FLORIDA:
CONGRESSMAN FOLEY RESIGNS IN ONLINE TEEN SEX SCANDAL. In
a period of less than 24 hours, Congressman Mark Foley (R-FL)
went from strong re-election favorite to resigning in disgrace
in a still developing online sex scandal involving underage teen
boys. Foley first denied he engaged in any inappropriate conduct
with a 16-year-old male former Capitol Hill page from Louisiana.
Hours later, his staff tried to blame the entire
incident as being a set-up by his Democratic opponent. Later on
Friday afternoon ABC News published sexually graphic email and
instant messaging communication between Foley and other under-aged
teenage boys. That prompted Foley to submit his immediate resignation
from Congress and withdraw from his race for re-election. Foley,
who was the Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus for Missing &
Exploited Children, helped lead the fight for tougher criminal
laws to stop online sexual predators who target children. Ironically,
those same laws he championed could possibly now be used to send
Foley to federal prison. Florida law will allow to replace Foley
with a new GOP nominee -- but Foley's name will remain on the
ballot. That will force voters to cast a ballot for Foley to have
it be counted for the GOP replacement nominee. Further, the new
candidate would not be able to convert most contributions in any
existing state campaign account into a federal account for the
race because Florida candidates may accept corporate contributions
while federal candidates are explicitly barred from accepting
that same money. Because of all this, wealthy venture capitalist
and former Republican Tim Mahoney must now be rated the likely
winner of this CD-16 seat in November. In directly related --
and further disturbing news -- it appears Congressman Rodney Alexander
(R-LA) promptly notified the Speaker Denny Hastert (R-IL) and
the House Republican Leadership ten months ago of Foley's inappropriate
communications with the Louisiana boy. Hastert apparently buried
the sordid (and possibly criminal) matter entirely until it resurfaced
on Friday. It looks like Speaker Hastert may have some serious
explaining to do about why the Leadership protected this apparent
pedophile.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.30.06 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Your space to pontificate on anything and everything (except for
the Foley scandal).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.30.06 | Permalink
|
FRIDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
FLORIDA:
IS CONGRESSMAN FOLEY AN ONLINE SEX PREDATOR? Check
out this breaking story about this very disturbing email exchange
between the personal email account of Congressman Mark Foley (R-FL)
and a 16-year-old male Capitol Hill intern. The story is even
more creepy because Foley is the Co-Chair of the Congressional
Caucus for Missing & Exploited Children. Read about it here
and here
and here
(especially the emails where he keeps asking for additional pictures
of the boy or emailed that one of the boy's teenage friends was
in "really great shape"). If this story has legs, Foley
could be an unexpected goner. Wealthy venture capitalist and former
Republican Tim Mahoney is Foley's Democratic opponent. Foley quit
the 2004 US Senate primary contest -- saying he wanted to spend
more time caring for a sick parent -- immediately after he was
outed as gay in some Florida newspapers.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.29.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: US SENATE RACES. CONNECTICUT:
US Senator Joe
Lieberman (Independent) - 49%, businessman Ned Lamont (D) - 39%,
former State Rep. Alan Schlesinger (R) - 5%. (Quinnipiac University).
"I think [Lieberman is] very concerned that we're within
striking distance of winning this," said Schlesinger on Wednesday. MINNESOTA: Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar
(D) - 51%, Congressman Mark Kennedy (R) - 43%, former public access
TV organization executive director Robert Fitzgerald (Independence)
- 2%, Ben Powers (Constitution) - 1%. (KSTP-TV/SurveyUSA). NEW JERSEY: US Senator Bob Menendez (D) - 45%,
State Senator Tom Kean Jr. (R) - 44%. (Rutgers University). PENNSYLVANIA: State Treasurer Bob Casey Jr. (D)
- 50%, US Senator Rick Santorum (R) - 41%, Carl Romanelli (Green)
- 5%. (Strategic Vision-R). WASHINGTON: US Senator Maria Cantwell (D) - 49%,
insurance executive Mike McGavick (R) - 40%. (Strategic Vision-R).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.29.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: GOVERNOR RACES. ALABAMA:
Governor Bob Riley (R) - 54%, Lieutenant Governor Lucy
Baxley (D) - 38%, Others - 1%. (WKRG-TV/SurveyUSA). COLORADO: Former Denver District Attorney Bill
Ritter (D) - 55%, Congressman Bob Beauprez (R) - 38%, accountant
Dawn Winkler-Kinateder (Libertarian) - 3%, retired federal employee
Clyde Harkins (Constitution) - 1%. (KUSA-TV/SurveyUSA). CONNECTICUT: Governor Jodi Rell (R) - 63%, New
Haven Mayor John DeStefano Jr. (D) - 30%. (Quinnipiac University).
MAINE: Governor John Baldacci (D) - 44%, State
Senator Chandler Woodcock (R) - 39%, State Rep. Barbara Merrill
(Independent) - 7%, radio talk show host Pat LaMarche (Green)
- 6%. (WCSH-TV/SurveyUSA). MINNESOTA: Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) - 45%,
Attorney General Mike Hatch (D) - 44%, former State Finance Commissioner
Peter Hutchinson (Independence) - 6%, Walt Brown (Quit Raising
Taxes) - 2%, environmental
activist Ken Pentel (Green) - 1%. (KSTP-TV/SurveyUSA). NEW HAMPSHIRE: Governor John Lynch (D) - 59%,
State Rep. Jim Coburn (R) - 29%. (American Research Group). OREGON: Governor Ted Kulongoski (D) - 39%, former
Portland School Board Member Ron Saxton (R) - 34%, retired TV
news anchor Mary Starett (Constitution) - 4%, retired accountant
Richard Morley (Libertarian) - 2%, environmental activist Joe
Keating (Pacific Green) - 1%. (Portland Oregonian). PENNSYLVANIA:
Governor Ed Rendell (D) - 55%, former pro football player
Lynn Swann (R) - 37%. (Strategic Vision-R). SOUTH CAROLINA: Governor Mark Sanford (R) -
50%, State Senator Tommy Moore (D) - 46%. (WCSC-TV/SurveyUSA).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.29.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: US HOUSE RACES. NEW
YORK - CD-26: Congressman Tom Reynolds (R) - 45%, businessman
Jack Davis (D) - 43%, Christine Murphy (Green) - 8%. (WGRZ-TV/SurveyUSA).
