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| BLOG ARCHIVE: NOVEMBER 2005
OHIO:
Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman (D) unexpectedly quit
the race for Governor on Tuesday, ensuring clear sailing next
year for Congressman Ted Strickland's bid for the Democratic gubernatorial
nomination. MICHIGAN:
The last entrant into the GOP contest for US Senator is also clearly
the strongest candidate to win next year's primary, according
to the latest EPIC/MRA poll conducted for state newspapers. Oakland
County Sheriff Mike Bouchard is at 27%, followed by Evangelical
pastor Keith Butler at 12% and college professor Jerry Zandstra
at 11%. The same poll, however, showed incumbent US Senator Debbie
Stabenow (D) leading each of the Republicans by wide margins exceeding
20%.
SITE OF THE DAY: Our Site of the Day Award winner: Doug Duncan for Governor (D-Maryland). FREE
SPEECH ZONE: One of y'all amusingly suggested this name
-- derivative of the fenced, black-topped, heavily policed areas,
located blocks away from political conventions, where demonstrators
are herded to enable them to exercise their first amendment rights
far from the view of those they came to protest -- for our daily
open thread. Comments continue to be fairly evenly split on the
concepts of "one daily thread "versus "one thread
per item." We had several hundred comments posted yesterday
under our new format -- but the problem probably was that we simply
had too many topics available for commenting. Yeah, I know
... baby steps. So, let's try it today with a few less items. GUILTY:
Congressman Randy "Duke" MORE
HILL CORRUPTION: And, speaking of financial corruption
in Congress ... what's the status with the federal criminal investigations
of Congressmen Bob Ney (R-OH) and Bill Jefferson (D-LA)? Ney is
deeply ensnared in the broad Abramoff-Scanlon-DeLay corruption
probe. As for Jefferson, the FBI several months ago seized a large
amount of cash -- purported to be bribe money -- found hidden
in a freezer in Jefferson's New Orleans home. Don't be surprised
to see these two soon be indicted on charges of accepting bribes
in unrelated cases -- plus possibly more indictments of others
tied to the Abramoff mess. IDAHO:
The
NEW
JERSEY: Governor-elect Jon Corzine (D) told the Bergen
Record he will announce his choice for his soon-to-be-vacant
US Senate seat within the next two weeks. Despite Corzine claiming
he is still giving a wide range of prospects "serious consideration"
for the job, Congressman Bill Pascrell (D) met with Corzine and
says he believes the choice is already down to just three men:
Congressmen Bob Menendez (D), Rob Andrews (D) and Frank Pallone
(D). Of those, Pascrell said he believes Menendez is the heavy
favorite to win the appointment. "I think [Corzine] has a
great deal of respect for Bob's intellect, his wherewithal and
his ability to get things done -- and it's a great plus for the
State of New Jersey to have a Hispanic Senator," said Pascrell,
who noted he would also like to be considered for the job. Menendez
already has over $4 million in his campaign account, giving him
a more than twice the cash-on-hand for next year's election over
any of the other potential contenders. SITE
OF THE DAY: Our Site of the Day Award winner: Butch
Otter for Governor. OPEN
THREAD: This is a test ... this is only a test ... For
the next few days, I'll try a return to multiple threads and see
how it plays out. Perhaps this will improve the relevancy of the
comments in the threads and level of civil discourse -- while
still having the open thread for the more chat room type discussions
(plus all the name-calling, partisan bickering, etc., that many
of you seem to enjoy).
IRAQ: Congressmen Tim Murphy (R-PA) and Ike Skleton (D-MO) were both injured on Sunday in Baghdad when the military vehicle in which they were riding overturned. Murphy was airlifted to a US military hospital in Germany to have an MRI performed because of possible neck injury. Skelton -- who was less seriously injured -- was sent to a local hospital in Bagdad "for evaluation." Congressman Jim Marshall (D-GA) was also in the vehicle, but was uninjured. The injuries to Murphy and Skelton are reported to be minor. SITE OF THE DAY: Our Site of the Day Award winner: Surfrider Foundation. As I spent Sunday out surfing, this seemed a natural choice for today. But "political"? You bet! This non-profit international environmental group works to preserve our oceans, waves and beaches -- and uses the website, blog, email action alerts, etc., to direct those activities. Over 40,000 members and 60 chapters in the US. OPEN
THREAD DEBATE (CON'T): Here is something to keep discussing
and give me some feedback (either here in the thread or by email):
Should we continue to have one thread per day -- regardless of
how many items we post -- or should we go back to how we had it
during the 2004 campaign where every item had its own comment
thread? The comments posted in the weekend blog ran about 2:1
for keeping it as is, while the emails ran 2:1 in favor of returning
to separate threads for each item. My concern is doing something
to improve the quality and relevance of the comments -- while
still giving people a place to engage in nasty, partisan, personal
exchanges, if they so desire. WEEKEND OPEN THREAD. OPEN THREAD: In addition to posting whatever political topic is on your mind today, here is something to discuss and give me some feedback (either here in the thread or by email): Should we continue to have one thread per day -- regardless of how many items we post -- or should we go back to how we had it during the 2004 campaign where every item had its own comment thread? SITE
OF THE DAY: Our Site of the Day Award winner: SinceSlicedBread.com
- A very cool idea from the SEIU to promote citizen participation
to improve our nation. FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE. DC
CORRUPTION PROBE EXPANDS: According to the Wall Street
Journal, the US Justice Department investigation into possible
influence-peddling and bribery by indicted Republican lobbyists
Jack Abramoff and Michael Scanlon has now been expanded to include
their dealings with four federal legislators, 17 past or present
congressional staffers, and two former mid-level Bush Administration
officials. Scanlon pled guilty earlier this week in a plea bargain
and is now cooperating with the prosecutors. P2008: Compared to the Abramoff corruption investigation, this story is relatively minor league (pun intended). New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson (D) admitted an autobiographical story he's used for years about once having been drafted by the Kansas City A's to play pro baseball was false. Richardson now explains we should mark this one down as an error, as he was confused and had thought he was drafted, but now agrees he actually wasn't. SITE
OF THE DAY: Our Site of the Day Award winner: Rick
Hasen's Election Law Blog. THANKSGIVING NEWS UPDATE. ARIZONA:
Eleven-term Congressman Jim Kolbe (R) -- a GOP centrist
and a respected leader on free trade issues -- announced his retirement
on Wednesday. Kolbe, the only openly gay NEW JERSEY: Outgoing Acting Governor Dick Codey (D) -- whom all polls showed was the favored choice of NJ voters and the DSCC's choice to be appointed to Governor-elect Jon Corzine's (D) soon-to-be-vacant US Senate seat -- announced Wednesday he does not want the job. Codey, who will return to his former job of Senate President when he leaves the Governor's Mansion, explained he and his wife enjoy their current life in New Jersey and have no desire to live in Washington. Codey's withdrawal sets the stage for intense jockeying by the various Congressmen who want the interim appointment to bolster their candidacies for the Senate seat next year. NEBRASKA: US Senator Ben Nelson (D) is in good shape for re-election next year against two of his leading GOP opponents, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports poll. Nelson led wealthy former Ameritrade COO Pete Ricketts by a vote of 52% to 29%. Nelson also led former State GOP Chair David Kramer by a 57% to 25% vote. Rasmussen did not poll Nelson against former Attorney General Don Stenberg (R). ROGER AND ME REDUX: You've gotta appreciate the great holiday timing shown by General Motors in announcing plans this week to close a dozen vehicle manufacturing plants. The move will result over time in layoffs of 30,000 auto workers. "The decisions we are announcing today were very difficult to reach because of their impact on our employees and the communities where we live and work ... Frankly, we've done it in the fairest and most cost-effective way we could do it," said GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner, who Forbes reported currently earns over $4.8 million a year in his salary, bonuses and other compensation. SITE
OF THE DAY: Our Site of the Day Award winner: Blog
for Ohio, the official campaign blog of State Senator
Marc Dann (D), a candidate for Ohio Attorney General. OREGON: Governor Ted Kulongoski (D) officially ended the speculation he would not seek a second term next year in the face of rather weak poll numbers. Instead, Kulongoski filed official paperwork on Tuesday to launch his 2006 re-election bid. He faces at least a dozen announced opponents to date, including Democrats, Republicans, Greens, and an Independent. Kulongoski's biggest threat. however, comes from the potential comeback candidacy by former Governor Jon Kitzhaber (D) -- the target of a draft effort -- who says he isn't planning on running, but declines to firmly close the door on the race.
