The Most Comprehensive Online Guide to American Politics
|
DIRECTORY:
Home | The Presidency
| P2004 Race | State/Fed Candidates | Political Parties
Calendar | Campaign Products & Services | Issues | Blog Archive | News Links | Job Bank FAQ | Campaign Buttons | Bookstore | Awards | Advertise | About Us | Email Us |
|
BLOG
ARCHIVE:
POLITICAL BLOG ROLL: KINDA
NEUTRAL: DEM/LEFT: GOP/RIGHT:
|
TUESDAY
PRIMARY RESULTS: DC'S BARRY IS BACK, BUT NO OTHER SUPRISES. Primary
voters went to the polls in nine states and DC on Tuesday. Here
are some of the highlights. NEW YORK: In CD-11,
Congressman Major Owens (D) won 45% to surive a primary challenge
in his final run for re-election from two New York City Councilwomen.
His nearest opponent scord 28%. In CD-24, moderate Congressman
Sherry Boehlert (R) comfortably fended off a spirited challenge
from conservative Cayuga County Legislator David Walrath by a
16-point margin. NADER
SORTA BACK ON TRACKING
THE BATTLEGROUND STATES ... AND THE FL & OK SENATE RACES.
WEDNESDAY
OPEN THREAD. So as to avoid controversies close to home in
my "real life," I've decided on a new policy: I'll gladly
offer articles and opinions on races at the congressional, TUESDAY
IS THE "SUPER TUESDAY" OF STATE PRIMARIES. Primary
voters go to the polls in nine states and DC tomorrow to select
nominees in several hotly contested races. Here are some of the
key races to watch. NEW YORK: In CD-11, Congressman
Major Owens (D) must fend off a feisty primary challenge from
two New York City Councilwomen -- but, with the opposition split,
Owens looks well-positioned to hold on for what he has promised
will be his final run. In CD-24, moderate Congressman Sherry Boehlert
(R) is facing an aggressive rematch from conservative Cayuga County
Legislator David Walrath. The pro-life Walrath nearly defeated
the pro-choice Boehlert two years ago. In CD-27, Democrats will
select a nominee for this competitive open swing seat.
WOULD
YOU CALL THAT AN ENDORSEMENT? In COLORFUL
STATE CANDIDATES. Washington State's easy ballot access laws
produces crowded ballots, and also draws out the gadflies and
eccentrics that make races fun to watch. Perennial candidate Mike
The Mover (D) -- a moving company owner who actually changed his
name to that of his company -- is yet again running for Governor
to generate publicity for his business. Will Baker is the GOP
nominee for State Auditor. The state party accepted his offer
to run and filed the paperwork after the close of filing, when
no one else ran. Since then, they've sadly learned Baker has more
than a dozen past arrests for disrupting Tacoma City Council meetings
and talks about child porn and murder/suicide conspiracy theories.
Once party leaders learned his history, they tried to dump Baker
from the ballot -- but it was too late to withdraw his candidacy.
Yet another one talks about starting to colonize space by placing
lots of humans into earth orbit on satellite bases. You get the
idea. TUESDAY
OPEN THREAD. Expiration of the assault weapons ban ... real
or fake Vietnam-era service records ... the multiple-count felony
indictment a few days ago of recently resigned Congressman Frank
Ballance (D-NC) on corruption charges ... or anything else. So,
what's on your mind? NADER
TRACKING
THE BATTLEGROUND STATES. In Missouri, the new KSDK-TV/SurveyUSA
poll shows the state remains close. The numbers: Bush-48%, Kerry-46%.
In Pennsylvania, the latest WCAU-TV/SurveyUSA tracking poll shows
Kerry leading Bush by a 49% to 47% vote. In Maine, the new Portland Press Herald/Zogby poll showed Bush moved into a tie with Kerry. The numbers: Kerry and Bush tied at 43% each, Nader-3%. In Ohio, the new Columbus Dispatch/WBNS-TV poll also revealed a tied race in that state. The stats: Bush and Kerry tied at 46% apiece, Nader-2%.