Update: The NYS Elections Board disqualified Murphy from the ballot
on Tuesday. PENNSYLVANIA - CD-6: Congressman Jim Gerlach
(R) - 45%, attorney Lois Murphy (D) - 38%. (Keystone Poll).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.29.06 | Permalink
|
EDITORIAL:
A CIVILIZED NATION DOES NOT TORTURE. EVER.
Based upon what is happening in DC this week with the debate on
torture, I'm ashamed to call myself an American citizen. Why?
Reason #1: read
this great New York Times editorial, which succinctly
explains why we are entering a terrible, shameful chapter in our
nation's history. I endorse that editorial 100%. And, before you
accuse me of coddling terrorists, I have a message for you. Stop
rationalizing why it would be okay for the US to sorta, kinda
torture suspected terrorists because they'd treat US prisoners
brutally. If we start acting like the terrorists, then we become
terrorists. Just read
this great article about "waterboarding" -- a leading
method of torture used by Cambodia's genocidal Khmer Rouge regime
in the 1970s. Civilized nations do not engage in torture. No exceptions.
Ever.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.29.06 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Since the GOP went this week with Minneapolis for the '08 convo,
let me weigh in with
a plug for the Dems to select Denver for the 2008 convention.
It will help showcase all of the gains we're making in the West
again. It will give us a great opportunity to showcase our Western
Dems like Governors Brian Schweitzer, Bill Ritter, Janet Napolitano,
Dave Freudenthal and Bill Richardson and US Senators Ken Salazar,
Jon Tester, Max Baucus, Harry Reid, Jeff Bingaman, and possibly
several new Members of Congress from the Class of '06.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.29.06 | Permalink
|
SEND
A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here's my open offer
for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button
or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide
Office, etc., campaign you are involved in -- feel free to add
a sticker and brochure -- and I'll place a link to official campaign
site here on our homepage in a daily "thank you" note.
My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale,
FL 33301. OUR THANKS TODAY GO OUT TO: Lieutenant Governor
Charlie
Fogarty, Democrat for Rhode Island Governor.
WANNA
TRADE?
I'm interested in building up my collection of Canadian campaign
buttons. If you've got Canadian political buttons to
trade, I'm interesting in swapping with you for some great US
pins. Please drop me
a note!
BY
THE NUMBERS: US SENATE RACES. ARIZONA:
US Senator Jon Kyl (R) - 49%, former State
Party Chair Jim Pederson (D) - 38%, former Graham County Sheriff
Richard Mack (Libertarian) - 2%. (KAET-TV/Arizona State Univ.). CALIFORNIA: US Senator Dianne Feinstein (D)
- 55%, former State Senator Dick Mountjoy (R) - 35%, Others -
1%. (KABC-TV/SurveyUSA). FLORIDA: US Senator Bill Nelson (D) - 59%, Congresswoman
Katherine Harris (R) - 31%. (Strategic Vision-R). VIRGINIA: US Senator George Allen (R) - 49%,
former Navy Secretary Jim Webb (D) - 44%, USAF veteran Gail Parker
(Indep. Green) - 2%. (WUSA-TV/SurveyUSA). WASHINGTON: US Senator Maria Cantwell (D) - 54%,
insurance executive Mike McGavick (R) - 42%, former Black Panther
activist Aaron Dixon (Green) - 3%, educator Bruce Guthrie (Libertarian)
- 1%. (KING-TV/SurveyUSA).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.28.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: GOVERNOR RACES. ARIZONA:
Governor Janet Napolitano (D) - 64%, Religious Right
activist Len Munsil (R) - 28%, businessman Barry Hess (Libertarian)
- 2%. (KAET-TV/Arizona State Univ.). ARKANSAS: Attorney General Mike Beebe (D) -
55%, former Congressman Asa Hutchinson (R) - 40%. (KTHV-TV/SurveyUSA). CALIFORNIA: Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger (R) - 48%, State Treasurer Phil Angelides (D) -
31%. (Public Policy Institute of California). CALIFORNIA: Schwarzenegger (R) - 44%, Angelides
(D) - 34%, Others - 7%. (Field Poll). CALIFORNIA: Schwarzenegger (R) - 52%, Angelides
(D) - 38%, Others - 1%. (KABC-TV/SurveyUSA). FLORIDA: Attorney General Charlie Crist (R) -
50%, Congressman Jim Davis (D) - 40%, term-limits activist Max
Linn (Reform) - 2%. (Strategic Vision-R). GEORGIA: Governor Sonny Perdue (R) - 51%, Lieutenant
Governor Mark Taylor (D) - 38%, computer consultant Garrett Hayes
(Libertarian) - 4%. (Strategic Vision-R). PENNSYLVANIA: Governor Ed Rendell (D) - 55%,
former pro football player Lynn Swann (R) - 39%. (Quinnipiac University).
WISCONSIN: Governor Jim Doyle (D) - 45%, Congressman
Mark Green (R) - 40%. (Wisconsin Policy Research Institute).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.28.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: US HOUSE RACES. MINNESOTA
- CD-2: Congressman John Kline (R) - 55%, retired FBI
Agent Coleen Rowley (D) - 35%, frequent candidate Doug Williams
(Independence) - 5%. (KSTP-TV/SurveyUSA). NEW HAMPSHIRE - CD-1: Congressman Jeb Bradley
(R) - 52%, Democratic activist Carol Shea-Porter (D) - 33%. (Univ.
of New Hampshire).
NEW HAMPSHIRE - CD-2: Congressman Charlie Bass (R) -
46%, attorney Paul Hodes (D) - 36%. (Univ. of New Hampshire).
WASHINGTON: Congressman Dave Reichert (R) - 50%,
former Microsoft executive Darcy Burner (D) - 48%. (KING-TV/SurveyUSA).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.28.06 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
It looks like the Republican have picked Minneapolis as the site
for their 2008 national convention.
No choice yet by the Dems.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.28.06 | Permalink
|
SEND
A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here's my open offer
for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button
or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide
Office, etc., campaign you are involved in -- feel free to add
a sticker and brochure -- and I'll place a link to official campaign
site here on our homepage in a daily "thank you" note.