DELAWARE: Governor Ruth Ann Minner (D) decided to select a caretaker to serve as the state's next Attorney General. Minner created the vacancy in the statewide elective post by appointing longtime Attorney General Jane Brady (R) to a state judgeship. Attorney and military reserve officer Joseph "Beau" Biden III (D) -- son of US Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) -- took advantage of the looming vacancy by announcing his 2006 candidacy for the post. Biden's announcement, however, did not prompt Minner to select him. Instead, she tapped Chief Deputy Attorney General Carl Danberg (D) as the new AG -- a move praised by Brady. Danberg immediately announced he will not seek the office next year and is instead supporting young Biden's candidacy. OHIO: It's just a rumor, but the current buzz in the Buckeye State is that Congressman Ted Strickland (D) will ask his friend Congressman Sherrod Brown (D) to be his runningmate for Lieutenant Governor next year. Brown is currently a candidate for US Senate in the primary against attorney and Iraq War veteran Paul Hackett (D), with the winner facing incumbent Mike DeWine (R) in the general election. The move -- if it happens -- would leave Hackett unopposed in the Dem Senate primary. Strickland and Hackett are both from the more centrist, pro-gun faction of the Demicratic Party, while Brown is a more traditional liberal. TEXAS: Texas District Court Judge Pat Priest heard legal arguments on Tuesday on the Motion to Dismiss filed on behalf of former US House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX). While DeLay is seen as having a fairly good shot at having the judge throw out the state criminal charges, Judge Priest said he will need about two weeks to deliberate before issuing his ruling.. SITE
OF THE DAY: Our Site of the Day Award winner: Real
Clear Politics. Lots of news and op-ed links, updated
daily, with a conservative slant.
(See, I told you this award is not about ideology, party,
etc.) TEXAS:
MARYLAND: The latest Rasmussen Reports poll on the US Senate race here shows the contest remains very competitive. Congressman Ben Cardin (D) led Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele (R) by a vote of 49% to 41%. However, if former Congressman Kweisi Mfume wins the Dem nomination, Steele led Mfume by a 45% to 44% vote. Steele has lost ground against both Dems since the previous Rasmussen poll. Of the three major candidates, only Mfume has a disapproval rating disastrously larger than his approval rating. President Bush also scored a dismal 38% approval rating in the state. UTAH: According to a new Deseret Morning News/KSL-TV poll, US Senator Orrin Hatch (R) could potentially have more problems next year than he anticipated. The poll showed 45% of voters said Hatch "should be re-elected" next year to a sixth term, versus 48% who said they wanted to "give someone new a chance to serve." Said Hatch's campaign manager to the newspaper: "We feel comfortable with these numbers."
NEW YORK: According to the New York Post, US Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is trying to cause problems for the gubernatorial aspirations of Attorney General Eliot Spitzer (D).The newspaper reported that Schumer "is secretly encouraging Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi" to make a primary challenge to Spitzer. Schumer and Spitzer are long-term rivals within the party and purportedly strongly dislike each other. Even if Suozzi enters the contest -- including with Schumer's help -- he would still be an underdog against Spitzer and his soon-to-be $20 million campaign treasury. In related news, Schumer is also stepping on Dem toes across the state line in New Jersey. As the chair of the DSCC, Schumer told reporters he is interviewing potential US Senate candidates to determine their suitability for appointment to the soon-to-be vacant seat -- even though that decision will lay squarely in the hands of Governor-elect Jon Corzine (D). Corzine is reportedly displeased with publicity hound Schumer for trying to meddle with his appointment process. SITE
OF THE DAY: Our Site of the Day Award winner: Taegan
Goddard's PoliticalWire.com. A great resource for
political headlines. OHIO:
Congressman VIRGINIA: A quick update on the still unresolved race for Attorney General. With nearly everything counted, Bob McDonnell (R) leads Creigh Deeds (D) by just 341 votes out of over 1.9 million cast. The initial count is winding down -- with lawyers and observers from both sides involved -- and should be completed sometime before the November 28 certification deadline. After that, a recount is certain to be demanded by whichever man ends up losing in the first count. ILLINOIS: The Illinois Libertarian Party voted at their convention earlier this month to not field any statewide candidates next year. It will be the first time since the 1970s that the LP failed to nominate any statewide candidates in the Land of Lincoln. Party leaders claim the move will allow them to rebuild their financial resources. Despite the absence of the LP, the Constitution Party and Green Party are both running statewide candidates in Illinois next year. SITE
OF THE DAY: During the 1998 election cycle,
BOOK
REVIEW: I received a book in the mail the other day that
made me chuckle, so I wanted to share it with you. Okay, I'll
say right up from it is a book -- Clueless
George Goes to War -- that will likely only amuse progressives
and libertarians. If you couldn't tell, the book is intentionally
evocative of H.A. Rey's beloved Curious George series
of children's stories. Editorial cartoonist Pat Bagley manages
to deftly touch upon the 9/11 attack, the Iraq War, the influence
of Vice President Cheney, and the Patriot Act in this slim (32-page)
paperback book. Consider it to be a very amusing children's book
intended just for adults. QUICK
TAKES: In remarks on the House floor on Friday, Congresswoman
Jean Schmidt (R-OH) called Congressman John Murtha (D-PA) -- a
decorated Korean War and Vietnam War combat veteran -- a "coward"
because of his new position on the Iraq War. She was later forced
to return to the House floor to withdraw her remarks and apologize
to Murtha ... Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald signaled he
plans to bring more charges in the CIA-leak probe case. He announced
he will begin presenting evidence to a new grand jury. IRAQ:
In a major -- and unexpected -- blow, the Bush Administration
lost the support of a key Democratic Congressional hawk who had
been a staunch supporter of the Iraq War. Congressman John Murtha
(D-PA) -- a conservative Dem from a blue collar district -- is
a decorated Vietnam War veteran who served in the US Marine Corps
for 37years. In strong
remarks delivered Thursday, FLORIDA: It seems this week's Quinnipiac University poll on the gubernatorial race -- which most derided as an outlier -- may not have been so off the mark. A new Rasmussen Reports poll shows Congressman Jim Davis (D) leading Attorney General Charlie Crist (R) by a vote of 41% to 38%. When Davis is matched against State CFO Tom Gallagher (R), the two men were tied with 40% apiece. PATRIOT
ACT: Just as Congress appeared on the verge of reauthorizing
the Bush Administration's controversial Patriot Act, a bipartisan
group of Senators threatened to block passage. US Senators Larry
Craig (R-ID), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), John Sununu (R-NH), Russ
Feingold (D-WI), Ken Salazar (D-CO) and Minority Whip Dick Durbin
(D-IL) issued a joint letter Thursday stating that "if further
changes are not made, we will work to stop this bill from becoming
law." The six expressed "deep concern" the compromise
version of the Patriot Act will still fail to "protect innocent
people from unnecessary and intrusive government surveillance."
House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) agrees
with the White House and wants to retain virtually all of the
government's current powers under the Act. Observers believe the
six may have the influence to derail the delicate compromise and
kill the Act if they don't win the protections they are seeking. WISCONSIN: A new Wisconsin Public Radio/St. Norbert College poll shows that Governor Jim Doyle (D) appears to be in better political shape for re-election than had been previously believed. According to the poll, Doyle currently leads both of his announced GOP opponents in potential general election match-ups. Doyle led Congressman Mark Green (R) by a vote of 45% to 32%. Doyle led Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker (R) by a 46% to 31% vote. A new poll by a Republican polling firm -- released this week -- showed Doyle leading the two challengers by margins of 6-points or less.
P2008 - FEELING A DRAFT? Some political fans don't want to wait for potential candidates to jump into the White House race. We've already reported on the Draft Condi Rice (R) and Draft Brian Schweitzer (D) folks. Today we wanted to mention two others. Based in Chicago, the Draft Rudy Giuliani for President committee filed FEC paperwork on Wednesday to urge the former NYC Mayor to seek the GOP nomination. The Draft Mark Warner President '08 (D) folks are trying to encourage support for the outgoing Virginia Governor. Another prospect garnering much draft support is Senator Russ Feingold (D). You've got RussForPresident.com, Friends of Feingold, New Jersey for Feingold, Feingold for Michigan, and several more. You've also got Americans for Bayh, touting Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN). STAY
AWAY: Last week conservative Congressman J.D. Hayworth
(R-AZ) said he would not want President Bush's help next year
in his congressional re-election race. In fact, Hayworth said
he planned to avoid appearing at any events in the state with
the President. This week, Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell (R) said
she did not want the President's help in her race, either. "I
don't think President Bush will want to campaign for me ... As
an individual I always respect the President, but we don't always
agree on policy," said Rell, who noted for reporters she
supports expanded stem-cell research, gay civil unions and abortions
rights. FLORIDA
#1: A new Quinnipiac FLORIDA #2: More bad news today for the US Senate campaign of Congresswoman Katherine Harris (R). First, her campaign manager quit and released a statement that he did so because Harris wanted to spend too much time tending to her current House district and not focusing on a statewide effort. On top of that, State House Speaker Allan Bense (R) is rumored to be reconsidering the US Senate race he passed on just a few months ago following a heavy recruitment effort by Governor Jeb Bush, the NRSC and Karl Rove. Finally, a new Q-poll on the US Senate race shows Harris would lose to incumbent Bill Nelson (D) by a lopsided 55% to 31% vote -- with Nelson grabbing the support of nearly a quarter of Republican voters.
