FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Anything and everything.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.14.06 | Permalink
|
FRIDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
P2008:
WARNER WON'T MAKE WHITE HOUSE RUN IN '08.
Nextel co-founder and former Virginia Governor Mark Warner (D)
surprised everyone
by announcing Thursday he will not be a candidate for President
in 2008. The news was so unexpected because Warner had done everything
needed over the past two years to position himself as a likely
contender. He launched a leadership PAC, contributed to numerous
Democratic
congressional hopefuls around the nation, and made repeated trips
to key early contest states. In fact, Warner still appeared at
a previously scheduled fundraiser in Iowa on Thursday evening.
"Forward
Together has contributed more money this year to Democratic
candidates and party organizations than any other federal leadership
PAC. Our effort raised over $9 million. I headlined 86 events
in 25 states to help raise or directly donate $7.3 million to
Democrats this cycle ... But this has also been another kind of
journey -- one that would lead to a decision as to whether I would
seek the Democratic nomination for President ... After 67 trips
to 28 states and five foreign countries, I have made that decision.
I have decided not to run for President. This past weekend, my
family and I went to Connecticut to celebrate my Dad’s 81st birthday,
and then we took my oldest daughter Madison to start looking at
colleges. I know these moments are never going to come again.
This weekend made clear what I’d been thinking about for many
weeks -- that while politically this appears to be the right time
for me to take the plunge -- at this point, I want to have a real
life. And while the chance may never come again, I shouldn’t move
forward unless I’m willing to put everything else in my life on
the back burner. This has been a difficult decision, but for me,
it’s the right decision," explained Warner. In the short
term, Warner's exit will likely benefit other Dem hopefuls like
fellow Southerner and former US Senator John Edwards (D-NC), or
one of the other centrists contenders like US Senator Evan Bayh
(D-IN), Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM) and Governor Tom Vilsack
(D-IA). As for Warner, he is still viewed as a possible candidate
for either US Senate if incumbent John Warner (R) retires in 2008
or for the open Virginia governorship in 2009.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.13.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: US SENATE RACES. MISSOURI:
State
Auditor Claire McCaskill (D) - 51%, US Senator Jim Talent (R)
- 42%, Frank Gilmour (Libertarian) - 3%. (KSDK-TV/SurveyUSA).
NEW JERSEY: US Senator Bob Menendez (D) - 49%,
State Senator Tom Kean Jr. (R) - 45%. (Quinnipiac University). NEW JERSEY: Menendez (D) - 44%, Kean (R) - 40%.
(Rasmussen Reports). OHIO: Congressman Sherrod Brown (D) - 54%, US
Senator Mike DeWine (R) - 40%. (WCPO-TV/SurveyUSA). TENNESSEE: Congressman Harold Ford Jr. (D) -
48%, former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker (R) - 46%. (Rasmussen
Reports).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.13.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: GOVERNOR RACES. OHIO:
Congressman Ted Strickland (D) - 60%, Secretary of State Ken Blackwell
(R) - 32%, retired college professor Bill Peirce (Libertarian)
- 2%, newspaper editor Bob Fitrakis (Green) - 1%. (WCPO-TV/SurveyUSA).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.13.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: US HOUSE RACES. PENNSYLVANIA
- CD-12: Congressman John Murtha (D) - 57%, Washington
County Commissioner Diana Irey (R) - 30%. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review/Susquehanna
Polling). SOUTH CAROLINA - CD-5: Congressman John Spratt
(D) - 56%, State Representative Ralph Norman (R) - 42%. (WLTX-TV/SurveyUSA).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.13.06 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) had been riding high in
recent polls as voters seemingly moved away from his GOP opponent
after the recent corruption conviction of former GOP Governor
George Ryan. Well, Blagojevich much be more nervous now that a
top adviser and fundraiser was indicted Wednesday on corruption
charges by the feds related to a pay-to-play scheme for state
government contracts. The prosecutor says the actions were undertaken
in support of an unnamed "political figure." Blagojevich
said he believes his friend's claim of innocence, but would "feel
betrayed" if they prove true ... An AP report alleges US
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) failed to disclose a
profit of over $700,000 (from a roughly $400,000 investment) on
a land deal a few years ago. Reid denies wrongdoing, but says
he may file a "technical correction" to his Senate disclosure
forms.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.12.06 | Permalink
|
SEND
A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here's my open offer
for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button
or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide
Office, etc., campaign you are involved in -- feel free to add
a sticker and brochure -- and I'll place a link to official campaign
site here on our homepage in a daily "thank you" note.
My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale,
FL 33301. OUR THANKS TODAY GO OUT TO: Former Assistant
US Attorney & Navy veteran Dick
Chema, Democrat for Congress in Ohio's CD-3.
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BY
THE NUMBERS: US SENATE RACES. CONNECTICUT:
US Senator Joe Lieberman (Independent) - 53%, businessman
Ned Lamont (D) - 40%, former State Representative Alan Schlesinger
(R) - 4%. (WABC-TV/SurveyUSA). CONNECTICUT: Lieberman (Independent) - 48%,
Lamont (D) - 40%, Schlesinger (R) - 4%. (Hartford Courant/University
of Connecticut). FLORIDA: US Senator Bill Nelson (D) - 61%, Congresswoman
Kathryn Harris (R) - 33%. (Quinnipiac University).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.12.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: GOVERNOR RACES. ALASKA:
Former Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin (R) - 47%, former Governor
Tony Knowles (D) - 40%. (Rasmussen Reports). ALASKA: Palin (R) - 48%, Knowles (D) - 37%, former
State Representative Andrew Halcro (Independent) - 7%. (Ivan Moore-D). MASSACHUSETTS: Former US Assistant Attorney General
Deval Patrick (D) - 52%, Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey (R)
- 34%, businessman Christy Mihos (Independent) - 9%, affordable
housing activist Grace Ross (Green) - 1%. (WBZ-TV/SurveyUSA).
TEXAS: Governor Rick Perry (R) - 33%, State
Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn (Independent) - 20%, musician
Kinky Friedman (Independent) - 14%, former Congressman Chris Bell
(D) - 14%. (Texas Trial Lawyers/Opinion Analysts). WISCONSIN: Governor Jim Doyle (D) - 46%, Congressman
Mark Green (R) - 43%. (Strategic Vision-R).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.12.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: US HOUSE RACES. OKLAHOMA
- CD-5: Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin (R) - 62%, surgeon
David Hunter (D) - 33%, kayaking instructor Matthew Woodson (Independent)
- 3%. (WDBJ-TV/SurveyUSA). VIRGINIA - CD-5: Congressman Virgin Goode (R)
- 56%, winemaker Al Weed (D) - 40%, freelance writer Joe Oddo
(Ind. Green) - 2%. (KFOR-TV/SurveyUSA).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.12.06 | Permalink
|
TEXAS:
BELL ASKS KINKY TO QUIT GUV RACE, KINKY SAYS "NO WAY." Former
Congressman Chris Bell (D) left a private message on author/musician
Kinky
Friedman's cellphone, asking the colorful Independent candidate
to quit the gubernatorial race. Friedman's campaign let reporters
know about the message. "I had hoped to talk to Kinky privately,
but now that it's been reported by the Dallas Morning News,
I'm going to ask him publicly: Please join me in defeating Rick
Perry," said Bell. "He's taking from both [GOP Governor
Rick Perry and me], but he's taking more from me," explained
Bell. Friedman -- who acknowledged to the newspaper he performed
poorly in the recent debate -- said he had no intention of quitting
the race. "I'd be letting a lot of people down," said
Friedman, who boasted he still plans to win the race.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.12.06 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Two things. FIRST: My postings on the specific races this
fall are -- generally -- much more passive than past years. Yes,
candidates are debating, fundraising, advertising, etc., but most
of it is routine, boring stuff. The polls speak for themselves,
without need of my comments. When a story merits comment or extra
notice, I write it up as separate item. External national matters
like Foley, Iraq, Abramoff are also greatly influencing federal
races, regardless of what some candidates are doing to distance
themselves from the problems. Thus, this is what you're seeing.
SECOND: Regardless of the November results -- anything
from "Dems win a record shattering victories in all 50 states"
to "GOP turns back Dem takeover bid" -- I plan after
Election Day to cut back the postings to just once or twice a
week for while (and take a week entirely off here or there) so
I can have some more free time to travel, relax, hang with friends,
etc. I'll return to daily postings by sometime in Spring 2007.