My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale,
FL 33301. OUR THANKS TODAY GO OUT TO: College professor
and Naval Reserve Officer Chris
Carney, Democrat for Congress in Pennsylvania's CD-10.
WANNA
TRADE?
I'm interested in building up my collection of Canadian campaign
buttons. If you've got Canadian political buttons to
trade, I'm interesting in swapping with you for some great US
pins. Please drop me
a note!
BY
THE NUMBERS: US SENATE RACES. FLORIDA:
US Senator Bill Nelson (D) - 56%, Congresswoman Katherine
Harris (R) - 33%. (Rasmussen Reports). NEBRASKA: US Senator Ben Nelson (D) - 55%, online
investment executive Pete Ricketts (R) - 32%. (Rasmussen Reports). NEVADA: US Senator John Ensign (R) - 58%, businessman
Jack Carter (D) - 35%, State Party Chair Brendan Trainor (Libertarian)
- 1%. (Las Vegas Review-Journal/Mason-Dixon). NEW
JERSEY: State Senator Tom Kean Jr. (R) - 41%, US Senator
Bob Menendez (D) - 40%. (Rasmussen Reports). PENNSYLVANIA: State Treasurer Bob Casey Jr. (D)
- 54%, US Senator Rick Santorum (R) - 40%. (Quinnipiac University).
PENNSYLVANIA: Casey (D) - 49%, Santorum (R) -
39%. (Temple University). VERMONT: Congressman Bernie Sanders (Independent)
- 64%, software executive Rich Tarrant (R) - 32%. (Rasmussen Reports).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.27.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: GOVERNOR RACES. ARIZONA:
Governor Janet Napolitano (D) - 56%, Religious Right
activist Len Munsil (R) - 38%. (Rasmussen Reports). COLORADO:
Former Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter (D) - 50%,
Congressman Bob Beauprez (R) - 34%. (Rasmussen Reports).
FLORIDA: Attorney General Charlie Crist (R) - 45%, Congressman
Jim Davis (D) - 40%. (Rasmussen Reports). FLORIDA: Crist (R) - 51%, Davis (D) - 36%. (Orlando
Sentinel/Mason-Dixon). MASSACHUSETTS: Former US Assistant Attorney General
Deval Patrick (D) - 57%, Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey (R)
- 24%. (Rasmussen Reports).
NEBRASKA: Governor Dave Heineman (R) - 72%, publishing
executive David Hahn (D) - 18%. (Rasmussen Reports). OKLAHOMA: Governor Brad Henry (D) - 64%, Congressman
Ernest Istook (R) - 33%. (KFOR-TV/SurveyUSA). VERMONT: Governor Jim Douglas (R) - 52%, former
State Party Chair Scudder Parker (D) - 38%. (Rasmussen Reports).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.27.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: US HOUSE RACES. COLORADO
- CD-7: Former State Senator Ed Perlmutter (D) - 54%,
State Higher Education Commission Chair Rick O'Donnell (R) - 37%,
State Party Chair Dave Chandler (Green) - 2%, businessman Roger
McCarville (Constitution) - 1%. (KUSA-TV/SurveyUSA). DELAWARE - CD-AL: Congressman Mike Castle (R)
- 61%, attorney Dennis Spivack (D) - 22%. (Fairleigh Dickinson
University). FLORIDA - CD-9: State Representative Gus Bilirakis
(R) - 61%, former Hillsborough County Commissioner Phyllis Busansky
(D) - 32%. (WFLA-TV/SurveyUSA). NEVADA - CD-2: Secretary of State Dean Heller
(R) - 45%, University Regent Jill Derby (D) - 42%. (Las Vegas
Journal-Review/Mason-Dixon). VERMONT - CD-AL: Senate President Pro Tem Peter
Welch (D) - 51%, State Adjutant General Martha Rainville (R) -
43%. (Rasmussen Reports).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.27.06 | Permalink
|
PENNSYLVANIA:
STATE JUDGE DISQUALIFIES GREEN FROM US SENATE RACE.
State Treasurer Bob Casey Jr.'s (D) campaign gained more momentum
in the US Senate race this week after Carl Romanelli (Green) was
kicked off the ballot by a state judge. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
reported Commonwealth Court Judge James Kelly ruled that Romanelli
was 9,000 signatures short of 67,070 needed to qualify for the
November ballot. Several weeks ago, Democratic lawyers filed a
lawsuit alleging Romanelli did not have enough valid signatures
for ballot status. Romanelli, who has received significant funding
by Republican donors and received praise from GOP incumbent US
Senator Rick Santorum's campaign, was considered a potential "spoiler"
by drawing votes from pro-choice Democrats dissatisfied with Casey’s
socially conservative stance. The Romanelli campaign will make
a final attempt to reduce the high signature requirement in an
appeal to the State Supreme Court, but legal observers say the
odds do not favor Romanelli on the appeal.
Writer:
David Jimenez - 09.27.06 | Permalink
|
VIRGINIA:
SENATOR ALLEN'S N-WORD PROBLEM.
As if the “macaca” and "I'm not Jewish (okay,
maybe I am)" incidents weren’t bad enough, more stories
are surfacing about US Senator George Allen's (R-VA) youth attitudes
towards race issues. Three
college football teammates told Salon magazine that Allen showed
obvious racial prejudices and attitudes during college. "Allen
said he came to Virginia because he wanted to play football in
a place where 'blacks knew their place,'” said radiologist
Dr. Ken Shelton, who played football with Allen on the University
of Virgina team. Another anonymous teammate noted that Allen frequently
used the "N-word" to describe African-Americans. Respected
political scholar Larry Sabato, who was also at the school when
Allen attended, stated he knows "for a fact" that Allen
used the N-word while in college. Shelton also reported Allen
called him “Wizard” because he shared the same last
name with Robert Shelton, unrelated, who was the Imperial Wizard
of the Ku Klux Klan. Classmate Shelton also told Salon that during
a hunting trip with Allen and a fellow football player, the future
Senator stuffed the decapitated head of a deer into the mailbox
of a local black family. Allen has apologized for wearing a Confederate
flag pin in the past, but he vigorously denies ever holding racist
views, ever uttering the N-word, or anything related to the deer-head
allegations. Allen's campaign noted that other former teammates
do not recall Allen showing any racist tendencies, nor did any
others corroborate Shelton's account. Allen, a potential 2008
Presidential candidate, is facing an increasingly competitive
challenge from former Navy Secretary James Webb (D).
