MONDAY NEWS UPDATE.

3 OUT OF 4 APPEAR ON SUNDAY NEWS SHOWS.

P2008. Barack Obama, Joe Biden and John McCain all appeared on the Sunday morning news shows. The only absentee: Sarah Palin, who is not yet giving any interviews. Palin plans her first media interview in "a few days" with ABC News' Charlie Gibson. McCain campaign manager Rick Davis told Fox News on Sunday that Palin would only submit to media questions if Palin will be treated "with respect and deference."

NEW POLLS. Nada. No new independent state polls released over the weekend for President, or any of the US Senate or Governor races.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 09.08.08 | Permalink |

SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE.

RON PAUL ON PREZ BALLOT; YOUNG WINS ALASKA PRIMARY; NRSC PULLS OUT OF NEW MEXICO.

P2008. GOP Congressman Ron Paul will see his name appear on Presidential primary ballots in November in two states: Montana and Louisiana. The Constitution Party of Montana, which is feuding with the national Constitution Party over the issue of abortion, has placed Paul on the Montana ballot as the party's nominee instead of official CP nominee Chuck Baldwin. In Louisiana, a group of Paul supporters have succeeded in placing him on the ballot there under the label of the fictional Taxpayers Party. Montana is a hotly contested swing state this year, while Louisiana is fairly solid McCain state. Paul refused to make a deal with the RNC to grant him a prominent speaking slot at this week's national convention in exchange for Paul endorsing McCain. Instead, Paul held a rival convention across town from the GOP convention.

P2008 - DAILY POLLING UPDATE. Here is our daily update of the latest independent state polls on the Presidential race:
ALASKA (KTUU-TV/Ivan Moore Research): McCain - 54%, Obama - 35%.

NEW MEXICO. According to the AP, the NRSC canceled the entire ad buy it reserved in the state on behalf of Congressman Steve Pearce (R). The move certainly seems to imply the GOP is writing-off the open US Senate seat to Congressman Tom Udall (D).

US SENATE. The latest independent polls for the US Senate match-ups:
ALASKA (KTUU-TV/Ivan Moore Research): Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich (D) - 49%, US Senator Ted Stevens (R) - 46%, teacher Bob Bird (AK IND) - 2%. Note: In related news, the Alaska Libertarian Party is thinking of replacing little-known nominee David Haase with former State Representative Dave Cuddy. Cuddy, who finished second place behind Stevens in the GOP primary, said he thinks the swap is "unlikely." Haase is accusing state party leaders of "trying to rig" the election for Begich.

ALASKA. Congressman Don Young (R) -- the target of a federal corruption probe -- held on to narrowly win renomination over Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell. State election officials completed the ballot counting late Friday night of all the roughly 25,000 absentee and provisional ballots. Young initially led by 151 votes with all precincts counted on primary night last week, but ballots postmarked by election day and received by Friday were counted under state law. The absentee and provisional ballots slightly widened Young's lead to 239 votes. The final numbers: Young - 48,006, Parnell - 47,767. Military ballots from overseas can still be counted if they are received by September 10, but it is not believed there are enough remaining unreturned military ballots for Parnell to overcome Young's slim advantage. Young's victory is very good news for the Democrats, as we are now changing the race rating to Leans DEM. See the latest polls:
ALASKA (KTUU-TV/Ivan Moore Research): Former State Representative Ethan Berkowitz (D) - 54%, Congressman Don Young (R) - 37%, retired pilot Don Wright (AK IND) - 3%.
ALASKA (KTUU-TV/Ivan Moore Research): Lt. Governor Sean Parnell (R) - 49%, Former State Representative Ethan Berkowitz (D) - 38%, retired pilot Don Wright (AK IND) - 4%.

