BY
THE NUMBERS: LATEST INDEPENDENT NUMBERS. COLORADO - GOVERNOR: Former Denver
District Attorney Bill Ritter (D) - 42%, Congressman Bob Beauprez
(R) - 37%. (Rasmussen Reports).
RHODE ISLAND - GOVERNOR: Lt. Governor Charlie Fogarty
(D) - 43%, Governor Don Carcieri (R) - 42%. (Rasmussen Reports). Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.15.06 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Israel-Hezbollah fighting intensifies ... US Senate Commerce
Committee Chair Ted Stevens (R-AK) thinks the internet is "a
bunch of tubes" and that his staff once sent him "an
internet" and it took four days to arrive because some people
were watching movies online. Click
here for the amusing video ... and Georgia primary and Alabama
run-off voters cast ballots on Tuesday. Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.15.06 | Permalink
|
FRIDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
BY
THE NUMBERS: LATEST INDEPENDENT NUMBERS. CALIFORNIA - GOVERNOR: State
Treasurer Phil Angelides (D) - 46%, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
(R) - 44%. (Rasmussen Reports).
CALIFORNIA - US SENATE: US Senator Dianne Feinstein (D)
- 60%, former State Senator Dick Mountjoy (R) - 30%. (Rasmussen
Reports). GEORGIA - LT. GOVERNOR - GOP PRIMARY:State
Senator Casey Cagle (R) - 41%, former Christian Coalition Executive
Director Ralph Reed - 36%. (Insider Advantage). ILLINOIS - GOVERNOR: Governor Rod Blagojevich
(D) - 45%, State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka (R) - 34%. (Rasmussen
Reports). Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.14.06 | Permalink
|
VERMONT:
DEMS FOR BERNIE (WHETHER HE LIKES IT OR NOT).
Congressman Bernie Sanders (Independent) -- a self-proclaimed
socialist -- likes his political independence. He caucuses with
the House Dems, but won't join the party. The DSCC is supporting
him for the open US Senate seat, but Sanders said he wouldn't
accept the Democratic nomination on the ballot. He helped create
the Vermont Progressive Party many years ago, and is close to
party leaders, but won't run under their banner either. All of
this hasn't stopped the Dems from trying to give Sanders the Democratic
nomination in the Senate race, over his objection. The Boston
Globe reported State Democratic Chair Ian Carleton and other
party leaders are organizing a signature drive to place Sanders
on the ballot -- against three Dems who are actively seeking the
nomination. "Bernie Sanders has by far the best chance of
winning, and would work closely with and would respect Democratic
leadership in Washington. Anyone who takes a practical look at
Vermont politics will say that this is the best thing to do for
the greater good here," explained said Carleton. If Sanders
wins the nomination but then declines it, the Dems will go without
a nominee on the November ballot. Sanders is already expected
to win the seat -- and win in a landslide -- but this "No
Democratic nominee" move would simply give him an even greater
victory margin in November. Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.14.06 | 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. TODAY'S THANKS GO TO: Retired Navy
Admiral and former Deputy Chief of Naval OperationsJoe
Sestak, Democrat for Congress in Pennsylvania's CD-7;
and Townsend (NY) Town Council Peter Briggs.
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Former CIA agent Valerie Plame and her husband are suing
Vice President Dick Cheney, indicted former VP Chief of Staff
Scooter Libby, and White House Chief of Staff Karl Rove for allegedly
conspiring to destroy her career by leaking info about her covert
career to the media. So, will we have a future deposition scene
where Cheney says "It depends on what the meaning of the
word 'leak' is." Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.14.06 | Permalink
|
THURSDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
CONNECTICUT:
NEW WILD CARD IN US SEN RACE; GOP
TRIES TO FORCE OUT OWN NOMINEE. US Senator Joe Lieberman (D) is already facing
a very aggressive primary challenge from wealthy peace candidate
Ned Lamont. Lieberman is worried enough about the contest that
he's also collecting petition signatures to turn into state officials
the day after the primary for an Independent run in November.
Former State Representative Alan
Schlesinger (R) is also running, but he scores so low in the polls
he isn't any factor in the race under any circumstances. Here's
the new wrinkle in the race: college economics professor and State
Representative Diana Urban (R) announced this week she's collecting
signatures to run for US Senate as an Independent. Even more unusual,
Urban is running to the left of Lieberman. She opposes the Iraq
War, thinks more needs to be done to combat global warming, and
thinks Lieberman has been "too supportive" of President
Bush and the GOP Congressional leadership. Urban is also running
simultaneously -- and unopposed -- for reelection to the State
House. "I don't get it ... To my knowledge, she doesn't speak
for anyone in the party. She certainly doesn't speak for the House
Republican caucus," said incoming State House GOP leader
Lawrence Cafero to the New London Day. "The more the
merrier. The more the vote gets split up, the better my chance
is," said Schlesinger. Urban will face a big hurdle collecting
the signatures within the next month to qualify for the ballot.
However, Urban was surprisingly candid about her long odds: "We
don't have any money. We have nothing except people that believe
in me. That's all I have. I don't have enough money to pay my
frigging taxes ... I was enormously frustrated, because I have
a phenomenal amount of things to say ... I can't sit this one
out." In related news that broke hours later, the Hartford
Courant reported Wednesday Schlesinger may soon quit the Senate
race. According to the newspaper, Schlesinger purportedly has
a serious gambling problem -- even going so far as to frequently
gamble under the fake name of "Alan Gold." That has
caused state GOP leaders to ask him to step aside so they can
name a replacement nominee. "Our mistake is that we only
vetted candidates using their real names, not aliases," moaned
State GOP Chair George Gallo. No word yet what Schlesinger will
do, but I'd give 3:1 odds he quits.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.13.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: LATEST INDEPENDENT NUMBERS. CALIFORNIA - US HOUSE - CD-50:
Congressman Brian Bilbray (R) - 51%, college professor Francine
Busby (D) - 40%. (KGTV-TV/SurveyUSA).