IN,
KY, MO, PA & SC SENATE CONTEST THE 1/23 MARINES TAKE CHARGE. Special correspondent Lt. James Crabtree of our "adopted" 1/23 Marines in Iraq updates us on their transfer ceremony, visiting dignitaries, local customs, and a reminder of the dangers faced:
If
you'd like to send the 1/23d any care packages (food items that
won't melt, batteries, books, magazine, baby wipes, etc.), please
address the packages to Lt Crabtree, 1/23 H&S Co, Unit 41900,
FPO, AP 96426-1900 ... and James will ensure that whatever
you ship gets distributed to the Marines in the 1/23. If you'd
like to read more about our adopted 1/23 Marine battalion in Iraq,
please click here. FYI: I found another
site that has a good
history (with a few pix) of the Al-Asad Airbase where the
1/23 are stationed. MONDAY
OPEN THREAD. Hurricane Ivan took a wide swing to the west
over the past three days so, thankfully, we're still here and
happily online. That said, have at it on anything you'd like to
discuss. WEEKEND
OPEN THREAD. Couldn't find any new movies to go see this weekend
(at least, not any that appeared worth going to see) ... so no
movie review this weekend. As for politics, you pick the topics. TRACKING
THE BATTLEGROUND STATES ... AND NADER NEWS. Ohio is still
a tight contest, according to the new WCPO-TV/SurveyUSA poll of
likely voters. The numbers: Bush-50%, Kerry-47%. In North Carolina,
the latest WTVD-TV/SurveyUSA poll shows the Tarheel State equally
competitive.
NC,
OH & CA CONTEST UPDATES. In NEW
FRIDAY
OPEN THREAD. News tip: The same gay activist who last week
successfully outed two-term Congressman Ed Schrock (R-VA) as gay
is apparently on the verge of outing a high-ranking member of
the US House GOP Leadership as gay next week. Other news: Hurricane
Ivan is a very, very scary storm and -- while this comment
is selfish -- I hope it heads anywhere except here in South Florida
(which is currently a likely target). If a "Doomsday Storm"
like that Category 5 one is still pointed at us later this weekend,
it may be the first time I will ever leave Florida to a avoid
a hurricane. But, if that happens, I'll bring my laptop on the
road trip so I can stay connected with you folks. TRACKING
THE BATTLEGROUND STATES. WILL
THE ENTIRE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION COME DOWN TO THIS ONE GUY'S VOTE?
An act of party unity and magnanimity is coming back to haunt
the West Virginia Republican Party. THURSDAY
OPEN THREAD. Hurricane Frances is gone and we've got electricity
again ... but now it appears we are again within the projected
track of yet another very dangerous hurricane. Hurricane Ivan
appears to be about five days away, so there is still plenty of
time to have it go in some other (ANY other) direction. INCUMBENTS
CRUISE TO SOLID WINS IN ARIZONA PRIMARY. My electricity is
finally on again after four days of darkness, thanks to Hurricane
Frances. That said, let's get on with the latest political news.
Despite several high profile and well-financed challenges, Arizona's
incumbents scored strong primary wins yesterday.
NEVADA
PRIMARY RESULTS. Tuesday KEYES
GREETINGS FROM "THE LONESTAR RANCH" IN IRAQ. Here's the latest report from our friend and special correspondent Lt. James Crabtree of our "adopted" 1/23 Marines in Iraq:
If
you'd like to send the 1/23d any care packages (food items that
won't melt, batteries, books, magazine, baby wipes, etc.), please
address the packages to Lt Crabtree, 1/23 H&S Co, Unit 41900,
FPO, AP 96426-1900 ... and James will ensure that whatever
you ship gets distributed to the Marines in the 1/23. If you'd
like to read more about our adopted 1/23 Marine battalion in Iraq,
please click here. WEDNESDAY
OPEN THREAD. Competing Bush and Kerry military records (or
lack thereof), claims, dodges, charges, medals earned (or not),
unfit for service or reporting for duty (or not), and more.