ALABAMA. A follow-up to the SurveyUSA poll the other day showing Jay Love (R) leading Bobby Bright (D) for the open CD-2 seat by a lopsided 56-39 vote. It seems both the poll sponsor Roll Call and the pollster agree the results were improperly skewed by an error with significantly undercounting of the African-American percentage of the district's voters. Here is the explanation Roll Call published: "Roll Call asked SurveyUSA pollster Jay Leve to 're-weight' the results based on greater black turnout. According to [pollster Jay] Leve, Love's lead shrinks to 50-44 if black turnout equals 2004 levels. It shrinks even more to 49-46 -- within the 4 percent margin of error -- if black turnout increases to 27 percent."
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 09.06.08 | Permalink |

FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE.

McCAIN'S BIG NIGHT;GOP CONGRESSMAN CALLS OBAMA "UPPITY"; DETROIT MAYOR RESIGNS; LOUISIANA POSTPONES PRIMARY; ROB ANDREWS RETURNS.

REPUBLICAN CONVENTION.
SARAH PALIN - Governor Sarah Palin delivered a very strong call to action to conservatives Wednesday evening, proving she has political skills worthy of the national stage. The speech instantly made her the new darling of the party's social conservative wing, and fired up the GOP base for the McCain/Palin ticket. It remains to be seen if her message will attract voters from outside the party. GOP political consultant and longtime McCain friend Mike Murphy told Time magazine he thinks Palin is a choice that will help doom McCain's chances. Here's what he wrote: "With all her charm, [Palin] is still a pick aimed squarely at the Republican base. In a high turnout Presidential year, I am not worried about turning out the base. I’m worried about everybody else we need to win and I fear that among those voters, Sarah Palin will be a dud ... I think she’ll ultimately be a polarizer. After last night’s smash, Republicans are in deep love. Nothing thrills ‘em like a good 'us vs. them' speech. But I’d guess that most Democrats had the opposite reaction. In a year where the Democrat generic numbers are 10+ points better than the Republican, I don’t like the math of a strategy that just polarized the election along party base lines. Among the vital sliver of voters in the middle, I think Palin’s rock solid social conservatism will be a turn off ... Palin’s inexperience is a weakness, denying McCain an argument that has been helping him against Obama ... So that’s my concern with Sarah Palin. Interesting person, bad strategic choice to win the election."
CINDY McCAIN - John McCain's wife Cindy spoke to the convention Thursday evening, but her address was delivered in a rather stiff style. Not much worthy of additional commentary.
JOHN McCAIN - McCain gave his big speech Thursday. In an usual scene for a national convention, the McCain's speech was interrupted several times during the opening minutes by the shouting of scattered anti-war activists who were planted in the crowd among the spectators. While the crowd drowned out the peace activists with choruses of "USA, USA", McCain's expression and tone seemed at times annoyed by the heckling. Overall, McCain's delivery was better than usual -- at least by McCain standards. The words, however, were his usual blended message of patriotism and Republican politics unlikely to sway many swing viewers. However, he made a point of distancing himself several times from GOP politics from the past several years. Instead, it mostly seemed focused upon rushing through to the end while at least meeting the low oratorical bar set by his campaign's pre-speech spin.

OBAMA. Congressman Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA) created a stir on Thursday when he repeatedly used a racially tinged word when describing Barack Obama. In an interview with Congressional Quarterly, Westmoreland was asked about the comparative speaking styles of Sarah Palin and Michelle Obama. "Honestly, I’ve never paid that much attention to Michelle Obama. Just what little I’ve seen of her and Senator Obama is that they’re a member of an elitist class ... that thinks that they’re uppity," said the Congressman. "'Uppity', you said," inquired the reporter, giving Westmoreland a chance to un-do the comment. "Yeah, uppity,” confirmed Westmoreland. CQ posted the audio of the interview here.

P2008 - DAILY POLLING UPDATE. Here is our daily update of the latest independent state polls on the Presidential race:
INDIANA (Howey-Gauge): McCain - 45%, Obama - 43%.
NORTH DAKOTA (DFM Research): Obama - 43%, McCain - 40%, Others - 5%.