GEORGIA - GOVERNOR - DEM PRIMARY:Lieutenant Governor
Mark Taylor - 48%, Secretary of State Cathy Cox - 42%. (Strategic
Vision-R). GEORGIA - LT. GOVERNOR - GOP PRIMARY:State
Senator Casey Cagle (R) - 42%, former Christian Coalition Executive
Director Ralph Reed - 41%. (Strategic Vision-R). MASSACHUSETTS - GOVERNOR - DEM PRIMARY:
Former US Assistant Attorney General Deval Patrick (D) - 37%,
venture capitalist Chris Gabrieli - 27%, Attorney General Tom
Reilly (D) - 26%. (WBZ-TV/SurveyUSA). NEW JERSEY - US SENATE:US Senator Bob
Menendez (D) - 43%, State Senator Tom Kean Jr. (R) - 37%. (Strategic
Vision-R). WISCONSIN - PROPOSED STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BAN
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE: For - 48.5%, Against - 47.8%. (WisPolitics.com).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.13.06 | Permalink
|
FLORIDA:
HARRIS SOAP OPERA CONTINUES.
Democrats remain gleeful that -- by state law -- Congresswoman
Katherine Harris (R) will be the first name on the ballot in this
November's elections. The latest embarrassment by Harris is that
her entire new campaign leadership team -- the folks who replaced
the team that quit three months ago when they found Harris too
impossible to work for -- is set to quit this week. The Hotline
reports Harris' campaign manager, spokesman and state field director
are all departing. "She's just very difficult to work with,"
said one Harris aide to Hotline. Most recent independent
polls show Harris trailing US Senator Bill Nelson (D) by around
a 2-to-1 margin.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.13.06 | 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. TODAY'S THANKS GO TO: US Senator Hillary Clinton, Democrat for re-election in New York.
FREE
SPEECH ZONE. Third Party Watch reported on a schism in the Constitution
Party. The Montana, New York, Ohio, and Oregon state affiliate
parties have apparently "disaffiliated with the national
CP." The Montana and Oregon branches are among the most active
CP chapters in the nation in terms of respectable candidate recruitment
efforts.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.13.06 | Permalink
|
WEDNESDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
BY
THE NUMBERS: LATEST INDEPENDENT NUMBERS. FLORIDA - GOVERNOR - GOP PRIMARY:
Attorney General Charlie Crist - 61%, State CFO Tom Gallagher
- 23%. (WFOR-TV/SurveyUSA).
FLORIDA - US SENATE- GOP PRIMARY: Congresswoman Katherine
Harris - 51%, attorney Will McBride - 14%, retired Navy officer
LeRoy Collins Jr. - 8%, developer Peter Monroe - 3%. (WFOR-TV/SurveyUSA).
MAINE - GOVERNOR: State Senator Chandler Woodcock (R)
- 43%, Governor John Baldacci (D) - 41%, "Other" - 2%.
(WCSH-TV/SurveyUSA).
MASSACHUSETTS - GOVERNOR - (State House News/KRC):
Former US Assistant Attorney General Deval Patrick (D) - 40%,
Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey (R) - 31%, former State Turnpike
Authority Board Member Christy Mihos (Ind.) - 9%, Affordable housing
activist Grace Ross (Green) - 2%.
Attorney General Tom Reilly (D) - 36%, Healey (R) - 31%, Mihos
(Ind.) - 13%, Ross (Green) - 3%.
Businessman Chris Gabrieli (D) - 39%, Healey (R) - 30%, Mihos
(Ind) - 9%, Ross (Green) - 3%. MASSACHUSETTS - GOVERNOR - DEM PRIMARY: Patrick
- 35%, Gabrieli - 22%, Reilly - 19%. (State House News/KRC). MISSOURI - US SENATE: US Senator Jim Talent (R)
- 42%, State Auditor Claire McCaskill (D) - 42%. (Rasmussen Reports).
MONTANA - US SENATE: State Senate President Jon
Tester (D) - 50%, US Senator Conrad Burns (R) - 43%. (Rasmussen
Reports). WISCONSIN - GOVERNOR: Governor Jim Doyle (D) - 49%, Congressman
Mark Green (R) - 36%. (Madison Capital Times/University
of Wisconsin).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.12.06 | Permalink
|
P2008:
GOP RACE UPDATES.
Florida Governor Jeb Bush's name is being floated -- again
-- as a
possible VP runningmate for US Senator John McCain. "I like
Senator McCain. I think he's a good guy ... There's all sorts
of time to worry about the 2008 election," said Bush to the
AP ... The Des Moines Register reports Massachusetts Governor
Mitt Romney has picked up some major endorsements in Iowa, including
that of '02 Governor nominee Doug Gross. The newspaper also said
Romney has "the longest list" of GOP endorsers in the
state out of all the potential Republican candidates ... US Senator
George Allen toured the controversial US prison at the Guantanamo
Navy base in Cuba this week. While many foreign leaders see a
facility of questionable legality that employs highly-suspect
interrogation methods possibly violative of international treaties,
Allen seemingly saw a Club Med-like island resort. Allen praised
the "outstanding job" by the Americans working at the
base, said "the interrogators go beyond Geneva Convention"
requirements, detainees are "treated very well" and
"detainee operations in Guantanamo Bay should continue."
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.12.06 | Permalink
|
MINNESOTA:
MILLIONAIRE "PEACE CANDIDATE" QUITS US SENATE RACE.
Wealthy philanthropist and veterinarian Ford Bell (DFL-MN)
quit the open seat race for US Senate on Tuesday, saying he was
not able to raise enough money to be a viable candidate in the
primary. Bell had positioned himself as a Wellstone-style "peace
candidate" and "insurgent" against the party establishment
and more centrist Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar in the
DFL primary. Bell said the DSCC's backing of Klobuchar made it
very hard for him to raise money in the state. However, he immediately
called for party unity and endorsed Klobuchar. "The differences
within our party [with Klobuchar] are important, but the differences
between [Congressman] Mark Kennedy, George Bush and the needs
of America are much greater," said Bell. Candidate filing
closes July 18, but Bell's departure clearsed the way to Klobuchar's
nomination without requiring her to expend any serious funds in
the primary. Kennedy, likewise, only faces nominal opposition
in the GOP primary.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.12.06 | Permalink
|
WISCONSIN:
CANDIDATE FILING CLOSES.