VOTING, PHONING HOME, GETTING MAIL. Lt. James Crabtree of our adopted 1/23 Marines gives us the inside scoop on the first democratic election to be held in Iraq:
If
you'd like to send the 1/23d any care packages, please address
the packages to Lt Crabtree, 1/23 H&S Co, Unit 41900,
FPO, AP 96426-1900 ... and James will ensure that whatever
you ship gets distributed to the Marines in the 1/23. If you'd
like to read more about our adopted 1/23 Marine battalion in Iraq,
please click here.
WEDNESDAY
OPEN THREAD. Sorry for the very late posting today, but I'm
resting up a bit after having been serving as a campaign manager
(unpaid!!) -- in what little free time I had outside of my real
job and outside of Politics1 -- for a hotly contested Dem
primary campaign here in Broward County, Florida. We were
hit with anonymous 527-group attacks and a very well-funded opponent
... we started with a huge deficit in our early polling two months
ago ... but we won by a comfortable margin! So ... I'm taking
today off from work, and from Politics1, to enjoy the day. I'll
be back tomorrow with updates. That said, feel free to debate
about Arnold, the Bush twins, George P, Michael Moore, the Florida
primary results (and the Castor-Martinez US Senate contest), the
looming Kerry campaign team shake-up ... anything at all. Also,
FYI, Thursday's postings won't come online until around 9 AM Thursday
morning (instead of late tonight). IS YOUR CAMPAIGN HIRING? If so, then let us know. We'll post the ad for free for any paid campaign staff positions. See our Jobs page for more details. |
In
CD-27, Democrats picked State Assemblyman Brian Higgins as their
nominee to face Erie County Comptroller Nancy Naples (R) in November
for one of the Dem's best chances in the nation for an open seat
pickup. In CD-29, Republican voters selected State Senator Randy
Kuhl to replace retiring Congressman Amo Houghton (R). Non-profit
executive Samara Barand is the Dem nominee. DC: Disgraced
former Mayor Marion Barry, 68, easily scored yet another comeback
by ousting an incumbent in the Dem primary for a seat on the DC
City Commission. NEW HAMPSHIRE: Governor Craig
Benson (R) easily won renomination, while former UNH Trustee John
Lynch (D) won the right to face Benson in November. WISCONSIN:
In a surprise, GOP voters selected underdog businessman Tim Michels
(R) as their nominee to face US Senator Russ Feingold (D). In
the heavily Dem CD-4 open seat race, State Senator Gwen Moore
won the primary and now seems assured of victory in November.
WASHINGTON: As expected, Attorney General Christine
Gregoire (D) and State Senator Dino Rossi (R) each won landslide
victories in their crowded gubernatorial primaries, setting the
stage for the first truly competitive gubernatorial race in the
state in many years. US Senator Patty Murray (D) and challenger
Congressman George Nethercutt (R) likewise had no problems winning
their respective primaries. In CD-5, Republicans selected State
Rep. Cathy McMorris as the nominee for Nethercutt's open seat.
McMorris is a heavy favorite to hold the seat in November. In
the open CD-8 race, King County Sheriff Dave Reichert (R) will
face off against radio talk show host Dave Ross (D) in this swing
district. Interestingly, until last year, neither Reichert nor
Ross had ever declared themselves to be members of any political
party. CONNECTICUT, MASSACHUSETTS, MINNESOTA, RHODE ISLAND,
VERMONT These states all held primaries, but they were
all yawners.