NEVADA:
MISSOURI: Today's reporting seems mainly about poll numbers, so here's another one for you. The new Rasmussen Reports poll on the US Senate race here shows freshman incumbent Jim Talent (R) trailing State Auditor Claire McCaskill (D) by a 47% to 45% vote. That represents a two-point gain for McCaskill since the last poll. Part of Talent's problem may be his ties with President Bush, who has only a 38% approval rating in the state. This race is definitely a toss-up. WASHINGTON
STATE: The latest Rasmussen Reports poll shows US Senator
Maria Cantwell (D) holding a comfortable lead -- 52% to 37% --
over wealthy insurance executive Mike McGavick (R). Key reason
for the lead: Cantwell has a 57% favorable and 37% unfavorable
rating, while McGavick is much worse at 35% favorable and 34%
unfavorable. Based upon history, big insurance company execs are
rarely popular with voters. TEXAS:
A WEST VIRGINIA: Former West Virginia University basketball coach Gale Catlett (R) became the latest GOP recruiting target to announce he would not run against US Senator Robert C. Byrd (D) next year. With Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, Secretary of State Betty Ireland and Catlett now officially out of the race, the only remaining prospects appear to be a handful of second and third tier hopefuls. This moves the aging Byrd into the "Democrat Favored" category -- and nearing the realm of "Safe Dem." In Indiana, the same story is playing out with US Senator Dick Lugar (R). It appears that the Dems cannot find a real candidate against Lugar when he seeks a sixth term next year. NEW JERSEY: Wealthy investment executive Doug Forrester (R) spent over $35 million from his own pocket on the campaign and lost last week's gubernatorial contest by a surprisingly wide 11-point margin -- especially surprising after several polls had showed him closing to within 3-4 points in the final two weeks. Speaking this week with the Newark Star-Ledger, Forrester blamed President Bush for his political demise. "It's disheartening because, given the collapse in public opinion about Bush and the Republicans nationally, a state like New Jersey is ripe for almost complete domination by the Democrats ... It was not a foolish thing [for Corzine] to pound that [Bush] issue so hard," explained Forrester. The poor handling by the Bush Administration of Hurricane Katrina "was the tipping point" that made a GOP victory in the state impossible, he added. ILLINOIS: All of the Democratic state legislators rumored to be interested in a primary challenge to Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) next year have now withdrawn their names from consideration. State Representative Lou Lang (D) -- one of those who most recently flirted with a Gov run -- said he now believes it is too late and too expensive for anyone to mount a serious primary challenge to the incumbent and his $14 million campaign treasury. "For someone who brings a political background, money, organizational skills and has groups behind him, even now I would think it's too late ... I do have to say that in the last two or three months [Blagojevich] has begun to turn the corner and is heading in the direction we had hoped to see when he was elected," Lang told the Chicago Tribune. The filing deadline for the March 21 primary is just over a month away (December 19). With time running out, former Chicago Alderman Edwin Eisendrath (D) -- a failed 1990 congressional candidate and Clinton Administration HUD official -- says he's considering the race. "I've been asked to consider it ... I'm very flattered that people have asked me," Eisendrath said, but declined to name any who talked to him about the race. NEW
YORK: According to the New York Times, the NY
Republican Party is bitterly split on the upcoming gubernatorial
SUPREME COURT: US Supreme Court nominee Sam Alito's road to the high court just got quite a bit rougher when a letter surfaced that he wrote as part of his 1985 application to be Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Reagan Administration. "I am and always have been a conservative and an adherent to the same philosophical views that I believe are central to this administration ... I am particularly proud of my contributions in recent cases in which the government has argued in the Supreme Court that racial and ethnic quotas should not be allowed and that the Constitution does not protect a right to abortion," wrote Alito. While Alito remains likely to win confirmation -- at least, as of now -- expect Senators to grill him heavily on this document. JUST
WONDERING: Having taken time in recent days to read a
bunch of the blogger postings here on the site, I found it rather
interesting that some of our regulars -- most of whom seem to
be decent, thoughtful, polite folks of widely differing views
-- include a David Duke-style anti-Semite, a few coarse and nasty
homophobes, and a handful of other boarish types. I'm a believer
in free speech -- even for idiots -- so I haven't banned any of
these fringe gadflies from posting. That said, I have one question
for them: If you're a rabid anti-Semite or homophobe -- particularly
if coupled with hard right views -- why do you spend so much time
coming back daily to argue points on a website operated by an
outspoken gay, Jewish, liberal Dem whom you despise? GOVERNORS:
Time magazine consulted academics, political analysts
and former Governors to name the best and worst of America's current
Governors. The five best: Kenny Guinn (R-NV), Mike Huckabee (R-AR),
Janet Napolitano (D-AZ), Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS) and outgoing
incumbent Mark Warner (D-VA). As for Huckabee -- a likely P2008
White House hopeful -- Time wrote: " VIRGINIA: Last week's race for Attorney General remains unresolved. WIth the initial tabulating of paper and provisional votes continuing, State Delegate Bob McDonnell (R) now leads State Senator Creigh Deeds (D) by just 410 votes out of over 1.94 million votes cast. With the likely recount looming -- it would be only the second statewide recount in Virginia history -- this one could take a while to sort out. UTAH: US Senator Orrin Hatch (R) lost a potential primary opponent last week, but he gained a new challenger since then. The new opponent has a familiar name: disabled veteran and environmental activist Julian Hatch (Green), who also is a distant cousin of the incumbent. Any Hatch-versus-Hatch confusion would likely benefit wealthy internet executive Pete Ashdown (D) but -- in a state so heavily red that President Bush carried it last year by a 45-point margin -- Senator Hatch still should be viewed as a heavy favorite to win again. WHITE HOUSE: Coming just days after his trip last week to South America, President Bush is heading overseas again. This time the President is visiting Asia, hoping to improve the US image abroad. US Senator John McCain (R-AZ), a frequent thorn-in-the-side to the Bush Administration, quickly offered up the idea of the Administration ending its opposition to his proposed blanket ban on the use of torture on US prisoners as a way to do just that. The seven-day trip is expected to receive a much warmer welcome from more friendly allies than those he met with last week. In more bad news for the President, two national polls out this weekend show a majority of Americans now believe the President is not honest. CUBA
- AN EDITORIAL: Before I even get into this topic, I'll
start by prefacing my remarks with this disclaimer: POST-HURRICANE
WILMA RECOVERY REPORT: We're grateful to have had electricity
restored last week at our house after 16 days without, but we
still have no phone or cable service -- and see about a quarter
of all traffic lights remain non-functioning (note: that's a big
improvement). As for electrical service, our non-elected Florida
Public Service Commission approved a massive rate hike for all
Florida residents to cover the added storm costs to FPL (our electric
company) -- which will enable them to turn a near-record profit
this year. Why don't investors share in these risks and costs,
along with the customers? Further, the Miami Herald reported
that callers to the PSC who wanted to file complaints against
FPL found their calls being transferred directly back to FPL --
as the agency refused to record any complaints against the utility.
A spokesperson explained the PSC believes FPL "was doing
a good job." All of this seems a pretty solid argument for
returning to an elected PSC.
We've got beautiful weather these days here in South Florida -- sunny, breezy, low humidity, nice temperature -- so I'm spending much of this weekend outdoors. And, even if it's not good for running up our traffic stats at Politics1 -- I'd urge all of you to go outside and take advantage of what looks to be a great weekend in most parts of the nation. Mountain bike, hike, climb, run, surf, inline skate, kayak, sail, fish, or whatever makes you happy. But ... if you still want to talk politics between now and the Monday update, here's an open thread for you. Enjoy.
ALASKA: Governor Frank Murkowski (R) these days is sounding less like a candidate for re-election next year. "I'll think about it [later]. I'm just not ready to do it," said a vague Murkowski to the Anchorage Daily News, when asked if plans to run again next year. Murkowski is already facing GOP primary opposition, including possibly from his own Lieutenant Governor.
