Political Machine

No Ventura For Senate

Dave — 2008-07-15T00:03:00+00:00

Filed under: Breaking News, 2008 President, 2008 Senate

Jesse was on Larry King apparently and told everyone the sad, sad news. He's not running for Senate. And since I broke the speculation, I figured I ought to wrap it up.

Hotline's writeup:

Surprising no one, ex-MN Gov. Jesse Ventura (I) just told CNN's Larry King that he won't join the MN SEN race now dominated by Sen. Norm Coleman (R) and entertainer Al Franken (D).

Squinting into the camera, with his dyed-black hair apparently pulled back in a ponytail, Ventura told King that he's so disgusted with both parties that he doesn't plan to vote for either Barack Obama or John McCain.

So anyway, Al Franken can breathe a little easier, as it would have been near impossible for him to get any oxygen with Jesse Ventura around. He'll have it easier with mano y mano with Norm Coleman. Shooting from the hip, I'd say advantage Coleman, I just think Franken is not where most Minnesotans are at.

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Dems Getting Nervous About Drilling Bans

Dave — 2008-07-10T20:09:00+00:00

Filed under: Democrats, 2008 Senate, 2008 House, Energy

Some Democrats may be just now waking up to the fact that there is huge frustration over high energy prices and they see danger in allowing too much time without addressing this issue. Specifically, Harry Reid and Dick Durbin:

"I'm open to drilling and responsible production," Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin told The Wall Street Journal, adding that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid could also support the move.

However, Durbin said his support for opening new areas to drilling was contingent on setting requirements that oil and gas companies begin production within a specified time frame on acreage they have leased from the government.

Steny Hoyer in the house is trying as well:

Following weeks of bashing by Republicans who criticize Democrats for opposing an expansion of offshore oil drilling and opening part of an Alaskan wildlife reserve to production, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer tried to put Democrats squarely on the side of more domestic oil production.

Speaking to reporters, Hoyer said, "Let's be clear: Democrats support increasing the domestic production of petroleum and other energy resources."

...

Democratic leaders also hammered away at the U.S. oil industry, saying it is doing little with the leases it already holds to drill on 68 million acres in the lower 48 states. Under the Democratic bill, such lease holders would have to "use it or lose it," Hoyer said.

I don't know, the oil industry has been laughing off the use it or lose it line, saying if there was oil on those properties, they'd be drilling like there is no tomorrow. So it sounds to me as if the Steny Hoyer is all in favor of drilling where there's no oil and not drilling where the oil is. (ANWR, Oil Shale, and offshore). They may be able to hang on with rhetorical flourishes like this, but it's clear that the Republicans think they've found an issue they will ride to November on.

And as the weather gets colder and the first fillups for fuel oil tanks happen in the northern states, the GOP could well be right. The Democrats are at least now signalling that they recognize this as an issue, but they'd rather not give any ground just yet and have to choose between the environment and keeping their seats.

UPDATE

Put Jim Webb in the category of Drilling Dems.

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Jesse for Senate?

Dave — 2008-07-09T21:37:00+00:00

Filed under: Senate, Featured Stories, 2008 Senate

So apparently Jesse Ventura is thinking about running against Norm Coleman in Minnesota. This could make Minnesota the runner up in media attention this election cycle. We already have the Republican convention in Minneapolis. Then the matchup between Norm Coleman and Writer and former SNL comic Al Franken promised to be at least a very interesting race.

From the LAT

The buzz surrounding Ventura grew very loud today, following the broadcast on NPR of an interview he gave David Welna Sunday in a parking lot in Minnesota. He again talked as if he had decided to run, and even offered what presumably would be one of his main messages: "All you Minnesotans take a good hard look at all three of us. And you decide: If you were in a dark alley, which one of the three of us would you want with you?"

Ventura quickly clarified that his remarks were hypothetical, and that he'll continue to weigh his options until the filing deadline. "It will come down to whether I want to change my lifestyle and go to that lifestyle or not," he said.

In my mind I've been handicapping this race for Coleman, as I thought that Al Franken has and will have just too much baggage for the Minnesota voter. And even though given his past, I don't want to predict against Ventura, he would probably make Coleman's reelection even easier by splitting the anti-Republican/GOP/war vote. But it will be up to the Minnesotans.

