SC
DEMS WON'T MOVE; UNRETIRING IN IL; BLOOMBERG DEFENDS IMMIGRANTS;
FOOD ON STICKS. SOUTH CAROLINA: While South Carolina Republicans have moved
up their Presidential primary to January 19, the SC Dems don't
plan to follow suit. SC Democratic Chair Carol Fowler told the
AP she has "no plans" to change the January 29 primary
date the Dems now share with Florida's party-crashing Presidential
primary. Fowler said she believed the SC Dems would lose all their
convention delegates if they advanced to any date ahead of the
DNC's officially sanctioned 1/29 date. ILLINOIS: Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D) is apparently
"rethinking his decision" to retire next year, according
to the Chicago Sun-Times. "I'm not going to lie to
you ... [I'm] thinking about it," said Gutierrez. Ten Chicago
elected officials last week signed a letter to Gutierrez urging
him to run again for the CD-4 seat. Four
elected officials are already announced candidates in the Dem
primary, including "Draft Gutierrez" letter co-signer
Chicago Alderman Ricardo Munoz. BLOOMBERG: Billionaire NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg (Independent)
jumped into the immigration fray this week as he continues to
slowly edge towards an Indy White House run. A few days ago, Mitt
Romney attacked Rudy Giuliani for purportedly making NYC a "sanctuary
city" for illegal immigrants. This week, Bloomberg shot back
with a strong defense of liberal immigration laws. "I can't
think of any laboratory that shows better why you need a stream
of immigrants than New York City ... [NYC's] low crime rate and
its thriving economy is evidence the city is doing something right
... If that isn't example enough as to why you need immigrants
coming in, I don't know what to tell anybody ... If they don't
believe that immigrants add a heck of a lot more than they cost
they just aren't looking at the numbers," said Bloomberg. FAVORITE REPORT OF THE DAY:The Sioux City Journal
wrote an account of US Senator Chris Dodd's (D) first visit this
week to the Iowa State Fair. Our favorite part of the article
was that Dodd "marveled at the number of food offerings on
a stick."
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.15.07 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH
ZONE.
Just thinking out loud here ... but I think actor and former US
Senator Fred Thompson's opportunity to grab
the GOP Presidential nomination has come and gone. Thompson's
exceedingly drawn-out "I'm still thinking about it"
act and lackadaisical stump style has gotten very old very fast.
Worse for Thompson, Mike Huckabee emerged this past weekend as
the leading social conservative in the race. And, like Thompson,
Huckabee is also a fellow Southerner. Think of the coverage of
this weekend's Ames Straw Poll: there was no public or media cry
of "If only Fred had competed...." or "... the
real winner here was Fred Thompson." Call Thompson the Wes
Clark of 2008, as I think his window has closed on a successful
run. Thompson may still jump in, but he missed his great opportunity
to vault into the first tier before a viable non-Rudy McRomney
emerged.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.15.07 | Permalink
|
TUESDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
ROVE
DEPARTS; HASTERT TO ANNOUNCE; ROWLAND RETURNS; BUSH VOWS NO RECESS
PICKS. WHITE HOUSE: Presidential political advisor Karl
Rove announced Monday he will leave his Senior Advisor position
in the Bush Administration at the end of the month to return home
to Texas. Count me among those who thinks this story -- getting
lots of media play -- is fairly insignificant. First, President
Bush and Rove remain very close, so he'll certainly still give
Bush regular political advice by phone instead of face-to-face.
Second, the President will continue to insist that everything
Rove did in the White House through the end of this month remains
protected from Congress and investigators by a sweeping claim
of Presidential immunity. Third, he'll certainly write a tell-no-secrets
book lauding the Bush years. Beyond that, his departure doesn't
seem to herald much beyond the loss of his White House title and
his physical situs. Rove -- who was always much more loyal to
President Bush than he was to the Republican Party as an entity
-- was best known as the architect of Bush's two successful Presidential
campaigns. ILLINOIS: Former US House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R) has
scheduled a "major announcement" for this Friday on
the courthouse steps in his hometown. Hastert's office says he
will announce his "re-election plans" for 2008. The
Politico reports it is expected to be a retirement announcement.
The seat is solidly Republican, so expect a crowded and competitive
GOP primary. Three Dems are already announced candidates for the
CD-14 seat. CONNECTICUT:Ever
wonder what happened to former Connecticut Governor and convicted
felon John Rowland (R) after his 2004 resignation and federal
prison term? Well, he's now touting himself as a for-hire "motivational
inspirational speaker." Click
here to see. "John Rowland’s insight into the challenges
of true leadership can inspire and motivate those who attend your
leadership forums, corporate meetings, and educational roundtables,"
says his website. The only significant change
I see between the Governor Rowland of 2002 and the former Governor
Rowland of 2007 is that now it is legal for him to be for-hire
by corporations, contractors and others. CONGRESS:Roll Call reports that US Senate Majority
Leader Harry Reid (D) and President Bush reached a quiet deal
to avert a heated fight over the President's history of making
recess appointments of controversial people to key federal positions.