Why am I explaining this now? So there won't be any thought that
the pulling back is based on the actual results.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.12.06 | Permalink
|
SEND
A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here's my open offer
for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button
or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide
Office, etc., campaign you are involved in -- feel free to add
a sticker and brochure -- and I'll place a link to official campaign
site here on our homepage in a daily "thank you" note.
My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale,
FL 33301. OUR THANKS TODAY GO OUT TO: Former Magistrate
Barbara
Jean Pryor, Independent for Congress in Virginia's CD-6.
WANNA
TRADE?
I'm interested in building up my collection of Canadian campaign
buttons. If you've got Canadian political buttons to
trade, I'm interesting in swapping with you for some great US
pins. Please drop me
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CONGRESS:
CULTURE OF CORRUPTION UPDATE.
We all know disgraced Congressman Bob Ney (R-OH) entered into
a plea deal last month with the federal prosecutors whereby he
admitted accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars of unlawful
gifts and trips from convicted felon lobbyist Jack Abramoff in
exchange for official actions. He also hastily quit
his race for re-election. But, has anyone noticed this crook has
yet to resign his seat. Yup, he's still finishing out his term
of office. That line of reasoning next points to Congressman Bill
Jefferson (D-LA). So, what's taking so long for the feds to indict
Jefferson on the looming bribery charges. It's been over a year
since the FBI search warrant uncovered nearly $100,000 of cash
hidden in Jefferson's home freezer. Or -- let's get back to the
Abramoff scandal -- I thought we'd see the indictment of at least
one other top Abramoff confederate like Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT)
or Congressman John Doolittle (R-CA). The criminal charges against
resigned House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) remain pending
-- and he looks like a possible fed target for more charges in
the Abramoff probe. Finally, there is the whole cesspool of the
Congressman Mark Foley (R-FL) House Page sex scandal and the lengthy
failed Hastert-Shimkus-Kolbe-Reynolds cover-up of the sexually
predatory conduct. Speaking of the Foley matter, several of the
Dem and gay political blogs are publishing not-so-veiled references
to imminent pre-election "outings" of closeted Republicans
in Congress. The rumor mill has it that 1-3 House members (including
a very senior House member) and one Rocky Mountain region Senator
will be outed between now and Election Day. Another persistent
rumor coming from inside the Beltway is that another Congressman
-- this one being a straight Republican -- will be named for engaging
in actions similar to Foley, but involving female pages. Also,
I understand from direct conversations a newspaper reporter is
"close" to having detailed info and names to out a prominent
Southern GOP candidate for Governor -- but the reporter is unsure
whether or not he'll be able to line everything up to get it all
verified and printed before the end of this month. It looks to
be a very bumpy final month for a bunch of politicos!
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.11.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: US SENATE RACES. FLORIDA:
US Senator Bill Nelson (D) - 55%, Congresswoman Kathryn
Harris (R) - 37%. (WFLA-TV/SurveyUSA). OHIO: US Senator Mike DeWine (R) - 42%, Congressman
Sherrod Brown (D) - 42%. (University of Akron). RHODE ISLAND: Former Attorney General Sheldon
Whitehouse (D) - 40%, US Senator Lincoln Chafee (R) - 37%. (Rhode
Island College). TENNESSEE: Former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker
(R) - 48%, Congressman Harold Ford Jr. (D) - 46%. (WBIR-TV/SurveyUSA).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.11.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: GOVERNOR RACES. ALABAMA:
Governor Bob Riley (R) - 54%, Lieutenant Governor Lucy
Baxley (D) - 36%. (Rasmussen Reports). FLORIDA:
Attorney General Charlie Crist (R) - 54%, Congressman
Jim Davis (D) - 41%. (WFLA-TV/SurveyUSA). FLORIDA: Crist (R) - 53%, Davis (D) - 43%. (Quinnipiac
University). OHIO: Congressman Ted Strickland (D) - 47%,
Secretary of State Ken Blackwell (R) - 34%. (University of Akron). TENNESSEE: Governor Phil Bredesen (D) - 63%,
State Senator Jim Bryson (R) - 32%. (WBIR-TV/SurveyUSA).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.11.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: US HOUSE RACES. COLORADO
- CD-4: Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave (R) - 46%, State
Representative Angie Paccione (D) - 36%, Reagan Administration
EPA official Eric Eidsness (Reform) - 7%. (Denver Post/Mason-Dixon). COLORADO - CD-5: State Senator Doug Lamborn
(R) - 37%, retired USAF officer Jay Fawcett (D) - 37%. (Denver
Post/Mason-Dixon). COLORADO - CD-7: Former State Senator Ed Perlmutter
(D) - 45%, State Higher Education Commission Rick O'Donnell (R)
- 39%, Others - 5%. (Denver Post/Mason-Dixon). KENTUCKY - CD-4: Congressman Geoff Davis (R)
- 47%, former Congressman Ken Lucas (D) - 44%, financial consultant
Brian Houillion (Libertarian) - 6%. (WHAS-TV/SurveyUSA).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.11.06 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
It's starting to look like the much-hyped North Korea N-bomb underground
test was a failure. Most reports indicate now it was either a
dud that failed to properly detonate, was a very tiny device,
or the North Koreans simply detonated a huge amount of conventional
explosives in the test to simulate the seismic effects of detonating
a very small device in order to save face with the world media
after years of boasting.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.11.06 | Permalink
|
SEND
A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here's my open offer
for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button
or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide
Office, etc., campaign you are involved in -- feel free to add
a sticker and brochure -- and I'll place a link to official campaign
site here on our homepage in a daily "thank you" note.
My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale,
FL 33301.
WANNA
TRADE?
I'm interested in building up my collection of Canadian campaign
buttons. If you've got Canadian political buttons to
trade, I'm interesting in swapping with you for some great US
pins. Please drop me
a note!
BY
THE NUMBERS: US SENATE RACES. MICHIGAN:
US Senator Debbie Stabenow (D) - 53%, Oakland County
Sheriff Mike Bouchard (R) - 42%, UAW local president David Sole
(Green) - 1%, attorney
Leonard Schwartz (Libertarian) - 1%, retired automotive engineer
Dennis FitzSimons (US Taxpayers) - 1%. (WDIV-TV/SurveyUSA). PENNSYLVANIA: State Treasurer Bob Casey Jr. (D)
- 46%, US Senator Rick Santorum (R) - 41%. (Allentown Morning
Call/Muhlenberg College). PENNSYLVANIA: Casey (D) - 52%, Santorum (R) -
39%. (Rasmussen Reports).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.10.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: GOVERNOR RACES. ALABAMA:
Governor Bob Riley (R) - 57%, Lieutenant Governor Lucy
Baxley (D) - 32%. (Mobile Press-Register/University of
South Alabama). MICHIGAN: Governor Jennifer Granholm (D) - 50%,
businessman Dick DeVos (R) - 45%, engineer Doug Campbell (Green)
- 1%, hospital worker Greg Creswell (Libertarian) - 1%, engineer
Bhagwan Dashairya (US Taxpayers) - 1%. (WDIV-TV/SurveyUSA). PENNSYLVANIA: Governor Ed Rendell (D) - 56%,
former pro football player Lynn Swann (R) - 35%. (Allentown
Morning Call/Muhlenberg College).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.10.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: US HOUSE RACES. INDIANA
- CD-9: Former Congressman Baron Hill (D) - 48%, Congressman
Mike Sodrel (R) - 46%, college professor Eric Schansberg (Libertarian)
- 2%. (WHAS-TV/SurveyUSA). MINNESOTA - CD-6: State Senator Michele Bachmann
(R) - 47%, child safety activist Patty Wetterling (D) - 44%, college
student John Binkowski (Independence) - 7%. (WHAS-TV/SurveyUSA).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.10.06 | Permalink
|
CATALONIA:
UNIQUE EXPOSURE FOR UNDERDOG EURO-CANDIDATE. Albert
Rivera, a 26-year-old attorney,
is using a unique strategy in his campaign for President of the
Catalonia region in Spain. To gain attention for his fledgling
Ciutadans (Citizens) Party, he appears nude on party posters and
flyers (with his hands modestly positioned). Sure, he concedes
it is "pure marketing" designed to challenge conventions,
earn free media coverage worldwide, and attract the support of
young voters. In this strongly proud region where Catalan is the
spoken language and Spanish is not widely spoken in local schools,
Rivera's party openly downplays nationalism in support of bilingualism.
