license, and if legally empowered to do
so, I would be glad to help officiate at the proceedings."
Conservative Party State Chair Michael Long told the newspaper
it would be "difficult" for Weld to win the party's
nomination next year. No GOP candidate has won for NY Governor
in over 35 years without also having the Conservative ballot line.
An independent poll out last week also showed that billionaire
businessman and frequent candidate Tom Golisano would run substantially
stronger than Weld against Attorney General Eliot Spitzer (D)
-- although both men would still handily lose to Spitzer.