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| BLOG ARCHIVE: JULY 16-31, 2008.
KAINE BUZZ COULD BE RUSE; ROMNEY SAYS "NOT ME" FOR VP; SEVEN NEW POLLS. VEEPSTAKES. The more Virginia Governor Tim Kaine (D) and his camp openly talk about Kaine being the "frontrunner" and "short listed" for Barack Obama's runningmate spot, the more this is starting to seem unlikely. Either it is an intentional ruse in collusion with Obama to throw off the media from his real plans or -- if sincere -- it is such heavy-handed pushing that Obama is likely to turned off by the amateur effort. Our guess: it's all intentional disinformation. Meanwhile, on the GOP side, Mitt Romney said Wednesday that "I don't plan on being part of the [John McCain] ticket." P2008
- DAILY POLLING UPDATE. Here is our daily update of the
latest independent polls from swing states (and states that appear
to be evolving into swing states): US
SENATE. Here are the latest independent polls for US
Senate races. GOVERNOR.
The new independent polls for the gubernatorial contests. SENATOR STEVENS INDICTED; OKLAHOMA PRIMARY; NC SENATE POLL. ALASKA.
US Senator Ted Stevens (R) was indicted Tuesday on OKLAHOMA. Tuesday was primary day in the Sooner State. US Senator Jim Inhofe (R) and challenger State Senator Andrew Rice (D) cruised to easy primary victories. Rice is running an aggressive race, but Inhofe remains favored. Congressmen John Sullivan (R) and Dan Boren (D) also strolled to landslide renomination victories. Also, Oklahoma County Commissioner Brent Rinehart (R) -- who made national headlines earlier this month for his campaign's crudely drawn anti-gay comic book mailing in which angels supported Rinehart and the devil conspired with his various political opponents and "homosexual activists" -- finished a distant last place in his three-way GOP primary. US
SENATE. Here are the latest independent polls for US
Senate races. KAINE'S STAR RISING IN VEEPSTAKES; PLUS MS, NJ POLLS. VEEPSTAKES. The Politco reports the Obama VP team is in the short-listing stage of the seleciton process. Confirming the story is an NBC report that Obama and his VP team, plus other top campaign insiders, were huddling together for extensive meetings Monday afternooon in a DC law office. According to Politico, the current short-list of those getting includes the extensive vetting include Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, US Senator Joe Biden, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius and former US Senator Sam Nunn. Other sources indicate US Senator Evan Bayh is also on the short-list, as may be one or two others. Kaine is reported to be the current frontrunner, for his potential appeal to four groups: "Virginians, Catholics, working-class white voters and Hispanics" (Kaine is a proficient Spanish speaker). In other P2008 news, former Bush Administration Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill joined financier Warren Buffet, former Fed Chair Paul Volcker, Google Chair/CEO Eric Schmidt, AFL-CIO President John Sweeney and other featured "economic leaders" who appeared in support of Obama at a DC event earlier in the day. On the other side, nothing new on the McCain veep front. P2008
- DAILY POLLING UPDATE. Here is our daily update of the
latest independent polls from swing states (plus states that appear
to be evolving into swing states ... and even some that appear
remotely competitive): US
SENATE. Here are the latest independent polls for US
Senate races. VEEPSTAKES UPDATE; AND ONE NEW STATE POLL. VEEPSTAKES.
John McCain's campaign continues to P2008
- DAILY POLLING UPDATE. Here is our daily update of the
latest independent polls from swing states (plus states that appear
to be evolving into swing states ... and even some that appear
remotely competitive): "SARKO L'OBAMA-CAIN"; SIX PREZ POLLS; FIVE SENATE POLLS, AND A PLUG. P2008 - QUOTE OF THE DAY. "Obviously one is interested in a candidate looking towards the future rather than the past ... Good luck to Barack Obama. If he is chosen, then France will be delighted. If it is someone else, France will [still] be the friend of the United States of America," said French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The two men met privately on Friday, before a joint press conference. When asked later by French reporters if his comments were intended as an endorsement of Obama, Sarkozy smiled and said he "would not deny it." After his four-hour Paris stop, Obama headed to London for the final leg of his global trip. P2008
- DAILY POLLING UPDATE. Here is our daily update of the
latest independent polls from swing states (and states that appear
to be evolving into swing states):
A
PLUG. GWU college student Andrew Perez -- who is spending
his summer working on some local Dem races here in South Florida
where I live -- is one of the co-authors of the new progressive
blog The New
Argument. The site even has some rather wry humor, like the
petition demanding that John McCain be given equal media coverage.