A recess appointee can serve until the next Congress convenes
-- often a year or more later -- before requiring a confirmation
vote to continue. Reid had previously announced he would keep
the Senate operating by convening pro forma sessions every few
days so as to legally block Bush from making the recess appointments.
To avoid the public fight, Reid agreed to allow the Senate summer
recess to go forward without the frequent interruptions and President
Bush agreed he would make no recess appointments during the break.
Former United National Ambassador John Bolton was the most controversial
of these recent recess picks.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.14.07 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Your daily open thread.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.14.07 | Permalink
|
MONDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
TOMMY
QUITS; CRAIG PONDERS; NEW KY POLL; GOOD NEWS FOR LANDRIEU; GILMORE
TESTS. IOWA (R): After a dismal sixth-place showing in Saturday's
Ames GOP Straw Poll in Iowa, former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson
withdrew from the Presidential race on Sunday evening. "I
have no regrets about running," said Thompson, who said he
plans to return to the private sector. Retiring Congressman Duncan
Hunter -- who appears to largely be auditioning for a Cabinet
post in a future Republican
White House -- plans to keep going despite finishing behind two
candidates who didn't even participate in the event. "This
is just a start for us ... We look at this as a good start,"
Hunter told CNN of his 9th place (1.2%) finish. One sorta-loser
from the event is Senator Sam Brownback, who The Atlantic
reported spent "about $325,000" on the straw poll --
but still placed third behind vastly outspent social conservative
rival Mike Huckabee. "We had two fish and five loaves and
it fed 5,000," joked Huckabee of his respectable second place
finish. Huckabee's campaign lacked enough money to rent any buses
or air even a single TV spot in Iowa before the vote. Brownback,
meanwhile, said his showing was sufficient enough to continue
his campaign to the Iowa caucuses in January 2008. Mitt Romney
spent between $2-3 million in Iowa this year and outstaffed all
the other campaigns -- even renting an estimated 500 buses to
bring his Iowa supporters to the event -- and easily won first
place. Romney used his much anticipated first place finish to
take a shot at his three main rivals who skipped the event. "If
you can't compete in the heartland, if you can't compete in Iowa
in August, how are you going to compete in January when the caucuses
are held, and how are you going to compete in November of '08,"
Romney told Fox News. IDAHO: US Senator Larry Craig (R) told the Idaho Statesman
he will decide by mid-September whether he will retire next year
or seek another term. Craig has sounded like a possible retiree
with his vague remarks in recent months. Speaking with the newspaper,
Craig said he's tempted by the opportunity to earn at least a
$500,000 salary as a DC lobbyist and spend more time with his
family. "I haven't the foggiest idea" what Craig will
do, said State GOP Chair Kirk Sullivan. One group of Idaho Republicans
are concerned enough that they've launched a "Draft Craig"
group encouraging people to write the Senator and urge him to
run for re-elction. Those who know Craig say they believe the
postcards could help tip the balance in favor of running again.
Former Congressman Larry LaRocco (D) is already an announced candidate
for the seat. In related news, Congressman Mike Simpson (R) told
the newspaper he would not run for the US Senate seat if Craig
retired. Like Craig, he holds a seat on the powerful Appropriations
Committee, and Simpson explained he would not want to give up
his clout there for Idaho to seek the Senate seat. If Craig retires,
Lieutenant Governor Jim Risch appears to be the favorite to win
the GOP nomination for the seat. KENTUCKY: Yet another independent polls shows former Lieutenant
Governor Steve Beshear (D) leading Governor Ernie Fletcher (R)
by a wide margin. A new Lane Report/Preston-Osborne poll
shows Beshear leading Fletcher by a 49% to 31% vote. The Lane
Report is a Kentucky business magazine. LOUISIANA:
Congressman Richard Baker (R) confirmed he will not run against
US Senator Mary Landrieu (D) next year. "The Republicans
... see the Landrieu race as a competitive one and, at the moment,
I'm not so sure there's a candidate out there. But I can tell
you it is nothing I intend to take on," Baker told PoliticsLA.com.
Some believe State Treasurer John Kennedy (D) left enough wiggle
room in his re-election announcement last week to enable him to
switch parties and oppose Landrieu next year if he decides to
run. But Kennedy would not be able to begin to fundraise for the
contest or act like a US Senate candidate -- if he decides to
challenge Landrieu -- until after he wins his likely re-election
race this fall. VIRGINIA: Former Governor Jim Gilmore (R) -- who last month
exited the GOP Presidential race -- has already started criss-crossing
Virginia and contacting key party leaders to line up support for
a US Senate primary run next year against Congressman Tom Davis
(R). Most state leaders are expecting US Senator John Warner (R)
to announce his retirement next month. Gilmore -- a former Republican
National Chairman -- is significantly more conservative than Davis.
The more centrist Davis is viewed as Warner's preferred replacement.
Former Governor Mark Warner -- who exited the Presidential race
last year -- appears to be the likely Democratic nominee for the
seat if Senator Warner retires.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.13.07 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Your daily open thread.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.13.07 | Permalink
|
WEEKEND
NEWS UPDATE.