The party also supports housing assistance for young people and
a generally progressive platform. Rivera is not expected to have
any shot at winning, but his small new party will earn a seat
in the 135-seat Catalan Parliament if he scores at least 3% of
the vote. Observers believe he may succeed at that goal, and the
party is expected to tap Rivera to serve in the parliamentary
seat. ADULT CONTENT WARNING: Click
here to view Rivera's campaign poster (which we translated
for you into English), plus two other risqué political
items from recent European campaigns. BTW, I'm not suggesting
that US campaigns copy this idea, as I certainly wouldn't want
to ever see Denny Hastert (for example) doing a Rivera-style poster.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.10.06 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
US Senator John McCain (R-AZ) endorses controversial congressional
nominee Randy Graf in Arizona's open CD-8. McCain and Tancredo-ally
Graf are at opposite ends of the spectrum on immigration issues.
Retiring Congressman Jim Kolbe (R) yet again "declined"
to endorse Graf. Kolbe told the Arizona Daily Star that
he "didn't think the McCain endorsement [of Graf] was very
significant" ... Plus, of course, you can post on the ongoing
Foley page scandal, North Korea N-bomb stories, the Iraq War,
or anything at all.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.10.06 | Permalink
|
SEND
A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here's my open offer
for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button
or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide
Office, etc., campaign you are involved in -- feel free to add
a sticker and brochure -- and I'll place a link to official campaign
site here on our homepage in a daily "thank you" note.
My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale,
FL 33301. OUR THANKS TODAY GO OUT TO: Former State Representative
and surgeon Jack
Billion, Democrat for South Dakota Governor.
WANNA
TRADE?
I'm interested in building up my collection of Canadian campaign
buttons. If you've got Canadian political buttons to
trade, I'm interesting in swapping with you for some great US
pins. Please drop me
a note!
FOLEY
SCANDAL: AIDE CONFIRMS HASTERT KNEW ... AND REYNOLDS APOLOGIZES.
The New York Times reported Saturday that a staffer who
worked for House Speaker Denny Hastert (R-IL) -- who asked to
remain unnamed in the article because he is cooperating with the
US Justice Department and House
Ethics Committee investigations -- apparently confirmed the story
told by former Foley Chief of Staff Kirk Fordham. According to
the Hastert aide, Fordham notified Hastert Chief of Staff Scott
Palmer in 2003 that there was problem of improper conduct between
Foley and House pages. In response, Palmer purportedly quietly
warned Foley three years ago to cease the conduct. "Palmer,
who shares a townhouse with Hastert when they are in [DC], is
more powerful than all but a few House members. Members know that
he speaks for Hastert," explained the Washington Post.
Regardless of the GOP's electoral results next month, that news
probably seals Hastert's demise as the House Republican leader
immediately following the 2006 elections. Fordham later went to
work for NRCC Chair Tom Reynolds, who was also apparently aware
of the Foley problem at least a year ago but still talked Foley
into seeking reelection in 2006 and giving $100,000 to the NRCC.
Reynolds appears to be the most likely direct electoral victim
of the Foley bombshells, as he is now running TV spots in his
district apologizing for his handling of the matter. Wealthy retired
industrialist Jack Davis (D) is trying to hammer Reynolds on the
Foley issue. Some top Democratic challengers in several other
states -- including Mary Jo Kilroy in Ohio and Baron Hill in Indiana
-- are already airing spots trying to link GOP Congressional incumbents
to Foley and Hastert. In more related news, a former House page
has come forward to say he had sex with Foley -- but not until
he was 21 years old and was several years beyond his participation
in the House Page program. The interesting question is how was
Foley able to get access to the Secretary of the House's database
of email addresses of former pages so that he could initiate his
contacts.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.09.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: US SENATE RACES. MARYLAND:
Congressman Ben Cardin (D) - 54%, Lieutenant Governor
Michael Steele (R) - 39%, Others - 1%. (USA Today/Gallup). MINNESOTA: Hennepin County
Attorney Amy Klobuchar (D) - 56%, Congressman Mark Kennedy (R)
- 40%. (Rasmussen Reports). MISSOURI: State Auditor Claire McCaskill (D)
- 48%, US Senator Jim Talent (R) - 45%, Others - 2%. (USA Today/Gallup). NEW JERSEY: US Senator Bob Menendez (D) - 46%,
State Senator Tom Kean Jr. (R) - 43%, Others - 3%. (USA Today/Gallup). RHODE ISLAND: Former Attorney General Sheldon
Whitehouse (D) - 50%, US Senator Lincoln Chafee (R) - 39%. (USA
Today/Gallup). RHODE ISLAND: Whitehouse (D) - 51%, Chafee (R)
- 42%.(Rasmussen Reports). TENNESSEE: Congressman Harold Ford Jr. (D) -
50%, Former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker (R) - 45%, Others - 1%.
(USA Today/Gallup). VIRGINIA: US Senator George Allen (R) - 48%,
former Navy Secretary Secretary Jim Webb (D) - 45%, Others - 2%.
(USA Today/Gallup).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.09.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: GOVERNOR RACES. COLORADO:
Former Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter (D) - 50%,
Congressman Bob Beauprez (R) - 35%. (Denver Post/Mason-Dixon). IOWA: Congressman Jim Nussle (R) - 45%, Secretary
of State Chet Culver (D) - 44%. (Rasmussen Reports). MARYLAND: Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley (D)
- 53%, Governor Bob Ehrlich (R) - 41%. (USA Today/Gallup). MASSACHUSETTS: Former US Assistant Attorney General
Deval Patrick (D) - 49%, Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey (R)
- 28%, businessman Christy Mihos (Independent) - 6%, affordable
housing activist Grace Ross (Green) - 1%. (WHDH-TV/Suffolk University).
MINNESOTA: Attorney General Mike Hatch (D) - 50%, Governor
Tim Pawlenty (R) - 46%. (Rasmussen Reports). RHODE ISLAND: Governor Don Carcieri (R) - 47%,
Lieutenant Governor Charlie Fogarty (D) - 46%. (USA Today/Gallup). TENNESSEE: Governor Phil Bredesen (D) - 66%,
State Senator Jim Bryson (R) - 26%. (USA Today/Gallup).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.09.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: US HOUSE RACES. NEW
YORK - CD-26: Businessman Jack Davis (D) - 48%, Congressman
Tom Reynolds (R) - 33%. (Buffalo News/Zogby).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.09.06 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
US Senator John Warner's (R-VA) new perspective on the Iraq War
suggests current movement in Iraq is "sideways" and
hints he's thinking of calling for a US withdrawal if the situation
doesn't improve by the end of this year ... US Senator George
Allen's (R-VA) latest controversy involved his undisclosed stock
transactions omitted from financial disclosure forms for the past
five years ... Dem gubernatorial nominee Deval Patrick in Massachusetts
apologized for not fully disclosing the extent of his advocacy
on behalf of convicted rapist Benjamin LaGuer ... and Congressman
Harold Ford Jr. (D-TN) described himself last week as "a
lawyer" even though he has yet to pass the bar exam in any
state.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.09.06 | Permalink
|
SEND
A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here's my open offer
for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button
or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide
Office, etc., campaign you are involved in -- feel free to add
a sticker and brochure -- and I'll place a link to official campaign
site here on our homepage in a daily "thank you" note.
My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale,
FL 33301. OUR THANKS TODAY GO OUT TO: Attorney and National
Guard veteran Beau
Biden, Democrat for Delaware Attorney General.
WANNA
TRADE?
I'm interested in building up my collection of Canadian campaign
buttons. If you've got Canadian political buttons to
trade, I'm interesting in swapping with you for some great US
pins. Please drop me
a note!