Writer:
David Jimenez - 09.27.06 | Permalink
|
HAWAII:
GOP PICKS REPLACEMENT NOMINEE FOR US SENATE RACE.
Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle (R) selected
State Representative Cynthia Thielen to be the replacement GOP
nominee against US Senator Dan Akaka (D) in November. Thielen
-- an attorney and 16-year veteran of the state legislature --
replaces decorated military veteran Jerry Coffee. Coffee withdrew
several weeks ago after suffering serious medical problems but,
with Lingle's endorsement, still won last weekend's primary. The
new nominee surprisingly embracing her party label openly in this
Dem-leaning swing state: "I’m not a place holder -- I’m in
this race to win. I am running to be Senator in a Republican Congress
and Administration." Akaka is still rated safe for the general
election, but Thielen will be a credible candidate.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.27.06 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Anything else?
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.27.06 | Permalink
|
SEND
A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here's my open offer
for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button
or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide
Office, etc., campaign you are involved in -- feel free to add
a sticker and brochure -- and I'll place a link to official campaign
site here on our homepage in a daily "thank you" note.
My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale,
FL 33301. OUR THANKS TODAY GO OUT TO: Retired Navy Admiral
Joe
Sestak, Democrat for Congress in Pennsylvania's CD-7;
and US Senator Kent
Conrad, Democrat for re-election in North Dakota.
WANNA
TRADE?
I'm interested in building up my collection of Canadian campaign
buttons. If you've got Canadian political buttons to
trade, I'm interesting in swapping with you for some great US
pins. Please drop me
a note!
BY
THE NUMBERS: US SENATE RACES. MARYLAND:
Congressman
Ben Cardin (D) - 51%, Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele (R) -
40%. (Baltimore Sun/Potomac Inc.). MINNESOTA: Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar
(D) - 52%, Congressman Mark Kennedy (R) - 37%, former public access
TV organization executive directorRobert Fitzgerald (Independence)
- 1%, nurse Michael Cavlan (Green) - 1%. (St. Paul Pioneer
Press/Mason-Dixon). MONTANA: State Senate President Jon Tester (D)
- 50%, US Senator Conrad Burns (R) - 43%. (Rasmussen Reports). NEW JERSEY: State Senator Tom Kean Jr. (R) -
44%, US Senator Bob Menendez (D) - 38%. (Monmouth University). WASHINGTON: US Senator Maria Cantwell (D) - 48%,
insurance executive Mike McGavick (R) - 42%. (Rasmussen Reports).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.26.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: GOVERNOR RACES. ILLINOIS:
Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) - 47%, State Treasurer Judy
Baar Topinka (R) - 37%, attorney Rich Whitney (Green) - 4%. (Copley
News Service/Mason-Dixon). MARYLAND: Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley (D)
- 50%, Governor Bob Ehrlich (R) - 44%. (Baltimore Sun/Potomac
Inc.). NEVADA: Congressman
Jim Gibbons (R) - 45%, State Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus
(D) - 36%, computer consultant Christopher Hansen (Independent
American) - 5%, environmental activist Craig Bergland (Green)
- 1%. (Las Vegas Review-Journal/Mason-Dixon). PENNSYLVANIA: Governor Ed Rendell (D) - 60%,
former pro football player Lynn Swann (R) - 33%. (Temple University).
VERMONT:
Governor Jim Douglas (R) - 53%, former State Party Chair
Scudder Parker (D) - 38%. (WCAX-TV/Research 2000).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.26.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: US HOUSE RACES. INDIANA
- CD-8: Vanderburgh County Sheriff Brad Ellsworth (D)
- 47%, Congressman John Hostettler (R) - 32%. (Evansville Courier
& Press/Indiana State University). NEVADA
- CD-3: Congressman Jon Porter (R) - 47%, former Congressional
aide Tessa Hafen (D) - 37% construction worker Joshua Hansen (Independent
American) -2%, teacher Joe Silvestri (Libertarian) - 1%. (Las
Vegas Review-Journal/Mason-Dixon).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.26.06 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Congressman Mike Castle (R-DE) suffered what is reported to have
been two minor strokes on Saturday. "He is expected to make
a full recovery with little to no lingering side effects,"
said Castle's doctor ... In Ohio's CD-18, State Senator Joy Padgett's
(R) campaign released its own poll on Monday showing she is "only"
trailing attorney Zach Space (D) by 2-points (versus the double
digit margin Space's poll shows for his lead over Padgett). Space
is bashing Padgett in TV spots as the "Taft-Ney" candidate
for the open seat.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.26.06 | Permalink
|
SEND
A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here's my open offer
for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button
or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide
Office, etc., campaign you are involved in -- feel free to add
a sticker and brochure -- and I'll place a link to official campaign
site here on our homepage in a daily "thank you" note.
My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale,
FL 33301. OUR THANKS TODAY GO OUT TO: Attorney General
Eliot Spitzer,
Democrat for New York Governor; and US Senator Joe
Lieberman, Independent for re-election in Connecticut.
WANNA
TRADE?
I'm interested in building up my collection of Canadian campaign
buttons. If you've got Canadian political buttons to
trade, I'm interesting in swapping with you for some great US
pins. Please drop me
a note!
HAWAII:
AKAKA, HIRONO, HOGUE WIN (AND SO DID THE GUY WHO QUIT THE SENATE
RACE).
82-year-old US Senator Dan
Akaka turned back an aggressive primary challenge by a nine-point
margin on Saturday from ambitious Congressman Ed Case. Akaka,
one of the more liberal members of the Senate, was solidly supported
by the state's powerful Democratic establishment. Case, a centrist
"Blue Dog" Democratic, argued age instead of issues.