ROMNEY WINS AMES
STRAW POLL, HUCKABEE SECOND, FULL RESULTS. IOWA: As expected, former Massachusetts Governor
Mitt Romney won Saturday's influential Ames Straw Poll of GOP
Presidential candidates. The number of participants, however,
was much lighter than in past years. The results: Romney - 31.6%,
Mike Huckabee - 18.1%, Sam Brownback - 15.3%, Tom Tancredo - 13.7%,
Ron Paul - 9.1%, Tommy Thompson - 7.3%, Fred Thompson - 1.4%,
Rudy Giuliani - 1.3%, Duncan Hunter - 1.2%, John McCain - 0.7%,
John Cox - 0.3%. Huckabee and Brownback were each hoping to record
finishes significantly higher than each other, as both men are
essentially campaigning for the same block of social conservative
voters. These numbers ensure both men will continue forward. Tancredo
and Paul both scored decent tallies, and both were expected to
continue their campaigns regardless of outcome. For Tommy Thompson,
this vote was the end of the line for his campaign. He vowed to
quit the race if he placed worse than second -- and a sixth place
finish certainly qualifies as his reason for exiting. Fred Thompson,
McCain and Giuliani did not participate so their totals will have
no impact on their campaigns. However, Congressman Duncan Hunter
may be another candidate knocked from the race by this straw poll.
Finishing behind two non-participants should be sufficient reason
for Hunter to "reevaluate" his campaign. Wealthy attorney
John Cox spent extensively in the state but he remains a non-factor
in the big picture.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.12.07 | Permalink
|
FRIDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
NEW IOWA POLL ON
EVE OF STRAW POLL; TOMMY RAISES BAR; TOP LANDRIEU CHALLENGER WON'T
RUN. IOWA (R): A new University of Iowa poll of likely Iowa
GOP caucus participants shows Mitt Romney continues to hold a
commanding lead in the state. By contrast, the Democratic race
remains a virtual three-way tie. The GOP numbers: Romney - 27%,
Rudy Giuliani - 11%, Fred Thompson - 7%, Sam Brownback and Tom
Tancredo tied with 4% each, Mike Huckabee and John McCain tied
with 3% each,Others - 10%. Talk about a total collapse, but did
anyone ever think we'd see the day McCain was polling at a negligible
3%. The Dem numbers: Hillary Clinton - 27%, Barack Obama and John
Edwards tied with 22% each, Bill Richardson - 9%, Others - 4%.
When the respondents are limited to "most likely" caucus
participants,
Edwards moves into a narrow first over Clinton, with Obama slipping
a few points back to third place. TOMMY THOMPSON: Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson
(R) has raised the bar even higher on his requirements to continue
his campaign beyond this Saturday's Ames GOP Straw Poll. In an
email to Iowa supporters on Thursday, Thompson's campaign manager
wrote that "Tommy Thompson has made it clear that if he doesn’t
finish first or second this week in Ames, Iowa at the straw poll,
he will not go on in this race." First or second place ...
or out? Well, if that's the case, then Thompson is a "dead
man walking." That's why we posted Tommy's picture today,
as this may be your last time seeing him featured here. LOUISIANA: State Treasurer John Kennedy (D) announced Thursday
he will seek re-election this year and not run for US Senate in
2008. "I have decided that I can serve the State of Louisiana
best by offering myself for another term as State Treasurer this
fall ... In the end, it was a personal and family decision,"
explained Kennedy. White House political advisor Karl Rove had
openly worked to recruit Kennedy to switch parties and challenge
US Senator Mary Landrieu (D). With Kennedy out, it looks unlikely
the GOP will field any first-tier candidate against Landrieu.
Some have mentioned Congressman Richard Baker (R) as a possible
challenger, but he appears unlikely to run.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.10.07 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Seeing the first debate
Thursday night sponsored by LOGO and HRC and devoted entirely
to LGBT issues was a great thing. On the LGBT issues -- particularly
gay marriage -- I remain underwhelmed with the frontrunners. Kudos
to Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich for being willing to openly
say what most of the other likely believe but lack the courage
to express. I'm simply no longer willing to compromise or bargain
away my demand for equal rights.
Nearly equal rights are simply NOT equal rights. Why is it Americans
continue to be so squeamish on this issue while Canadians -- our
neighbors to the north who share very similar cultural and political
histories -- have been able to easily embrace true equality for
all? And, for those of you who disagree with me, I'm very willing
to listen to your arguments about the need to defend "the
sanctity of marriage" ... right after you endorse a constitutional
amendment to ban all divorces. While you're at it, see if you
can get Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson, John McCain, and Newt Gingrich
to help promote that cause.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.10.07 | Permalink
|
THURSDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
NO EARLY AFL-CIO
ENDORSEMENT; SC, NH, IA TO SHIFT DATES; FLETCHER FACES BLOW-OUT
LOSS. AFL-CIO: One day after the Democratic candidates debated
in Chicago before a large crowd of AFL-CIO members, the national
labor federation announced it would not endorse any candidate
for President at this time. "There is not a consensus candidate,"
explained AFL-CIO Political Director Karen Ackerman. Instead,
the group will make an endorsement at some later, unspecified
date. Each of the 55 national unions which comprise the AFL-CIO
are now free to individually endorse Presidential candidates.