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McCain Campaign Breaks Down, Shakes Up

Tommy Christopher — 2008-07-03T10:52:00+00:00

Filed under: Republicans, John McCain, Featured Stories, 2008 Senate

Senator John McCain's campaign announced a reorganization yesterday that the pundits are calling a "shake-up," but which the campaign insists is business as usual. From The New York Times:

WASHINGTON - Senator John McCain's presidential campaign has gone through its second shake-up in a year. Responding to Republican concerns that his candidacy was faltering, Mr. McCain put a veteran of President Bush's 2004 campaign in charge of day-to-day operations, and stepped away from a plan to have the campaign run by 11 regional managers, Mr. McCain's aides said Wednesday.

The elevation of Steve Schmidt - who worked closely with Karl Rove - at Mr. McCain's headquarters represented a sharp diminishment of the responsibilities of Rick Davis, who has been Mr. McCain's campaign manager since the last shake-up nearly a year ago.

The McCain campaign said, through a spokesman, that they are simply rearranging the deck chairs...sorry, no, they put a cigar in the campaign's mouth and said, "I love it when a plan comes together."

The Times, and everyone else, are being extremely generous to the McCain campaign. In order for something to be shaken up, it has to first be in a non-shaking state. McCain's campaign has been trembling like an extra-innings Jenga game since the Democrats ended their primary fight.

It wasn't that great before that, either, but no-one was looking. It reminds me of a cartoon that Jim Bouton described in Ball Four, where a forlorn kid, dragging his bat and glove, tells his dad, "I had a no-hitter going until the big kids got out of school."

From that first night of the general election, McCain was clearly outclassed, drawing ridicule for his poorly-staged, barf-colored victory speech.

As far as campaign staff, McCain has had consistent problems, jettisoning senior advisers because of their lobbying ties, having one resign because he didn't want to oppose Barack Obama, and keeping others that he probably shouldn't. Charlie Black, who posits a McCain catastrophe bounce from a terrorist attack, comes to mind.

Add to that the fact that McCain is taking a beating from Obama on most key issues, and it is no wonder that they have seized on Wesley Clark's comments as a way to shift the conversation to McCain's military service, his only remaining positive. Even there, forming a Truth Squad populated by a member of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth has sapped much of the political advantage that could've been gained, and demanding that Barack Obama "cut loose" a guy who is not even connected to the campaign just reeks of desperation.

McCain and the GOP are right to be worried. Even with a perfect campaign, they faced an uphill fight against any Democrat this year. Against a formidable politician like Barack Obama, they could break several Richter scales shaking up McCain's beleaguered operation, and still not make a dent.

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Election 2008 Theme Song

Liza Porteus Viana — 2008-07-02T08:49:00+00:00

Filed under: Democrats, Republicans, 2008 President, 2008 Senate, 2008 House

It often seems there are few things agreed on when it comes to politics. But this year - whether it be the historical support Barack Obama has received on the campaign trail, the distance John McCain is trying to put between himself and President Bush on many issues to convince us a vote for him is not a vote for "more of the same," or the ousting of many congressional incumbent Republicans around the country - I think we can all agree that "CHANGE" is a good a theme as any in this year's elections.

So if any of you Democratic or Republican convention planners need a good theme song this year, I've got one for you: "It's Your Life" by 23-year-old Francesca Battistelli.

Battistelli, a Native New Yorker who now lives in Nashville, is like a breath of fresh air amid a political process becoming more filled with rancor every day. "It's Your Life" was influenced, in part, by the importance of this year's election and the need for everyone to get up and get involved in changing their own lives and the state of our country. She has a debut performance in New York City Tuesday, July 8. Details after the jump.

Here's what Battistelli tells Political Machine:

"Voting is so important, and it distinguishes our country from others in the world where so many people don't have a voice. It's a way to be heard and contribute to creating a better future on a local and national level.

"We so often complain about one thing or another as far as the government is concerned, but many of us don't do anything about it. Health care, the environment, education--the list seems endless. But if you're not willing to stand up and make your voice heard by voting, you shouldn't really be complaining.

"'It's Your Life' is about using your voice, your abilities, and your life to stand for what you believe in. Your vote could turn the tide of the election. One small step could change the course of your life. It's your life, what are you going to do?"

Battistelli's debut performance will be next Tuesday, July 8, at 5 p.m. The full invitation can be found here. The live performance will also be webcast.

Will.i.am made a splash on the political scene with his "Yes We Can" song and video - the viral nature of the Internet had the video, which echoed Obama themes of hope and change, bouncing around thousands of home and work computers in no time. He also had star power on his side. Battistelli is on MySpace, Facebook, and everywhere else her handlers can promote her.