Case, 53, suggested his relative youth would let Hawaii start
building new seniority in the Senate in anticipation of the day
when the two octogenarian incumbents are gone. Some pundits believed
Case never thought he could win the primary, but was instead attempting
to jump ahead of Congressman Neil Abercrombie (D) for whichever
one of the two Senate seats comes open first. In
his concession speech, Case said he had no regrets about having
run for the Senate this year. In the GOP primary, former Vietnam
War POW Jerry Coffee -- who withdrew from the race after major
health problems developed -- easily won the primary over four
others who were actively seeking the nod. The Hawaii Republican
Party must now decide whether they will replace Coffee on the
ballot -- although leaders acknowledge they do not have any viable
candidates this year for the seat. Governor Linda Lingle (R) and
former State Senator Randy Iwase (D) easily won their respective
gubernatorial primaries, although Lingle is heavily favored in
November. In the CD-2 primary for Case's open House seat, former
Lieutenant Governor Mazie Hirono narrowly edged out State Senator
Colleen Hanabusa in the ten-candidate contest. Hirono won 20.7%
to Hanabusa's 20.0% -- a difference of just 799 votes. State Senator
Bob Hogue scraped past former State Representative Quentin Kawananakoa
in the contentious GOP primary by a margin of only 199 votes.
Hirono is a safe bet to defeat Hogue in November in the solidly
Dem district.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.25.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: US SENATE RACES. OHIO:
Congressman Sherrod Brown (D) - 47%, US Senator Mike
DeWine (R) - 42%. (Columbus Dispatch).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.25.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: GOVERNOR RACES. FLORIDA:
Attorney General Charlie Crist (R) - 49%, Congressman
Jim Davis (D) - 43%. (South Florida Sun-Sentinel/Research
2000). GEORGIA: Governor Sonny Perdue
(R) - 52%, Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor (D) - 32%, computer
consultant Garrett Hayes (Libertarian) - 6%. (InsiderAdvantage). MASSACHUSETTS: Former US Assistant Attorney General
Deval Patrick (D) - 64%, Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey (R)
- 25%, former State Turnpike Authority Member Christy Mihos (Independent)
- 5%, affordable housing activist Grace Ross (Green) - 1%, Others
- 3%. (WBZ-TV/SurveyUSA). MINNESOTA: Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) - 42%, Attorney
General Mike Hatch (D) - 39%, former State Finance Commissioner
Peter Hutchinson (Independence) - 5%. (St. Paul Pioneer Press/Mason-Dixon). OHIO: Congressman Ted Strickland (D) - 52%, Secretary of
State Ken Blackwell (R) - 33%, Others - 1%. (Columbus Dispatch).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.25.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: US HOUSE RACES. ARIZONA
- CD-8: Former State Senator Gabrielle Giffords (D) -
48%, former State Representative Randy Graf (R) - 36%, former
LP national chairman David Nolan (Libertarian) -1%, businessman
Jay Quick (Independent) - 1%. (KVOA-TV/Arizona Daily Star/Zimmerman
& Assoc).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.25.06 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
According
to the New York Times, the classified National Intelligence
Estimate -- a document prepared by the governmental spy agencies
-- actually found that the US war on Iraq has made the US substantially
less safe today than had we not ever gone into Iraq to remove
Saddam Hussein. The NIE reports are "the most authoritative
documents that the intelligence community produces on a specific
national security issue, and are approved by John D. Negroponte,
director of national intelligence." According to the report,
the US attack on Iraq caused Islamic radicalism to rapidly gain
supporters around the globe. Supporters, I'd note, the radicals
did not have beforehand. At least it finally answers what President
Bush meant by "Mission Accomplished." Click
here to read more.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.25.06 | Permalink
|
SEND
A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here's my open offer
for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button
or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide
Office, etc., campaign you are involved in -- feel free to add
a sticker and brochure -- and I'll place a link to official campaign
site here on our homepage in a daily "thank you" note.
My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale,
FL 33301. OUR THANKS TODAY GO OUT TO: Governor Dave
Freudenthal, Democrat for re-election in Wyoming; Congressman
John Murtha,
Democrat for re-election in Pennsylvania's CD-12; and the Democrats
for the West organization.
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FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Happy Rosh Hashonah to our Jewish readers. Greetings for Ramadan
to our Muslim readers.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.23.06 | Permalink
|
FRIDAY
NEWS UPDATE.
HAWAII:
PRIMARY PREVIEW.
The lengthy 2006 primary season finally comes to an end on Saturday
in Hawaii (of course, this excludes the bizarre November primaries
in Louisiana and a handful of Texas Congressional districts).
The Aloha State will see two hot Democratic primaries, with the
marquee race being the US Senate primary between 82-year-old incumbent
Dan
Akaka and Congressman Ed Case. Akaka is one of the more liberal
members of the Senate, while Case is a member of the centrist
Blue Dog Democratic Caucus. While Akaka has come under criticism
for a lack of effectiveness, powerful US Senator Dan Inouye, the
DSCC and the state's Democratic establishment have solidly rallied
behind Akaka. Case avoids making much direct criticism of Akaka,
but instead makes more of an age-based pitch that his youth would
let the state start building new seniority in the Senate in anticipation
of the day when the two octogenarian incumbents are gone from
DC. Hawaii Dems are very loyal to their incumbents, so look for
Akaka to defeat Case by a margin of several points (or more).
In the GOP primary, the party's candidate of choice -- former
Vietnam War POW Jerry Coffee -- withdrew from the race after major
health problems developed, although his name remains on the ballot.
The remaining Republican hopefuls are so insignificant that Governor
Linda Lingle publicly stated she will still vote for Coffee even
though he quit. The other important race is the CD-2 primary for
Case's open House seat. Among the ten Democrats seeking the seat
are former Lieutenant Governor Mazie Hirono, State Senators Ron
Menor, Colleen Hanabusa, Gary Hooser and Clayton Hee, former State
Senator Matt Matsunaga, State Representative Brian Schatz, and
Honolulu City Councilman Nestor Garcia. EMILY's List has helped
Hirono -- the 2002 Dem nominee for Governor -- raise around $650,000,
making her the top fundraiser in the race. Hanabusa is endorsed
by the Honolulu Advertiser, and has also raised a respectable
amount of money. With this crowded field of candidates who largely
agree on the issues, look for this primary to produce a winner
-- likely Hirono -- by an unimpressive plurality. The GOP primary
in CD-2 features a contest between two credible candidates --
State Senator Bob Hogue and former State Representative Quentin
Kawananakoa -- but the district's Democratic voting history would
present an almost insurmountable obstacle for either man in the
general election.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.22.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: US SENATE RACES. OHIO:
Congressman Sherrod Brown (D) - 52%, US Senator Mike
DeWine (R) - 42%. (WCPO-TV/SurveyUSA). PENNSYLVANIA: State Treasurer Bob Casey Jr. (D)
- 49%, US Senator Rick Santorum (R) - 39%. (Rasmussen Reports).