CONGRESS: Talk about negative feelings, but according to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC poll, this is the first time since 1994 that a majority of Americans -- as a general proposition -- want to dump their individual Member of Congress. Question: In the 2006 election for U.S. Congress, do you feel that your representative deserves to be reelected, or do you think it is time to give a new person a chance? Answer: Re-elect My Incumbent - 37%, Elect a New Person - 51%. MICHIGAN: Flamboyant and controversial trial attorney Geoffrey Fieger (D) is at it again. In 1998, as the Dem nominee for Governor, Fieger referred to Jesus as "just some goofball who got nailed to the cross" and implied that then-Governor John Engler (R) was not really the father of the triplet daughters born to his wife. This time, as part of his '06 campaign against Attorney General Mike Cox (R), Fieger hinted to reporters that Cox "disgraced the office of Attorney General and it will come out." Cox took the bait and this week admitted he had an extramarital affair and subsequently told his wife about it in 2003. Cox, however, went further and alleged that Fieger was "a bully" threatened "to expose him unless Cox dropped an investigation into Fieger's alleged violation of campaign-finance laws" in a 2004 State Supreme Court contest, according to the Detroit Free-Press. "I have been blamed for a lot of things, but this is the first time I have been blamed for another man cheating on his wife," replied Fieger, who also said Cox was "amazingly sick." While Fieger is a candidate for Attorney General. most believe he is unlikely to be able to win the nomination against his announced opponents at the state convention next year dominated by party and union leaders. IOWA: One day after being ticketed for running a stop sign and causing a fatal car crash, Shenandoah Mayor Gregg Connell (D) suspended his 2006 dark horse campaign for Governor. In his statement suspending his campaign, Connell also wanted to explicitly let people know alcohol was not involved in the crash because he does not ever drink alcohol. VETERANS
DAY: Here is an amusing message I saw posted today in
the window of a business: "We will be closed on Veterans
Day, November 11th, in honor of those who fought to end the fighting." TORTURE: US House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL), Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) and the Bush Administration want an investigation to find the Member of Congress who they believe leaked information to the Washington Post about the US operating secret prisons ("black sites") in Eastern Europe where the CIA reportedly interrogates and possibly tortures suspected terrorist and guerrilla detainees. "The leaking of classified information is a serious matter and ought to be taken seriously," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan, who somehow managed to keep a straight face while making this comment. The fact that the Administration wants to find the source of the leak seems to confirm existence of the secret prisons and CIA torture chambers -- despite President Bush's claim last week that "the US does not torture." US Senator Trent Lott (R-MS) said he believes the info in the Post came from someone who attended Vice President Cheney's closed door strategy meeting for Republican Senators last Friday -- possibly implicating one of Senator John McCain's (R-AZ) allies who are pushing for adoption of the torture ban amendment. "Talk about not seeing the forest for the trees. The real story is those [secret] jails," said US Senator Lindsay Graham (R-SC). Congressman Chris Shays (R-CT) said he would have no problem investigating the leak if the probe would also include an investigation into those secret US prisons hidden abroad and what the CIA does there. GAY RIGHTS: Ballot outcome depends on the specifics and state. In Texas, 76% of voters on Tuesday approved a state constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. However, in Maine, 57% of voters cast ballots to keep a civil rights law that protects gays from discrimination in hiring, housing, etc. IOWA:
Shenandoah Mayor Gregg Connell (D), a candidate for Governor next
year, was involved in a fatal car crash on Tuesday that killed
another motorist. The other motorist, David Juhl, died at a hospital
from crash injuries. Connell was ticketed by the police for running
a stop sign. While Connell was the first Dem to jump into the
gubernatorial contest months ago, he was viewed as an underdog
in the race. DEMS SWEEP 2005 GOV ELECTIONS; SEVERAL INCUMBENT MAYORS UPSET- Democrats won both off-year gubernatorial contests on Tuesday, including the Virginia contest where President Bush made an election eve visit to bolster the GOP nominee. Here are the highlighters from yesterday's gubernatorial and key mayoral elections:
POST-HURRICANE
WILMA RECOVERY REPORT: "I'VE GOT THE POWER!"
- No, that isn't a Howard Dean line (well, not in this context
anyways) as -- after 16 days without electricity -- we have it
restored again. A special thanks to the dedicated work crews from
Chain
Electric in Hattiesburg, Mississippi -- post-disaster contract
workers for our utility company (FPL) -- who worked for almost
two full days just to restore power to our block. I was standing
out in the dark this evening with my neighbors, watching them
finish the work and power us up. When the streetlight came on,
one of the workers pointed up at it and joked: "Don't be
alarmed -- that's a new thing called electricity. You folks probably
aren't very familiar with it." We gave the crew a round of
applause and one neighbor gace them a case of iced beers. We still
don't have cable, and we entirely lost our phone service again
today (although our DSL, which works over the same phone lines,
oddly is fine) -- but I'm just happy to have power again. ELECTION DAY PREVIEW: PART II - Yesterday we reported on the top mayoral contests around the nation. Today -- Election Day -- we do our final pre-race report on the gubernatorial contests.
ILLINOIS - State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka (R) announced Monday she will challenge Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) next year. Topinka is a centrist and former GOP State Chair, strongly backed by popular former Governor Jim Edgar. Recent polls showed Topinka was the strongest potential Republican against Blagojevich and also is best positioned to win the primary. Topinka held a 2-to-1 lead over her nearest primary rival in one poll last month. With Topinka now firmly in the Guv race, look for a few of the other current GOP gubernatorial candidates to move into other statewide contests.
MARYLAND - Add Governor Bob Ehrlich (R) to the list of vulnerable incumbents. The latest Baltimore Sun poll shows that Ehrlich would currently lose his office to either of the Democrats in the race. Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley (D) led Ehrlich by a vote of 48% to 33%. Ehrlich did better against Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan (D), but still trailed the Dem by five points. In the primary contest, O'Malley smashed Duncan by a 19-point margin. In a sign a real troubles for Ehrlich, 33% of Republicans wouldn't commit to supporting him for re-election. In the open US Senate contest, the race is much more competitive. While Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele is essentially unopposed for the GOP nod, the Dems have no clear primary favorite. The Dem numbers: Congressman Ben Cardin-30%, former Congressman Kweisi Mfume-28%, college professor Allan Lichtman-2%, psychiatrist Lise Van Susteren-2%, and developer Josh Rales-1%. In general election match-ups, Cardin would easily beat Steele (43% to 32%), but Steele led Mfume by just one point (39% to 38%). POST-HURRICANE
WILMA RECOVERY REPORT - FPL -- the electric company --
did a lot of work on my block for hours on Monday so I am hopeful
that Tuesday (a/k/a: Day #16 without electricity here at the house)
will be our last day without power. ELECTION DAY PREVIEW: PART I - Lots of other sites "do politics," but Politics1 first and foremost has always been a site about US elections -- so today is the kind of reporting day we enjoy. Besides the hot gubernatorial contests on Tuesday in New Jersey and Virginia, there are several significant mayoral contests taking place around the nation. Here is a brief look at those races:
CHENEY
ENDORSES USE OF TORTURE - In a closed door meeting with
Republican US Senators on Friday, Vice President Dick Cheney urged
them to allow the POST-HURRICANE
WILMA RECOVERY REPORT - Monday will be Day #15 without
electricity here at the house. Power is getting closer, in that
some homes within sight of mine got their power restored over
the weekend -- but most of us in my neighborhood are still waiting.
I also visited the beach on Sunday and saw the storm did major
damage there, washing away a large swath of the beach sand.
Just an open thread to keep you occupied until I post the Monday
update. Today (Saturday) was Day #13 without electricity, thanks
to Hurricane Wilma. All in all, thanks to a small generator that
we run about ten hours each day, we're doing fine (and I'm able
to get online and post updates). What is interesting is that this
hiatus from electricity has given me the unique perspective of
writing these updates without having seen any TV coverage of political
events. ARKANSAS - A new University of Arkansas poll produced some surprising results. While retiring Governor Mike Huckabee (R) -- a P2008 hopeful -- scored a decent 58% approval rating, the same respondents gave President Bush only a 38% approval rating. In the race for Governor, the poll showed Attorney General Mike Beebe (D) leading former Congressman Asa Hutchinson (R) by a 47% to 40% vote.
VIRGINIA: A new Roanoke College poll out Thursday shows Lieutenant Governor Tim Kaine (D) sprinting further ahead of former Attorney General Jerry Kilgore (R) during these closing days of the race. The numbers: Kaine-44%, Kilgore-36%, State Senator Russ Potts (Independent) - 5%. The same poll also found a virtual tie in the race for Lieutenant Governor and a 5-point GOP advantage in the race for Attorney General.
POST-HURRICANE
RECOVERY REPORT - The bad news: This is Day #12 without
electricity here at the house and the ocean swimming at the beach
is now prohibited until further notice due to high levels of bacterian
and other water contamination. The good news: the "boil water"
order was lifted for our city and the evening curfew finally ended.
THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE. NEW JERSEY - US Senator Jon Corzine (D) is either widening his lead over businessman Doug Forrester (R) in next week's race for Governor ... or the gap is rapidly narrowing. It all depends on which new polls you want to believe. The latest Quinnipiac University poll shows Corzine leading by a big 50% to 38% vote. At the opposite outlook is the a Fairleigh Dickinson University poll placing Corzine at a mere 4 point advantage (44%-40%). Most recent polls are consistent with the Q-poll numbers, but we'll have to wait until next Tuesday night to know which pollsters are more accurate than others. CALIFORNIA - Despite one of his more famous movie tag lines, maybe he won't be back after next year's elections. A new Los Angeles Times poll shows California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) trailing either of his likely Democratic opponents. State Treasurer Phil Angelides (D) leads Schwarzenegger by a 37% to 34% vote. Likewise, State Controller Steve Westly (D) leads the Guv by a 38% to 33% vote. Also, by a 64%-26% vote, likely voters said California was on "the wrong track." POST-HURRICANE
RECOVERY REPORT - Yeah, yeah ... I know this is a short
entry today ... but Wednesday was Day #10 without electricity
here at the house. The temperature dropped a few degrees (a good
thing) and no rain in the forecast (more good news, after yesterday's
flooding rains). WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE.