Check it out. "JA,
WIR KÖNNEN!"; McCAIN CRITICIZES FOREIGN SPEECH;
AND FOUR NEW Q-POLLS. P2008
- DAILY POLLING UPDATE. Barack Obama wrapped up his Middle
East trip, then jetted off to Berlin for his speech before a massive
crowd of over 200,000. John McCain criticized Obama on Thursday
for giving a campaign speech in a foreign country -- before reporters
noted McCain gave a campaign speech in Canada last month. That
said, let's get to our daily update of the latest independent
polls from swing states (and states that appear to be evolving
into swing states): FIVE PREZ POLLS; SENATE DEMS SHOOT FOR 60; FOUR HOUSE POLLS; THE CAPTURE OF A WAR CRIMINAL. P2008
- DAILY POLLING UPDATE. Here is our daily update of the
latest independent polls from swing states (and states that appear
to be evolving into swing states): US
SENATE. Will the Dems score a nine-seat pickup this year
and reach the magic 60 mark to be able to block any GOP filibusters?
"It’s very difficult, but it’s not out of the
question. We expect to pick up a whole bunch of seats," said
DSCC Chair Chuck Schumer at a press conference on Wednesday. Here
are the latest independent polls for US Senate races. CONGRESS.
DCCC Chair Chris Van Hollen told Roll Call there are
75 House seats seriously "in play" this year -- and
50 of those seats are currently held by Republicans. The new independent
polls for the US House contests.
ENQUIRER NAILS JOHN EDWARDS VISITING MISTRESS, BABY; NOVAK SAYS HE WAS PLAYED; AND NEW POLLS. VEEPSTAKES
- DEM. Strike former US Senator VEEPSTAKES - GOP. Columnist Robert Novak says several senior officials in the McCain campaign lied to him in an intentional effort to encourage him to report a false story. Novak now believes the "McCain will pick VP this week" story was an entire ruse intended merely to garner headlines but without any truth to the story. P2008
- DAILY POLLING UPDATE. Here is our daily update of the
latest independent polls from swing states (and states that appear
to be evolving into swing states): US
SENATE. The latest independent polls for US Senate races. CONGRESS.
The new independent polls for the US House contests. VEEPSTAKES HEAT UP; NEW PREZ POLLS; KEYES GETS ON CALIF BALLOT; US SENATE POLLS.
P2008
- DAILY POLLING UPDATE. Here is our daily update of the
latest independent polls from swing states (and states that appear
to be evolving into swing states): KEYES.
In a surprising turn of events, the US
SENATE. The latest independent polls for US Senate races. THE USUAL P2008 STUFF (AND THREE NEW POLLS); SEN STEVENS, REP YOUNG TRAIL DEMS IN ALASKA. Hey, let's be candid: this is the really slow season of the election cycle. Yeah, stuff is happening, but so far not much of this current day-to-day will make any big difference come November. Let's see ... Obama is off on his Afghanistan-Iraq-Israel-Europe trip. Phil Gramm resigned as national co-chair of the McCain campaign, presumably to further minimize damage from his "nation of whiners" comment last week. Also, Secretary of State Condi Rice said this to CNN about Obama's candidacy: "I think it's great, and I think it's great for our country" -- but Rice said she is not yet ready to announce which candidate she will be supporting for President (presumably McCain). Thus, let's just get to the new polls ... P2008
- DAILY POLLING UPDATE. Here is our daily update of the
latest independent polls from swing states (and states that appear
to be evolving into swing states): US
SENATE. The latest independent polls for US Senate races. CONGRESS.