PENNSYLVANIA: Casey Jr. (D) - 45%, Santorum (R)
- 38%. (Keystone Poll). VERMONT: Congressman Bernie Sanders (Independent)
- 58%, businessman Rich Tarrant (R) - 33%. (Barre-Montpelier
Times Argus/Research 2000).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.22.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: GOVERNOR RACES. MINNESOTA
- GOVERNOR: Attorney General Mike Hatch (D) - 44%, Governor
Tim Pawlenty (R) - 42%, former State Finance Commissioner Peter
Hutchinson (Independence) - 9%. (University of Minnesota). OHIO: Congressman Ted Strickland (D) - 56%, Secretary of
State Ken Blackwell (R) - 35%, newspaper editor Bob Fitrakis (Green)
- 2%, retired college professor Bill Peirce (Libertarian) - 2%.
(WCPO-TV/SurveyUSA). PENNSYLVANIA: Governor Ed Rendell (D) - 56%,
former pro football player Lynn Swann (R) - 36%. (Rasmussen Reports).
PENNSYLVANIA: Rendell (D) - 52%, Swann (R) -
34%. (Keystone Poll).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.22.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: US HOUSE RACES. ARKANSAS
- CD-2: Congressman Vic Snyder (D) - 56%, former state
economic development official Andy Mayberry (R) - 42%. (KTHV-TV/SurveyUSA). COLORADO - CD-4: Congressman Marilyn Musgrave
(R) - 46%, State Representative Angie Paccione (D) - 42%, former
Reagan Administration official Eric Eidsness (Reform) - 8%. (KUSA-TV/SurveyUSA). KANSAS - CD-4: Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R) -
63%, engineer Garth McGinn (D) - 30%, Joy Holt (Reform) - 4%.
(KWCH-TV/SurveyUSA). NEW MEXICO - CD-1: Congresswoman Heather Wilson
(R) - 51%, Attorney General Patrician Madrid (D) - 46%. (KOB-TV/SurveyUSA). VERMONT: Senate President Pro Tem Peter Welch
(D) - 45%, State Adjutant General Martha Rainville (R) - 39%.
(Barre-Montpelier Times Argus/Research 2000).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.22.06 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
According to the Miami Herald, the State of Florida paid
$50,000 to a woman two years to settle an age discrimination lawsuit
she had filed against her former employer, State Representative
Jeff Kottkamp (R). Kottkamp was selected a week ago as Attorney
General Charlie Crist's runningmate for Florida Lieutenant Governor.
Kottkamp declined to comment, while Crist told the newspaper he
had no knowledge of the lawsuit.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.22.06 | Permalink
|
SEND
A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here's my open offer
for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button
or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide
Office, etc., campaign you are involved in -- feel free to add
a sticker and brochure -- and I'll place a link to official campaign
site here on our homepage in a daily "thank you" note.
My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale,
FL 33301. OUR THANKS TODAY GO OUT TO: Former State Representative,
former State Human Resources Commissioner and Vietnam War veteran
Jim Martin,
Democrat for Georgia Lieutenant Governor.
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BY
THE NUMBERS: US SENATE RACES. ARIZONA:
US Senator Jon Kyl (R) - 50%, former State Democratic
Chair Jim Pederson (D) - 39%. (Rasmussen Reports). CONNECTICUT: US Senator Joe Lieberman (Independent)
- 47%, businessman Ned Lamont (D) - 45%, Others - 3%. (American
Research Group). MARYLAND: Lieutenant Governor Michale Steele
(R) - 48%, Congressman Ben Cardin (D) - 47%, progressive activist
Kevin Zeese (Green) - 4%. (WMAR-TV/SurveyUSA). NEW JERSEY: State Senator Tom Kean Jr. (R) -
48%, US Senator Bob Menendez (D) - 45%. (Quinnipiac University). OHIO: Congressman Sherrod Brown (D) - 51%, US
Senator Mike DeWine (R) - 47%. (University of Cincinnati). OHIO: Brown (D) - 45%, DeWine (R) - 44%. (Quinnipiac
University). RHODE ISLAND: Former Attorney General Sheldon
Whitehouse (D) - 45%, US Senator Lincoln Chafee (R) - 40%. (American
Research Group).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.21.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: GOVERNOR RACES. MAINE:
Governor John Baldacci (D) - 44%, State Senator Chandler
Woodcock (R) - 39%. (Rasmussen Reports). ILLINOIS:
Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) - 45%, State Treasurer Judy
Baar Topinka (R) - 39%, attorney Rich Whitney (Green) - 7%. (KSDK-TV/SurveyUSA). MARYLAND: Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley (D)
- 51%, Governor Bob Ehrlich (R) - 44%, peace activist Ed Boyd
(Green) - 2%, Chris Driscoll (Progressive) - 1%. (WMAR-TV/SurveyUSA). OHIO: Congressman Ted Strickland (D) - 50%, Secretary of
State Ken Blackwell (R) - 38%. (University of Cincinnati). OREGON: Governor Ted Kulongoski (D) - 47%, former
Portland School Board Member Ron Saxton (R) - 38%. (Rasmussen
Reports). SOUTH
CAROLINA: Governor Mark Sanford (R) - 54%, State Senator
Tommy Moore (D) - 41%. (WCSC-TV/SurveyUSA).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.21.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: US HOUSE RACES. FLORIDA
- CD-5: Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite (R) - 56%, nurse
John Russell (D) - 40%. (WFLA-TV/SurveyUSA). OHIO - CD-2: Congresswoman Jean Schmidt (R) -
45%, physician Victoria Wulsin (D) - 42%. (WCPO-TV/SurveyUSA).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.21.06 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Just feeling too tired to write more tonight, but the above should
keep you busy until tomorrow night's updates.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.21.06 | Permalink
|
SEND
A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here's my open offer
for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button
or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide
Office, etc., campaign you are involved in -- feel free to add
a sticker and brochure -- and I'll place a link to official campaign
site here on our homepage in a daily "thank you" note.