NEW JERSEY. Congressman Rob Andrews (D) pledged earlier this year -- when he launched his primary bid against US Senator Frank Lautenberg -- that he would not seek re-election under any circumstances if he lost the primary. Of course, nobody believed him when Camille Andrews -- Rob's wife -- ran for his open CD-1 seat. Well, Lautenberg smashed Andrews back in June. On Thursday, Rob Andrews announced he was bowing to the "strong encouragement" from Democrats in his district who wanted him to jump back into the House race. Camille is stepping aside and district party leaders will now substitute Rob Andrews as the Democratic nominee. He is a safe bet to win in November over minister Dale Glading (R) and four others.

LOUISIANA. Due to Hurricane Gustav striking the state earlier this week, Governor Bobby Jindal (R) by executive order postponed this Saturday's scheduled congressional primary elections. Instead, the state is tentatively looking to hold the primary a week later on September 13.

GOVERNOR. The new independent polls for the gubernatorial contests:
INDIANA (Howey-Gauge): Governor Mitch Daniels (R) - 53%, former Congresswoman Jill Long Thompson (D) - 35%, engineer Andrew Horning (Libertarian) - 3%.
NORTH DAKOTA (DFM Research): Governor John Hoeven (R) - 63%, State Senator Tim Mathern (D) - 19%.

DETROIT. Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick (D) announced Thursday he will resign from office and plead guilty to two counts of obstruction of justice/perjury. In return, prosecutors dropped six other counts and agreed to a sentence of four months in jail and five years probation. A defiant Kilpatrick said Thursday evening the city was in better shape than it was seven years ago when took office. He even vowed a political return: "Sometimes standing strong means stepping down. But Detroit you have set me up for a comeback."

CONGRESS. Here are the latest independent polls for US House races.
MISSOURI CD-9 (SurveyUSA): Former State Tourism Director Blaine Luetkemeyer (R) - 50%, State Representative Judy Baker (D) - 38%, Tamara Millay (Libertarian) - 10%.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 09.05.08 | Permalink |

THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE.

PALIN'S NATIONAL DEBUT; PREZ POLLS; AZ PRIMARY RESULTS; AL, NM HOUSE POLLS.

REPUBLICAN CONVENTION. Wednesday night saw Governor Sarah Palin's national debut speech. The night also saw John McCain formally become the Presidential nominee, and Rudy Giuliani's keynote address. (And, yes, I wrote this before Palin spoke -- as I want to watch the speech.)

P2008 - DAILY POLLING UPDATE. Here is our daily update of the latest independent state polls on the Presidential race:
IOWA (CNN/Time): Obama - 55%, McCain - 40%.
MINNESOTA (CNN/Time): Obama - 53%, McCain - 41%.
OHIO (CNN/Time): Obama - 47%, McCain - 45%.

ARIZONA. Our belated results from Tuesday's primary. CD-1: State Representative Ann Kirkpatrick cruised to an easy win in the Democratic primary. On the GOP side, mining industry lobbyist Sydney Hay narrowly defeated three others. Although the seat is currently held by retiring Congressman Rick Renzi (R), Kirkpatrick is now the frontrunner over Hay to score a pickup in November. Race rating: Leans DEM. CD-5: As expected, Maricopa County Treasurer Dave Schweikert won a close victory in the competitive, six-way GOP primary. A social and fiscal conservative, Schweikert will next face freshman Congressman Harry Mitchell (D). Race rating: Toss-Up. Two more Arizona races to watch in November -- but ones without primaries this week -- are CD-3 (GOP Congressman John Shadegg versus Dem attorney Bob Lord - Leans GOP) and CD-8 (freshman Dem Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords versus GOP State Senate President Tim Bee - Leans DEM).

CONGRESS. Here are the latest independent polls for US House races.
ALABAMA CD-2 (SurveyUSA): State Representative Jay Love (R) - 56%, Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright (D) - 39%.
NEW MEXICO CD-1 (SurveyUSA): Albuquerque Councilor Martin Heinrich (D) - 51%, Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White (R) - 46%.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 09.04.08 | Permalink |

WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE.