FLORIDA
BALLOT ... FOR NOW. Ralph Nader will again be on the ballot
in Florida if Secretary of State Glenda Hood -- a Jeb Bush appointee
-- has her way. Despite a lower court ruling last week striking
Nader from the ballot (the court found that the virtually bankrupt
Reform Party of the US was no longer entitled to the status of
being considered a real national party), Hood decided to ignore
the order and place Nader back on the ballot for all of the overseas
absentee ballots that must be mailed out starting within the next
few days. While Hood is appealing the court ruling, she admits
her self-help action is also intended to draw a quicker ruling
from the Florida Supreme Court. The Supreme Court quickly certified
that the matter is one of great public concern, thus allowing
the case to bypass the intermediate appeals court and head straight
to the Florida Supremes. State Democratic Chairman Scott Maddox
denounced Hood's move as partisan politics intended to thwart
the lower court's order. The Republicans counter that they are
just trying to protect the rights of voters to have a meaningful
choice. Stay tuned. Will Nader be on the ballot in your state?
See our new 
In
Nevada, the new KVBC-TV/SurveyUSA poll shows Bush leading Kerry
by a 51% to 47% vote in the state. In Florida, the new WFOR-TV/SurveyUSA
poll shows President Bush moving out to a lead over Senator Kerry
by a 51% to 45% vote. However, in the open US Senate race, that
same poll shows that former State Education Commissioner Betty
Castor (D) is leading former HUD Secretary Mel Martinez (R) by
a 49% to 45% vote -- indicating that Castor is drawing some cross-over
votes in the aftermath of the nasty GOP primary contest. Speaking
of open US Senate race, In Oklahoma that new KWTV/Wilson Research
poll shows Congressman Brad Carson (D) unexpectedly moving into
the lead over maverick former Congressman Tom Coburn (R) by a
39% to 37% vote, with an independent candidate polling at 6%.
Carson was trailing Coburn by six points in the last KWTV tracking
poll. By contrast, the same new poll shows Bush beating Kerry
by a landslide 59% to 29% in the state, indicating that Carson
is drawing a significant numbers of swing voters.
OUTING
TARGETS: MUCH SMOKE ... BUT ANY FIRE? Radical gay outing advocate
state
and national levels -- but no more writing about Broward County,
Florida politics. But, when it comes to that one topic, consider
me Sergeant Shultz from Hogan's Heroes: "I see nothing ...
I know nothing!" Of course, all of you can comment on whatever
you'd like. In other news, congrats to 
West
Seneca Supervisor Paul Clark and State Assemblyman Brian Higgins
are the frontrunners. The winner will face Erie County Comptroller
Nancy Naples (R) in November in one of the Dem's best chances
in the nation for a seat pickup. In CD-29, Republican voters will
decide if either State Senator Randy Kuhl or Monroe County Legislator
Mark Assini will become the heavy favorite to hold this open GOP
seat. Non-profit executive Samara Barand is the likely Dem nominee.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Dems are selecting a nominee to
oppose Governor Craig Benson (R). Former UNH Trustee John Lynch
-- who has been the victim of a dirty tricks campaign in the closing
days -- appears to be the favorite over State Rep. Paul McEachern,
who previously lost three runs for Governor in the 1980s. NH also
has three federal primaries. WASHINGTON: Attorney
General Christine Gregoire (D) and State Senator Dino Rossi (R)
are certain to win their respective and crowded gubernatorial
primaries by wide margins, setting the state for a hot November
race. US Senator Patty Murray (D) and challenger Congressman George
Nethercutt (R) are likewise guaranteed landslide primary wins
in their race. In CD-5, Republicans will select a nominee for
Nethercutt's open seat. There is no clear favorite among the three
hopefuls with each of them having a real chance of winning. The
picture is much clearer in the open CD-8 race, where the next
Congressman will certainly be named Dave. Polls show King County
Sheriff Dave Reichert (R) and radio talk show host Dave Ross (D)
holding commanding leads in their respective primaries. WISCONSIN:
GOP voters will pick a nominee to face liberal US Senator Russ
Feingold (D) -- but Feingold still looks very safe. In the heavily
Democratic CD-4 race, three Dems are facing off. State Senator
Gwen Moore seems to have the momentum in the final days, but anyone
could win this competitive primary. CONNECTICUT, MINNESOTA,
RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, DC: Sure, these states are holding
some primary races on Tuesday ... but none are worth watching.