This reads like a promo, I know, but the song really is good, and she has a great voice. And, of course, it might be a nice change of pace from the usual U2, Bruce Springsteen (not that I don't love them) and other known quantities at this year's conventions. Listen to her. Show up next Tuesday. Make up your own mind.

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Hoping for a 'Robust Minority'

Christopher Weber — 2008-07-01T13:31:00+00:00

Filed under: Republicans, 2008 Senate, 2008 House, Media, Viral Video

The outlook must be bleak for the GOP if that's what they're wishing for in November. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on CNN:

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Looming Election Slows Progress in Senate

Mark Impomeni — 2008-06-28T12:05:00+00:00

Filed under: Senate, Democrats, Republicans, Featured Stories, 2008 Senate

The Senate adjourned for the Fourth of July Recess without taking action on several important pending bills, including a mortgage bailout, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act reauthorization, and the war funding supplemental. Democratic leaders complain that minority Republicans have deliberately stalled legislation in an attempt to create a "do-nothing Congress" against which to run in the fall. But Democrats have short memories, forgetting that when they were in the minority, they adopted much the same tactics to prevent bills that they opposed from advancing. Then, filibusters were a precious right of the minority, vital to the functioning of a democracy and a sacred method of preventing a tyrrany of the majority.

Ironically, Republicans did not hold up the FISA bill or the war supplemental. Those bills are delayed by infighting among factions in the Democratic caucus. Liberals like Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), oppose the measures both on principle and as a result of pressure from their political base and wish to offer amendments to soften their impact. The mortgage bailout is opposed by more conservative members in the Republican caucus, but will likely pass by a large majority when it does come up for a vote. Republicans argue that by stalling work in the Senate, they are protecting their minority status from an uncooperative majority which often denies them the chance to amend legislation or offer alternatives.

The back and forth battle is nothing new in Washington politics. Both parties engage in it just as vigorously as they decry its results. But in the short run, it appears that Republicans have been particularly successful at frustrating the Democratic leadership, as well as preventing legislation that their base would find difficult to accept. In an election year that is shaping up to very bad for Republicans, they may have to take their solace anywhere they can find it.

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GOP Senator Highlights Obama Work

Dave — 2008-06-24T23:12:00+00:00

Filed under: Barack Obama, Ads, 2008 President, 2008 Senate

No, this is not a good sign for the GOP.

Hat tip to Marc Ambinder.

I guess McCain is not playing that well in Oregon. Oh and note Gordon's lack of party identification.

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The GOP Saving Grace

Dave — 2008-06-15T22:45:00+00:00

Filed under: Environment, 2008 Governor, 2008 Senate

Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell has the audacity to hope:

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell dropped by our offices in New York this week. Republicans face potential electoral disaster this fall, but he says a few issues could turn out to be lifesavers. Case in point: Gas prices, at more than $4 per gallon for the first time in history. Mr. McConnell notes that a new poll shows Americans now favor drilling for oil in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge 57% to 41%. That's up from a nearly even split before consumers were getting socked at the pump. Asks Mr. McConnell: "At what point does the hammerlock the Sierra Club has on the Democrats come off? Is it $5? Is it $6?"

The hammerlock comes off at $4 as the poll shows, but the effort is complicated by a few things. One is that there are many other issues on the table which cut against Republicans. The other big complication is that John McCain is still in "maverick" mode and has not figured out that gas prices and drilling are winning issues for the GOP.

So the key question is not what the Democrats will do, they are locked in between working class voters on one end and upper class yuppies with a penchant for green living on the other end. Who will win? The Democrats hope to never have to find out. So they blame the oil companies and hope no one asks them serious questions.

No, the real interesting question is at what point does it behoove John McCain to put together a serious plan to address energy issues that has a credible chance at lowering energy costs? $5, $6? Whatever it is, we haven't hit it yet.