SOUTH CAROLINA (AND IA, NH and FL): The South Carolina
Republican Party has decided to advance the state's primary to
January 19. The move came in direct response to Florida's recent
advancement of their primary date to January 29 -- which had previously
been reserved exclusively for South Carolina. New Hampshire is
certain to now select a date at least one week in advance of the
South Carolina date. In a sign the SC move is being directly coordinated
with NH officials, SC GOP Chair Katon Dawson will make the official
announcement on Thursday in New Hampshire -- and he'll be joined
by NH Secretary of State Bill Gardner. In the chain reaction,
Iowa will ultimately select a caucus date ahead of NH's primary
date -- a date which may possibly fall as early as a week before
Christmas. Meanwhile, it is starting to appear the two major national
parties are backing away from their vocal threats to punish Florida
with a cut in delegates for breaking the officially sanctioned
primary schedule by moving the primary of January 29. The DNC
will later this month vote on a proposal to grant a one-state
exemption for Florida to allow it to retain it's full complement
of convention delegates. On the GOP side, State Republican Chair
Jim Greer said he plans to call the RNC's sanctions bluff to cut
the delegate tally in half. "I intend to take our full slate
of delegates to the convention, and I will let the Republican
National Committee tell them they can’t be seated,"
said Greer. KENTUCKY: Former Lieutenant Governor Steve Beshear (D)
continues to lead embattled Governor Ernie Fletcher (R) by a lopsided
margin, according to the latest independent polling. A new WHAS-TV/SurveyUSA
poll shows Beshear leading Fletcher by a 58% to 37% vote.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.09.07 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Your daily open thread.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.09.07 | Permalink
|
WEDNESDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
NEWT TALKS AND TALKS
AND TALKS; RICHARDSON'S HEALTH PLAN; MS PRIMARY RESULTS. GINGRICH: Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) promises
to make an official announcement on whether he will run for President
by October at the latest. As we previously mentioned, the countdown
clock on bottom of his leadership PAC website
shows Gingrich plans to make his announcement of -- well, whatever
-- on September 27. More interestingly, Gingrich and former journalist
Marvin Kalb -- speaking Tuesday at the National Press Club --
are asking all of the Presidential candidates to agree to participate
in nine 90-minute Lincoln-Douglas style debates during the Sundays
between Labor Day and Election Day 2008 if they win their party’s
nomination. Gingrich also said the GOP now has "four very
serious Republican candidates who could be very formidable next
year: Mayor Giuliani, Governor Romney, Senator Thompson, and Governor
Huckabee." Gingrich went on to single out Huckabee for extra
praise, saying he will emerge as the major dark horse candidate
for the nomination because of his "authenticity and sincerity
and candor." Gingrich also prognosticated on the Democratic
race, saying Hillary Clinton is "a very formidable professional."
Any Republican who believes Clinton will be weak in the general
election "is just wrong," he said. As for himself, Gingrich
says it is not too late to enter the race as "I think it
is proven I'm candidate material" and most Iowa and New Hampshire
voters won't commit to a candidate until after Christmas. Gingrich
took a direct shot at billionaire NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg's potential
Indy run, saying that "third party candidates who purchase
the election violate the entire spirit of the United States."
Finally, in separate comments to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
Gingrich predicted the Dems will ultimately win in 2008. "The
odds are fairly significant that that the left will win next year.
My personal bet is that it’ll be a Clinton-Obama ticket.
I think they have a very high likelihood of winning," he
prognosticated, because President Bush on Iraq "cannot ...
master the art that Reagan had and that Lincoln had, of talking
to the American people in a form in which they are comfortable." RICHARDSON: Governor Bill Richardson
(D) unveiled his universal health care plan on Tuesday that he
says will make health care "affordable" to all, preserve
quality of care, and preserve patient choice. Richardson's plan
creates five different options to cover people based on age and
economic status. Families and businesses will share the costs
of the plan. You can read more about it here. MISSISSIPPI: Primary voters cast ballots on Tuesday, setting
up a general election gubernatorial contest between Governor Haley
Barbour (R) and wealthy attorney John Arthur Eaves Jr. (D). Barbour
easily won his GOP primary by a lopsided 92%-8% vote over political
unknown Fred Thomas. Eaves easily defeated three rivals, capturing
72% of the primary vote. Barbour said the general election will
be a choice between a choice "between conservative Republicans
versus liberal Democrats." By contract, Eaves said he plans
to keep talking about "the money changers -- big tobacco,
insurance and oil companies" who he claims own Barbour. The
incumbent is a fairly safe bet to win reelection in November.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.08.07 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Your daily open thread.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.08.07 | Permalink
|
TUESDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
DEMS SCORE US SEN
CHALLENGERS IN OK & KY; FL PRIMARY NEWS; JOHN WARNER RETIREMENT? OKLAHOMA: The Democrats
finally have a candidate against US Senator Jim Inhofe (R) for
next year. State Senator Andrew Rice (D) announced his candidacy
this week against the ultra-conservative incumbent. Rice, a Harvard
Divinty School graduate and former Third World NGO staffer, is
a vocal progressive activist. Based upon Oklahoma's conservative
voting history, Inhofe starts the race as a heavy favorite. However,
the Dems swept 8 of the 9 statewide offices on the Oklahoma ballot
in 2006. KENTUCKY: The Dems apparently have also recruited a viable
candidate against US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R)
next year. Attorney General Greg Stumbo (D) this weekend launched
an exploratory committee for the Senate seat. Spoofing McConnell's
1984 TV spots of hounds searching for the Democratic junketeering
then-incumbent, Stumbo attended with two bloodhounds of his own.