Candidate filing closed in Wisconsin on Tuesday. Governor
Jim Doyle (D) and challenger Congressman Mark Green (R) are unopposed
for their respective gubernatorial nominations. Attorney General
Peg Lautenschlager, who pled guilty to DUI charges last year,
faces a tough Dem primary challenge from Dane County Executive
Kathleen Falk. US Senator Herb Kohl (D) faces a nominal primary
challenge, then will cruise to a landslide re-election victory
in November over attorney and frequent candidate Robert Gerald
Lorge (R). Green's open CD-8 seat is the congressional race worth
watching. State Assembly Speaker John Gard (R) is the frontrunner
in the CD-8 race, but faces competitive primary and general election
contests. A few of the state's other Congressional districts have
a slight potential for producing marginally competitive races.
The Green Party fielded several statewide and congressional candidates.
The Constitution and Libertarian parties -- which formerly filed
large slates of candidates in the state -- each fielded very few
hopefuls. Click here to view the complete list
of Wisconsin candidates.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.12.06 | Permalink
|
HEALTH
NEWS: ARK LT GOV IN "GRAVE" CONDITION; NV CONTROLLER
DIES. ARKANSAS: An ailing Lieutenant Governor Win
Rockefeller (R) quietly flew back to Arkansas and was immediately
hospitalized there in "grave" condition, following a
second failed bone marrow transplant procedure in Seattle. Rockefeller
suffers from myeloproliferative disorder, which is related to
leukemia. Until Rockefeller withdrew last year from the 2006 race
for Governor due to health reasons, polls showed he was a frontrunner
for the open seat. According to published reports, Rockefeller
is in the intensive care unit at the University of Arkansas under
an assumed name, suffering from pneumonia and other life-threatening
complications following his recent chemotherapy procedures. Well-connected
sources in Arkansas told Politics1 Rockefeller only has "days
to live." NEVADA: State Controller Kathy Augustine (R) died on Tuesday
from complications from a massive heart attack suffered over the
weekend. She had no history of heart illness. Augustine, 50, was
a candidate for the open State Treasurer's post in next month's
primary. Last year, Augustine became the only Nevada state constitutional
officer to be impeached while in office. She plead guilty to misdemeanor
violations, was censured by the legislature, and was allowed to
remain in office. Before her ethics problems, Augustine was viewed
as a future candidate for US Senate or Governor.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.12.06 | 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. TODAY'S THANKS GO TO: university instructor
Bruce Guthrie,
Libertarian for US Senate in Washington State.
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Universal Press Syndicate "cleared" Ann Coulter
of plagiarism charges this week. Coulter is guilty of being a
despicable, lying, talentless, dumb, mean-spirited and bigoted
skank ... but apparently she's not a
plagiarist. Just my leftist take on it.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.12.06 | Permalink
|
TUESDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
BY
THE NUMBERS: LATEST INDEPENDENT NUMBERS. GEORGIA
- GOVERNOR - DEM PRIMARY: Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor
- 49%, Secretary of State Cathy Cox - 41%. (Insider Advantage). GEORGIA - LT. GOVERNOR - GOP PRIMARY: State Senator
Casey Cagle (R) - 37%, former Christian Coalition Executive Director
Ralph Reed - 37%. (Insider Advantage). MICHIGAN - US SENATE - GOP PRIMARY: Oakland County
Sheriff Mike Bouchard - 51%, Evangelical Bishop Keith Butler -
25%. (WDIV-TV/SurveyUSA). VIRGINIA - US HOUSE - CD-5: Congressman Virgil
Goode (R) - 49%, winegrower Al Weed (D) - 35%. (Zogby).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.11.06 | Permalink
|
US
HOUSE: THIS AND THAT (BUT MAINLY STUFF ABOUT MONEY).
INDIANA - CD-8: Congressman John Hostettler (R) -- a perennial
Democratic target -- is yet again facing fundraising problems.
In the most recent quarter Hostettler raised $118,000 and challenger
Vanderburgh Copunty Sheriff Brad Ellsworth (D) raised $681,000.
Race Rating: Toss-Up.
NEW HAMPSHIRE - CD-1: State Representative Peter Sullivan (D)
quit the race for Congress, citing both political and personal
concerns.
PENNSYLVANIA - CD-6: Challenger and attorney Lois Murphy (D) raised
$740,000 in the most recent quarter, versus $450,000 raised for
Congressman Jim Gerlach (R) in the same period. Gerlach's total
even included the money raised for him at an event headlined by
President Bush. Murphy has $1.4 million cash-on-hand and the incumbent
is showing $1.3 million. Race rating: Toss-Up.
WASHINGTON - CD-8: Challenger and former Microsoft executive Darcy
Burner (D) surprised everyone with her recent fundraising. New
financial reports show Burner has collected over $1 million in
her race against freshman Congressman Dave Reichert (R). Race
Rating: Leans GOP.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.11.06 | Permalink
|
NEBRASKA:
OSBORNE NOT INTERESTED IN WRITE-IN CAMPAIGN.
Despite
a lawsuit filed by friends of Congressman Tom Osborne (R) seeking
to allow Osborne to re-enter the gubernatorial race as a write-in,
Osborne discounted any interest in the effort. Osborne lost the
GOP gubernatorial primary to Governor Dave Heineman. Osborne told
the AP on Monday he's "not interested in a write-in campaign"
because "the people of Nebraska have spoken." Businessman
David Hahn is the Democratic nominee, but currently has no chance
of winning in November. Race rating: Safe GOP.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.11.06 | 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. TODAY'S THANKS GO TO: the Democratic
Presidential draft group New
Jersey for Feingold; and attorney and Iraq War veteran
Patrick Murphy,
Democrat for Congress in Pennsylvania's CD-8.
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Whatever.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.11.06 | Permalink
|
MONDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
P2008:
LEADERSHIP PACS SPREADING THE WEALTH. The
Hotline reports the likely 2008 Democratic Presidential candidates
are contributing large sums of money to Dems in key states in
an effort to court early support. Senator John Kerry's PAC leads
all other hopefuls, having collected nearly $14 million for candidates
and state party organizations. Senator Hillary Clinton's PAC races
$7.5 million; former Senator John Edwards' PAC is at $6.5 million;
and former Governor Mark Warner's PAC is at "about $5 million."
Warner's PAC is paying for a staffer in the Iowa Dem Party and
another working on the staff of the New Hampshire Dem Party. Senator
Evan Bayh's PAC us also funding a staffer with the NH Dems. All
of the other PACs lag behind.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.10.06 | Permalink
|
TEXAS:
DeLAY READY TO JUMP BACK INTO CD-22 RE-ELECTION RACE. Time magazine reports recently resigned Congressman
Tom DeLay (R-TX) is preparing to jump back into the race for re-election
if the US Court of Appeals declines to overturn the US District
Court ruling prohibiting the Texas Republican Party from replacing
DeLay on the ballot. "DeLay is planning an aggressive campaign
to retake the House seat he quit in June," reported Time.