NYC - New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg (R) is headed to such a safe re-election win next week that this will be the last time we report any polls on the contest. A new WNBC/Marist Poll shows Bloomberg leading former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer (D) by a landslide 62%-31% vote. The latest Q-Poll also shows Bloomberg holding a 59%-31% advantage. MARYLAND
- In both Congress and the Governor's Mansion, Joe Steffen worked
as a close political aide to Governor Bob Ehrlich (R). The Baltimore
Sun reported Steffen had a reputation over the past decade
of being "Ehrlich's dirty-tricks operative." A few months
ago, however, THIRD PARTY NEWS. According to an interesting report on Small Government Blog -- a pro-Libertarian Party site -- it appears the LP is financially on the ropes. The site obtained a copy of the LNC Treasurer’s Report, which states the party isn't raising enough to cover operating expenses and complains paid LP staffer refuse to follow the Treasurer's instructions. POST-HURRICANE
RECOVERY REPORT - Another day marked by more unpleasant
warmth, plus heavy rains and high humidity (a 100% humidity index
even as I write this at 10:00 pm Tuesday night) ... and still
no electricity here at the house. Fort Lauderdale remains under
a late night curfew, and we're still under a boil-water order
because of contamination. OHIO
- Congressman Mike Oxley (R), 61, is expected to announce his
retirement this week -- possibly as early as Tuesday. P2008 - Former US House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) just made a third speaking swing through Iowa. This time he sounded much more unambiguously like a Presidential candidate. '[I want to] help shape the discussion ... I don't know of any better place to do it than in Iowa ... [I'd] like to be a participant in the dialogue on these major issues. If that means I'm a candidate, then I'm a candidate," said Gingrich. NEW JERSEY - Two more independent polls show US Senator Jon Corzine (D) holding a safe lead over businessman Doug Forrester (R) with just one week to go until election day. The latest Bergen Record/Research 2000 poll shows Corzine leading by a 51% to 42% vote. A new WNBC/Marist poll showed virtually identical numbers: Corzine-51%, Forrester-41%. SUPREME COURT - A bit of editorializing here ... President Bush nominated conservative US Court of Appeals Judge Sam Alito to the vacant seat on the US Supreme Court. I'd agree -- in terms of a purely neutral review of his resume -- he appears qualified to serve. However, when reviewing Alito's rather radical right agenda (as gathered from his written court opinions), I don't want to see "Scalia II" on the Court (actually, I don't like having Scalia on the Supreme Court either, but there's not much to do about that now). Alito is far outside the mainstream. Thus, Dems have a simple solution: filibuster. Why? If we don't use it, Alito will be confirmed ... and if we try it and fail, Alito will also be confirmed ... but if it succeeds, maybe the President will nominate a more unifying jurist for the vacant seat. So, from the way I see it, we've got nothing to lose. Besides -- if this isn't one worth fighting over -- then I don't know when the Democrats would ever find a cause worth fighting for. POST-HURRICANE
RECOVERY REPORT - Sorry, but it is unpleasantly warm
and humid -- still no electricity here at the house -- so no long
entry today. Just not in the mood to spend a lot of time typing
at the laptop. |
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Coleman
said he came to his decision about ending his campaign over the
Thanksgiving holiday, explaining he needed to spend more time
with his family and be focused on the duties of his current office.
Only a few months ago, it appeared Coleman would be largely unopposed
for the Dem nomination. Strickland still faces a relatively minor
primary challenge from former State Representative Bryan Flannery.
Also, some Ohio newspapers speculated talk show host and former
Cincinnati Mayor Jerry Springer (D) could still jump into the
race, but that now seems unlikely. State Senator and former Congressman
Eric Fingerhut (D) -- who was the Dem nominee for US Senate in
2004 -- also signalled his intention to enter the race. "Michael
Coleman’s withdrawal from this race leaves a void ... This
race needs a candidate who understands that Ohio is facing competition
from around the world for good jobs and opportunities for our
citizens," said Fingerhut. Strickland would also be considered
the frontrunner over Fingerhut, if he enters the contest. On the
GOP side, recent polls show Secretary of State Ken Blackwell leading
a hotly contested race against Attorney General Jim Petro and
State Auditor Betty Montgomery. In related news, term-limited
Governor Bob Taft II (R) continues to be an albatross hanging
from the neck of Ohio Republicans. A new Zogby/Toledo Blade
poll shows Taft -- who pled guilty to misdemeanor ethics violations
a few months ago -- now has an unimaginably bad approval rating
of only 6.5%. Nearly half of all respondents said Taft ran a "purposely
corrupt" administration, and 61% said Taft should have resigned
when he pled guilty in August. Not trying to sound too cynical
here, but I think Stalin or Imelda Marcos could possibly score
ratings of 6.5% in the US today (even on a bad day). Taft's spokesman
dismissed the poll results, explaining "Governor Taft does
not govern by the polls."
NEW
YORK: A top state Republican called on Westchester County
District Attorney Jeanine Pirro (R) to quit the race against US
Senator Hillary Clinton (D). State Senator Majority Leader Joe
Bruno praised Pirro's qualifications but urged her to abandon
the race against Clinton and instead switch to a different statewide
race that a GOP candidate may have a better shot of winning. "Senator
Bruno is a respected majority leader and I appreciate his confidence
in my abilities. However, I am a candidate for US Senate,"
answered Pirro, in a released statement. Pirro is backed by retiring
Governor George Pataki, but is facing opposition from Conservative
Party leaders because of her pro-choice views. Pirro will face
former Yonker Mayor John Spencer and tax attorney Bill Brenner
in the GOP primary.
Cunningham
(R-CA) pled guilty to corruption charges and resigned from office
in Monday. He admitted to tax fraud and criminal conspiracy charges
for accepting over $2.4 million in bribes in exchange for working
to influence the Defense Department to award valuable projects
to favored contractors. Cunningham chaired a key House Appropriations
subcommittee on armed forces. Cunningham reportedly used the bribes
to buy a California mansion, a DC suburban condo, a yacht, and
a Rolls Royce. Under the plea deal, Cunningham will forfeit to
the federal government his $2.5 million mansion and approximately
$1.8 million in cash and other goods, plus face up to ten years
in prison and be fined up to $350,000. A decorated Vietnam War
combat pilot and former Navy "Top Gun" school instructor,
the legislator said he was "truly sorry ... The truth is
I broke the law, concealed my conduct and disgraced my office.
I know I will forfeit my reputation, my worldly possessions --
most importantly the trust of my friends and family." The
resignation will also necessitate a special election primary in
January for the heavily Republican CD-50 seat. Cunningham had
previously announced plans to retire next year, prompting a large
crowd to already jump into the contest. State Senator Bill Morrow
(R), former State Assemblyman Howard Kaloogian (R) and multimillionaire
businessman Alan Uke (R) appear to be among the first tier of
candidates for the special election. College professor Francine
Busby (D) -- the nominee against Cunningham in 2004 -- is again
running.
gubernatorial
primary is still six months away, but the major party nomination
contests have already played out. Two-term Governor Dirk Kempthorne
(R) is retiring. Congressman C.L. "Butch" Otter (R)
-- a colorful former four-term Lieutenant Governor -- launched
his campaign for Governor in December 2004. Otter's early start
and major fundraising advantage helped convince current Lieutenant
Governor Jim Risch (R) to announce he will seek re-election next
year instead of challenging Otter. "I think it's probably
a wise decision on [Risch's] part," said State Senator Dean
Cameron (R). Newspaper publisher Jerry Brady (D) -- the '02 nominee
against Kempthorne -- is unopposed for the Dem nomination. He
also welcomed Risch's decision. "It seemed terribly likely
that Otter was going to beat Risch. I'd rather it be Brady vs.
Otter than Risch vs. Otter. That's what we're going to have in
November anyway, so let's start talking about it now," he
told the Idaho Statesman. While Brady is a credible candidate,
I'd rate this open seat race as "GOP Favored" because
this is the reddest of Red States.
MASSACHUSETTS:
A new State House News Service tracking poll shows the
Dems well positioned to recapture the Governor's Mansion next
year. According to the poll, Governor Mitt Romney (R) -- who appears
likely to pass on the race in favor of making a 2008 White House
run -- had an approval rating of 47% favorable versus 43% unfavorable,
indicating an 8-point drop in support over the past few months.
Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey -- who will likely be the GOP
nominee if Romney passes on the race -- had an approval rating
of 33% favorable versus 30% unfavorable. In specific general election
match-ups, Democratic frontrunner Attorney General Tom Reilly
looks very strong. Reilly led Romney by a vote of 52% to 36%,
and led Healey by an even wider vote of 56% to 25%. Secretary
of the Commonwealth Bill Galvin (D) also led Romney, but just
by 5-points. Galvin led Healey by 21%. Romney held a narrow 2-point
lead over former US Assistant Attorney General Deval Patrick --
but Patrick held a 12-point advantage over Healey. Romney -- who
this week becomes chair of the Republican Governors Association
-- has promised to make a public decision on seeking re-election
by the end of the year.
HOUSE
REPUBLICANS: While "officially" nearly all
House Republicans continue to express support for the quick return
of Congressman Tom DeLay (R-TX) as the House Majority Leader --
hoping he can quickly put his criminal charges behind him -- that
may not be what some of them are really thinking. As previously
reported, Congressman Kenny Hulshof (R-MO) said he would prefer
having Congressman Roy Blunt (R-MO) -- the Acting Majority Leader
-- remaining in the post permanently. Now conservative columnist
Bob Novak reports that Congressman John Boehner (R-OH) is "quietly
enlisting support from fellow House Republicans to elect him as
Majority Leader in January." Novak also reported NRCC Chair
Tom Reynolds (R-NY) appears to be Boehner's runningmate for the
Majority Whip position. Reynolds denies he is seeking the Whip
job, saying he instead is focusing on his NRCC duties for the
2006 election cycle. 