DUBYA, LIEBERMAN SPEAK AT GOP CONVO; US HOUSE UPDATES.

REPUBLICAN CONVENTION. Tuesday's highlights included speeches from President Bush, Joe Lieberman, Tom Ridge, plus Mitt Romney, Fred Thompson, and other former White House hopefuls. Lieberman's speech will likely seal his expulsion from the Senate Democratic caucus and the loss of his committee chairmanship at the end of this year. According to various media reports, President Bush offered to speak in person at the convention on Tuesday evening but, at the request of the McCain strategists, was asked instead to speak to the convention via remote telecast from DC. In related P2008 news, the McCain campaign began airing paid TV spots this week in North Carolina and Georgia -- meaning his campaign now believes these states are potentially in play and competitive. Today's official sound bite seems to be: "Is anyone really 'ready' to be President? That's hard to say."

ARIZONA. No primary results to post -- as I don't play to stay up late updating the numbers (due to the time zone difference). But you can follow the live results here.

CONGRESS. Here are two brief reports from the US House races.
MARYLAND CD-1: Congressman Wayne Gilchrest (R) crossed party lines on Tuesday and endorsed Queen Anne County State's Attorney Frank Kratovil (D) as his successor. The centrist Gilchrest lost his GOP primary to conservative State Senator Andy Harris back in February. Gilchrest made it clear he plans to actively campaign for Kratovil, help the Dem raise money, and appear in advertisements. The Gilchrest endorsement causes us to move this race from GOP Favored to Leans GOP.
OREGON CD-1: Businessman Joel Haugen announced Tuesday he was withdrawing as the GOP nominee but would remain in the race against Congressman David Wu (D) as the nominee of the Independent Party. Although a registered Republican, Haugen had been running with dual ballot spots. Haugen came under fire in recent days when he announced his support for Barack Obama. The deadline for GOP to replace a nominee has passed, so they will not be able to field any candidate against Wu on the November ballot.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 09.03.08 | Permalink |

TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE.

MORE QUESTIONS ON PALIN; GOP CONVO RETURNS TO NORMAL; ARIZONA PRIMARY PREVIEW.

REPUBLICAN CONVENTION. With Hurricane Gustav significantly less destructive than had been initially feared, the Republican National Convention will return to a normal schedule on Tuesday. Cindy McCain and Laura Bush both made brief stage appearances on Monday, urging peope to donate to disaster relief efforts. Mitt Romney and others are scheduled to speak to the convention on Tuesday. In other related news, VP candidate Sarah Palin on Monday acknowledged she has hired an attorney to defend her in the so-called "Troopergate" scandal in Alaska related to alleged mis-use of her authority. Palin denies any wrongdoing. Also, Palin was forced over the weekend to publicly acknowledge that her unmarried, 17-year-old daughter is pregnant. Palin is an advocate of "abstinence only" sex education programs. Barack Obama refused to comment on the story of Palin's daughter except to say that "people’s families are off-limits and people's children are especially off-limits" and the media should "back off these type of stories." Cindy McCain came to Palin's defense on the experience question during an interview on ABC, explaining that Palin has foreign policy experience because "Alaska is the closest part of our continent to Russia. It’s not as if she doesn’t understand what’s at stake here." Palin never visited Russia and did not have a passport until 2007. New allegations also surfaced that Palin in the early 1990s was a once member of the secessionist Alaskan Independence Party. AK-IP leaders openly boasted last year that Palin was in fact a member before she first ran for city council. Finally, it appears McCain was wrong when he said Palin "championed reform to end the [federal earmark] abuses" like Alaska's so-called "bridge to nowhere." Palin in fact openly supported the federal appropriation for the bridge project during her 2006 run for Governor. According to various media sources, at least ten RNC lawyers are currently in Alaska vetting Palin to ensure there will be no more surprises over the next two months.