BY
THE NUMBERS: US SENATE RACES. ARIZONA:
US Senator Jon Kyl (R) - 40%, former State Party Chair
Jim Pederson (D) - 34%, former Graham County Sheriff Richard Mack
(Libertarian) - 2%. (Behavior Research Center). CONNECTICUT: US
Senator Joe Lieberman (Independent) - 53%, businessman Ned Lamont
(D) - 33%, former State Representative Alan Schlesinger (R) -
4%. (Reuters/Zogby). MARYLAND: Congressman Ben Cardin (D) - 45%,
Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele (R) - 37%, attorney Kevin Zeese
(Green) - 2%. (Reuters/Zogby). MICHIGAN: US Senator Debbie Stabenow (D) - 56%,
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard (R) - 39%. (Rasmussen Reports). MICHIGAN: Stabenow (D) - 48%, Bouchard (R) -
35%, Others - 2%. (Detroit News/EPIC-MRA). MISSOURI: US Senator Jim Talent (R) - 43%, State
Auditor Claire McCaskill (D) - 39%, Frank Gilmour (Libertarian)
- 6%. (Reuters/Zogby). MONTANA: State Senate President Jon Tester (D)
- 46%, US Senator Conrad Burns (R) - 42%, businessman Stan Jones
(Libertarian) - 2%. (Reuters/Zogby). NEW JERSEY: US Senator Bob Menendez (D) - 46%,
State Senator Tom Kean Jr. (R) - 35%, former State Party Chair
Len Flynn (Libertarian) - 3%. (Reuters/Zogby). NEW JERSEY: Menendez (D) - 46%, Kean (R) - 39%.
(Fairleigh Dickinson University). OHIO: Congressman Sherrod Brown (D) - 41%, US
Senator Mike DeWine (R) - 41%. (Reuters/Zogby). PENNSYLVANIA: State Treasurer Bob Casey Jr.
(D) - 48%, US Senator Rick Santorum (R) - 36%. (Reuters/Zogby). RHODE ISLAND: Former Attorney General Sheldon
Whitehouse (D) - 45%, US Senator Lincoln Chafee (R) - 41%. (Reuters/Zogby). TENNESSEE: Former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker
(R) - 40%, Congressman Harold Ford Jr. (D) - 40%, journalist Chris
Lugo (Green) - 1%. (Reuters/Zogby). VIRGINIA: US Senator George Allen (R) - 48%,
former Navy Secretary Secretary Jim Webb (D) - 37%. (Reuters/Zogby).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.06.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: GOVERNOR RACES. CONNECTICUT:
Governor Jodi Rell (R) - 58%, New Haven Mayor John DeStefano
(D) - 33%. (Rasmussen Reports). MICHIGAN: Governor
Jennifer Granholm (D) - 49%, businessman Dick DeVos (R) - 42%.
(Rasmussen Reports). MICHIGAN: Granholm (D) - 46%, DeVos (R) - 40%.
(Detroit News/EPIC-MRA). OHIO: Congressman Ted Strickland (D) - 52%,
Secretary of State Ken Blackwell (R) - 40%. (Rasmussen Reports). TEXAS: Governor Rick Perry (R) - 38%, State
Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn (Independent) - 18%, former
Congressman Chris Bell (D) - 15%, musician Kinky Friedman (Independent)
- 14%. (Dallas Morning News). WISCONSIN: Governor Jim Doyle (D) - 48%, Congressman
Mark Green (R) - 42%. (WISC-TV/Research 2000).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.06.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: US HOUSE RACES. NEW
YORK - CD-26: Businessman Jack Davis (D) - 50%, Congressman
Tom Reynolds (R) - 45%. (WGRZ-TV/SurveyUSA). WASHINGTON - CD-2: Congressman Rick Larsen (D)
- 60%, businessman Doug Roulstone (R) - 35%. (KING-TV/SurveyUSA).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.06.06 | Permalink
|
FOLEYTIO
PAGE SCANDAL THREAD.
US House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R) held a press conference Thursday
to announce he will not step aside as speaker and will in fact
seek another term as Speaker (Editor's Comment: or Minority
Leader) during the next Congress. DC is buzzing that more
Members of Conrgess are soon to be named to in the page sex scandal
-- but this is pure gossip. Dems? Republicans? Nobody at all?
Stay tuned.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.06.06 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
A long day at work for
me (including a speech Thursday evening), so just a short bit
of postings today.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.06.06 | Permalink
|
SEND
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FOLEY-GATE:
SHIMKUS SAID EMAILS NOT IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO TELL PAGE BOARD.
House Speaker Denny Hastert (R-IL), NRCC Chair Tom Reynolds (R-NY)
and House Page Board Chair John Shimkus (R-IL) continue to defend
their respective actions in the Foley page sex scandal. Hastert
has President Bush's solid support, so he's not quitting anytime
before the November election. Possible future Hastert rivals Majority
Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO)
continue to, essentially, point fingers of blame at Hastert for
dropping the ball with the non-investigation of Foley's conduct.
Conservative columnist Robert Novak reported Reynolds talked Foley
into seeking reelection this year, when Foley wanted to retire
because he was tired of whispering attacks on his sexual orientation.
Meanwhile, ABC News reported Reynolds fired Chief of Staff Kirk
Fordham -- who used to be Foley's Chief of Staff -- for his role
in trying to keep the details of the Foley emails hidden for the
past year. ABC reports Hastert demanded that Fordham be fired.
However, Fordham told the AP late Wednesday that "alerted"
Hastert's office "two years ago about worrisome conduct by"
Foley with teenage pages. Fordham said he had "more than one conversation
with senior staff at the highest level of the House of Representatives
asking them to intervene." Hastert's office denied they received
any early warning from Fordham. As for Shimkus, he acknowledged
Wednesday he didn't tell the other two member of the House Page
Board -- one Dem and one GOP -- about the Foley emails when he
learned of them last year. In a phone interview with the Springfield
State Journal-Register, Shimkus said he didn't tell the other
House Page Board members "because it didn't rise to the level
of what I needed consensus for on the Page Board. It did not rise
to the level of ... when we have to do big things." While
Shimkus said he immediately confronted Foley, he had no regrets
about not telling the other Board members. "What I regret
is that now it's used for the political expediency, for a political
agenda by the Democrats," said Shimkus.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.05.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: US SENATE RACES. CONNECTICUT:
US Senator Joe
Lieberman (Independent) - 50%, businessman Ned Lamont (D) - 40%.
(Rasmussen Reports). FLORIDA: US Senator Bill Nelson (D) - 54%, Congresswoman
Kathryn Harris (R) - 37%. (Rasmussen Reports). MISSOURI: State Auditor Claire McCaskill (D)
- 47%, US Senator Jim Talent (R) - 46%. (Rasmussen Reports). NEW JERSEY: State Senator Tom Kean Jr. (R) -
46%, US Senator Bob Menendez (D) - 41%. (Strategic Vision-R). OHIO: Congressman Sherrod Brown (D) - 49%, US
Senator Mike DeWine (R) - 41%. (Rasmussen Reports).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.05.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: GOVERNOR RACES. NEW
YORK: Attorney General Eliot Spitzer (D) - 73%, former
State Assembly Minority Leader John Faso (R) - 21%. (Quinnipiac
University). OREGON: Former Portland School Board Member
Ron Saxton (R) - 39%, Governor Ted Kulongoski (D) - 37%, retired
TV news anchor Mary Starrett (Constitution) - 2%. environmental
activist Joe Keating (Pacific Green) - 1%, retired accountant
Richard Morley (Libertarian) - 1%. (Riley Research).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.05.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: US HOUSE RACES. ARIZONA
- CD-8: Former State Senator Gabrielle Giffords (D) -
45%, former State Representative Randy Graf (R) - 37%. (Reuters/Zogby).
COLORADO - CD-7: Former State Senator Ed Perlmutter
(D) - 45%, State Higher Education Commission Chair Rick O'Donnell
(R) - 34%. (Reuters/Zogby). CONNECTICUT - CD-2: Congressman Rob Simmons (R)
- 44%, former State Representative Joe Courtney (D) - 41%. (Reuters/Zogby).