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'The New Gang of 14'

Christopher Weber — 2008-06-13T14:11:00+00:00

Filed under: Endorsements, Republicans, John McCain, 2008 Senate, 2008 House

Earlier I told you about certain Democratic members of Congress who are staying as far away from Barack Obama as possible this election season. Well on the other side of the aisle there are a number of Republicans who won't be getting behind John McCain's candidacy. They've been dubbed the "new gang of 14," a reference to the group of lawmakers, including McCain, who broke with conservatives on President Bush's judicial nominations. Not surprisingly, most of them lean sharply right and aren't thrilled with McCain's stances on issues like campaign finance reform, immigration, taxes, etc. One man's maverick is another man's liberal. The Hill has a partial list:

Republican members who have not endorsed or publicly backed McCain include Sens. Chuck Hagel (Neb.) and Jeff Sessions (Ala.) and Reps. Jones, Peterson, John Doolittle (Calif.), Randy Forbes (Va.), Wayne Gilchrest (Md.), Virgil Goode (Va.), Tim Murphy (Pa.), Ron Paul (Texas), Ted Poe (Texas), Todd Tiahrt (Kan.), Dave Weldon (Fla.) and Frank Wolf (Va.). [Wolf contacted The Hill following publication of the article to correct his staff's error. His staff had said he has "yet to endorse McCain" and did not return follow-up phone calls this week].

Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado went as far as to say publicly, "I don't like McCain. I don't like him at all." But most of them make sure to underline the distinction between endorsing and supporting, saying while they won't take to the streets for McCain they do want a Republican in the White House, even if it's the wrong one.

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Avoiding Obama for Self Preservation

Christopher Weber — 2008-06-13T06:27:00+00:00

Filed under: Democrats, Barack Obama, 2008 President, 2008 Senate, 2008 House

There are a number of incumbent Democrats in Congress who aren't caught up in the throes of Obamamania. That's because their own re-election hopes may hinge on how much they're able to distance themselves from the presumptive Dem nominee:

Some are counting on Republican votes in their re-election bids. Some are newly minted and in rematches with 2006 opponents. Some may be wary of how their constituents will react to a black presidential candidate. Some, too, have made it a practice of distancing themselves from the national party, fearing the inevitable campaign ad that has their face morphing into Howard Dean, the party chairman, and Obama.

Rep. Dan Boren, the only congressional Democrat in Oklahoma, calls Obama "the most liberal senator" in Congress and says he has no plans to make a public endorsement.

"We're much more conservative" in eastern Oklahoma, Boren said. "I've got to reflect my district."

Boren's among about a dozen other lawmakers who won't be endorsing Senator Obama. But none of them are likely to back John McCain either. Most are in vulnerable seats in conservative districts and they've decided their best bet campaign tactic is to just lay low and not endorse any presidential candidate. As Georgia Rep. Jim Marshall puts it: "I don't think I need to get involved."

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A Daily Affirmation for Franken

Denise Williams — 2008-06-09T11:58:00+00:00

Filed under: Featured Stories, 2008 Senate, Humor

He's good enough, he's smart enough and goddone it, people like him!

Well, at least the Minnesota state Democratic convention does. In fact, they chose him on the first ballot by 72%. His challenger, Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, pulled out once Franken hit the required 60% threshold. The former Saturday Night Live! writer/player and Air America host is now officially the Democratic candidate to go against Republican Senator Norm Coleman in the fall.

If you remember Franken's time on SNL, you can only imagine how his Republican opponents have reacted to his campaign. Franken recently had to apologize for a 2000 article in Playboy depicting a fictional sex institute and his, um, participation in it. My colleagued, Liza Porteus Viana, has a full round-up of Franken's recent problems with his past here.

But, hell, if this campaign season needs anything, it's a little bit of humor, right? We've had an actor President, a Governator, a Senator that played all sorts of authoritative figures on screen, Sonny Bono, Gopher from the Love Boat and Minnesota has already suffered through a professional wrestler. Can they turn out a comedian, too?

With bestselling books that include Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations and Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right, I have a feeling that Minnesotans will return Coleman to Washington by a slim margin.

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Obama Statement on Hillary's Endorsement

Tommy Christopher — 2008-06-07T14:54:00+00:00

Filed under: Endorsements, Democrats, Barack Obama, Breaking News, 2008 Senate

Barack Obama's campaign released this statement, via email:

"Obviously, I am thrilled and honored to have Senator Clinton's support. But more than that, I honor her today for the valiant and historic campaign she has run.

She shattered barriers on behalf of my daughters and women everywhere, who now know that there are no limits to their dreams. And she inspired millions with her strength, courage and unyielding commitment to the cause of working Americans.

Our party and our country are stronger because of the work she has done throughout her life, and I'm a better candidate for having had the privilege of competing with her in this campaign. No one knows better than Senator Clinton how desperately America and the American people need change, and I know she will continue to be in the forefront of that battle this fall and for years to come," said U.S. Senator Barack Obama.