Stumbo's campaign banners pictured the two dogs and the slogan
"Hunting for a Real U.S. Senator." Supporters of embattled
Governor Ernie Fletcher (R) are also looking to field a GOP primary
opponent to McConnell, who encouraged the unsuccessful gubernatorial
primary challenge earlier this year to Fletcher. FLORIDA: The Florida Democratic Party is now requesting
the Florida Legislature push the state's Presidential primary
from January 29 back to February 5. This move is in direct response
to the DNC's announced plan to strip Florida of nearly all convention
delegates for breaking the DNC/RNC officially sanctioned primary
schedule. The
chances of the GOP-controlled Legislature taking this issue up
in the fall special session is zero. What could change the dynamics
of the DNC threat is if Ohio moves forward to January 29 and likewise
breaks the schedule. When faced with rebellion by two key swing
states, it would then be a question of finding a compromise everyone
could live with. VIRGINIA: Conservative columnist Robert Novak reported
that top Virginia Republican Party leaders are preparing for what
they believe will be 80-year-old US Senator John Warner's (R)
retirement announcement next month. Novak said GOP leaders have
resigned themselves to former Governor Mark Warner (D) winning
the seat. Senator Warner is thought to be helping Congressman
Tom Davis (R) prepare to seek the Senate seat. Some conservatives
are unhappy with Davis, fearing he is "too moderate."
They are trying to encourage a conservative to challenge Davis
in the GOP primary.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.07.07 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Your daily open thread.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.07.07 | Permalink
|
WANNA
TRADE?
I'm interested in building up my collection of Canadian campaign
buttons. If you've got Canadian political buttons to
trade, I'm interesting in swapping with you for some great US
pins. Please drop me
a note!
MONDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
ROMNEY LEADS IN
IOWA, DEMS IN 3-WAY TIE; NUNN-BLOOMBERG; MORE STEVENS PROBLEMS. IOWA (R): A new Washington Post/ABC News poll of
likely Iowa
GOP caucus participants finds Mitt Romney continuing to hold onto
a solid lead in the state. The numbers: Romney - 25%, Rudy Giuliani
- 14%, Fred Thompson - 13%, Mike Huckabee and John McCain tied
with 8% each, Sam Brownback and Tom Tancredo tied with 5% each,
Newt Gingrich and Tommy Thompson tied with 4% each, Ron Paul -
2%, Duncan Hunter - 1%, Others - 1%. If these numbers are any
reflection of the likely attendees at the Ames Straw Poll on Saturday,
we're probably seeing the final days of Tommy Thompson's campaign.
The former Wisconsin Governor has promised to quit the race if
he does not finish at least third in the straw poll. In related
news, the GOP hopefuls debated on ABC Sunday, with most of the
real fire being exchanged between frontrunner Romney and his various
rivals. IOWA (D): The Washington Post/ABC News poll of likely
Iowa Democratic shows a three-way tie for first place -- with
both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton erasing John Edwards' lead
in the state. The numbers: Obama - 27%, Clinton and Edwards tied
with 26% apiece, Bill Richardson - 11%, Joe Biden and Dennis Kucinich
tied at 2% each, and Chris Dodd - 1%. Also worth noting is the
slow but steady rise of Richardson in recent Iowa polling. BLOOMBERG:
Former US Senator Sam Nunn (D-GA), 68, told the AP he recently
spoke to NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg about the need for a viable
Independent Presidential candidate next year. "I've told
[Bloomberg] ... it may be time for some serious people to look
at what I call a time-out and having people of good faith in the
Democratic and Republican parties to come together and address
the issues that the parties don't seem to want to address ...
We have not discussed any kind of joint strategy. I have just
had conversations with him," said Nunn. He implied the discussion
was to encourage a Bloomberg run, but said he would consider an
Indy running for President himself next year if Bloomberg doesn't
run. Nunn is not, however, interested in being Bloomberg's runningmate.
"The only thing I would consider would be running for the
big office," he explained. Nunn, who retired in 1996, was
a favorite of President Reagan because of his strong support for
increased military spending and willingness to help assemble bipartisan
coalitions in Congress. ALASKA:Roll Call reported that federal prosecutors
have found more corruption issues involving US Senator Ted Stevens
(R). According to the newspaper, Stevens used a Senate employee
as his personal bookkeeper but did not appear to pay her for any
of those services out of his own pocket -- although the aide collected
more than a quarter-million dollars in federal pay. The aide has
been subpoenaed before the grand jury. Former State Senate President
Mike Miller (R) recently acknowledged he was considering making
a primary challenge against Stevens next year, and said he believes
other Republicans were also looking at the race.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.06.07 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Your daily open thread ... Also: Please take our Blog
Reader Project Survey. Beyond the first page of the survey
-- which we need you to answer -- after than just answer the questions
you'd like and skip the ones to want to skip. It will give us
the first chance to get an accurate, detailed profile of our readers.