Congressman
Bob Ney (R-OH) has already been named as a central focus of the
expanded probe for allegedly accepting "a stream of things
of value" in direct exchange for using his office to help
the lobbyists' clients. According to WSJ, those elected
officials now joining Ney under federal investigation for possible
bribery and corruption purportedly include US Senator Conrad Burns
(R-MT), Congressman Tom DeLay (R-TX) and Congressman John Doolittle
(R-CA). Of the seventeen Hill staffers targeted, five are reported
to have worked in DeLay's office. The newspaper reported federal
prosecutors are particularly interested in learning more about
why Burns "helped one of Mr. Abramoff's clients -- the Saginaw
Chippewa tribe in Michigan -- win a $3 million grant from Congress
[while] Mr. Burns was the chairman of a key Senate subcommittee
that allocated the funds to the tribe." The allegations include
reports Burns received illegal favors and over $130,000 in campaign
contributions for assisting Abramoff. The newspaper said it was
not yet clear why Doolittle is part of the investigation, although
WSJ reported that "the Justice Department subpoenaed
documents more than a year ago from Mr. Doolittle's wife, a Republican
fund-raiser [and] Mr. Abramoff also hired Kevin Ring, a top Doolittle
aide." Other recent news articles also alleged prominent
Religious Right political consultant Ralph Reed -- a 2006 GOP
candidate for Georgia Lieutenant Governor -- was also involved
with Abramoff's activities. Reed -- a close Abramoff friend since
the early 1980s -- reportedly financed large portions of anti-lottery
and anti-gambling campaigns he was hired to run with millions
of dollars Abramoff funnelled from his Indian gaming clients through
the bank accounts of the Christian Coalition and other groups.
In 2002, Abramoff purportedly worked secretly with Reed to force
the closure of a casino owned by the Tigua Indian tribe -- which
then created an opening for Abramoff to get the same tribe to
hire him to lobby Congress to reopen the casino.
Republican
in Congress, has faced vigorous challenges from right and left
yet won by comfortable margins in nearly all of his past races.
The 63-year-old incumbent blamed the nasty climate in DC as the
leading reason for his retirement: "I have both the energy
and the enthusiasm for the job I do, and I am confident that I
would win re-election if I chose to run ... [but] the mood on
Capitol Hill is not a pleasant one. There's a divisiveness that
I think we haven't seen in a long time and I worry about that.
I like to think that I've been a moderating influence on that."
Kolbe said he may like to teach when his term ends. US House Speaker
Dennis Hastert (R-IL) and Congressman John Shadegg (R-AZ) both
quickly called on Kolbe to reconsider and seek re-election. Kolbe's
CD-8 seat could produce a competitive race, although the voting
history leans Republican. Kolbe -- who has held the seat since
1984 -- told the Arizona Republic that his open seat
is "going to be a tough district for another Republican to
hold on to." See our 
P2008:
Add another name into the Democratic mix of potential candidates:
US Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT). According to 
P2008:
Outgoing Virginia Governor Mark Warner (D) is on a political
swing through New Hampshire this week. On top of that, check out
the new website for Warners's PAC -- 
Bob
Ney (R), chair of the House Administration Committee, must be
rather nervous these days. On Friday, Michael Scanlon -- a former
Tom DeLay congressional aide and former partner of indicted DC
lobbyist Jack Abramoff -- pled guilty in a plea bargain to one
federal felony related to a corruption conspiracy. Scanlon also
offered to testify in related cases, in exchange for leniency
consideration in his sentencing. According to court papers, Scanlon
pled guilty and admitted he "provided a stream of things
of value" to an unnamed Congressman -- referred to as "Representative
No. 1" -- who, in return, "agreed to perform a series
of official acts," including "agreements to support
and pass legislation, agreements to place statements into the
Congressional Record," and held meetings with their
clients. Attorneys
involved in the case, including Ney's own attorney, confirmed
for the media that Ney is the
"Representative No. 1" referenced in the Scanlon indictment.
According to the New York Times, Ney received "gifts,
tickets and meals ... including a now infamous golfing trip to
Scotland ... in exchange for helping Mr. Scanlon and Mr. Abramoff
with their [Indian tribe gaming] clients." Speaking through
his attorney, Ney denied any wrongdoing and offered to cooperate
with prosecutors. Ney also claimed he "was tricked by Mr.
Scanlon and Mr. Abramoff into assisting their clients." The
wording of the indictment, interestingly, also suggested other
unnamed Members of Congress are under criminal investigation in
the case. Because of Ney's ethics problems, Democrats were recently
able to recruit Chillicothe Mayor Joe Sulzer -- a former State
Representative and Vietnam War veteran -- to challenge the incumbent
next year. With mounting bad press like this, the Ohio CD-18 race
moves into the competitive "Leans GOP" category if Ney
is the GOP nominee.
Murtha
called for the immediate start of US troop withdrawals from Iraq.
"The war in Iraq is not going as advertised. It is a flawed
policy wrapped in illusion. The American public is way ahead of
us. The United States and coalition troops have done all they
can in Iraq, but it is time for a change in direction. Our military
is suffering. The future of our country is at risk. We can not
continue on the present course. It is evident that continued military
action in Iraq is not in the best interest of the United States
of America, the Iraqi people or the Persian Gulf Region ... Our
military has done everything that has been asked of them, the
US can not accomplish anything further in Iraq militarily. It
is time to bring them home," said Murtha. Pundits immediately
speculated that Murtha's shift may also embolden other centrists
on the fence to come out against the war and for a quick withdrawal.
In response, US House Speaker Denny Hastert (R-IL) quickly shot
back at Murtha: "I am saddened by the comments made today
by Representative Murtha. It is clear that as Nancy Pelosi's top
lieutenant on Armed Services, Representative Murtha and Democratic
leaders have adopted a policy of cut and run. They would prefer
that the United States surrender to the terrorists who would harm
innocent Americans. To add insult to injury, this is done while
the President is on foreign soil ... Representative Murtha and
other Democrats want us to retreat. They want us to wave the white
flag of surrender to the terrorists of the world." White
House spokesman Scott McClellan said Murtha is "a respected
veteran and politician who has a record of supporting a strong
America. So it is baffling that he is endorsing the policy positions
of Michael Moore and the extreme liberal wing of the Democratic
Party." Retorted Murtha: "Lashing out at critics doesn't
help a bit." Buckle your seatbelts, folks, because this fight
on the Hill is going to get very personal and very rough.
P2008
- BIDEN OFFERS NEW FLAVOR OF WAFFLE: In an interview
this week with KDKA TV and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,
US Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) criticized potential rival John Edwards
(D-NC) for apologizing for his previous Senate vote in support
of the Iraq War. "I think [Edwards] did made a mistake. He
voted for the war and against funding it, I think that was a mistake.
The only regret I had voting for the war is that I never anticipated
how incompetent the Administration would be in using the authority
we gave them to avoid war," said Biden. Oh, okay ... so he
was for the war only, soft of, conceptually ... but not for the
war in actuality. Talk about a stance that by contrast makes John
Kerry's tortured inability to explain his Iraq position during
the 2004 campaign look good. Or compare Biden with US Senator
Russ Feingold (D-WI) -- another likely 2008 White House candidate
-- who stuck his neck out in June to suggest a firm Iraq troop
withdrawal date. While only one Dem Senator was willing to co-sponsor
Feingold's proposal a few months ago, 40 Senators voted for the
idea this week. John Kerry also jumped on the withdrawal bandwagon
this month -- at least, in part -- calling for a December pull-out
of 20,000 US troops. If the anti-war crowd is looking for a candidate,
Biden won't likely be on the list.
University
poll gives us a new update on the upcoming race for Florida Governor.
The GOP primary continues to be close, with State CFO Tom Gallagher
leading Attorney General Charlie Crist by a vote of 38% to 36%.
On the Dem side, Congressman Jim Davis is at 25% versus State
Senator Rod Smith at 15%, with -- do the math here -- a whopping
60% undecided. Several leading Florida Democrats tell Politics1
that there is an ongoing, behind-the-scenes effort to get Davis
and Smith to avoid a primary by agreeing to run as the party's
ticket next year for Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Both, however,
want the #1 spot so it is unclear if this will resolve itself.
The other suggested option is for Davis and Smith to agree to
run a polite, all-positive primary campaign with the winner selecting
the second place finisher as the runningmate. In either instance,
the goal is for the Dems to unite in the hope the Republicans
continue with what looks to be a very negative, personal, and
divisive primary that will weaken them for the general election.
Here are the Q-poll numbers for potential general election match-ups:
Davis-40%, Crist-39% ... Davis-41%, Gallagher-38% ... Crist-41%,
Smith-36% ... and Gallagher-41%, Smith-36%.