For my reaction, check out David Knowles' Live Thread. There's not much else in terms of early reaction, but the NY times had this to say:

Mrs. Clinton offered nothing less than a full-throated endorsement for and embrace of Mr. Obama and his candidacy. She has said many times that she would work her heart out for the nominee, and aides said she knew that now was the time to begin to show it.

I differ somewhat with them on this. We'll keep you posted with more reactions as they come in.

One more observation, though. Encouragingly, there was almost no noticeable negative reaction from the crowd at the speech, something many had anticipated, and wondered how Hillary would deal with.

Update: Barack Obama sent the following email to supporters today:

Hillary Clinton announced her support for our campaign today.

Senator Clinton made history over the past 16 months -- not just because she has broken barriers, but because she has inspired millions of Americans with her strength, her courage, and her commitment to causes like universal health care that make a difference in the lives of hardworking Americans.

Our party and our country are stronger because of the work she has done throughout her life, and I'm a better candidate for having had the privilege of competing with her.

Senator Clinton will be invaluable to our efforts to win in November, and I look forward to campaigning alongside her to bring this country the change it so desperately needs.

Hillary and her supporters are joining us at an urgent moment.

It's going to require a new level of commitment from every single one of us to build a national campaign in the general election.

And we're going win this election the right way -- by growing our grassroots network of ordinary people giving only what they can afford.

Will you help by making your first donation today?

If you give right now, a previous donor has agreed to match your gift, doubling its impact. Help us reach our goal of 20,000 new donors by making a matching donation today:

https://donate.barackobama.com/match

It's time for all of us to come together to take on John McCain in the general election. John McCain offers another four years of George Bush's policies, which our country simply cannot afford.

To win, we must continue building an unprecedented organization in all 50 states. And that will only happen if we all work together, side-by-side.

Thank you for joining this movement and supporting a new kind of politics.

Together we can do more than just win an election. Together we can change this country, and we can change the world.

And we are honored to have Hillary Clinton at our side as we do it.

Barack

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Hillary Will Be 'Obama's Cheney'

Tommy Christopher — 2008-06-06T16:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Featured Stories, 2008 Senate, Veepstakes

I find your lack of faith...disturbing. - Tommy Christopher using hackneyed Darth Vader voice

For months, I have been saying that the "Dream Ticket" is inevitable, but the Yeahbuts won't listen. "Yeah, but...okay, but..."

Whether you think it's a good idea or not, or you think Barack and/or Hillary won't go for it, it doesn't matter. It is going to happen. There's no other play. If Obama passes up a sure win in November because Hillary was mean to him, or if she says no because she thinks she's already won by seating deceased delegates whose spirits have not "crossed over," they will both be subjected to Bill Buckner-esque ridicule for the rest of their political lives.

A friend from work asked me an interesting question, though. She said, "Do you really think Hillary will have any power to get things done as the Vice President?"

I thought for a second and said, "Are you kidding me? She'll be Obama's Cheney, only tougher and marginally less evil."

I'm starting to realize that the Vice Presidency might just be the perfect job for Hillary. Her greatest strengths are her political acumen and her toughness, two things that will work better for her from behind the scenes. Just as Cheney completely redefined the role, I think Hillary will stand it on its ear.

I've already described how Hillary will be an asset during the campaign, and once she and Obama take the White House, the fun really begins. Barack Obama is smart enough to take input from Hillary on policy, especially on health care, and they are very close on policy.

Instead, she can work her magic behind the scenes while Obama puts a happy face on the whole deal. If the Blue Dogs want to pee on the rug with the Republicans, Barack can talk about how we need clean rugs, and Hillary will be behind him rolling up a newspaper. A Sunday paper.

When Hillary is out in front, her toughness makes her a lightning rod (due in large part to sexism), but as VP, she's shielded from that.

I've seen some Obama supporters worry that Hillary would undercut Obama as VP, but I really don't see it. The press is sure to notice that, and it would damage her politically. Plus, as I said, they are so close on policy, there would be little point.

Since the Dream Ticket is going to happen anyway, this doesn't really matter, except it might make you feel better about it.

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Senator Sherrod Brown in a Quandary

Dave — 2008-06-04T23:27:00+00:00

Filed under: Environment, 2008 Senate

Environmentalists in Ohio are putting heat on Sherrod Brown:

What's interesting about this is that the Ohio economy has taken two body blows in just the last week due primarily to high fuel prices.