DeLay, who is still awaiting trial on state corruption charges,
has less than $1 million remaining in his campaign account.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.10.06 | Permalink
|
KENTUCKY:
GOP LEADERS ASK FLETCHER TO DROP '07 RE-ELECTION BID.
The news just keeps getting worse for embattled Governor
Ernie Fletcher (R). First, Fletcher
was indicted a few months ago on three misdemeanor charges related
to engaging in unlawful hiring practices. Then Lieutenant Governor
Steve Pence announced in May he would not run again with Fletcher
-- and may challenge him in the primary. Despite that, Fletcher
last month announced his candidacy for re-election in 2007 and
named State Finance Secretary Robbie Rudolph as his new Lieutenant
Governor runningmate. The move helped Fletcher raise some money,
but did not stop former supporters from jumping ship. According
to the Louisville Courier-Journal, the list of Republicans
calling on Fletcher to retire is growing. State Senate President
David Williams declined to attend Fletcher's kick-off, explaining:
"I'm not in the habit of endorsing people who do not appear
to be re-electable." Franklin County Republican Party Chairman
Stuart Victor called on Fletcher to retire. Kelly Downard, the
GOP nominee for Louisville Mayor, announced he would not support
Fletcher. US Senator Mitch McConnell has declined to offer Fletcher
any public words of support. Jefferson County GOP Chairman Jack
Richardson is the latest to abandon Fletcher, saying that Fletcher
is "delusional" if he thinks he can win re-election.
"It's embarrassing and it's tiring to constantly have to
come up with less than candid remarks defending him ... I like
Ernie Fletcher as a man. He's not corrupt, he's inept," said
Richardson. "We will remain focused on the task of making
Kentucky a better place to work and live. We are not going to
let petty politics slow us down," responded Fletcher's spokesman.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.10.06 | 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. TODAY'S THANKS GO TO: teacher and peace
activist Michael
Berg, Green for US House in Delaware.
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Political courage points to Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
(D-NY), who said this weekend he will support legislation to legalize
same-sex marriage. His opponent, former State Assembly Minority
Leader John Faso (R-NY), praised the NY Court of Appeals for declining
last week to recognize same-sex marriages but told the AP "we
can come together to find other ways to provide gay and lesbians
in long-term committed relationships the same economic rights
and legal protections." Meanwhile, Senator Hillary Clinton
managed to anger her gay supporters by adopting a stance nearly
identical with Faso's position. Clinton told reporters she supported
"full equality for people in committed [same-sex] relationships."
Yet, when asked if "full equality" mean support for
same sex marriages, Clinton's spokesperson said Clinton supports
only civil unions for same-sex couples.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.10.06 | Permalink
|
WEEKEND
NEWS UPDATE.
SOUTH
CAROLINA: GOP SENATOR JUMPS INTO GOV RACE AS INDEPENDENT.
In a follow-up to our story yesterday, conservative State
Senator Jake Knotts (R) on Friday announced "I'm running"
as an Independent against Governor Mark Sanford (R). Knotts is
a former State Representative, a retired police officer and a
Vietnam War veteran. He is also a close friend of Lieutenant Governor
Andre Bauer (R), who -- like Knotts -- is a frequent critic of
Sanford. Knotts must now collect 10,000 signatures by July 17
-- but look for Democrats to help him get those signatures. Knotts
is clearly running in an effort to cripple Sanford's campaign.
Knotts told The State newspaper that he will support State
Senator Tommy Moore (D) over Sanford if he doesn’t qualify
for the ballot. In launching his campaign, Knotts made it clear
his fire will be aimed at Sanford by describing his campaign as
a fight between "the privileged class versus real ordinary
people ... I eat in places where real people eat. I hang where
the real people hang. And I ain’t talking about high-class
restaurants where the Governor hangs."
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.08.06 | 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. TODAY'S THANKS GO TO: Hennepin County
Attorney Amy
Klobuchar, Democrat for US Senate in Minnesota; and State
Assemblyman Jonathan Bing,
Democrat for re-election in New York.
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Have at it.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.08.06 | Permalink
|
FRIDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
TEXAS:
FED COURT BLOCKS PLAN TO REPLACE DeLAY ON CD-22 BALLOT.
US District Court Judge Sam Sparks ruled Thursday
that the Texas Republican Party is prohibited from replacing recently
resigned Congressman Tom DeLay (R-TX or VA) on the November ballot.
Applying Texas law, the court found DeLay intentionally withdrew
from the contest -- and did not, as the GOP insisted, become disqualified
or ineligible because he switched his voter registration to Virginia
-- which means the GOP must either put DeLay back on the ballot
or go without any nominee in the CD-22 race against former Congressman
Nick Lampson (D) and businessman Bob Smither (Libertarian). The
Court Order also enjoined the Texas Secretary of State from replacing
DeLay on the ballot. The GOP vows to appeal the ruling. If the
GOP loses the appeal, DeLay will have to decide whether to return
to the race as a candidate or leave the Republicans without any
nominee. Reporters from the Houston Chronicle tracked DeLay
down for a comment -- and found him at the Texas home. "I
don't do [interviews] -- not at my house," said DeLay to
the reporters, as he closed the door on them. Judge Sparks, FYI,
was appointed to the bench by President George HW Bush and is
a close friend of State Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn. Until
and unless the ruling is reversed, we're changing our race rating
here to: Leans DEM.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.07.06 | Permalink
|
SOUTH
CAROLINA: GOP
SENATOR MAY MAKE INDY RUN FOR GOVERNOR.
Conservative State Senator Jake Knotts (R) -- a frequent
critic of Governor Mark Sanford (R) -- said Thursday he may jump
into the race against Sanford as an Independent. Sanford has a
hostile relationship with the state legislature's Republican leaders,
Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer, and several other statewide GOP
nominees. Knotts, a close friend of Bauer, is apparently angry
that Sanford tried to intervene in the GOP run-off to defeat Bauer.