OREGON:
Governor Ted Kolongoski (D) could be in trouble if his predecessor
tries for a comeback in the primary, but otherwise he's polling
pretty well right now. An independent poll conducted last month
by Riley Research -- but released this week to state newspapers
-- shows former Governor John Kitzhaber leading Kulongoski by
a 29% to 27% vote in a hypothetical primary contest. Those are
pretty weak numbers for a scandal-free incumbent. Kitzhaber has
said he doesn't plan to run for Governor in 2006, but left lots
of room in recent comments that encouraged the ongoing draft effort.
Even without Kitzhaber in the race, the incumbent is already facing
announced primary challenges from two state legislators and a
county commissioner -- but they only polled 3% each. On the Republican
side, former State GOP Chair Kevin Mannix had 29%, followed by
former Portland School Board Member Ron Saxton and State Senator
Jason Aktinson with 6% apiece. Mannix defeated Saxton in the 2002
GOP primary for Governor, but then lost a close general election
to Kulongoski. In related news, GOP State Senator Ben Westlund
in speeches this past weekend strongly implied he will soon announce
his candidacy for Governor as an Independent candidate.
State
GOP Chair Paul Adams sent State Controller Kathy Augustine (R)
a private letter last week telling her he did not want her to
seek any political office next year when she is term-limited from
her current job because her candidacy "as a Republican will
be an embarrassment to the Nevada Republican Party." Adams
wrote the party "cannot embrace a candidate who has been
censured, fined and impeached for an ethics violation." Augustine
gave a copy of the letter to a friendly campaign consultant, who
proceeded to spread the word about it. When asked about the letter,
Adams told the AP: "She admitted to ethics violations and
was impeached and censured. That would be in my opinion an embarrassment
to the party and I stand by it." Augustine -- who is thinking
about running for either Lieutenant Governor or State Treasurer
-- is the only state official ever impeached and convicted in
Nevada's 141-year history. "I think I have quite a stellar
work record, in what I've accomplished in office," said Augustine,
who added she plans to tell reporters next month "what really
went on" in the events that led to her impeachment for using
state resources on her re-election campaign. Last year, Augustine
was fined $15,000 by the State Ethics Commission after she admitted
to three willful violations of state ethics law. From her conduct
here, it sounds like she's defiant and definitely planning to
run for office next year.
new
independent poll conducted for Texas Weekly gives a good
snapshot of next year's gubernatorial primaries. On the GOP side,
Governor Rick Perry leads State Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn
by a vote of 61% to 26%. On the Dem side, former Congressman Chris
Bell leads little-known middle school assistant principal Felix
Alvarado by a much closer vote of 28% to 15%. Country music singer
and novelist Kinky Friedman (Independent) is also running.
contest
to succeed retiring Governor George Pataki (R). According to the
newspaper, "ideological divisions, personal rivalries and
individual agendas that are undermining any semblance of party
unity as the 2006 elections approach." An example: The Pataki
wing of the state party is quietly threatening to help liberal
Attorney General Eliot Spitzer (D) win the seat if billionaire
businessman Tom Golisano (R) -- a three-time former Pataki opponent
and frequent Pataki critic -- is the GOP nominee. The Pataki group
is backing former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld (R) as Pataki's
sucessor. Also noted: Conservative attorney Ed Cox abrutly quit
the US Senate race when Pataki endorsed his pro-choice rival Jeanine
Pirro, only to have prominent Republicans like Congressmen Vito
Fossela, Peter King and John Sweeney refuse to subsequently throw
their support behind Pirro. The Chair of the NY Conservative Party
-- a frequent GOP "fusion" ally in statewide races --
said his group is leaning towards nominating former Yonker Mayor
John Spencer (R) as its candidate against Pirro.
Like
[Bill] Clinton, Huckabee has approached his state's troubles with
energy and innovation, and he has enjoyed some successes ... Huckabee
is now a mature, consensus-building conservative who earns praise
from fellow Evangelicals and, occasionally, liberal Democrats."
Cuban
leader Fidel Castro is a dictator who suppresses the political
freedoms of his opponents. That said, it is time for the decades-old
economic and travel embargo to end. Even at the height of the
Cold War, Americans were allowed to travel to the Soviet Union
and American farmers were free to sell products to the Soviets.
I like to think exposure of regular Soviet citizens to US tourists
help defeat the negative stereotypes they were fed and increased
their desire for freedom of speech, religion and travel. We never
had an embargo on trade or travel to the USSR, nor to any of the
other communist nations behind the Iron Curtain. As for the few
other remaining communist nations of the world today, we have
full diplomatic, travel and trade relations with all except for
North Korea. Yet, with Cuba, US citizens still cannot freely travel
there, nor trade with the Cubans, except under very limited circumstances
dictated by the US government. Violators are heavily fined by
the US government. Congress attempted several times to end these
restrictions in recent years -- even seeing these bills pass the
House and Senate with bipartisan support -- before the Republican
leadership (particularly Tom DeLay, who vowed he will do whatever
it takes to keep the embargo in place) killed it in conference.
Despite DeLay's position, some Republicans remain prominent in
their attempts to promote trade with Cuba and end the embargo,
including Governors Dave Heineman (R-NE) and John Hoeven (R-ND)
and US Senators Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Pat
Roberts (R-KS). It's time to end the misguided embargo, exchange
ambassadors, and freely allow travel to and full trade with Cuba.
Keeping the restrictions in place will not bring about Castro's
downfall (or it would have already done so years ago) -- as only
the natural end of the aging process seems likely to bring his
lengthy rule to a close. Worse yet, continuing the embargo makes
the US look inhumane to the Cuban people, diplomatically naive,
and foolishly stuck in the defunct Cold War.
PENNSYLVANIA:
According to the latest Philadelphia Daily News/Keystone
poll, US Senator Rick Santorum (R) continues to fall further behind
in his race for re-election. The numbers: State Treasurer Bob
Casey Jr. (D) - 51%, Santorum - 35%. The poll also found the pro-life
Casey leading his liberal primary opponent -- College Professor
Chuck Pennacchio -- by a lopsided vote of 67% to 5%. In the gubernatorial
contest, the poll showed Governor Ed Rendell (D) now has a disapproval
rating nearly identical with his approval rating. In the GOP primary
for Governor, the Keystone Poll showed former Lieutenant Governor
Bill Scranton at 27%, former pro-football player Lynn Swann at
24%, State Senator Jeff Piccola at 3%, and retired businessman
Jim Panyard at 0%. A new Rasmussen Reports poll also released
Thursday shows Casey leading Santorum by a similarly wide vote
of 54% to 34%. When President Bush visits the state Friday, Santorum'
staff already made it clearly known he will not be there because
the Senator has an "unavoidable scheduling conflict"
elsewhere. 
UTAH:
State House Majority Whip Steve Urquhart (R) this week ended his
2006 primary challenge to US Senator Orrin Hatch (R). Urquhart
told the Salt Lake City Deseret News that Hatch -- who
is seeking a sixth term next year -- "was too strong financially
and politically for him to have a chance against him."
US
Senator Jon Corzine (D) won a comfortable victory to become
the Garden State's next Governor. In the nasty battle of the
multi-millionaires, Corzine defeated investment executive Doug
Forrester (R) by a vote of 54% to 43%. Eight other candidates
split the remaining 3% of the vote. Corzine not only rolled
up big numbers in Democratic strongholds, he even carried Republican
areas like Bergen County. Returns also indicated the Dems were
likely to expand their majority in the State Assembly. As we
reported yesterday, the next big contest will be for the appointment
to Corzine's soon-to-be-open Senate seat. The latest buzz is
it that Corzine -- at the urging of the DSCC -- will likely
appoint popular Acting Governor Dick Codey (D), as polls show
he is the only Dem in the mix who leads likely GOP nominee Tom
Kean Jr. in next year's US Senate race. Codey initially expressed
disinterest in serving in DC, but newspaper reports say he now
may accept the post if it is offered. Even if Codey gets appointed
by Governor Corzine, other potential primary candidates next
year include Congressmen Bob Menendez, Frank Pallone, Rob Andrews
and Bill Pascrell.
month
ago would have been an amazing upset win, the Democrats held
onto the Governor's Mansion in Virginia. Lieutenant Governor
Tim Kaine (D) defeated former Attorney General Jerry Kilgore
(R) by a wider margin than most had expected. The numbers: Kaine
- 52%, Kilgore - 46%, and State Senator Russ Potts (Independent)
- 2%. Term-limited Governor Mark Warner's (D) immense personal
popularity hekped carry Kaine to victory, coupled with Kilgore
running a clumsy campaign in the closing weeks and the Dems
attempting to link him to an increasingly unpopular President.
In the other two statewide contests -- races in which the GOP
candidates were widely expected to romp to victories -- both
were surprisingly close. In the race for Lieutenant Governor,
conservative State Senator Bill Bolling (R) appears to have
defeated liberal former Congresswoman Leslie Byrne (D) by a
vote of 51% to 49%. With 99.6% of the vote counted in the race
for Attorney General, State Delegate Bob McDonnell (R) was barely
leading State Senator Creigh Deeds (D) by a vote of 50.05% to
49.87% -- a difference of less than 3,500 votes out of over
1.9 million cast. Look for the AG race to remain undecided until
every last vote is counted and -- even then -- this one is headed
to a recount. These two races are also significant because --
with Virginia Governors prohibited from seeking re-election
to consecutive terms -- the sitting LG and AG will be the frontrunners
for Governor in four years. Kaine's victory will also help boost
the 2008 Presidential campaign prospects of Warner, as the vote
showed he still has draw with voters in what is a fairly reliable
Red State. No big legislative changes were expected in the state
as there were less than ten competitive races in the entire
state -- and a majority of the state legislative incumbents
went entirely unopposed.