ARIZONA. Voters will select nominees on Tuesday in two hot congressional primaries. CD-1: Both parties have hot races in the swing-seat contest to replace Congressman Rick Renzi (R), was successfully pressured by the House GOP Leadership to retire after his indictment on federal corruption charges. On the GOP side, State Mining Association Executive Director Sydney Hay and attorney Sandra Livingstone are the two frontrunners. Both have support from various party leaders, but Hay appears to have the edge in the four-way primary. Hay lost the crowded '02 GOP primary to Renzi when the seat was last open. On the Democratic side, State Representative Ann Kirkpatrick is the heavy favorite to win the primary. She is strongly backed by party leaders and organized labor. Three others are running including progressive attorney Howard Shanker and former local TV news reporter Mary Kim Titla. CD-5: Six Republicans are competing for the right to face freshman Congressman Harry Mitchell (D) in November. Five of the GOP candidates are viable contenders: Maricopa County Treasurer David Schweikert, former congressional aide Jim Ogsbury, State Representatives Mark Anderson and Susan Bitter-Smith, and former State Representative Laura Knaperek. Schweikert is backed by the Club for Growth, Ogsbury is endorsed by the Arizona Republic, and all five have won endorsements from various elected officials. Schweikert and Ogsbury are probably the two frontrunners, but this should be a close primary contest.

CONGRESS. Here are the latest independent polls for US House races.
MINNESOTA CD-3 (SurveyUSA): State Representative Erik Paulsen (R) - 44%, Iraq War veteran Ashwin Madia (D) - 41%, Others - 10%.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 09.02.08 | Permalink |

LABOR DAY NEWS UPDATE.

HURRICANE CURTAILS GOP CONVO OPENING; BOTH CAMPAIGNS OFFER ASSISTANCE TO STORM VICTIMS.

REPUBLICAN CONVENTION. As killer Hurricane Gustav approached the Louisiana coast -- with an expected landfall Monday -- GOP leaders announced a curtailing of Monday's opening day schedule in Minneapolis-St. Paul. President Bush and Vice President Cheney both canceled planned convention speeches and will instead focus on storm response activities. Other canceled speakers include First Lady Laura Bush and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The RNC will instead hold a brief "business only" session. The Tuesday schedule may also be impacted, but there will be no decision until some time on Monday. Also, the McCain campaign chartered a jet to fly 30+ Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana delegates home to the Gulf region on Sunday to check on family and property, and will give them the option of returning on the jet to Minnesota with additional family members. Republicans understand that they cannot be seen to be overly partisan in the face of a national catastrophe -- but also are concerned that curtailing too many convention activities may minimize any "convention bounce" for McCain. In related news, the Barack Obama campaign announced plans to use their massive email list of supporters to solicit money and volunteers for disaster relief activities in the aftermath of the storm.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.31.08 | Permalink |

SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE.

McCAIN PICKS PALIN FOR VEEP, CONSERVATIVES PRAISE MOVE; NEW PREZ POLLS.

McCAIN-PALIN. John McCain used his 72nd birthday on Friday to name Alaska Governor Sarah Palin -- a 44-year-old mother of five -- as his Vice Presidential runningmate. It was a bold political gamble to select Palin as his runningmate. Conservative Republicans quickly praised the choice, saying Palin is an energetic campaigner and political reformer. Religious right leader James Dobson said the selection made it easy for him to now support McCain. Conservatives note Palin is staunchly pro-life, pro-gun rights, pro-tax cuts and pro-oil drilling. The Anchorage Daily News also reported Palin "thinks creationism should be taught alongside evolution in the state's public classrooms." Conservative pundit Pat Buchanan also noted on MSNBC that Palin openly supported his 2000 cultural conservative Presidential run for the GOP nomination: "She's a great choice for the base ... She's a Buchananite." Democrats, by contrast, questioned the wisdom of selecting someone so inexperienced to be just a heartbeat away from the Presidency. They note Palin was formerly mayor of a town of 9,000 residents and is now just 20 months into her first term as Governor. McCain clearly intends the move to help him pick-up support from independent women voters. Untested on the national stage, it is simply too early to tell if Palin will prove on the trail to be a brilliant political pick or another Dan Quayle.