"I've had encouragement from [Republican] Senators and from
other House members. Their basic concern is having somebody they
can work with ... If I jump in, it will be to win and with a chance
to win," said Knotts to the AP. "It's no news that Jake
Knotts is not a fan of the Governor," said Sanford's campaign
manager. To get on the ballot, Knotts must collect 10,000 signatures
of registered voters by July 17. If Knotts enters the race, the
GOP split could provide a major opening for State Senator Tommy
Moore (D) -- as Moore would only need a plurality to win.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.07.06 | Permalink
|
NEBRASKA:
OSBORNE SUPPORTERS ATTEMPTING A HAIL MARY PLAY.
Friends and associates of Congressman
Tom Osborne (R) -- who unexpectedly lost the GOP gubernatorial
primary to Governor Dave Heineman -- are seeking to give Osborne
a second shot at Heineman in November. Heisman Trophy winner Johnny
Rodgers -- who played football under Osborne in the early 1970s
-- and Nebraska football team trainer Doak Ostergard are plaintiffs
in a lawsuit seeking to strike down an existing state election
law. The state law prohibits a candidate who lost in a partisan
primary from running in the general election as a write-in candidate.
These Osborne friends believe he has extensive backing from Democrats,
who could not cast ballots for him in the recent GOP primary.
"I have no knowledge of a write-in campaign to elect me as
Governor. I have not given any encouragement to such effort. As
nice as it is of my former players and associates to be concerned
about my future, none of their efforts have involved consultation
with me," said Osborne in a written statement to the Lincoln
Journal-Star. While noting he was not part of the effort to
change the law, the newspaper also said Osborne "did not
seek to squelch the possibility of a write-in campaign."
Businessman David Hahn is the Democratic nominee, but currently
has no chance of winning in November.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.07.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: LATEST INDEPENDENT NUMBERS. CALIFORNIA - GOVERNOR: Governor
Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) - 44%, State Treasurer Phil Angelides
(D) - 37%. (Los Angeles Times).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.07.06 | 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. TODAY'S THANKS GO TO: businesswoman
and State Representative Monica
Lindeen, Democrat for Congress in Montana.
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
The Georgia Supreme Court reinstated the state's ban on
gay marriage on Thursday ... Also on Thursday, New York's highest
court ruled 4-2 that same sex marriages will not be recognized
in the state. The NY judges rule the law limiting marriage to
one man and one woman is constitutional ... This means 45 states
in the US have now barred same-sex marriage through statutes or
constitutional amendments ... That said, permanently moving to
Canada is starting to look better and better to me each day.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.07.06 | Permalink
|
THURSDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
LIBERTARIAN
PARTY: MODERATES SEIZE CONTROL, HARDCORES BOLT.
The Libertarian
Reform Caucus (LRC) -- an "outsider" group of pragmatic
moderates within one of America's two largest third parties --
won a dramatic upset victory at this weekend's Libertarian National
Convention. "Fringe politics does not work in the United
States. A political party must appeal to a plurality of voters
(effectively, at least 40%) in some districts in order to win
elections .. In other words, for the Libertarian Party to be effective,
it must appeal to the top 20-30% of freedom-lovers. Appealing
to the tiny minority of freedom-lovers who want no government
at all, or something very close to that, is a recipe for failure.
The platform and message of the Libertarian Party is extreme,
sacrificing practicality and political appeal in favor of philosophical
consistency with a single axiom. As such, the party currently
appeals only to a tiny fraction of the voting public ... We, the
members of the Libertarian Reform Caucus believe that America
needs a real libertarian party, a party that promotes liberty
while being conscious of political reality, a party designed to
win elections and begin rolling back excess government now. In
particular, the party needs: A platform that proposes a realistic
vision for the next few years, as opposed to an idealistic vision
of a libertarian future ... A platform based on the realization
that there are other important values in addition to the non-initiation
of force. Freedom is extremely valuable, but it is not the only
value," explained the LRC's website. At the convention, the
LRC succeeded in gutting all but four of the party's longstanding
platform planks -- over 90% of the party's original platform --
and replaced them with a shorter, more moderate libertarian platform
of four old planks and nine new ones. No previous LP convention
had ever before repealed any of the party's original platform
planks. "We never expected this kind of success to be had
at this convention ... The delegates were obviously tired of seeing
the party continue being a minor player in the political arena.
At the convention many delegates spontaneously jumped on board
the reform bandwagon," said an LRC spokesman. Many LRC supporters
threw their support behind former party national treasurer Bill
Redpath of Virginia, electing him the new National Chairman with
64% of the vote. Redpath is a fairly moderate LP leader who is
committed maintaining the party's longtime 50-state ballot access
strategy. LRC activist Chuck Moulton was elected LP Vice Chairman
with 63%. Traditional, hardcore libertarian ideologues were infuriated
by the LRC's victory. Arizona gubernatorial nominee Barry Hess
angrily told the Free Libertarian blogsite that he and Arizona
state party would not agree to "water down the essential
principles espoused in the [old] platform's language ... we do
not compromise our principles." Hess warned the LRC victory
could lead to a major split in the party, spurring splinter groups
to break from the national LP. "The neocon traitors who run
this country infiltrated the Libertarian Party (under the guise
of being moderates or libertarians-lite) and deleted most of the
platform planks, including those against military interventionism
and secession," wrote former LP DC Chair Carol Moore on her
website. Many of the hardcore LP'ers complain
the LRC is trying to turn the Libertarian Party into a socially
libertarian version of the Republican Party. The schism has already
begun this week, with Missouri activist Tom Knapp already attempting
to launch a new hardcore libertarian entity named the Boston
Tea Party.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.06.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: LATEST INDEPENDENT NUMBERS. HAWAII - US SENATE - DEM PRIMARY:
US Senator Dan Akaka - 51%, Congressman Ed Case - 40%. (Honolulu
Advertiser/Ward Research). NEW MEXICO - US SENATE: US Senator Jeff Bingaman
(D) - 59%, physician Allen McCullough (R) - 33%. (Rasmussen Reports).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.06.06 | Permalink
|
ILLINOIS:
THIRD PARTY NOMINATING PETITIONS CHALLENGED.
Both major parties in Illinois are preparing for a close
gubernatorial race between Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) and State
Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka (R). That's the likely reason individuals
filed challenges with the State Board of Elections to knock the
Constitution, Green and Independence nominees off the ballot.
The State Board already disqualified the conservative slate of
candidates running under the Constitution Party banner, after
scrutinizing and invalidating some of the submitted signatures.