The new independent polls for the US House contests. LENINISTS FOR McKINNEY; GILMORE REPAYS OWN LOAN; PLUS EIGHT NEW POLLS. QUICK TAKES. P2008: The Workers World Party -- a Marxist-Leninst party -- has decided it will not field a Presidential ticket this year for the first time since 1980. Instead, the WWP is formally endorsing Green nominee Cynthia McKinney for President. In a written statement, the WWP described McKinney's campaign as "Black-led, anti-imperialist, working-class-centered and has a multinational radical base with the potential of unlimited growth." ... VIRGINIA: How committed is former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore (R) to his run for the open US Senate seat this year? Apparently, not as much as his supporters would have hoped. Although Gilmore is significantly lagging behind Mark Warner (D) in both the polls and fundraising, Gilmore used campaign contributions to repay himself the $50,000 loan he made to the campaign when he first jumped into the contest.
US
SENATE. The latest independent polls for US Senate races. GOVERNOR.
The new independent polls for the gubernatorial contests. A FEW NEW PREZ AND US SENATE POLLS. P2008
- DAILY POLLING UPDATE. Here is our daily update of the
latest independent polls from swing states (and states that appear
to be evolving into swing states): US
SENATE. The latest independent polls for US Senate races. McCAIN QUICKLY SHIFTS ON GAY ADOPTION; GA, AL PRIMARY RESULTS; MN FILING CLOSES; PREZ, US SEN & GOV POLLS. P2008.
Speaking over the weekend to the New York Times, John
McCain (R) said "I think that we’ve proven that both
parents are important in the success of a family so, no, I don’t
believe in gay adoption." On Tuesday, P2008
- DAILY POLLING UPDATE. Here is our daily update of the
latest independent polls from swing states (and states that appear
to be evolving into swing states): GEORGIA. Tuesday was primary day in Georgia. DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones captured 41% in the five-way Democratic primary for US Senate primary, placing first. Former State Representative Jim Martin was second with 34% and will face Jones in the August 5 run-off. The winner will face incumbent Saxby Chambliss (R) in November. In a big surprise in CD-10, freshman Congressman Paul Broun (R) -- the self-proclaimed ally of libertarian Congressman Ron Paul -- won a landslide 71-29 victory over social conservative military veteran and State Representative Barry Fleming. The local GOP establishment had strongly backed Fleming, but they clearly had little influence over rank-and-file voters as the maverick Broun won easily. Democratic Congressmen John Lewis, John Barrow and David Scott all won their respective renomination races by landslide margins. Click here to view all of the Georgia nominees. ALABAMA. In CD-2, State Representative Jay Love defeated State Senator Harri Ann Smith by a 53% to 47% vote, following in a bruising GOP run-off race. After initially remaining neutral, the NRCC had lined up behind Love in the run-off. Rate Love as a slight favorite over Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright (D) in November for this open seat. In CD-5, advertising executive and '94/'96 nominee Wayne Parker won the GOP run-off contest by a very lopsided margin. Parker is rated an underdog against State Senator Parker Griffith (D) in general election for the seat being vacated by retiring Congressman Bud Cramer (D). MINNESOTA.
Candidate filing closed on Tuesday. Click here
to view the Minnesota US Senate and Congressional candidates.
A whopping 18 challengers filed to run against US Senator Norm
Coleman (R), including many of the colorful frequent candidates
who run for office every two years. As for US House races, voters
in CD-1, CD-3 and CD-6 will see competitive contests. US
SENATE. The latest independent polls for US Senate races. GOVERNOR.
The new independent polls for the gubernatorial contests. |
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seven
felony corruption charges, related to his allegedly making false
statements which hid his acceptance of over $250,000 in unreported
gifts from a federal contractor in exchange for steering tax dollars
to the contractor. The US Attorney's office explained they did
not file bribery charges because they did not have sufficient
evidence of a direct quid pro quo. Instead, prosecutors will argue
the contractor kept giving Stevens gifts -- like free renovation
construction work on his vacation home -- in exchange to Stevens
generally helping the business land more federal work. Stevens
quickly issued a statement proclaiming his innocence, making it
clear he intends to remain in his race for re-election. Recent
polls show Stevens trailing Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich (D) by
several points. Based upon the indictment, we now are moving this
contest into the "Leans DEM" category.
play
the "will he/won't he" game for naming a runningmate.