P2008 - DAILY POLLING UPDATE. Here is our daily update of the latest independent state polls on the Presidential race:
COLORADO (CNN/Time): McCain - 47%, Obama - 46%.
FLORIDA (Mason-Dixon): Obama - 45%, McCain - 44%.
NEVADA (CNN/Time): Obama - 49%, McCain - 44%.
NEW MEXICO (CNN/Time): Obama - 53%, McCain - 40%.
PENNSYLVANIA (CNN/Time): Obama - 48%, McCain - 43%.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.30.08 | Permalink |

FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE.

OBAMA'S AMAZING NIGHT; McCAIN TO NAME VEEP FRIDAY; 1/23 MARINES REDUX; AND SOME NEW POLLS.

DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. Barack Obama gave his biggest campaign speech to date before a outdoor crowd of 80,000 in Denver, just one day after he officially became the Democratic Presidential nominee. In trademark Obama style, he delivered another impressive, landmark address. At turns inspiring, at others feisty, he talked of his America and defined his vision for a better America than we've had for these past eight years. Like his speech the night of his Iowa victory in January, Obama gave another speech that will be remembered as great American political oratory. FYI: Don't know if any of you caught it but wounded Iraq War veteran Jon Kuniholm -- one of the 1/23 Marines that Politics1 "adopted" in 2004 during our Politics1 Goes to War series -- spoke at the convention early Thursday evening. This was the sad report when Jon was injured in an attack and lost his arm. Our series was intended as a reminder that those Americans who strongly oppose the Iraq War can still honor and appreciate the sacrifices of those brave young Americans serving in uniform in Iraq and Afghanistan.

McCAIN. John McCain will announce his VP runningmate choice at an Ohio rally on Friday. According to various news sources, the short-list finalists are reported to include Mitt Romney, Tom Ridge, Tim Pawlenty, Joe Lieberman and Kay Bailey Hutchison. Stay tuned.

P2008 - DAILY POLLING UPDATE. Here is our daily update of the latest independent state polls on the Presidential race:
CALIFORNIA (PPIC): Obama - 48%, McCain - 39%, Others - 3%.
IDAHO (Greg Smith and Assoc.-R): McCain - 52%, Obama - 29%.

US SENATE. Here are the latest independent polls for US Senate races.
IDAHO (Greg Smith and Assoc.-R): Lt. Governor Jim Risch (R) - 41%, ex-Congressman Larry LaRocco (D) - 29%, rancher Rex Rammell (I) - 3%.

CONGRESS. Here are the latest independent polls for US House races.
COLORADO CD-4 (SurveyUSA): Ex-congressional aide Betsy Markey (D) - 50%, Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave (R) - 43%.
FLORIDA CD-21 (SurveyUSA): Ex-Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez (D) - 48%, Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R) - 46%.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.29.08 | Permalink |

THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE.

BILL CLINTON EMBRACES OBAMA, JOE'S VP DEBUT; YOUNG HOLDING ON IN ALASKA; LOTS OF SENATE, GOV & HOUSE POLLS.

DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. Barack Obama officially became the Democratic Presidential nominee, with Senator Hillary Clinton interrupting the delegate roll call to personally move Obama's nomination be made unanimous by acclimation. Former President Bill Clinton enthusiastically jumped onto the Obama bandwagon on Wednesday, giving a rousing pro-Obama speech at the convention. Senator Joe Biden also gave a VP acceptance speech which praised John McCain's record of service but blistered his political stances. Biden clearly relishes taking up the traditional runningmate role of being the ticket's attack dog.