CONNECTICUT - CD-4: Westport First
Selectwoman Diane Farrell (D) - 46%, Congressman Chris Shays (R)
- 41%. (Reuters/Zogby). ILLINOIS - CD-6: Iraq War disabled veteran Tammy
Duckworth (D) - 43%, State Senator Peter Roskam (R) - 38%. (Reuters/Zogby). INDIANA - CD-2: Attorney Joe Donnelly (D) - 49%,
Congressman Chris Chocola (R) - 39%. (Reuters/Zogby). INDIANA - CD-9: Former Congressman Baron Hill
(D) - 46%, Congressman Mike Sodrel (R) - 38%. (Reuters/Zogby). IOWA - CD-1: Restaurant chain CEO Mike Whalen
(R) - 47%, attorney Bruce Braley (D) - 34%. (Reuters/Zogby). KENTUCKY - CD-4: Congressman Geoff Davis (R)
- 42%, former Congressman Ken Lucas (D) - 36%. (Reuters/Zogby). MINNESOTA
- CD-6: State Senator Michele Bachmann (R) - 46%, child
safety activist Patty Wetterling (DFL) - 43%. (Reuters/Zogby). NEW MEXICO - CD-1: Attorney General Patricia
Madrid (D) - 50%, Congresswoman Heather Wilson (R) - 40%. (Reuters/Zogby). NORTH CAROLINA- CD-11: Former pro football player
Heath Shuler (D) - 51%, Congressman Charles Taylor (R) - 40%.
(Reuters/Zogby). OHIO - CD-18: Dover Law Director Zach Space (D)
- 45%, State Senator Joy Padgett (R) - 36%. (Reuters/Zogby). PENNSYLVANIA - CD-6: Attorney Lois Murphy (D)
- 43%, Congressman Jim Gerlach (R) - 41%. (Reuters/Zogby). VIRGINIA - CD-2: Virginia Beach Revenue Commissioner
Phil Kellem (D) - 46%, Congresswoman Thelma Drake (R) - 42%. (Reuters/Zogby).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.05.06 | Permalink
|
NEW
YORK: DEM "PHONE SEX SCANDAL" FIZZLES OUT AS WRONG NUMBER.
In the wake of the Foley scandal, Republicans thought they discovered
a silver bullet to derail Oneida County District Attorney Mike
Arcuri, the Dem nominee against State Senator Ray Meier (R) for
the open CD-24 swing seat. The conservative publication Human
Events trumpeted a frontpage "exclusive
report" on its website Wednesday alleging Arcuri "billed
taxpayers for several questionable expenses, including a call
to a phone-sex hotline ... A close examination of those expense
reports reveals that Arcuri billed taxpayers in 2004 for a call
to a phone-sex number. The phone number appears on Arcuri’s
hotel bill. He was attending the New York State District Attorneys
Association conference in New York City at the time." Several
blog sites quickly billed this as a Foley-type scandal for the
Dems. Forget the fact that, if true, was purportedly just one
call to an adult working on a sex line. Arcuri's campaign quickly
responded that the number in question (800.457.8462) was accidentally
dialed instead of (518.457.8462) the number for the New York State
Division of Criminal Justice Services. Arcuri's calling card requires
him to dial a 800-prefix to place calls. The mistake with the
800-prefix instead of the correct 518-prefix happened simply by
mistake and he hung up as soon as he realized it was a wrong number.
That was the entire scandal? No, wait ... there's more!
In response to the rebuttal, Human Events also attacked
Arcuri for using office funds to pay for his membership in the
US Supreme Court Bar Association and for spending several thousand
dollars to attend fifteen New York State District Attorneys Association
conferences over the past seven years. That was it? Am I missing
something here? Swing and a miss for Human Events!
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.05.06 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Your daily open thread.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.05.06 | Permalink
|
SEND
A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here's my open offer
for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button
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site here on our homepage in a daily "thank you" note.
My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale,
FL 33301. OUR THANKS TODAY GO OUT TO: Congressional aidePhil Hare,
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BY
THE NUMBERS: US SENATE RACES. CALIFORNIA:
US Senator Dianne Feinstein (D) - 57%, former State
Senator Dick Mountjoy (R) - 23%. (Field Poll). NEW MEXICO: US Senator Jeff Bingaman (D) - 65%,
physician Allen McCulloch (R) - 16%. (Albuquerque Journal). TENNESSEE: Former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker
(R) - 43%, Congressman Harold Ford Jr. (D) - 42%. (Middle Tennessee
State University). UTAH: US Senator Orrin Hatch (R) - 62%, internet
executive Pete Ashdown (D) - 25%, university official Scott Bradley
(Constitution) - 1%, Dave Seely (Libertarian) - 1%. (Deseret
News/KSL-TV/Dan Jones & Assoc.).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.04.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: GOVERNOR RACES. ARKANSAS:
Attorney General Mike Beebe (D) - 53%, former Congressman
Asa Hutchinson (R) - 35%, musician Rod Bryan (Independent) - 2%,
former State Representative Jim Lendall (Green) - 1%. (Arkansas
News Bureau/Stephens
Media/ORA). CALIFORNIA: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R)
- 46%, State Treasurer Phil Angelides (D) - 33%. (San Jose State
University). FLORIDA: Attorney General Charlie Crist (R) -
54%, Congressman Jim Davis (D) - 38%. (Rasmussen Reports). NEW MEXICO: Governor Bill Richardson (D) - 60%,
former State GOP Chair John Dendahl (R) - 28%. (Albuquerque
Journal). TENNESSEE: Governor Phil Bredesen (D) - 63%,
State Senator Jim Bryson (R) - 22%. (MSNBC/McClatchy Newspapers/Mason-Dixon). TENNESSEE: Bredesen (D) - 59%, Bryson (R) -
21%. (Middle Tennessee State University).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.04.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: US HOUSE RACES. CONNECTICUT
- CD-4: Congressman Chris Shays (R) - 46%, Westport First
Selectwoman Diane Farrell (D) - 41%. (Stamford Advocate/University
of Connecticut). MONTANA - AT-LARGE: Congressman Denny Rehberg
(R) - 53%, State Representative Monica Lindeen (D) - 33%. (Billings
Gazette/Mason-Dixon). PENNSYLVANIA - CD-10: Naval Reserve officer Chris
Carney (D) - 47%, Congressman Don Sherwood (R) - 38%. (Lycoming
College). NEW MEXICO - CD-2: Congressman Steve Pearce (R)
- 58%, minister Al Kissling (D) - 27%. (Albuquerque Journal).
NEW MEXICO - CD-3: Congressman Tom Udall (D)
- 68%, engineer Ron Dolin (R) - 20%. (Albuquerque Journal).
UTAH - CD-1: Congressman Rob Bishop (R) - 62%,
engineer Steve Olsen (D) - 20%, corporate trainer Mark Hudson
(Constitution) - 2%, Lynn Badler (Libertarian) - 2%. (Deseret
News/KSL-TV/Dan Jones & Assoc.). UTAH - CD-2: Congressman Jim Matheson (D) - 60%,
State Representative LaVar Christensen (R) - 24%, Bob Brister
(Green) - 3%, former Draper City Councilman David Perry (Constitution)
- 2%, investment banker Austin Lett (Libertarian) - 1%. (Deseret
News/KSL-TV/Dan Jones & Assoc.). UTAH - CD-3: Congressman Chris Cannon (R) - 53%,
attorney Christian Burridge (D) - 26%, Jim Noorlander (Constitution)
- 4%, Phil Hallman (Libertarian) - 3%. (Deseret News/KSL-TV/Dan
Jones & Assoc.).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.04.06 | Permalink
|
CONGRESS:
MORE ON THE FOLEY SCANDAL.
Was it alcohol or child molesting clergymen or Denny Hastert/John
Shimkus or possible even an childhood alien abuduction to blame?
Will more embattled House GOP leaders call press conferences to
candidly answer media questions about the Foley scandal and then
surround
themselves with young school kids
to stop the reporters from asking hard questions? Y'all can debate
it all in this thread.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.04.06 | Permalink
|
MOVIE
REVIEW: RED STATE.
Self-proclaimed San Francisco liberal Michael Shea awoke depressed
the day after the 2004 Presidential elections and decided he wanted
to get a better understanding of how President Bush won re-election.
He cut his hair short and took off on a cross-country roadtrip
to 22 "Red States" to make a documentary film entitled
Red State.