For a full week now -- and continuing even into the weekend --
they keep leaking rumors a VP announcement is imminent. Latest
rumor: McCain will tell his inner circle of his choice in private
on Sunday, with a Monday announcment. (Editor's Note: Yet
another "crying wolf" in a series of intentional false
leaks from the McCain camp to keep the "excitement"
up.) Of course, McCain faked Jindal, Pawlenty and Portman
VP announchements on various days last week. Also some
VP news in the other camp. Speaking on Meet the Press,
Barack Obama also discussed his ideal runningmate. Without giving
any hints, Obama said his VP choice will be someone with "integrity"
and "independence," with "a knowledge base or an
area of expertise" useful for governing. "I’m not interested
in a Vice President who I just send off to go to funerals. I want
somebody who’s going to be able to roll up their sleeves and really
do some work,” said Obama. Related note: Clinton loyalist and
former DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe weighed in with a strong endorsement
of Virginia Governor Tim Kaine as his suggestion for the VP slot.
The Falls Church News-Press reports McAuliffe was "adamant
in his recommendation" that Kaine should be the pick -- but
added he "supports whatever choice Senator Obama makes."
US
SENATE. Here are the latest independent polls for US
Senate races.
SERBIAN
WAR CRIMES. Congratulations to the Serbian government
for the surprise capture this week of genocidal mass-murderer
John
Edwards from the VP hopefuls list. The National Enquirer
secretly stalked Edwards with investigative reporters -- much
like the famous Miami Herald/Gary Hart encounter in 1987
-- until they apparently caught him sneaking out of his purported
girlfriend's room in a Los Angeles hotel at 2:40 am on Tuesday
morning. The newspaper again reported Edwards is the father of
the woman's infant child. Edwards' wife Elizabeth is terminally
ill with cancer. According to the newspaper, Edwards snuck in
through a side entrance, then went downstairs to avoid the lobby
and grab an elevator up, and then reversed the move when leaving.
When the reporters ambushed Edwards upon leaving the room, he
ran into a basement bathroom and remained holed up there for 15
minutes until hotel security was summoned to escort out the reporters.
VEEPSTAKES.
Conservative columnist Robert Novak is placing his reputation
on the line, boldly predicting that John McCain will likely announce
his VP runningmate this week. Novak said the move is intended
to dampen any positive press Barack Obama garners from his Middle
East and European trip this week. McCain is set to meet with Louisiana
Governor Bobby Jindal on Wednesday. McCain met with former NYC
Mayor Rudy Giuliani on Sunday. Mitt Romney's name also is frequently
mentioned as a possible runningmate. Is it all subterfuge? Possibly.
Just like Obama's three trips per day to the gym before departing
for his overseas trip -- which may well have been cover for secret
meetings with VP hopefuls. 
California
Secretary of State has decided to recognize former Ambassador
Alan Keyes -- a former three-time GOP Presidential hopeful --
as the American Independent Party (AIP) Presidential nominee on
the state's November ballot. The AIP is the state affiliate party
of the Constitution Party. The AIP split into two factions last
month, with the faction led by then-State Chairman Ed Noonan endorsing
Keyes for the ballot line. The other AIP faction -- the larger
bloc -- led by several other state party officers deposed Noonan
as Chair and endorsed Constitution nominee Chuck Baldwin for the
AIP ballot line. Both factions held small, rival conventions.
According to 
McCain's
campaign spokesperson issued a formal statement clarifying (i.e.,
changing) the candidate's position. The new stance: "McCain
could have been clearer in the interview in stating that his position
on gay adoption is that it is a state issue, just as he made it
clear in the interview that marriage is a state issue. He was
not endorsing any federal legislation. McCain's expressed his
personal preference for children to be raised by a mother and
a father wherever possible. However, as an adoptive father himself,
McCain believes children deserve loving and caring home environments,
and he recognizes that there are many abandoned children who have
yet to find homes. McCain believes that in those situations that
caring parental figures are better for the child than the alternative."
In other P2008 news, the Wall Street Journal reports
that the McCain campaign has not asked Minnesota Governor Tim
Pawlenty (R) for any financial records or documents -- seemingly
discrediting the rumors that Pawlenty is near the top of McCain's
VP short list.
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