TRACKING
THE BATTLEGROUND STATES. In Wisconsin, the new USA Today/CNN/Gallup
poll shows President Bush moving into a comfortable lead over
Senator Kerry. The numbers: Bush-52%, Kerry-44%, Nader-1%. Bush's
lead has widened in the state by 5 points since last month, while
Nader has dropped 3 points. While we usually don't cover national
polls -- and don't cover Zogby's polls that they conduct "online-only"
(but we do cover their normal-style polls) -- we'll make an exception
for this Zogby poll simply because it is one of the first surveys
we know of by any pollster that included many of the candidates
in the Presidential race. The numbers: Bush (R) - 46%, Kerry (D)
- 42%, Nader (I) - 2.4%, Michael Badnarik (Libt) - 0.9%, Michael
Peroutka (Const) - 0.3%, David Cobb (Green) - 0%, "Other"
- 0.6%, Undecided - 8%. Will you have all those choices (or more
... or less) in your state? See our new 
Florida,
former HUD Secretary Mel Martinez and former Congressman Bill
McCollum faced off last month in what descended into one of the
nastiest primary contests in the nation. Martinez -- who went
on to win that GOP contest for US Senate -- ran TV spots that
accused the conservative McCollum of advancing the "homosexual
agenda" and held a press conference that outed a key McCollum
consultant as gay (an ironic move, as several Martinez staffers
had also been outed as gay by some radical gay activists). It
got so bad that one of the state's top newspapers un-endorsed
Martinez one day before the primary. After a two week cooling
off period, McCollum grudgingly endorsed Martinez. Over one-third
of the nine-sentence official endorsement statement read as follows:
"I remain deeply disturbed by the last minute negative Martinez
campaign tactics that grossly misrepresented my views on social
issues and appealed to the worst in people. Clearly, it should
have never happened. Mel has apologized to me. I accept that,
and I hope this never happens again. It is now time to unite for
the good of the President, Florida and our nation." Don't look
for those words to appear on a TV spot anytime soon. Martinez,
who was drafted into the race by the White House, faces off against
former State Education Commissioner Betty Castor (D) in November
in one of the hottest open seat races anywhere. 
DE,
IN & MO GUBERNATORIAL CONTEST UPDATES. In Delaware's primary
on Saturday, retired Judge Bill Lee cruised to an easy victory
in the GOP race for Governor. He scored 70% against his two opponents.
Lee is still a decided underdog in November against incumbent
Governor Ruth Ann Minner (D). In Indiana, a new WXIN-TV/SurveyUSA
poll shows former Bush Administration Budget Director Mitch Daniels
(R) moving to a comfortable lead over Governor Joe Kernan (D).
Daniels now leads by a 53% to 41% vote. Consider Daniels the favorite
to score a GOP pickup in November for the gubernatorial office
that the Republicans last won in 1984. In Missouri, the open gubernatorial
contest is rapidly narrowing. Secretary of State Matt Blunt (R)
now leads State Auditor Claire McCaskill (D) by a 48% to 47% vote,
according to the new KSDK-TV/SurveyUSA poll. Those numbers indicate
a 4-point narrowing since last month's poll. McCaskill defeated
incumbent Governor Bob Holden (D) in the August 3rd primary.
UPDATES.
With less than two months to go until the general election,
it appears that the US Senate incumbents in Indiana, Kentucky,
Missouri and Pennsylvania can all be moved in the "safe"
category. In Indiana, US Senator Evan Bayh (D) leads college professor
and frequent candidate Marvin Scott (R) by a landslide margin
of 64% to 28% -- even though President Bush holds a 24-point lead
over Kerry in the state according to the same poll (WXIN-TV/SurveyUSA).
In Kentucky, Baseball Hall of Famer and US Senator Jim Bunning
(R) is pitching a perfect game against surgeon and State Senator
Dan Mongiardo (D), according to the new WHAS-TV/SurveyUSA poll.