While the idea initially sounded like a elitist demonstration
of Blue State patronizing of Red State voters as buffoons. Maybe
that was his first thought, but Shea's earnest approach -- which
only seemed to find his voice and true narrative theme as the
movie developed -- seems to work. Some of the brief interviews
produced little of interest, while others were interesting. In
Arkansas, Shea spends quite a while chatting with a struggling,
working-class family angry about Wal-Mart destroying local businesses
and not fairly treating workers -- who explain they voted for
Bush because of social issues. The scariest person in the film
was the Mississippi state director of the social conservative
Concerned Women of America group. In the course of the interview,
she bashed gay rights (and civil rights laws in general), fondly
reminisced about the South circa 1950s, and seemingly spoke in
praise of racial segregation. The lady went so far as to explain
she wasn't exactly seeking a return of segregation -- but opined
people should have the right to legally practice "discernment"
in deciding who to allow into business establishments, in hiring
decisions, and in housing sales. Shea doesn't really draw definitive
conclusions by the end of the film, as he remained conflicted
and baffled as to how so many likable people he met could hold
such conservative views. Overall, a fairly entertaining documentary.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.04.06 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Haloscan -- which operates our blog commenting feature (and also
for many other sites) -- had serious service problems on Tuesday.
Let's hope they're much improved on Wednesday.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.04.06 | Permalink
|
SEND
A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here's my open offer
for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button
or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide
Office, etc., campaign you are involved in -- feel free to add
a sticker and brochure -- and I'll place a link to official campaign
site here on our homepage in a daily "thank you" note.
My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale,
FL 33301. OUR THANKS TODAY GO OUT TO: City Supervisor aide
and attorneyRob
Black, candidate for San Francisco (CA) Supervisor, District
6.
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CONGRESS:
FOLEY SEX SCANDAL COVER-UP ALLEGATIONS GROW.
THE
COVER-UP ALLEGATIONS: Despite GOP Leadership claims that
the Mark Foley sex scandal matter was referred last year to
the House Page Board for review, two of the three members say
the Hastert/Shimkus story is not true. Speaker Dennis Hastert
(R-IL), House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and NRCC Chair
Tom Reynolds (R-NY) all knew
of the emails ten months ago -- and Boehner and Reynolds essentially
said Hastert was handling the matter. Hastert says he referred
the matter to the Page Board for review. This account was confirmed
over the weekend to the media by Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL),
Chair of the House Page Board. Shimkus said the Board investigated
in late 2005 the initial emails between Foley and the 16-year-old
boy, but they had no knowledge of the explicit IM's that subsequently
surfaces. In fact, Shimkus said the Board warned Foley to cease
further private communication with the boy. On Monday, the other
two members of the Board -- Congressman Dale Kildee (D-MI) and
Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) -- said Shimkus' account
was not truthful. "There’s only three of us on the
Page Board. I feel that we should have been informed. I’m
absolutely disgusted by what I’m hearing," said Capito
to the Charleston Gazette. Kildee -- a 15-term incumbent
respected on both sides of the aisle for his integrity -- issued
a written statement Monday saying the matter was "never
investigated" by the Page Board. Kildee said he was "outraged
to learn that the House Republican Leadership kept to itself
the knowledge of Mr. Foley's despicable behavior toward the
House Pages ... the House Republican leadership [is] more concerned
with finding political cover for themselves than with the safety
and wellbeing of the House pages." So now we know -- as
confirmed by Board members from both parties -- why the House
Republican Leadership is able to claim it "never knew"
about the explicit emails and IM's: because they covered-up
the matter and never investigated it. Late on Monday, the Washington
Post and other news sites reported that Reynolds' Chief
of Staff -- who formally worked for Foley -- tried to get ABC
News correspondent Brian Ross to kill the Friday story with
the sexually explicit IMs in exchange for getting an exclusive
on Foley's resignation. Ross, however, rejected the cover-up
trade-off: "I said we're not making any deals." In
the wake of all this, the conservative Washington Times newspaper
is publishing an editorial on Tuesday demanding that Hastert
"resign his Speakership at once ... Hastert has forfeited
the confidence of the public and his party, and he cannot preside
over the necessary coming investigation, an investigation that
must examine his own inept performance."
WHITE
HOUSE REACTION: Meanwhile, the White House was largely dismissive
of the entire Foley sex scandal. Presidential Press Secretary
Tony Snow brushed off the scandal and cover-up on Monday as
no big deal. "There have been other [Congressional] scandals,
as you know, that have been more than simply naughty emails,"
said Snow.
FLORIDA
CD-16 RACE: In more related news, Foley checked himself
into an alcohol rehab clinic on Monday -- and the FBI announced
it had opened a formal criminal investigation into Foley's activities.
In other related news, State Representative Joe Negron was selected
to be the GOP replacement nominee for Foley. However, spokespersons
for both Florida Secretary of State Sue Cobb (R) and the Florida
Republican Party agree that Foley's name must remain on the
ballot in November under state law. Voters who wish to support
Negron must actually cast their ballots for Foley's name. "Holding
the seat is the least of my concerns right now, but it'd be
tough to hold that seat. Look at the shame [Foley] brought on
the institution," said Congressman Adam Putnam (R-FL),
chair of the House Republican Policy Committee.
BY
THE NUMBERS: US SENATE RACES. CALIFORNIA:
US Senator Dianne Feinstein (D) - 50%, former State
Senator Dick Mountjoy (R) - 33%. (Los Angeles Times). CALIFORNIA: Feinstein (D) - 53%, Mountjoy (R)
- 23%, Others - 3%. (MSNBC/McClatchy Newspapers/Mason-Dixon). FLORIDA: US Senator Bill Nelson (D) - 58%, Congresswoman
Kathryn Harris (R) - 31%. (Miami Herald/Zogby). MARYLAND: Congressman Ben Cardin (D) - 47%,
Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele (R) - 41%, progressive activist
Kevin Zeese (Green) - 1%. (MSNBC/McClatchy Newspapers/Mason-Dixon). MISSOURI: US Senator Jim Talent (R) - 43%, State
Auditor Claire McCaskill (D) - 43%, Others - 1%. (MSNBC/McClatchy
Newspapers/Mason-Dixon). NEW JERSEY: State Senator Tom Kean Jr. (R) -
42%, US Senator Bob Menendez (D) - 37%. (WNBC-TV/Marist College). NEW JERSEY: Menendez (D) - 44%, Kean (R) - 41%.
(MSNBC/McClatchy Newspapers/Mason-Dixon). NEW YORK: US Senator Hillary Clinton (D) - 59%,
former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer (R) - 27%, Others - 2%. (CBS
News/New York Times). OHIO: Congressman Sherrod Brown (D) - 45%, US
Senator Mike DeWine (R) - 43%, Richard Duncan (Independent) -
2%. (MSNBC/McClatchy Newspapers/Mason-Dixon). PENNSYLVANIA: State Treasurer Bob Casey Jr.
(D) - 49%, US Senator Rick Santorum (R) - 40%, Others - 1%. (MSNBC/McClatchy
Newspapers/Mason-Dixon). RHODE ISLAND: Former Attorney General Sheldon
Whitehouse (D) - 42%, US Senator Lincoln Chafee (R) - 41%. (MSNBC/McClatchy
Newspapers/Mason-Dixon). TENNESSEE: Congressman Harold Ford Jr. (D) -
48%, former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker (R) - 43%. (Rasmussen
Reports). TENNESSEE: Ford (D) - 43%, Corker (R) - 42%,
conservative activist Bo Hayward (Independent) - 1%. (MSNBC/McClatchy
Newspapers/Mason-Dixon). VIRGINIA: US Senator George Allen (R) - 50%,
former Navy Secretary Jim Webb (D) - 44%, USAF veteran Gail Parker
(Indep. Green) - 2%. (WUSA-TV/SurveyUSA). VIRGINIA: Allen (R) - 43%, Webb (D) - 43%, Parker
- 2%. (MSNBC/McClatchy Newspapers/Mason-Dixon). VIRGINIA: Allen (R) - 49%, Webb (D) - 43%. (Rasmussen
Reports). WASHINGTON: US Senator Maria Cantwell (D) -
50%, insurance executive Mike McGavick (R) - 40%, Others - 1%.