P2008 - DAILY POLLING UPDATE. Here is our daily update of the latest independent state polls on the Presidential race:
COLORADO (CNN/Time/Opinion Research): McCain - 47%, Obama - 46%, Others - 1%.
FLORIDA (Mason-Dixon): Obama - 45%, McCain - 44%.
FLORIDA (Strategic Vision-R): McCain - 49%, Obama - 42%, Barr - 1%.
NEVADA (CNN/Time/Opinion Research): Obama - 49%, McCain - 44%, Others - 1%.
NEW MEXICO (CNN/Time/Opinion Research): Obama - 54%, McCain - 40%.
OHIO (Univ. of Akron): Obama - 40%, McCain - 40%.
PENNSYLVANIA (CNN/Time/Opinion Research): Obama - 48%, McCain - 43%, Others - 1%.
RHODE ISLAND (Brown Univ.): Obama - 53%, McCain - 30%.

ALASKA. With 99.8% of the vote counted, embattled 18-term Congressman Don Young (R) moved into a 152 vote lead over Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell in the GOP primary. State election officials say several thousand requested absentee ballots have not yet been returned and any ballots postmarked by primary day will be counted so long as they are received within ten days of Tuesday's primary. Thus, we won't know until late next week whether Young or Parnell is the Republican nominee. The winner will face former State House Minority Leader Ethan Berkowitz (D) in November.

US SENATE. Here are the latest independent polls for US Senate races.
NEW HAMPSHIRE (ARG): Former Governor Jeanne Shaheen (D) - 52%, US Senator John Sununu (R) - 41%.
NORTH CAROLINA (PPP-D): State Senator Kay Hagan (D) - 42%, US Senator Elizabeth Dole (R) - 39%, postal worker Chris Cole (Libt) - 5%.

CONGRESS. Here are the latest independent polls for US House races.
KANSAS CD-2 (SurveyUSA): Congresswoman Nancy Boyda (D) - 50%, State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins (R) - 43%, Others - 5%.
MICHIGAN CD-7 (EPIC/MRA): Congressman Tim Walberg (R) - 43%, State Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer (D) - 40%.
MICHIGAN CD-9 (EPIC/MRA): Congressman Joe Knollenberg (R) - 43%, ex-State Senator Gary Peters (D) - 36%.
PENNSYLVANIA CD-10 (SurveyUSA): Congressman Chris Carney (D) - 49%, businessman Chris Hackett (R) - 45%.

GOVERNOR. The new independent polls for the gubernatorial contests:
NORTH CAROLINA (PPP-D): Lt. Governor Bev Perdue (D) - 43%, Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory (R) - 38%, college professor Michael Munger (Libt) - 4%.
NORTH CAROLINA (Civitas-R): Lt. Governor Bev Perdue (D) - 43%, Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory (R) - 41%, college professor Michael Munger (Libt) - 3%.
UTAH (Mason-Dixon): Governor Jon Huntsman (R) - 73%, businessman Bob Springmeyer (D) - 9%.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.28.08 | Permalink |

WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE.

STEVENS WINS IN ALASKA, YOUNG RACE TOO-CLOSE-TO-CALL; GOP VEEPSTAKES; HILLARY PRAISES OBAMA.

Very brief posting today, as I didn't have time to write much on Tuesday night. I was at the victory party for my boss -- and she won re-election with 82%!!

ALASKA. As exepcted, indicted US Senator Ted Stevens (R) easily won renomination Tuesday in the seven-man GOP primary with 63% of the vote. His nearest opponent, former State Representative Dave Cuddy, captured 27%. Stevens -- who goes on trial in Octorber on federal corruption charges -- faces Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich (D) in November. The results of the hot GOP congressional primary remained undecided in the early morning hours. With 89% of the vote counted, embattled 18-term Congressman Don Young (R) was trailing Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell by just 142 votes. State Representative Gabrielle LeDoux was a distant third with just 9%. The official vote count is being posted here. Young is the target of an ongoing federal corruption probe. Former State House Minority Leader Ethan Berkowitz won the Democratic primary for the congressional seat.

McCAIN. According to various media reports, John McCain is now planning to announce his VP pick on Friday, just one day after the close of the Democratic convention.

DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. Tuesday night saw Senator Hillary Clinton's big speech. Clinton said she was a "proud supporter of Barack Obama" and added that "Barack Obama is my candidate. And he must be our President."
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.27.08 | Permalink |

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