First DHL decided to give up and outsource their overnight delivery to UPS, which kills about 6,000 jobs in Wilmington, a small community in a rural part of southwest Ohio. And just a few days ago, GM decided to close a truck plant in Dayton. The latter was partially offset by more small cars in Lordstown, but the problem for Sherrod remains.

And that's not even getting into the politics around coal, a major player in Ohio energy production, and discussed in this article.

In 2006, Sherrod barnstormed the state decryinig the state of Ohio's manufacturing industry and blaming all the ills on free trade and evil corporations. Well we have here two concrete examples of a problem for Ohio industry; high fuel prices, and Sherrod hasn't said boo about DHL or GM, and now he is on the verge of signing legislation that will increase energy costs for everyone? That's not what Ohio workers thought they were getting with Senator Brown.

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Obama Camp: Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho, Don't Protest

Tommy Christopher — 2008-05-28T11:35:00+00:00

Filed under: Democrats, Barack Obama, Primaries, 2008 President, 2008 Senate

On Saturday, May 31, the Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee will meet to decide what to do about Michigan and Florida. More accurately, they will meet to re-decide what to do with the two wildcat states who moved their primaries up, in defiance of the DNC, whom the DNC and all of the candidates agreed ahead of time would be stripped of their delegates.

The Clinton campaign has been lobbying hard to seat the two delegations, since they handily won both "beauty contest" primaries, as the only candidacy on the ballot in one, and a no-campaigning pledge in the other. Barack Obama supporters (and schoolyards full of 3rd graders) cried "Foul!" The rules committee is meeting to decide how best to make everyone angry.

A blogger at Daily Kos has interesting marching orders from inside the Obama campaign:

Emails from two sources (one of them our own inestimable slinkerwink) verify that the Obama campaign does not want protests on its behalf of the Democratic National Committee's May 31st Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting to decide the fate of Florida and Michigan.

Excerpt from the email:
I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade, but under direction from Chicago HQ we are being asked NOT to hold any events like this. For several political and media reasons, I have been asked to relay the message that only those Obama supporters who obtained tickets to sit inside the meeting should attend. No outside protests/rallies/gatherings, no matter how peaceful/positive/well-intentioned.

If you would like to be involved in the counter-event (voter registration in Northern VA) please let me know.

Is this smart politics, or the equivalent of putting up your hand and saying, "What-EVer?" And are we being deprived of the "Dueling Banjoes" of political protests?

First of all, it is crushingly disappointing to be deprived of all those great Youtube videos that would come out of opposing protests. Whether the Obama supporters accede, however, will put the Kool-Aid theory to the test, as will the size and ferocity of the Hillary contingent.

Is it smart politics? The idea seems to be to continue acting like the nominee, without quite declaring victory. The value of that stance is debatable, as it cuts both ways, but not protesting is clearly the way to go.

What's the negative here? The throngs of Hillary supporters will have the unfettered ability to uncork an arsenal of over-long chants and handpainted signs?

"What do we want?"

"To seat the full delegations from Michigan and Florida in proportion to the results of the contested primary vote totals!!"

"When do we want it?"

"Now, or perhaps at the convention!"

Political protests, at least traditional ones, have lost a lot of their usefulness, since people will protest just about anything these days. Media coverage tends to marginalize the protesters, no matter how many of them show up. People who agree shout, "Right on!", people who disagree shout, "Take a bath!", and everyone else just gets annoyed.

Yes, how can the Obama campaign pass that up?

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Polls: GOP in Trouble Come November

Liza Porteus Viana — 2008-05-27T22:01:00+00:00

Filed under: Republicans, Featured Stories, 2008 Senate, 2008 House

A flurry of recent national and state polls suggest something many political observers already know: Republicans in Congress are in for a potential walloping come November.

The Hill today reports that some early polls support Democratic contention that the party will win a larger majority in the Senate in the next election. Democrats are ahead, or within the margin of error in 11 Republican-held seats, as recent polls show potential GOP weaknesses in states including Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas.

Republicans are defending 23 seats, five of them vacated by retirements. The Democrats have to defend only about half that number (12), and incumbents are running again for all of them. Dems currently hold a 51 to 49 majority, including independents Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut and Bernard Sanders of Vermont. In the House, 27 Republicans are leaving voluntarily compared with just 8 Democrats.

Here's a few polls to chew on:

Rasmussen Reports today released a survey that found that in Kentucky, Democratic Senate challenger Bruce Lunsford has a 5 percentage point lead over long-time Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell. (Some observers, however, urge caution when considering automated polls like Rasmussen's that don't actually talk to people.) Another Rasmussen survey released today on the Minnesota Senate race shows incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman (R) attracting 47% of the vote while comedian challenger Al Franken earns 45% support. A month ago, Coleman was ahead 50% to 43%; any incumbent polling below 50% is generally considered vulnerable.