(MSNBC/McClatchy Newspapers/Mason-Dixon).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.03.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: GOVERNOR RACES. CALIFORNIA:
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) - 49%, State Treasurer
Phil Angelides (D) - 36%, Others - 3%. (MSNBC/McClatchy Newspapers/Mason-Dixon). FLORIDA: Attorney General Charlie Crist (R) -
51%, Congressman Jim Davis (D) - 30%, term-limits activist Max
Linn (Reform) - 2%. (Miami Herald/Zogby). GEORGIA: Governor Sonny Perdue (R) - 53%, Lieutenant
Governor Mark Taylor (D) - 34%, computer consultant Garrett Hayes
(Libertarian) - 2%. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution/Mason-Dixon). KANSAS: Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D) - 48%,
State Senator Jim Bennett (R) - 39%. (Rasmussen Reports). MARYLAND: Baltimore Mayor Martin
O'Malley (D) - 47%, Governor Bob Ehrlich (R) - 43%, Others - 1%.
(MSNBC/McClatchy Newspapers/Mason-Dixon). MASSACHUSETTS: Former US Assistant Attorney General
Deval Patrick (D) - 55%, Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey (R)
- 30%, businessman Christy Mihos (Independent) - 7%, affordable
housing activist Grace Ross (Green) - 1%. (Boston Globe/UNH).
NEW YORK: Attorney General Eliot Spitzer (D) - 64%,
former State Assembly Minority Leader John Faso (R) - 18%, Others
- 2%. (CBS News/New York Times). OHIO: Congressman Ted Strickland (D) - 53%,
Secretary of State Ken Blackwell (R) - 36%, Others - 2%. (MSNBC/McClatchy
Newspapers/Mason-Dixon). OREGON: Governor Ted Kulongoski (D) - 47%, former
Portland School Board Member Ron Saxton (R) - 42%. (Rasmussen
Reports). PENNSYLVANIA: Governor Ed Rendell (D) - 54%,
former football player Lynn Swann (R) - 37%. (MSNBC/McClatchy
Newspapers/Mason-Dixon). RHODE ISLAND: Governor Don Carcieri (R) - 50%,
Lieutenant Governor Charlie Fogarty (D) - 34%. (MSNBC/McClatchy
Newspapers/Mason-Dixon). TENNESSEE: Governor Phil Bredesen (D) - 63%,
State Senator Jim Bryson (R) - 28%. (Rasmussen Reports).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.02.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: US HOUSE RACES. KENTUCKY
- CD-3: Congressman Anne Northup (R) - 50%, former newspaper
publisher John Yarmuth (D) - 44%, State Party Chair Donna Mancini
(Libertarian) - 2%, State Party Chair Ed Parker (Constitution)
- 1%. (WYTV-TV/SurveyUSA). NEW MEXICO - CD-1: Congresswoman Heather Wilson
(R) - 44%, Attorney General Patricia Madrid (D) - 44%. (Albuquerque
Journal). OHIO - CD-6: State Senator Charlie Wilson (D)
- 54%, State House Speaker Pro Tem Chuck Blasdel (R) - 41%. (WYTV-TV/SurveyUSA).
PENNSYLVANIA - CD-7: Retired Navy Admiral Joe
Sestak (D) - 45%, Congressman Curt Weldon (R) - 44%. (Keystone
Poll).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.02.06 | Permalink
|
IRAQ:
DID CIA DIRECTOR WARN WHITE HOUSE ABOUT AL-QUEDA ATTACK BEFORE
9/11?
In Bob Woodward's new book, he alleges CIA Director George Tenet
and CIA anti-terrorism expert Cofer Black warned then-White House
National Security Advisor Condi Rice on July 10, 2001 that al-Queda
was planning an imminent attack on US soil. According to the book,
Rice "brushed off" the pre-9/11 warning. The White House
is in spin mode, making general denials about the damaging claim.
Tenet and Black have made no public confirmation or denial since
the book was released. Will either Tenet or Black end the silence
and tell the US public whether the liar is Woodward or the White
House/Rice? Former NSC Staff Director Roger Cressey, who attended
the July 2001 meeting, told MSNBC on Monday evening that Woodward's
account is accurate ... but still only silence from Tenet and
Black.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.02.06 | Permalink
|
NEVADA:
HUSBAND ARRESTED FOR MURDER OF NEVADA STATE CONTROLLER. Nevada
State Controller Kathy Augustine (R) died of an apparent heart
attack -- under suspicious circumstances -- less than three months
ago in the
midst of her campaign for State Treasurer. Within days her husband,
former critical care nurse Chaz Higgs, was a suspect. Higgs initially
told police he discovered Augustine unconscious on the floor and
not breathing after she apparently collapsed from a massive heart
attack at their second home in Reno. The toxicology tests, however,
identified what really happened. According to police, Higgs administered
succinylcholine, a muscle relaxant that he believed should have
been undetectable after Augustine's death. However, the test results
found it in her system. Higgs was previously the hospital nurse
who cared for Augustine's second husband, Charles, when he died
following an apparent stroke in 2003 at age 63. Higgs and Augustine
were married about one month later. Higgs was arrested on Monday
in Virginia, where he was visiting relatives.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.02.06 | Permalink
|
OBITUARY:
FORMER IDAHO CONGRESSWOMAN DIES IN CAR CRASH.
Former Congresswoman Helen Chenoweth-Hage (R-ID) was killed in
a one-car accident in Nevada on Monday, according to the Las
Vegas Sun. Chenoweth-Hage was elected to the US House in the
1994 Republican wave, defeating incumbent Larry LaRocco (D) by
11 points. Known as one of the most conservative and controversial
members of the House, Chenoweth-Hage insisted on being addressed
as "Congressman Chenoweth" and once served endangered
salmon at a fundraiser to make a point of what she thought of
protection laws. Chenoweth-Hage was also a major critic of President
Bill Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky, although her vocal
stance was questioned once she admitted to her own affair with
a married man in the mid-80's. Chenoweth-Hage pledged to serve
only three terms in her first campaign and retired in 2000, despite
having renounced her support for term-limits.
Writer:
Mike Hatchett
- 10.02.06 | Permalink |
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Here's another follow-up to a past story we previously reported.
On Monday, a criminal court jury in New Mexico acquitted former
State Treasurer Robert Vigil on 23 counts of extortion and racketeering
in his public corruption case.
The jury convicted him of one count of attempted extortion. In
his first trial on these same charges, the jury deadlocked and
was unable to reach a verdict.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.02.06 | Permalink
|
SEND
A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here's my open offer
for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button
or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide
Office, etc., campaign you are involved in -- feel free to add
a sticker and brochure -- and I'll place a link to official campaign
site here on our homepage in a daily "thank you" note.
My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale,
FL 33301. OUR THANKS TODAY GO OUT TO: Software development
consultant and anti-tax activist Arin
Sime, Libertarian for Virgina Senate SD-24.
WANNA
TRADE?
I'm interested in building up my collection of Canadian campaign
buttons. If you've got Canadian political buttons to
trade, I'm interesting in swapping with you for some great US
pins. Please drop me
a note!
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
This is Yom Kippur so -- as I'm Jewish -- you'll have to wait
until Tuesday for a meaningful update.
Until then, have at it here in the open thread.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 10.02.06 | Permalink
|
SEND
A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here's my open offer
for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button
or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide
Office, etc., campaign you are involved in -- feel free to add
a sticker and brochure -- and I'll place a link to official campaign
site here on our homepage in a daily "thank you" note.
My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale,
FL 33301. OUR THANKS TODAY GO OUT TO: former Microsoft
executive and community activist Darcy
Burner, Democrat for Congress in Washington's CD-8; and
to the StopGlobalWarming.org
group.
WANNA
TRADE?
I'm interested in building up my collection of Canadian campaign
buttons. If you've got Canadian political buttons to
trade, I'm interesting in swapping with you for some great US
pins. Please drop me
a note!
Democratic
congressional hopefuls around the nation, and made repeated trips
to key early contest states. In fact, Warner still appeared at
a previously scheduled fundraiser in Iowa on Thursday evening.
"
State
Auditor Claire McCaskill (D) - 51%, US Senator Jim Talent (R)
- 42%, Frank Gilmour (Libertarian) - 3%. (KSDK-TV/SurveyUSA).
BY
THE NUMBERS: US HOUSE RACES.
offer
for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button
or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide
Office, etc., campaign you are involved in -- feel free to add
a sticker and brochure -- and I'll place a link to official campaign
site here on our homepage in a daily "thank you" note.