The Independence Party candidates -- Nader supporters who split
from the Greens during the 2004 elections -- are likely to meet
the same fate as the Constitution Party slate. A challenge was
also filed against the Green Party slate. The Greens, who had
anticipated the attack, submitted an excess number of signatures
to ensure they will probably survive the challenge.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.06.06 | 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. TODAY'S THANKS GO TO: librarian and
progressive activist Jim
Brown, Green candidate for Congress in New York's CD-3;
and Congressman Rob
Simmons, Republican for re-election in Connecticut's CD-2.
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Convicted Enron felon Ken Lay died Wednesday ... tensions
remain high between Israeli and the Palestinian governments ...
and the fall-out from the North Korea missile tests continue.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.06.06 | Permalink
|
WEDNESDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
MARYLAND:
CANDIDATE FILING CLOSES.
Candidate filing closed this week in Maryland,
creating some very crowded contests. In the open US Senate race,
17 Democrats, 10 Republicans and a Green filed paperwork to run
-- although the only three candidates with any real chance of
winning the race are Congressman Ben Cardin (D), former Congressman
Kweisi Mfume (D) and Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele (R). If
Mfume and Steele win their respective primaries, it would be the
first time in US history that primary voters in both major party
selected African-American nominees. US Senator Paul Sarbanes (D)
is retiring. The gubernatorial contest will not see any primaries,
as all four candidates are unopposed for their respective party
nominations. Another race worth watching is the reelection contest
of State Comptroller (and former Governor) Don Schaefer (D) --
as he's facing two serious primary challengers. In the open CD-3
race, 18 candidates filed. The winner of the Dem primary will
win the CD-3 seat, vacated by Cardin to make his Senate run. Click
here to view all of the Maryland candidates (and links to
their websites).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.05.06 | Permalink
|
FLORIDA:
OOPS, HE DID IT AGAIN.
State CFO Tom Gallagher (R) suffered bad press to his gubernatorial
campaign last year when it was reported Gallagher -- as a member
of the State Cabinet -- voted on matters affecting a small amount
of stock he purchased as a day trader. It turns out the conflicts
of interest were not isolated incidents. The Fort Lauderdale
Sun-Sentinel reported Tuesday that Gallagher voted in 2005
to rank lands owned by the St. Joe Company a priority for state
environmental land acquisition. Gallagher failed to disclose at
the time he ranked the properties that he owned 4,000 shares in
the paper manufacturing and property development company, worth
around $270,000. Gallagher declined to comment, but his campaign
manager said Gallagher's ownership interest was "well below
the 1% threshold [of total outstanding shares of the company]
considered necessary to reveal conflict of interest questions
under state ethics law."
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.05.06 | Permalink
|
SEND
A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here's my open offer for every campaign (and campaign supporter):
send me a button 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. TODAY'S THANKS GO TO: the Democratic
activist group FiredUpMissouri.com.
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Tuesday was a holiday (and my birthday) so I really didn't
feel like spending a hours on my birthday evening writing a lengthy
post for Wednesday. Thus, we'll be back with our normal, full-length
postings on Thursday.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.05.06 | Permalink
|
TUESDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
CONNECTICUT:
LIEBERMAN TO PETITION ONTO GEN BALLOT AS INDEPENDENT.
As has been speculated for weeks, the Hartford Courant
reported Monday that US Senator Joe Lieberman (D) "will petition
for a place on the November ballot as an 'Independent Democrat'."
Lieberman -- an outspoken supporter of the Iraq War -- is facing
an aggressive Dem primary challenge from wealthy cable TV company
founder and peace activist Ned Lamont. "I've been a proud,
loyal and progressive Democrat since John F. Kennedy inspired
my generation of Americans into public service and I will stay
a Democrat, whether I am the Democratic party's nominee or a petitioning
Democratic candidate on the November ballot," explained Lieberman,
who said he would caucus with the Senate Democrats even if he
is reelected as an Independent.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.04.06 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Happy Independence Day!
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.04.06 | Permalink
|
MONDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
BY
THE NUMBERS: LATEST INDEPENDENT NUMBERS. FLORIDA
- US SENATE: US Senator Bill Nelson (D) - 59%, Congresswoman
Katherine Harris (R) - 26%. (Quinnipiac University).
FLORIDA - US SENATE - GOP PRIMARY: Congresswoman Katherine
Harris - 35%, attorney Will McBride - 16%, developer Peter Monroe
- 4%, retired Navy Officer LeRoy Collins Jr. - 3%. (Quinnipiac
University).
MARYLAND - US SENATE - DEM PRIMARY: Former Congressman
Kweisi Mfume - 31%, Congressman Ben Cardin - 25%. (Washington
Post). MINNESOTA - GOVERNOR: Attorney General Mike Hatch
(DFL) - 47%, Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) - 42%. (Rasmussen Reports). MINNESOTA - US SENATE: Hennepin County Attorney
Amy Klobuchar (DFL) - 47%, Congressman Mark Kennedy (R) - 44%.
(Rasmussen Reports). NEW MEXICO - GOVERNOR: Governor Bill Richardson
(D) - 56%, former State GOP Chair John Dendahl (R) - 32%. (Rasmussen
Reports).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.03.06 | 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. TODAY'S THANKS GO TO: Attorney General
Jay Nixon,
Democrat for Missouri Governor 2008; FunEThings.com
for the buttons; and businesswoman and radio talk show host Pat
LaMarche, Green Independent for Maine Governor.
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
In the spirit of the four-day holiday weekend, today's
postings are rather sparse. I'm sorta taking the day off.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.03.06 | Permalink
|
WEEKEND
OPEN THREAD.
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Happy Canada Day!
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 07.01.06 | Permalink
|
proclaimed
socialist -- likes his political independence. He caucuses with
the House Dems, but won't join the party. The DSCC is supporting
him for the open US Senate seat, but Sanders said he wouldn't
accept the Democratic nomination on the ballot. He helped create
the Vermont Progressive Party many years ago, and is close to
party leaders, but won't run under their banner either. All of
this hasn't stopped the Dems from trying to give Sanders the Democratic
nomination in the Senate race, over his objection. The Boston
Globe reported State Democratic Chair Ian Carleton and other
party leaders are organizing a signature drive to place Sanders
on the ballot -- against three Dems who are actively seeking the
nomination. "Bernie Sanders has by far the best chance of
winning, and would work closely with and would respect Democratic
leadership in Washington. Anyone who takes a practical look at
Vermont politics will say that this is the best thing to do for
the greater good here," explained said Carleton. If Sanders
wins the nomination but then declines it, the Dems will go without
a nominee on the November ballot. Sanders is already expected
to win the seat -- and win in a landslide -- but this "No
Democratic nominee" move would simply give him an even greater
victory margin in November.