A SurveyUSA poll released May 15 shows that in a hypothetical general election for U.S. senator from New Mexico, Democrat Tom Udall defeats either Republican Steve Pearce or Republican Heather Wilson (all three currently serve in the House) by a nearly identical margin. Against Pearce, Udall wins 60% to 36%. Against Wilson, Udall wins 61% to 35%.

And in North Carolina, challenger Kay Hagan is now within five percentage points of incumbent Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole.Rasmussen says at least nine other Republican Senate seats could be vulnerable, including seats in Alaska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oregon, New Mexico, Colorado, Minnesota, Virginia, and Texas.

"Not all of those races will be won by Democrats, but the fact that so many Republican seats are vulnerable virtually assures that the Democratic Senate majority will grow," according to Rasmussen. "The underlying reason that so many Republican seats are at risk is that fewer and fewer Americans consider themselves to be Republicans ... even the most optimistic scenarios for the GOP show the Democrats picking up several seats."

Congressional Quarterly last month predicted that Democrats could to expand their majority by anywhere from 2 to 8 seats this year, with public opinion on the Iraq War, President Bush and economy worries as bad or worse for the GOP as it was two years ago. CQ's Web site has a current list of the seats potentially up for grabs and recently surveys on those seats.

The Cook Political report says that despite doubts in the beginning of this election cycle that Dems would win big this year, now, "strong signs point toward a Democratic bonanza." Reasons include antipathy toward Bush and the fact that Democrat House and Senate campaign committees are out-raising their GOP counterparts by "astounding" margins. Even though Congress has a "terrible" job approval-rating, this election isn't about that quite yet.

Combine that news with the three recent special-election losses in heavily Republican districts and the 8-point lead former Mississippi Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, a Democrat, has on appointed Republican Sen. Roger Wicker, bodes even worse for the GOP.

"In short, Republicans might get walloped again in November," according to Cook. "The indications that they will are getting stronger and stronger. And the arguments that they won't are getting weaker and weaker."

Roll Call (subscribe) details how, as their House counterparts publicly struggle, Senate Republican leaders this election year are trying keep their heads down, soften their partisan attacks and promote ideas-based initiatives they hope will soften November's blow.

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Al Franken's Playboy Problem

Liza Porteus Viana — 2008-05-23T23:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Democrats, Republicans, Featured Stories, 2008 Senate

Funny man Al Franken is taking heat from Minnesota Republicans over a 2000 "Porn-O-Rama" column he wrote for Playboy.

ABC News today reports that the Minnesota Republican Party on Thursday released a letter, signed by six prominent GOP women, calling on Franken - a former Saturday Night Live star - to apologize for his "demeaning and degrading" article. Franken is the front-runner for the nomination of the Democratic Farmer Labor Party (DFL) in Minnesota. If he wins, he will try to oust incumbent Republican Sen. Norm Coleman from his Senate seat. But now, some are questioning whether he has the right "values" that Minnesotans want in their Senate rep.

"The words and descriptions you write about are beyond vulgar," reads the GOP letter. "They demean and degrade women as thoroughly and disrespectfully as any article we have ever seen, and we are horrified to believe that someone running for the U.S. Senate could have written them. This column shows flagrant disregard for women, and an extreme objectification of women as sex objects for your pleasure. While you may attempt to defend your writing as satire, we hardly find anything defensible about your finding humor in your desire to have sex with women or robots that look like women simply to give yourself a good time.

"Denounce this article and apologize immediately."

In the 2000 column, Franken wrote about visit to a made-up sex institute where he takes part in sexual acts with humans and machines. They are explicit, disgusting, and it's disturbing to think someone running for office actually put these words on paper for the world to see. Because I like this gig, I'm not going to directly link to them - you can find them on your own easy enough.
But I will say that one blog gleefully posting the latest on the Franken flop is "Minnesota Democrats Exposed," a political blog created by former Republican Party researcher Michael Brodkorb. He has been an apparent thorn in Franken's side, broadsiding the campaign with news that Franken owed $25,000 to the State of New York for not paying workers' compensation insurance and that his corporation was in forfeiture in California. The reports led to Franken hiring new financial advisers to take stock of his money situation.