My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale,
FL 33301. OUR THANKS TODAY GO OUT TO: Former Assistant
US Attorney & Navy veteran 
CONNECTICUT:
US Senator Joe Lieberman (Independent) - 53%, businessman
Ned Lamont (D) - 40%, former State Representative Alan Schlesinger
(R) - 4%. (WABC-TV/SurveyUSA). 
affordable
housing activist Grace Ross (Green) - 1%. (WBZ-TV/SurveyUSA).
Former
Congressman Chris Bell (D) left a private message on author/musician
Kinky
Friedman's cellphone, asking the colorful Independent candidate
to quit the gubernatorial race. Friedman's campaign let reporters
know about the message. "I had hoped to talk to Kinky privately,
but now that it's been reported by the Dallas Morning News,
I'm going to ask him publicly: Please join me in defeating Rick
Perry," said Bell. "He's taking from both [GOP Governor
Rick Perry and me], but he's taking more from me," explained
Bell. Friedman -- who acknowledged to the newspaper he performed
poorly in the recent debate -- said he had no intention of quitting
the race. "I'd be letting a lot of people down," said
Friedman, who boasted he still plans to win the race.
quit
his race for re-election. But, has anyone noticed this crook has
yet to resign his seat. Yup, he's still finishing out his term
of office. That line of reasoning next points to Congressman Bill
Jefferson (D-LA). So, what's taking so long for the feds to indict
Jefferson on the looming bribery charges. It's been over a year
since the FBI search warrant uncovered nearly $100,000 of cash
hidden in Jefferson's home freezer. Or -- let's get back to the
Abramoff scandal -- I thought we'd see the indictment of at least
one other top Abramoff confederate like Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT)
or Congressman John Doolittle (R-CA). The criminal charges against
resigned House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) remain pending
-- and he looks like a possible fed target for more charges in
the Abramoff probe. Finally, there is the whole cesspool of the
Congressman Mark Foley (R-FL) House Page sex scandal and the lengthy
failed Hastert-Shimkus-Kolbe-Reynolds cover-up of the sexually
predatory conduct. Speaking of the Foley matter, several of the
Dem and gay political blogs are publishing not-so-veiled references
to imminent pre-election "outings" of closeted Republicans
in Congress. The rumor mill has it that 1-3 House members (including
a very senior House member) and one Rocky Mountain region Senator
will be outed between now and Election Day. Another persistent
rumor coming from inside the Beltway is that another Congressman
-- this one being a straight Republican -- will be named for engaging
in actions similar to Foley, but involving female pages. Also,
I understand from direct conversations a newspaper reporter is
"close" to having detailed info and names to out a prominent
Southern GOP candidate for Governor -- but the reporter is unsure
whether or not he'll be able to line everything up to get it all
verified and printed before the end of this month. It looks to
be a very bumpy final month for a bunch of politicos!
FLORIDA:
Attorney General Charlie Crist (R) - 54%, Congressman
Jim Davis (D) - 41%. (WFLA-TV/SurveyUSA).
attorney
Leonard Schwartz (Libertarian) - 1%, retired automotive engineer
Dennis FitzSimons (US Taxpayers) - 1%. (WDIV-TV/SurveyUSA).
House
Ethics Committee investigations -- apparently confirmed the story
told by former Foley Chief of Staff Kirk Fordham. According to
the Hastert aide, Fordham notified Hastert Chief of Staff Scott
Palmer in 2003 that there was problem of improper conduct between
Foley and House pages. In response, Palmer purportedly quietly
warned Foley three years ago to cease the conduct. "Palmer,
who shares a townhouse with Hastert when they are in [DC], is
more powerful than all but a few House members. Members know that
he speaks for Hastert," explained the Washington Post.
Regardless of the GOP's electoral results next month, that news
probably seals Hastert's demise as the House Republican leader
immediately following the 2006 elections. Fordham later went to
work for NRCC Chair Tom Reynolds, who was also apparently aware
of the Foley problem at least a year ago but still talked Foley
into seeking reelection in 2006 and giving $100,000 to the NRCC.
Reynolds appears to be the most likely direct electoral victim
of the Foley bombshells, as he is now running TV spots in his
district apologizing for his handling of the matter. Wealthy retired
industrialist Jack Davis (D) is trying to hammer Reynolds on the
Foley issue. Some top Democratic challengers in several other
states -- including Mary Jo Kilroy in Ohio and Baron Hill in Indiana
-- are already airing spots trying to link GOP Congressional incumbents
to Foley and Hastert. In more related news, a former House page
has come forward to say he had sex with Foley -- but not until
he was 21 years old and was several years beyond his participation
in the House Page program. The interesting question is how was
Foley able to get access to the Secretary of the House's database
of email addresses of former pages so that he could initiate his
contacts.
County
Attorney Amy Klobuchar (D) - 56%, Congressman Mark Kennedy (R)
- 40%. (Rasmussen Reports).
Secretary
of State Chet Culver (D) - 44%. (Rasmussen Reports).
US
Senator Joe Lieberman (Independent) - 53%, businessman Ned Lamont
(D) - 33%, former State Representative Alan Schlesinger (R) -
4%. (Reuters/Zogby).
Governor
Jennifer Granholm (D) - 49%, businessman Dick DeVos (R) - 42%.
(Rasmussen Reports).
Hastert
has President Bush's solid support, so he's not quitting anytime
before the November election. Possible future Hastert rivals Majority
Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO)
continue to, essentially, point fingers of blame at Hastert for
dropping the ball with the non-investigation of Foley's conduct.
Conservative columnist Robert Novak reported Reynolds talked Foley
into seeking reelection this year, when Foley wanted to retire
because he was tired of whispering attacks on his sexual orientation.
Meanwhile, ABC News reported Reynolds fired Chief of Staff Kirk
Fordham -- who used to be Foley's Chief of Staff -- for his role
in trying to keep the details of the Foley emails hidden for the
past year. ABC reports Hastert demanded that Fordham be fired.
However, Fordham told the AP late Wednesday that "alerted"
Hastert's office "two years ago about worrisome conduct by"
Foley with teenage pages. Fordham said he had "more than one conversation
with senior staff at the highest level of the House of Representatives
asking them to intervene." Hastert's office denied they received
any early warning from Fordham. As for Shimkus, he acknowledged
Wednesday he didn't tell the other two member of the House Page
Board -- one Dem and one GOP -- about the Foley emails when he
learned of them last year. In a phone interview with the Springfield
State Journal-Register, Shimkus said he didn't tell the other
House Page Board members "because it didn't rise to the level
of what I needed consensus for on the Page Board. It did not rise
to the level of ... when we have to do big things." While
Shimkus said he immediately confronted Foley, he had no regrets
about not telling the other Board members. "What I regret
is that now it's used for the political expediency, for a political
agenda by the Democrats," said Shimkus.
Joe
Lieberman (Independent) - 50%, businessman Ned Lamont (D) - 40%.
(Rasmussen Reports).
First
Selectwoman Diane Farrell (D) - 46%, Congressman Chris Shays (R)
- 41%. (Reuters/Zogby).
Media/ORA).
CONGRESS:
MORE ON THE FOLEY SCANDAL.
Martin
O'Malley (D) - 47%, Governor Bob Ehrlich (R) - 43%, Others - 1%.
(MSNBC/McClatchy Newspapers/Mason-Dixon).
Nevada
State Controller Kathy Augustine (R) died of an apparent heart
attack -- under suspicious circumstances -- less than three months
ago in the
midst of her campaign for State Treasurer. Within days her husband,
former critical care nurse Chaz Higgs, was a suspect. Higgs initially
told police he discovered Augustine unconscious on the floor and
not breathing after she apparently collapsed from a massive heart
attack at their second home in Reno. The toxicology tests, however,
identified what really happened. According to police, Higgs administered
succinylcholine, a muscle relaxant that he believed should have
been undetectable after Augustine's death. However, the test results
found it in her system. Higgs was previously the hospital nurse
who cared for Augustine's second husband, Charles, when he died
following an apparent stroke in 2003 at age 63. Higgs and Augustine
were married about one month later. Higgs was arrested on Monday
in Virginia, where he was visiting relatives.