CLEVELAND
- City Council President Frank Jackson (D) ousted Mayor Jane
Campbell (D) -- his former ally -- by a 54% to 46% vote in this
non-partisan race. Campbell, the city's first female mayor,
was unpopular because of her handling of the city's financial
problems, in which she cut police, firefighter and teacher positions.
-
US Senator Jon Corzine (D) was the prohibitive favorite in this
open seat race from the start. His potential to self-finance
his campaign from his vast personal wealth -- coupled with his
role as a US Senator -- convinced even Governor Dick Codey (D)
to not run in the primary. Thus, while Corzine coasted to an
easy nomination, a crowded field of Republicans battled it out
in a nasty primary. A pack of social conservative hopefuls divided
the base, allowing moderate Doug Forrester to narrowly win the
GOP nomination. Forrester is a multi-millionaire investment
executive and the '02 GOP nominee for US Senate. Corzine --
the former Goldman Sachs chairman -- is even wealthier and spent
$63 million out of his own pocket to win his US Senate seat
in 2000. Forrester has run a smart campaign, and taken advantage
of just about every break he could get. He may have alienated
pro-life Republicans by running TV spots touting his pro-choice
views -- but he is gambling these Republicans will still vote
for him over a pro-choice Democrat. Forrester even attacked
Corzine for his personal life, running a late spot featuring
Corzine's ex-wife. That one was a cheap shot -- a desperation
move in the final days to narrow the gap -- but those type of
personal spots rarely produce good results. The poll numbers
have moved up and down quite a bit in the last three weeks,
although Corzine has never lost his lead (although Forrester
moved to within 3-4 points of Corzine in a few polls). My
prediction: Corzine wins by a margin of around six points.
And stay tuned: The jockeying will immediately begin for the
appointment to Corzine's soon-to-be-open Senate seat. The latest
buzz is it that Corzine will likely appoint Codey to the Senate
seat. That sets off a potential '06 Dem Senate primary between
Codey and Congressmen Bob Menendez, Frank Pallone, Rob Andrews
and Bill Pascrell.
-
Polls throughout the first half of this year made former Attorney
General Jerry Kilgore (R) the initial frontrunner. But, by mid-summer,
rising disapproval numbers for President Bush and the Republicans
on national issues -- coupled with term-limited Governor Mark
Warner's (D) immense personal popularity in the state -- moved
Lieutenant Governor Tim Kaine (D) into a close second. A well-executed
campaign by Kaine -- coupled with an inept effort by Kilgore's
team (particularly the backlash from the death penalty/Hitler
ad) -- turned the race into a virtual tie over the final two
weeks. Late polls give Kaine a small edge. The wild card in
the race was GOP State Senator Russ Potts, who is running as
an Independent and espousing a pro-choice and pro-tax hike agenda
to the left of both Kaine or Kilgore. Polls show Potts drawing
almost evenly from both men, but he remains stuck at around
the 4-5% mark. Even a late night, election eve visit to the
state by President Bush on behalf of Kilgore will not likely
be enough to help the GOP nominee. Kaine has the momentum to
win. My prediction: Kaine-50%, Kilgore-46%, Potts-4%.
However, the GOP will win the races for Lieutenant Governor
and Attorney General.
OHIO
- A new independent poll just confirmed what many have been saying
for a while: US Senator Mike DeWine (R) is very vulnerable next
year. According to the Columbus Dispatch poll, DeWine
trails rival Congressman Sherrod Brown (D) by a 35% to 31% vote.
Equally bad for DeWine, he manages to hold only a two-point lead
-- 32% to 30% -- over attorney and former Congressional candidate
Paul Hackett.
NEW
YORK CITY -
Incumbent Mayor 
Moving
right across the river in the Twin Cities area, St. Paul Democrats
are going to get revenge against Mayor 
US
to torture suspected terrorist prisoners of war under certain
circumstances. US Senator John McCain (R-AZ) -- who was tortured
as a prisoner during the Vietnam War -- is the key sponsor of
the legislative amendment to prohibit the US from torturing any
prisoners of war, suspected terrorists or detainees. McCain said
if the US does not honor the Geneva Convention protections, then
those who capture US soldiers will not honor it either. Cheney
said an exception must be carved out to allow the CIA to torture
suspected terrorists in order to learn crucial information, and
says the Bush Administration will likely veto the spending bill
it is currently attached to unless the amendment is removed. The
amendment was approved by a 90-9 vote in the Senate last month.
The House Republican leadership, however, is delaying conference
action on last month's bill, which also has strong support in
the House -- in large part to avoid an embarrassing setback for
the President. In response, McCain
said: "I would hope that no one seeks procedural maneuvers
to thwart overwhelming majorities in both chambers. A bicameral,
bipartisan majority in support of this amendment will prevail
... If necessary, and I sincerely hope it is not, I and the co-sponsors
of this amendment will seek to add it to every piece of important
legislation voted on in the Senate until the will of a substantial
bipartisan majority in both houses of Congress prevails."
And, sure enough, on Friday afternoon the Senate by unanimous
voice vote added the amendment to a military spending bill. In
an 
WHITE
HOUSE - A new Zogby poll shows President Bush with an
approval rating of just 39%, which the Zogby described as a "historic
[Presidential] low" since they've been polling. This same
week, a new CBS News poll showed the President with a 35% approval
rating -- noting the number is the lowest they've ever recorded
in history -- except for the 27% for President Nixon in the days
immediately before he resigned in disgrace during the Watergate
cover-up scandal.
VERMONT
- Get used to saying "US Senator Bernie Sanders" (Independent)
next year. According to a new WCAX-TV/Research 2000 poll, the
self-proclaimed socialist Congressman with the wild mane of white
hair leads likely GOP nominee Rich Tarrant (R) by a very lopsided
64% to 16% vote. The same poll showed Governor Jim Douglas (R)
cruising to an easy re-election victory next year over former
Democratic State Chair Scudder Parker (D) by a 45-point margin.
HAWAII
- Just a day after the Honolulu Advertiser reported popular
Governor Linda Lingle (R) is on track to raise at least $6 million
for her re-election campaign, liberal Congressman Neil Abercrombie
became the latest Democrat to announce he would not challenge
her next year. Abercrombie said he doesn't want to give up his
15 years of seniority on Capitol Hill. Although Lingle is only
the state's first GOP Governor in 40 years -- and, FYI, both the
state's first female Governor and first Jewish Governor -- not
a single Dem of any significance has stepped forward to run. With
Abercrombie out, Dems are now hoping either Hawaii County (Big
Island) Mayor Harry Kim or retired Honolulu Police Chief Lee Donohue
will jump in. Kim is expected to soon announce his decision, while
Donahue appears to be leaning towards making the race.
Steffen
was fired from his cushy job in the Ehrlich Administration when
he was identified as the anonymous source posting online rumors
of marital infidelity involving Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley
(D). O'Malley is a leading Democratic candidate against Ehrlich
next year. Steffen -- affectionately dubbed the "Prince of
Darkness" a few years ago by Ehrlich himself -- was also
reportedly the person Ehrlich used to identify mid-level and lower-level
at-will state employees who were Democrats in order to target
them for firing. Ehrlich told reporters he agrees Steffen was
compiling lists of state employees -- secretaries, clerks, and
others -- for firing, but insists party affiliation had nothing
to do with it. Instead, explained Ehrlich to the Washington
Post, Steffen was merely helping make room "for objective,
competent people who were with the program." After being
abandoned by his GOP friends in the wake of his firing -- friends
who he said had falsely promised to "take care of him"
after he was dumped -- Steffen now appears ready to get even with
Ehrlich. First, Steffen this week said he would cooperate with
the Dems in Maryland Legislature investigating the possibly improper
attempted purge of state workers (although Steffen agrees party
affiliation had nothing to do with those identified for firing).
Second -- and more significant -- Steffen said he wants to be
the Libertarian nominee for Governor next year. "For better
or worse, my name ID is pretty high. There is never a better time
to put the Libertarian Party on the map," he said. Steffen
acknowledges his candidacy may hurt Ehrlich more than the Democratic
nominee by siphoning away some conservative votes and by keeping
the Ehrlich-Steffen scandal stories in the news throughout the
whole campaign -- but says he doesn't care. "I'm not looking
to help or hurt anybody," he said, adding he simply supports
having "the most limited government possible."
Oxley
-- Chair of the House Financial Services Committee -- was first
elected to Congress in a 1981 special election. He is best known
as the co-author of the 2002 post-Enron corporate reform law commonly
referred to as "Sarbanes-Oxley." Oxley's CD-4 seat is
heavily Republican, so the real fight here will be in next year's
GOP primary.
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