The numbers: Bunning-54%, Mongiardo-35%. In Missouri, US Senator
Kit Bond (R) leads State Treasurer Nancy Farmer (D) by a 57% to
37% vote (KSDK-TV/SurveyUSA). Bond has widened his lead by 3%
over the past month. In Pennsylvania, US Senator Arlen Specter
(R) widened his lead by three more points over Congressman Joe
Hoeffel (D). The WCAU-TV/SurveyUSA now pegs the race as Specter-51%,
Hoeffel-33%. In South Carolina, State Superintendent of Education
Inez Tenenbaum (D) made changes in the top levels of her campaign
staff. The shake-up came in the wake of weak poll numbers in recent
weeks in her open seat US Senate race against Congressman Jim
DeMint (R). In related news, State Insurance Commissioner Carroll
Fisher (D) lost the primary for US Senate in Oklahoma earlier
this summer by a wide margin. On Friday, the Oklahoma House voted
95-0 to impeach him on five counts related to corruption, gross
negligence and gross incompetence. Fisher was previously reprimanded
twice by the State Ethics Commission and was recently indicted
by a criminal grand jury for two counts of embezzlement and one
count of operating an illegal charity. The matter now moves to
the State Senate for a removal trial. Governor Brad Henry (D)
has called on Fisher to resign -- but Fisher says he has no plans
to leave office.
SATURDAY
IS PRIMARY DAY IN DELAWARE. There isn't much to watch on Saturday
in Delaware but, hey, an election is an election. Governor Ruth
Ann Minner (D) doesn't face any primary, but there is a contest
on the GOP side. Former Judge Bill Lee is heavily favored in the
GOP contest over airline pilot Mike Protack. Four years ago, the
maverick Lee lost the GOP primary by just 46 votes to the establishment
candidate with the official endorsement of the state party. This
year, Lee has the endorsement -- but he'll still be an underdog
in November against Minner. She's generally popular and has outraised
Lee by a wide margin. Dems will also see a primary for State Insurance
Commissioner. No contested federal primary races, and Congressman
Mike Castle (R) is a safe bet to win another term in November.
North
Carolina, the latest WTVD-TV/SurveyUSA tracking poll shows that
the Dems are well positioned to win the gubernatorial and open
US Senate contests in the state. Govenor Mike Easley (D) leads
former State Senate Minority Leader Patrick Ballantine (R) by
a 54% to a 39% vote. In the US Senate contest to replace VP nominee
John Edwards, former White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles
(D) continues to hold his steady lead over Congressman Richard
Burr (R). The numbers: Bowles-50%, Burr-40%. In Ohio, US Senator
George Voinovich (R) appears to be cruising to an easy re-election
over State Senator Eric Fingerhut (D). The WCPO-TV/SurveyUSA poll
shows Voinovich leading by a 53% to 35% vote. In California, the
latest KABC-TV/SurveyUSA tracking poll shows US Senator Barbara
Boxer (D) leading former Secretary of State Bill Jones (R) by
an identical 53%-35% vote.