Once we get a good amount of results, I'll post a link here so
you can view the results too. Thanks for your help!
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.06.07 | Permalink
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FRIDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
HUCK
& SAM BRAWL HEATS UP; RENZI MAY RETIRE; COLEMAN LOSES GROUND;
OREGON US SEN RACE. P2008: The conservative Club for Growth made
an $85,000 Iowa TV ad buy in Des Moines/Ames market for an attack
spot against former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee (R). The spot
-- named "Bill
Clinton or Mike Huckabee" -- trashes Huckabee as tax-and-spend
liberal. The spot is clearly seeking to knock Huckabee out of
the P2008 race, as he's vowed to quit if he finishes worse than
fourth place in the Ames Straw Poll on August 11. In related news,
the religious spat between Huckabee and US Senator Sam Brownback
(R) is heating up. Brownback was angered earlier this week for
a mass email a prominent Huckabee supporters sent to Iowa GOP
evangelicals attacking Brownback for his conversation to Catholicism.
Huckabee is a Baptist minister and former President of the Arkansas
Baptist State Convention. The evangelical Huckabee supporter later
apologized, and Huckabee told the media he was "glad"
the pastor apologized. That wasn't good enough for Brownback,
who loudly demanded that Huckabee issue a personal apology disavowing
the remarks. On Thursday, Huckabee fired back. Huckabee's campaign
spokesman said Brownback should "stop whining" and start
showing some "Christian character." He further said
the call for a direct apology was "silly" and that Brownback's
reaction raises questions about whether the Kansan is "tough
enough to be President."
ARIZONA: Congressman Rick Renzi (R-AZ), the target of an ongoing
federal corruption probe, will announce this month if he plans
to seek re-election next year, according to Roll Call.
The newspaper reported Renzi "appears to be leaning toward
the exit door rather than seeking a fourth term." An
open seat contest would be highly competitive next year in this
swing district. OREGON: The DSCC struck out attempting to recruit their
first, second and third choice challengers against US Senator
Gordon Smith (R) next year, but at least the Dems finally have
a viable candidate. State
House Speaker Jeff Merkley (D) this week announced his candidacy
for the Senate seat. "I’m running for US Senate because
I believe ... George Bush and Gordon Smith are leading us in the
wrong direction," said Merkley. Other announced Democratic
candidates include progressive attorney Steve Novick, businessman
Ty Pettit and perennial gadfly candidate Pavel Goberman. Smith
starts the contest as a healthy favorite over Merkley, but the
state's strong Dem tilt could turn this into a competitive race. MINNESOTA: A new KSTP-TV/SurveyUSA poll this week shows
US Senator Norm Coleman (R) leading his various Democratic challengers,
but by significantly closer margins than those in this same poll
just a few months ago. While Coleman led comic and radio talk
show host Al Franken (D) by 22 points in the previous poll, Coleman
now leads Franken by a much closer vote of 49% to 42%. Coleman
leads wealthy trial attorney Mike Ciresi (D) by a 48% to 42% vote.
Coleman was unable to break the 50% mark even against a low name-ID
candidate like environmental activist Jim Cohen (D). The numbers:
Coleman - 49%, Cohen - 37% vote.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.03.07 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Your daily open thread.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.03.07 | Permalink
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THURSDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
RUDE
RELIGIOUS FIGHT; FRED'S MONEY; PLAN TO FEDERALIZE FUTURE PREZ
PRIMARIES. IOWA STRAW POLL: With less than two weeks until the influential
Ames Straw Poll in Iowa, the GOP Presidential contest is getting
nasty. Pastor Tim Rude, an activist with the Mike Huckabee campaign,
sent an email to evangelical leaders in Iowa attacking Sam Brownback
for his conversion to Catholicism. While Rude later apologized
for the comments, and Huckabee said he was pleased that Rude apologized,
Huckabee has resisted Brownback's demand to take responsibility
for the attack and directly apologize for it. "Our question
is -- Governor Huckabee himself -- does he think what Pastor Rude
himself says was wrong? Do they agree that the substance of his
remarks were prejudiced, anti-Catholic or inappropriate,"
asked a Brownback spokesman. THOMPSON:USA Today reported that Fred Thompson's
fundraising numbers are finally out. His committee reported to
the IRS -- not the FEC, as Thompson is not yet officially a political
candidate -- that it raised $3.4 million in June. More than one
third of the money came from Thompson's former homestate of Tennessee.