SEND
A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Alan
Schlesinger (R) is also running, but he scores so low in the polls
he isn't any factor in the race under any circumstances. Here's
the new wrinkle in the race: college economics professor and State
Representative Diana Urban (R) announced this week she's collecting
signatures to run for US Senate as an Independent. Even more unusual,
Urban is running to the left of Lieberman. She opposes the Iraq
War, thinks more needs to be done to combat global warming, and
thinks Lieberman has been "too supportive" of President
Bush and the GOP Congressional leadership. Urban is also running
simultaneously -- and unopposed -- for reelection to the State
House. "I don't get it ... To my knowledge, she doesn't speak
for anyone in the party. She certainly doesn't speak for the House
Republican caucus," said incoming State House GOP leader
Lawrence Cafero to the New London Day. "The more the
merrier. The more the vote gets split up, the better my chance
is," said Schlesinger. Urban will face a big hurdle collecting
the signatures within the next month to qualify for the ballot.
However, Urban was surprisingly candid about her long odds: "We
don't have any money. We have nothing except people that believe
in me. That's all I have. I don't have enough money to pay my
frigging taxes ... I was enormously frustrated, because I have
a phenomenal amount of things to say ... I can't sit this one
out." In related news that broke hours later, the Hartford
Courant reported Wednesday Schlesinger may soon quit the Senate
race. According to the newspaper, Schlesinger purportedly has
a serious gambling problem -- even going so far as to frequently
gamble under the fake name of "Alan Gold." That has
caused state GOP leaders to ask him to step aside so they can
name a replacement nominee. "Our mistake is that we only
vetted candidates using their real names, not aliases," moaned
State GOP Chair George Gallo. No word yet what Schlesinger will
do, but I'd give 3:1 odds he quits.
a
possible VP runningmate for US Senator John McCain. "I like
Senator McCain. I think he's a good guy ... There's all sorts
of time to worry about the 2008 election," said Bush to the
AP ... The Des Moines Register reports Massachusetts Governor
Mitt Romney has picked up some major endorsements in Iowa, including
that of '02 Governor nominee Doug Gross. The newspaper also said
Romney has "the longest list" of GOP endorsers in the
state out of all the potential Republican candidates ... US Senator
George Allen toured the controversial US prison at the Guantanamo
Navy base in Cuba this week. While many foreign leaders see a
facility of questionable legality that employs highly-suspect
interrogation methods possibly violative of international treaties,
Allen seemingly saw a Club Med-like island resort. Allen praised
the "outstanding job" by the Americans working at the
base, said "the interrogators go beyond Geneva Convention"
requirements, detainees are "treated very well" and
"detainee operations in Guantanamo Bay should continue."
Governor
Jim Doyle (D) and challenger Congressman Mark Green (R) are unopposed
for their respective gubernatorial nominations. Attorney General
Peg Lautenschlager, who pled guilty to DUI charges last year,
faces a tough Dem primary challenge from Dane County Executive
Kathleen Falk. US Senator Herb Kohl (D) faces a nominal primary
challenge, then will cruise to a landslide re-election victory
in November over attorney and frequent candidate Robert Gerald
Lorge (R). Green's open CD-8 seat is the congressional race worth
watching. State Assembly Speaker John Gard (R) is the frontrunner
in the CD-8 race, but faces competitive primary and general election
contests. A few of the state's other Congressional districts have
a slight potential for producing marginally competitive races.
The Green Party fielded several statewide and congressional candidates.
The Constitution and Libertarian parties -- which formerly filed
large slates of candidates in the state -- each fielded very few
hopefuls. 
Win
Rockefeller (R) quietly flew back to Arkansas and was immediately
hospitalized there in "grave" condition, following a
second failed bone marrow transplant procedure in Seattle. Rockefeller
suffers from myeloproliferative disorder, which is related to
leukemia. Until Rockefeller withdrew last year from the 2006 race
for Governor due to health reasons, polls showed he was a frontrunner
for the open seat. According to published reports, Rockefeller
is in the intensive care unit at the University of Arkansas under
an assumed name, suffering from pneumonia and other life-threatening
complications following his recent chemotherapy procedures. Well-connected
sources in Arkansas told Politics1 Rockefeller only has "days
to live." 
GEORGIA
- GOVERNOR - DEM PRIMARY: Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor
- 49%, Secretary of State Cathy Cox - 41%. (Insider Advantage).
The
Hotline reports the likely 2008 Democratic Presidential candidates
are contributing large sums of money to Dems in key states in
an effort to court early support. Senator John Kerry's PAC leads
all other hopefuls, having collected nearly $14 million for candidates
and state party organizations. Senator Hillary Clinton's PAC races
$7.5 million; former Senator John Edwards' PAC is at $6.5 million;
and former Governor Mark Warner's PAC is at "about $5 million."
Warner's PAC is paying for a staffer in the Iowa Dem Party and
another working on the staff of the New Hampshire Dem Party. Senator
Evan Bayh's PAC us also funding a staffer with the NH Dems. All
of the other PACs lag behind.
Fletcher
was indicted a few months ago on three misdemeanor charges related
to engaging in unlawful hiring practices. Then Lieutenant Governor
Steve Pence announced in May he would not run again with Fletcher
-- and may challenge him in the primary. Despite that, Fletcher
last month announced his candidacy for re-election in 2007 and
named State Finance Secretary Robbie Rudolph as his new Lieutenant
Governor runningmate. The move helped Fletcher raise some money,
but did not stop former supporters from jumping ship. According
to the Louisville Courier-Journal, the list of Republicans
calling on Fletcher to retire is growing. State Senate President
David Williams declined to attend Fletcher's kick-off, explaining:
"I'm not in the habit of endorsing people who do not appear
to be re-electable." Franklin County Republican Party Chairman
Stuart Victor called on Fletcher to retire. Kelly Downard, the
GOP nominee for Louisville Mayor, announced he would not support
Fletcher. US Senator Mitch McConnell has declined to offer Fletcher
any public words of support. Jefferson County GOP Chairman Jack
Richardson is the latest to abandon Fletcher, saying that Fletcher
is "delusional" if he thinks he can win re-election.