BUSH
GUARD RECORDS: MAJOR PROBLEMS FOR PREZ ... OR FAKES? The media
continues to buzz about the newly found documents from the personal
files of the late Colonel Jerry Killian, who was President Bush's
commanding officer in the Texas Air National Guard. According
to the Boston Globe and CBS's 
In
the immediate aftermath of the crowded 10-person GOP primary for
Governor back in May, the party selected the five top runner-ups
from the gubernatorial contest to be the official slate of GOP
Electors for the upcoming Presidential race. Those names were
subsequently filed by the state's deadline and are now locked
into place. That's where the problem begins. South Charleston
Mayor 
In
CD-2, wealthy broadcasting executive Rick Murphy dumped $500,000
from his own pocket into his GOP primary challenge to conservative
freshman Congressman Trent Franks, but still lost by a 2-to-1
margin. In CD-5, Congressman J.D. Hayworth (R) destroyed National
Women’s Political Caucus President Roselyn O'Connell by
a landslide vote of 82% to 18%. In CD-6, former State Senator
and lobbyist Stan Barnes attacked maverick Congressman Jeff Flake
(R) for being so rigidly fiscal conservative that he was depriving
his own district of much needed federal dollars -- but Flake still
won by an 18-point margin. In CD-8, State House Majority Whip
Randy Graf (R) challenged Congressman Jim Kolbe from the right,
attacking Kolbe as being insufficiently conservative on abortion
and gun issues. Unspoken in the race was festering social conservative
discomfort with Kolbe for also being openly gay. Kolbe, however,
scored a comfortable 57%-43% win in the primary. In November,
US Senator John McCain (R) faces only nominal opposition from
teacher Stu Starky (D) and radio talk show host Ernest Hancock
(Libertarian). Freshman Congressman Rick Renzi (R) is expected
to face a competitive challenge in the general election from Coconino
County Supervisor Paul Babbitt (D), the brother of former Arizona
Governor Bruce Babbitt. Renzi is favored, but both men are well
financed for this top-targeted contest. Meanwhile, the rest of
the Arizona Congressional delegation all appear to be fairly safe
in their November races.
ALASKA
SENATE RACE UPDATE. The first post-primary independent poll
numbers are in for the hotly contested Alaska US Senate race.
Former Governor Tony Knowles (D) continues to lead incumbent US
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R), although the new KTUU poll shows that
the margin continues to narrow. Also, it is becoming clear that
the third party candidates may determine the outcome in this race.
The numbers: Knowles-45.6%, Murkowski-44.5%, State Green Party
Co-Founder Jim Sykes-2.4%, former GOP state legislator Jerry Sanders
(Alaskan Independence)-1.3%, Others-1.9%. Sanders is a former
GOP state legislator. Former State Senator Jerry Ward (R) -- who
had earlier considered making a primary challenge to Murkowski
because he was upset with the way Governor Frank Murkowski selected
his own daughter for the seat over Ward and the other finalists
-- this past week agreed to become Sanders' campaign manager.
was also primary day in Nevada, although -- unlike in Arizona
-- there were no hotly contested primaries. The federal incumbents
who faced challenges swept to easy victories. In CD-3, wealthy
former casino executive Tom Gallagher (D) easily won his congressional
primary over five minor opponents. Gallagher will face-off in
November against potentially vulnerable Congressman Jon Porter
(R) -- making it the only big race in the state (other than Bush-Kerry)
worth watching in November. The most colorful contest of the day
-- albeit meaningless -- was the GOP contest for US Senator. Real
estate investor and anti-gay activist Richard Ziser (R) won the
6-person contest. Conservative activist Ken Wegner, who proposed
posting the US military along the entire length of the US border
to keep out smugglers and immigrants, finished second. Rancher
Bob Brown Jr. finished third, even though it was reported that
he actually resided in Florida. US Senate Minority Whip Harry
Reid (D) is expected to easily win re-election in November. Reid
has raised nearly $8 million to date, and has the open support
of the state's GOP Governor and several other Republican elected
officials. Ziser, by contrast, has raised a little over $400,000.
ANNOUNCES
BIG ENDORSEMENT: JESUS. Controversial, fiery and colorful
US Senate candidate Alan Keyes (R-IL) seems to have no problem
attracting media attention to his long-shot candidacy. He first
accused his African-American opponent -- State Senator Barack
Obama (D) -- of espousing "the slaveholder's" view of social
issues like abortion. Then, a recent TV interview with Keyes nearly
descended into fisticuffs. Last week in a media interview, Keyes
denounced the lesbian daughter of Vice President Dick Cheney as
a "selfish hedonist." On Tuesday Keyes did it again,
this time by essentially announcing that Jesus would be supporting
him (if Jesus, of course, was an Illinois voter). "Christ
would not vote for Barack Obama because Barack Obama has voted
to behave in a way that it is inconceivable for Christ to have
behaved," declared Keyes. Republican leaders in the state
have all been distancing themselves from Keyes in recent weeks
so as to not be hurt in their own races by the massive voter backlash
they are expecting to befall Keyes. 