The total fell short of the announced $5 million goal for the
month, but was not bad when compared to several of the rival campaigns. P2012: Three
US Senators are out with an innovative plan to change the Presidential
primary process in future years. The bipartisan trio want to end
the frontloaded primary calendar. US Senators Joe Lieberman (I-CT),
Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) are the sponsors
of the proposal to mandate a federally regulated Presidential
primary calendar starting in 2012. The plan would preserve the
first-in-the-nation status of the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire
primary. Following IA and NH would be four regional contests --
South, Northeast, Midwest and West -- being held once a month
and determined by a random drawing. Expect much opposition to
the idea, but I think it's worth a look.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.02.07 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
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Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.02.07 | Permalink
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WEDNESDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
SHORT
TAKES.
I'm home --
after spending nearly all of Tuesday traveling back -- but I'm
just giving you some quick takes on the news ... Congressional
Dems are openly talking about the possibility of holding impeachment
hearings for Attorney
General Al Gonzales over the political firing of several US Attorneys
and the subsequent purported cover-up and perjury before Congress
... FBI and IRS agents raided the Alaska home of US Senator Ted
Stevens (R), searching for evidence he accepted gifts and other
unlawful favors from federal contractors. Stevens, as former Chair
of the Senate Appropriations Committee, reportedly helped steer
lucrative contracts to the companies. Some individuals targeted
in the federal probe have already pled guilty and are cooperating
with the investigators. News reports indicate the FBI believe
the alleged bribes and kickbacks were given in the form of very
expensive bottles of vintage wine and home improvements ... Congressman
Ray LaHood (R-IL) announced his retirement. The news had been
expected for a few months. While the CD-18 seat has the potential
to be competitive, the GOP would be favored to hold the seat based
upon the district's recent voting history.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.01.07 | Permalink
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Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.01.07 | Permalink
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Four
elected officials are already announced candidates in the Dem
primary, including "Draft Gutierrez" letter co-signer
Chicago Alderman Ricardo Munoz. 
SPEECH
ZONE.
Karl
Rove announced Monday he will leave his Senior Advisor position
in the Bush Administration at the end of the month to return home
to Texas. Count me among those who thinks this story -- getting
lots of media play -- is fairly insignificant. First, President
Bush and Rove remain very close, so he'll certainly still give
Bush regular political advice by phone instead of face-to-face.
Second, the President will continue to insist that everything
Rove did in the White House through the end of this month remains
protected from Congress and investigators by a sweeping claim
of Presidential immunity. Third, he'll certainly write a tell-no-secrets
book lauding the Bush years. Beyond that, his departure doesn't
seem to herald much beyond the loss of his White House title and
his physical situs. Rove -- who was always much more loyal to
President Bush than he was to the Republican Party as an entity
-- was best known as the architect of Bush's two successful Presidential
campaigns. 
Ever
wonder what happened to former Connecticut Governor and convicted
felon John Rowland (R) after his 2004 resignation and federal
prison term? Well, he's now touting himself as a for-hire "motivational
inspirational speaker." 
Republican
White House -- plans to keep going despite finishing behind two
candidates who didn't even participate in the event. "This
is just a start for us ... We look at this as a good start,"
Hunter told CNN of his 9th place (1.2%) finish. One sorta-loser
from the event is Senator Sam Brownback, who The Atlantic
reported spent "about $325,000" on the straw poll --
but still placed third behind vastly outspent social conservative
rival Mike Huckabee. "We had two fish and five loaves and
it fed 5,000," joked Huckabee of his respectable second place
finish. Huckabee's campaign lacked enough money to rent any buses
or air even a single TV spot in Iowa before the vote. Brownback,
meanwhile, said his showing was sufficient enough to continue
his campaign to the Iowa caucuses in January 2008. Mitt Romney
spent between $2-3 million in Iowa this year and outstaffed all
the other campaigns -- even renting an estimated 500 buses to
bring his Iowa supporters to the event -- and easily won first
place. Romney used his much anticipated first place finish to
take a shot at his three main rivals who skipped the event. "If
you can't compete in the heartland, if you can't compete in Iowa
in August, how are you going to compete in January when the caucuses
are held, and how are you going to compete in November of '08,"
Romney told Fox News. 
LOUISIANA:
Congressman Richard Baker (R) confirmed he will not run against
US Senator Mary Landrieu (D) next year. "The Republicans
... see the Landrieu race as a competitive one and, at the moment,
I'm not so sure there's a candidate out there. But I can tell
you it is nothing I intend to take on," Baker told PoliticsLA.com.
Some believe State Treasurer John Kennedy (D) left enough wiggle
room in his re-election announcement last week to enable him to
switch parties and oppose Landrieu next year if he decides to
run. But Kennedy would not be able to begin to fundraise for the
contest or act like a US Senate candidate -- if he decides to
challenge Landrieu -- until after he wins his likely re-election
race this fall.