"It's embarrassing and it's tiring to constantly have to
come up with less than candid remarks defending him ... I like
Ernie Fletcher as a man. He's not corrupt, he's inept," said
Richardson. "We will remain focused on the task of making
Kentucky a better place to work and live. We are not going to
let petty politics slow us down," responded Fletcher's spokesman.
Thursday
that the Texas Republican Party is prohibited from replacing recently
resigned Congressman Tom DeLay (R-TX or VA) on the November ballot.
Applying Texas law, the court found DeLay intentionally withdrew
from the contest -- and did not, as the GOP insisted, become disqualified
or ineligible because he switched his voter registration to Virginia
-- which means the GOP must either put DeLay back on the ballot
or go without any nominee in the CD-22 race against former Congressman
Nick Lampson (D) and businessman Bob Smither (Libertarian). The
Court Order also enjoined the Texas Secretary of State from replacing
DeLay on the ballot. The GOP vows to appeal the ruling. If the
GOP loses the appeal, DeLay will have to decide whether to return
to the race as a candidate or leave the Republicans without any
nominee. Reporters from the Houston Chronicle tracked DeLay
down for a comment -- and found him at the Texas home. "I
don't do [interviews] -- not at my house," said DeLay to
the reporters, as he closed the door on them. Judge Sparks, FYI,
was appointed to the bench by President George HW Bush and is
a close friend of State Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn. Until
and unless the ruling is reversed, we're changing our race rating
here to: Leans DEM.
GOP
SENATOR MAY MAKE INDY RUN FOR GOVERNOR.
Congressman
Tom Osborne (R) -- who unexpectedly lost the GOP gubernatorial
primary to Governor Dave Heineman -- are seeking to give Osborne
a second shot at Heineman in November. Heisman Trophy winner Johnny
Rodgers -- who played football under Osborne in the early 1970s
-- and Nebraska football team trainer Doak Ostergard are plaintiffs
in a lawsuit seeking to strike down an existing state election
law. The state law prohibits a candidate who lost in a partisan
primary from running in the general election as a write-in candidate.
These Osborne friends believe he has extensive backing from Democrats,
who could not cast ballots for him in the recent GOP primary.
"I have no knowledge of a write-in campaign to elect me as
Governor. I have not given any encouragement to such effort. As
nice as it is of my former players and associates to be concerned
about my future, none of their efforts have involved consultation
with me," said Osborne in a written statement to the Lincoln
Journal-Star. While noting he was not part of the effort to
change the law, the newspaper also said Osborne "did not
seek to squelch the possibility of a write-in campaign."
Businessman David Hahn is the Democratic nominee, but currently
has no chance of winning in November.
Appealing
to the tiny minority of freedom-lovers who want no government
at all, or something very close to that, is a recipe for failure.
The platform and message of the Libertarian Party is extreme,
sacrificing practicality and political appeal in favor of philosophical
consistency with a single axiom. As such, the party currently
appeals only to a tiny fraction of the voting public ... We, the
members of the Libertarian Reform Caucus believe that America
needs a real libertarian party, a party that promotes liberty
while being conscious of political reality, a party designed to
win elections and begin rolling back excess government now. In
particular, the party needs: A platform that proposes a realistic
vision for the next few years, as opposed to an idealistic vision
of a libertarian future ... A platform based on the realization
that there are other important values in addition to the non-initiation
of force. Freedom is extremely valuable, but it is not the only
value," explained the LRC's website. At the convention, the
LRC succeeded in gutting all but four of the party's longstanding
platform planks -- over 90% of the party's original platform --
and replaced them with a shorter, more moderate libertarian platform
of four old planks and nine new ones. No previous LP convention
had ever before repealed any of the party's original platform
planks. "We never expected this kind of success to be had
at this convention ... The delegates were obviously tired of seeing
the party continue being a minor player in the political arena.
At the convention many delegates spontaneously jumped on board
the reform bandwagon," said an LRC spokesman. Many LRC supporters
threw their support behind former party national treasurer Bill
Redpath of Virginia, electing him the new National Chairman with
64% of the vote. Redpath is a fairly moderate LP leader who is
committed maintaining the party's longtime 50-state ballot access
strategy. LRC activist Chuck Moulton was elected LP Vice Chairman
with 63%. Traditional, hardcore libertarian ideologues were infuriated
by the LRC's victory. Arizona gubernatorial nominee Barry Hess
angrily told the Free Libertarian blogsite that he and Arizona
state party would not agree to "water down the essential
principles espoused in the [old] platform's language ... we do
not compromise our principles." Hess warned the LRC victory
could lead to a major split in the party, spurring splinter groups
to break from the national LP. "The neocon traitors who run
this country infiltrated the Libertarian Party (under the guise
of being moderates or libertarians-lite) and deleted most of the
platform planks, including those against military interventionism
and secession," wrote former LP DC Chair Carol Moore on her
website. Many of the hardcore LP'ers complain
the LRC is trying to turn the Libertarian Party into a socially
libertarian version of the Republican Party. The schism has already
begun this week, with Missouri activist Tom Knapp already attempting
to launch a new hardcore libertarian entity named the 
Maryland,
creating some very crowded contests. In the open US Senate race,
17 Democrats, 10 Republicans and a Green filed paperwork to run
-- although the only three candidates with any real chance of
winning the race are Congressman Ben Cardin (D), former Congressman
Kweisi Mfume (D) and Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele (R). If
Mfume and Steele win their respective primaries, it would be the
first time in US history that primary voters in both major party
selected African-American nominees. US Senator Paul Sarbanes (D)
is retiring. The gubernatorial contest will not see any primaries,
as all four candidates are unopposed for their respective party
nominations. Another race worth watching is the reelection contest
of State Comptroller (and former Governor) Don Schaefer (D) --
as he's facing two serious primary challengers. In the open CD-3
race, 18 candidates filed. The winner of the Dem primary will
win the CD-3 seat, vacated by Cardin to make his Senate run. 
Lieberman,
who said he would caucus with the Senate Democrats even if he
is reelected as an Independent. 