DAY
FOUR ... AND STILL IN THE DARK. I'm using a friend's computer
just so I can post a brief update to let you know all is well,
although this is now "Day Four" for me without any electricity.
The utility company says I should have power back by Friday. But,
beyond that (and a few snapped fence posts and broken tree branches),
no major problems. Needless to say, I haven't been able to check
any emails or post updates as I'm literally still in the dark
as to any news happening anywhere else. Now we have Hurricane
Ivan aiming at southern Florida for this upcoming weekend. Hopefully,
it will turn in any other direction -- as I've had enough of a
sweltering house, cold showers, canned food, and darkness. Soon
... as soon as I have power again ... I'll get back to posting
daily updates. Thanks, again, for your patience.
FRIDAY
OPEN THREAD. Wanted to create a new open thread so you can
debate everything from President Bush's convention speech ...
to Kerry's hard-hitting response to the attacks on his fitness
to serve ... to Zell Miller ... to the Tuesday's upcoming state
primaries in Arizona and Nevada ... to Hurricane Frances. Be sure
to read my note below in the "Thursday Open Thread"
to read why we may get knocked offline for a few days by the hurricane.
But, be assured -- in the words of Arnold -- "I'll be baaack!"
THURSDAY
OPEN THREAD. Hurricane Frances is nearing the Florida coast,
with landfall expected late Friday night or early Saturday morning.
Right now, it is forecast to come ashore somewhere in Martin County
(which is two counties north of my home in Broward County). Under
that scenario, we'll get 60 mph tropical storm force winds and
rain squals. However, hurricanes are unpredictable and Broward
is still well within the area covered by the declared "hurricane
warning" area. I spent today shuttering all the windows --
as you can see from the pic of my home this afternoon with the
old wooden shutters hammered closed -- and moving everything inside
from the backyard. Also went to fill up the gas tank in my car,
but that took almost an hour: part of the time just looking for
a station that still had gas left, then waiting in a long line
to get the gas. And, as I live in an evacuation zone, we're going
to be heading inland to stay with friends early tomorrow morning.
Also: The folks at Softec Internet -- who host the Politics1 site
-- are located in Cocoa Beach, so they may take a harder hit.
If that's the case, we could be off-line for a few days depending
on the availability of electricity, damage to internet backbone
cables, destruction to the area, etc.
If that happens, keep checking back each day as we'll return online
as soon as I can connect and as soon as my server folks have power
again. Thanks for your patience ... and pray for the safety of
everyone living here on Florida's Atlantic coast.
WEDNESDAY
OPEN THREAD #2. As the National Hurricane Center keeps doing
their Hurricane Frances updates every three hours, it appears
more and more likely that this huge Category 4 storm (right) will
come ashore late Friday or early Saturday somewhere between Miami
and Cocoa Beach. Well, I live and work in the lower half of that
range, and Politics1's server is located at the northern edge
of the range. The government center where I work is being locked-down
later today, with no one allowed in the building as of tomorrow
morning -- so I guess this is serious. Based on all this, I'll
do my best to do updates tomorrow ... but I may have to be outside
hammering up the storm shutters, moving yard stuff inside, and
preparing to evacuate inland (my home is in a "Category 3 and
Up" evacuation zone). If it comes ashore further north, there
is a realistic chance that downed electrical lines could knock
the site offline by Saturday. If that happens, keep checking back
each day as we'll return online as soon as I can connect and as
soon as my server folks have power again. Thanks for your understanding.
Stay tuned.
The
Presidency | P2004 Race | The
States | Calendar | Blog Archives
Political Parties | News
Links | Issues | Job
Bank | Issues | FAQ
Campaign Products & Services | Campaign
Buttons | Bookstore | About
Us | E-Mail
© 1997-2004 by Ron Gunzburger. All rights reserved.