Governor
Mitt Romney won Saturday's influential Ames Straw Poll of GOP
Presidential candidates. The number of participants, however,
was much lighter than in past years. The results: Romney - 31.6%,
Mike Huckabee - 18.1%, Sam Brownback - 15.3%, Tom Tancredo - 13.7%,
Ron Paul - 9.1%, Tommy Thompson - 7.3%, Fred Thompson - 1.4%,
Rudy Giuliani - 1.3%, Duncan Hunter - 1.2%, John McCain - 0.7%,
John Cox - 0.3%. Huckabee and Brownback were each hoping to record
finishes significantly higher than each other, as both men are
essentially campaigning for the same block of social conservative
voters. These numbers ensure both men will continue forward. Tancredo
and Paul both scored decent tallies, and both were expected to
continue their campaigns regardless of outcome. For Tommy Thompson,
this vote was the end of the line for his campaign. He vowed to
quit the race if he placed worse than second -- and a sixth place
finish certainly qualifies as his reason for exiting. Fred Thompson,
McCain and Giuliani did not participate so their totals will have
no impact on their campaigns. However, Congressman Duncan Hunter
may be another candidate knocked from the race by this straw poll.
Finishing behind two non-participants should be sufficient reason
for Hunter to "reevaluate" his campaign. Wealthy attorney
John Cox spent extensively in the state but he remains a non-factor
in the big picture.
participants,
Edwards moves into a narrow first over Clinton, with Obama slipping
a few points back to third place.
debate
Thursday night sponsored by LOGO and HRC and devoted entirely
to LGBT issues was a great thing. On the LGBT issues -- particularly
gay marriage -- I remain underwhelmed with the frontrunners. Kudos
to Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich for being willing to openly
say what most of the other likely believe but lack the courage
to express. I'm simply no longer willing to compromise or bargain
away my demand for equal rights.
Nearly equal rights are simply NOT equal rights. Why is it Americans
continue to be so squeamish on this issue while Canadians -- our
neighbors to the north who share very similar cultural and political
histories -- have been able to easily embrace true equality for
all? And, for those of you who disagree with me, I'm very willing
to listen to your arguments about the need to defend "the
sanctity of marriage" ... right after you endorse a constitutional
amendment to ban all divorces. While you're at it, see if you
can get Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson, John McCain, and Newt Gingrich
to help promote that cause.
debated
in Chicago before a large crowd of AFL-CIO members, the national
labor federation announced it would not endorse any candidate
for President at this time. "There is not a consensus candidate,"
explained AFL-CIO Political Director Karen Ackerman. Instead,
the group will make an endorsement at some later, unspecified
date. Each of the 55 national unions which comprise the AFL-CIO
are now free to individually endorse Presidential candidates.
complement
of convention delegates. On the GOP side, State Republican Chair
Jim Greer said he plans to call the RNC's sanctions bluff to cut
the delegate tally in half. "I intend to take our full slate
of delegates to the convention, and I will let the Republican
National Committee tell them they can’t be seated,"
said Greer.
countdown
clock on bottom of his leadership PAC 
Richardson
(D) unveiled his universal health care plan on Tuesday that he
says will make health care "affordable" to all, preserve
quality of care, and preserve patient choice. Richardson's plan
creates five different options to cover people based on age and
economic status. Families and businesses will share the costs
of the plan. You can read more about it 
Democrats
finally have a candidate against US Senator Jim Inhofe (R) for
next year. State Senator Andrew Rice (D) announced his candidacy
this week against the ultra-conservative incumbent. Rice, a Harvard
Divinty School graduate and former Third World NGO staffer, is
a vocal progressive activist. Based upon Oklahoma's conservative
voting history, Inhofe starts the race as a heavy favorite. However,
the Dems swept 8 of the 9 statewide offices on the Oklahoma ballot
in 2006.
The
chances of the GOP-controlled Legislature taking this issue up
in the fall special session is zero. What could change the dynamics
of the DNC threat is if Ohio moves forward to January 29 and likewise
breaks the schedule. When faced with rebellion by two key swing
states, it would then be a question of finding a compromise everyone
could live with.
An
open seat contest would be highly competitive next year in this
swing district. 
campaign,
sent an email to evangelical leaders in Iowa attacking Sam Brownback
for his conversion to Catholicism. While Rude later apologized
for the comments, and Huckabee said he was pleased that Rude apologized,
Huckabee has resisted Brownback's demand to take responsibility
for the attack and directly apologize for it. "Our question
is -- Governor Huckabee himself -- does he think what Pastor Rude
himself says was wrong? Do they agree that the substance of his
remarks were prejudiced, anti-Catholic or inappropriate,"
asked a Brownback spokesman. 
Attorney
General Al Gonzales over the political firing of several US Attorneys
and the subsequent purported cover-up and perjury before Congress
... FBI and IRS agents raided the Alaska home of US Senator Ted
Stevens (R), searching for evidence he accepted gifts and other
unlawful favors from federal contractors. Stevens, as former Chair
of the Senate Appropriations Committee, reportedly helped steer
lucrative contracts to the companies. Some individuals targeted
in the federal probe have already pled guilty and are cooperating
with the investigators. News reports indicate the FBI believe
the alleged bribes and kickbacks were given in the form of very
expensive bottles of vintage wine and home improvements ... Congressman
Ray LaHood (R-IL) announced his retirement. The news had been
expected for a few months. While the CD-18 seat has the potential
to be competitive, the GOP would be favored to hold the seat based
upon the district's recent voting history.