My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale,
FL 33301. OUR THANKS TODAY GO OUT TO: Former Lisbon Falls
Town Selectman and medical technician L.
Scott D'Amboise, Republiucan for Congress in Maine's CD-2..
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MASSACHUSETTS:
PATRICK WINS DEM GOV PRIMARY IN LANDSLIDE.
Former US Assistant Attorney General Deval Patrick -- the most
liberal Democrat
in the race for Governor -- won the party's endorsement at the
state convention a few months ago. On Tuesday, he romped to victory
in the primary over wealthy businessman Chris Gabrieli and Attorney
General Tom Reilly. Reilly started the race as the solid frontrunner,
but his inept campaign was able to largely squander his early
advantage over the past few months. Gabrieli jumped into the contest
after having a spat with Reilly. The networks all projected Patrick
as the winner early in the evening. Incomplete vote totals showed
Patrick at 49%, Gabrieli at 28% and Reilly at 23%. Independent
polls show Patrick leading Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey (R)
and wealthy businessman and former Republican Christy Mihos (Independent).
Governor Race Rating: DEM Favored. In the Republican primary for
US Senate, language school owner Ken Chase was leading former
Wakefield Selectman Kevin Scott by a 51-49 vote, with about 85%
of the vote counted. It doesn't really matter which man wins,
as neither would have any chance against entrenched incumbent
Ted Kennedy (D) in November. Senate Race rating: Safe DEM.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.20.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: US SENATE RACES. ARIZONA:
US Senator Jon Kyl (R) - 48%, former State Democratic
Chair Jim Pederson (D) - 43%, former Graham County Sheriff Richard
Mack (Libertarian) - 2%. (KPNX-TV/SurveyUSA). CONNECTICUT: US Senator Joe Lieberman (Independent)
- 45%, businessman Ned Lamont (D) - 43%, former State Representative
Alan Schlesinger (R) - 5%. (Rasmussen Reports). MICHIGAN: US Senator Debbie Stabenow (D) - 51%,
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard (R) - 44%. (Strategic Vision-R). NEW MEXICO: US Senator Jeff Bingaman (D) - 56%,
physician Allen McCullough (R) - 32%. (Rasmussen Reports). RHODE ISLAND: Former Attorney General Sheldon
Whitehouse (D) - 40%, US Senator Lincoln Chafee (R) - 39%. (Brown
University).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.20.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: GOVERNOR RACES. ARIZONA:
Governor Janet Napolitano (D) - 56%, Religious Right
activist Len Munsil (R) - 40%, businessman Barry Hess (Libertarian)
- 3%. (KPNX-TV/SurveyUSA). CONNECTICUT: Governor Jodi Rell (R) - 60%, New
Haven Mayor John DeStefano (D) - 32%. (Rasmussen Reports). MICHIGAN: Governor Jennifer Granholm (D) - 47%,
businessman Dick DeVos (R) - 46%. (Strategic Vision-R). NEW HAMPSHIRE: Governor John Lynch (D) - 73%,
State Representative Jim Coburn (R) - 23%. (WBZ-TV/SurveyUSA). NEW MEXICO: Governor Bill Richardson (D) - 61%,
former State GOP Chair John Dendahl (R) - 26%. (Rasmussen Reports). OHIO: Congressman Ted Strickland (D) - 55%, Secretary of
State Ken Blackwell (R) - 34%. (Quinnipiac University). RHODE ISLAND: Governor Don Carcieri (R) - 50%,
Lieutenant Governor Charlie Fogarty (D) - 38%. (Brown University). TEXAS: Governor Rick Perry (R) - 35%, former
Congressman Chris Bell (D) - 23%, musician/writer Kinky Friedman
(Independent) - 23%, State Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn
(Independent) - 15%, software analyst James Werner (Libertarian)
- 2%. (KEYE-TV/SurveyUSA). WISCONSIN: Governor Jim Doyle (D) - 46%, Congressman
Mark Green (R) - 42%. (Strategic Vision-R).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.20.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: US HOUSE RACES. INDIANA
- CD-2: Attorney Joe Donnelly (D) - 50%, Congressman
Chris Chocola (R) - 42%. (South Bend Tribune/Constituent
Dynamics). KENTUCKY - CD-4: Former Congressman Ken Lucas
(D) - 48%, Congressman Geoff Davis (R) - 44%. (WCPO-TV/SurveyUSA). RHODE ISLAND - CD-1: Congressman Patrick Kennedy
(D) - 60%, children's social service counselor Jon Scott (R) -
25%. (Brown University). RHODE ISLAND - CD-2: Congressman Jim Langevin
(D) - 60%, former State Representative Rod Driver (Independent)
- 21%. (Brown University).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.20.06 | Permalink
|
PENNSYLVANIA:
GREEN US SENATE CANDIDATE WINS INTERIM COURT RULING.
Retired family court official Carl Romanelli (Green) won a minor
but significant court victory Monday, as the State Supreme Court
agreed to hear his emergency appeal to
block his disqualification from the November ballot. The Republican
Party admitted it largely funded Romanelli's petition drive earlier
this year, and now will not answer media inquiries whether or
not the party is financing Romanelli's legal costs. US Senator
Rick Santorum (R) wants Romanelli on the ballot in the hope that
-- in a close race -- he will siphon away liberal voters from
State Treasurer Bob Casey Jr. (D). Dems have aggressively challenged
Romanelli's petitions, showing that even though Romanelli submitted
over 100,000 signatures there were so many invalid signatures
as to fall thousands short of the 67,000 required for ballot placement.
Romanelli argues the signature requirement total should be reduced
to a more reasonable threshold. All parties to the lawsuit must
submit legal briefs by September 28. Stay tuned.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.20.06 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
There was another bizarre moment in Virginia's US Senate debate
this week. US Senator George Allen (R) referenced in his remarks
about the "macaca" incident that he is sensitive to
diversity, explaining his own grandfather had been "incarcerated
by the Nazis."