The New York Times reports on how many Minnesota Democrats are writing Brodkorb off as a mere mouthpiece for the GOP trying to utilize back-alley tactics. But the paper also details the partisan ping-pong going on between various blogs as they try to dig up dirt on the candidates. Hmmm, wonder if there's anything in Coleman's closet that can rival a Playboy column about Sexbots...

The Star Tribune, meanwhile, details Franken's relationship with Playboy. CEO Christie Hefner on Monday night held a campaign fundraiser at her Chicago home for Franken. (Just to be fair, the Tribune also notes that DFLers want Coleman to give up nearly $10,000 his campaign received from the political-action committee and employees of a lobbying firm that represented Myanmar's military regime.)

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Conservatives Deserting the GOP

Dave — 2008-05-14T21:33:00+00:00

Filed under: 2008 President, 2008 Senate, 2008 House

Rush Limbaugh:

You think I ought to be happy that there's conservatism out there. I'm not happy my own party wants to get rid of it. I'm mad that my own party wants to cast conservatism aside. I know there's plenty of conservatism out there. That's the source of the frustration. But conservatism by itself cannot move things. It needs a political party. In our political structure, it is parties that get things done. The Republican Party was the home of conservatism, and it still is. But the people that run the Republican Party right now are trying to get rid of it. And it's a death wish. It is an absolute death wish.

Rush is not being prophetic, he is just stating the facts on the ground. The current Republican leadership is pushing the panic button because they keep losing fights they shouldn't. Why? Probably because the GOP (at least at the top) no longer stands for conservative values on a whole host of issues, including spending, amnesty for illegal immigrants, punishing American industry for global warming. And today we have corporate welfare for rich farmers.

Rank and file conservatives are fed up, because they know that McCain is at best condescending to them, and at worst, actively conspiring to render them irrelevant to the political process. See this from Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler.

First off, I understand "compromise", I also understand "give and take" and I know full well that sometimes you have to compromise to get some of what you want. But voting for McCain isn't "compromise", its proper name is "abject surrender."

What's in it for me? The answer is "nothing."

At some point, you have to say "stop! No further!" The thing is, we should've done that a long time ago, but instead we kept reinforcing bad behavior by rewarding it. I don't know what kind of magical, wishful thinking it is that makes people think that rewarding scum for drifting to the left is going to one day, miraculously, make them turn around and drift the other way. I don't know what the proper name for it is, but I'm certain that the word "pathological" is part of it.

So what is to be done? I'm not sure, but I've been thinking and one conclusion I know is that conservatives cannot surrender their agenda to McCain. Leadership for conservatives should form from and within the conservative GOP delegation, and they need to do an end run around the GOP leadership.

What they need to do, and do without delay is to form an opposition party to John McCain and declare that they will oppose John McCain where he differs from them on spending, on global warming, on amnesty, on drilling in ANWR, etc. They should also, of course, say that they will work with McCain on judges, on fighting terrorists, etc. But the primary need is to serve as a rallying point to roust and energize the dormant and fleeing conservative base.

McCain won't like it, but phooey on him. Let him triangulate to the center as he so loves to do. The GOP has some congressional delegates to save. I realize that this is drastic and unheard of, to actively campaign against your own presidential nominee, but the GOP is up against a wall. Time for them to act like they understand that. Otherwise they can go back to the minority status they enjoyed so much in the seventies.

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Lies And The Lying Liars... An Autobiography

Justin Paulette — 2008-04-30T10:25:00+00:00

Filed under: 2008 Senate, Scandal

Al Franken, the once-funny comedian and never-funny radio host of yore, is running for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota. In an embarrassing confusion of celebrity and credibility, Franken's ego has been seduced by the satirical theme of his book, "Why Not Me," in which he becomes President.

Of course, running for a high office invites scrutiny and investigation. And it didn't take long to discover that Franken's closet was filled to capacity. Apparently, Franken has announced that he owes $70,000 in back taxes and penalties in 17 states, arising from his tax evasion and illegal failure to purchase workers' compensation insurance. Ironically, the late Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone, who Franken likened a friend and role-model, also failed to provide insurance to employees (including those who perished alongside the Senator when their plane crashed).

Franken is a lewd, untempered and, apparently, corrupt personality. His ascension in the Democratic ranks should be a source of shame and regret for grown-ups in the Democratic rank-and-file. Franken no doubt assumes that he can tell a couple of jokes and sway the unthinking masses - but if he is correct, there's no doubt who the joke is truly on.

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