When a debate panelist later asked if in fact his grandfather
Felix (for whom the Senator was in part named for) and his mother
were actually Tunisian Jews, Allen suddenly became angry and blasted
the reporter for "making aspersions" on him. He went
on a rant for almost two minutes because of the question. Just
because she asked him if he was part Jewish? WTF!! This guy has
no business even thinking of running for President. Click
here to read more.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.20.06 | Permalink
|
SEND
A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here's my open offer
for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button
or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide
Office, etc., campaign you are involved in -- feel free to add
a sticker and brochure -- and I'll place a link to official campaign
site here on our homepage in a daily "thank you" note.
My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale,
FL 33301. OUR THANKS TODAY GO OUT TO: Democrats Abroad
Canada for sending us a "America's Had Enough!"
pin promoting their new VoteFromAbroad.org
website.
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BY
THE NUMBERS: US SENATE RACES. MICHIGAN:
US Senator Debbie Stabenow (D) - 54%, Oakland County
Sheriff
Mike Bouchard (R) - 41%, David Sole (Green) - 2%, attorney Leonard
Schwartz (Libertarian) - 2%, retired automotive engineer W. Dennis
FitzSimons (US Taxpayers) - 1%. (WDIV-TV/SurveyUSA). MINNESOTA:
Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar (D) - 56%, Congressman
Mark Kennedy (R) - 32%, Robert Fitzgerald (Independence) - 3%,
Others - 1%. (Minneapolis Star-Tribune). MONTANA: State Senate President Jon Tester (D)
- 52%, US Senator Conrad Burns (R) - 43%. (Rasmussen Reports). OHIO: Congressman Sherrod Brown (D) - 47%, US
Senator Mike DeWine (R) - 41%. (Rasmussen Reports). RHODE ISLAND: Former Attorney General Sheldon
Whitehouse (D) - 51%, US Senator Lincoln Chafee (R) - 43%. (Rasmussen
Reports).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.19.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: GOVERNOR RACES. ILLINOIS:
Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) - 56%, State Treasurer Judy
Baar Topinka (R) - 26%, attorney Rich Whitney (Green) - 3%. (Chicago
Sun Times/KRC Communications). MASSACHUSETTS - DEM PRIMARY: Former US Assistant
Attorney General Deval Patrick - 46%, venture capitalist Chris
Gabrieli - 29%, Attorney General Tom Reilly - 22%. (WBZ-TV/SurveyUSA). MASSACHUSETTS
- DEM PRIMARY: Patrick - 37%, Gabrieli - 29%, Reilly
- 21%. (WHDH-TV/Suffolk University). MICHIGAN:
Governor Jennifer Granholm (D) - 47%, businessman Dick
DeVos (R) - 47%, engineer Doug Campbell (Green) - 2%, hospital
worker Greg Creswell (Libertarian) - 1%, engineer Bhagwan Dashairya
(US Taxpayers) - 1%. (WDIV-TV/SurveyUSA). NEW HAMPSHIRE: Governor John Lynch (D) - 61%,
State Representative Jim Coburn (R) - 24%. (Concord Monitor/Research
2000). NEW YORK: Attorney General Eliot Spitzer (D)
- 72%, former State Assemblyman John Faso (R) - 21%. (Siena Research). OHIO: Congressman Ted Strickland (D) - 54%, Secretary of
State Ken Blackwell (R) - 35%. (Rasmussen Reports). RHODE ISLAND: Governor Don Carcieri (R) - 47%, Lieutenant
Governor Charlie Fogarty (D) - 45%. (Rasmussen Reports).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.19.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: US HOUSE RACES. ARIZONA
- CD-5: Congressman J.D. Hayworth (R) - 52%, former State
Democratic Chair Harry Mitchell (D) - 40%, businessman Warren
Severin (Libertarian) - 4%. (KPNX-TV/SurveyUSA). COLORADO - CD-3: Congressman John Salazar (D)
- 52%, pottery company owner Scott Tipton (R) - 41%, mechanical
engineer Bert Sargent (Libertarian) - 3%. (KUSA-TV/SurveyUSA). IOWA - CD-1: Attorney Bruce Braley (D) - 44%,
restaurant chain CEO Mike Whalen (R) - 37%. (Des Moines Register/Selzer
& Co). MINNESOTA - CD-6: State Senator Michele Bachmann
(R) - 50%, child safety activist Patty Wetterling (DFL) - 41%,
former construction project manager John Binkowski (Independence)
- 5%. (KSTP-TV/SurveyUSA). \Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.19.06 | Permalink
|
WASHINGTON:
PRIMARY PREVIEW. Okay,
Washington State (and Massachusetts) are holding primaries on
Tuesday. We previewed the Massachusetts race last week -- and
there isn't much to write about in Washington. US
Senator Maria Cantwell (D) and insurance executive Mike McGavick
(R) are locks to win their respective primaries before their scheduled
battle in November. There are also a few Congressional primaries
to select challengers against various entrenched incumbents but
... hey, who cares ... none of those primaries will matter in
the least come November when this week's winners get blown away.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.19.06 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Congressman Bob Ney (R-OH)
agreed to a plea bargain Friday on bribery and corruption charges
but, to the major consternation of his GOP colleagues, he has
yet to submit his resignation. So far, all he's been willing to
do is quit his committee assignments. Is he daring them to expell
him? What's the story here?
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.19.06 | Permalink
|
SEND
A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here's my open offer
for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button
or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide
Office, etc., campaign you are involved in -- feel free to add
a sticker and brochure -- and I'll place a link to official campaign
site here on our homepage in a daily "thank you" note.
My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale,
FL 33301. OUR THANKS TODAY GO OUT TO: Businessman and peace
candidateNed
Lamont, Democrat for US Senate in Connecticut; Massachusetts
Governor; and State Turnpike Authority Member and realtor Allan
Dameron, Democrat for North Carolina House District 17.
WANNA
TRADE?
I'm interested in building up my collection of Canadian campaign
buttons. If you've got Canadian political buttons to
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P2008:
OBAMA TRIP TO IOWA INCREASES WHISPERS ABOUT '08 RUN. Freshman
US Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) was stumping in Iowa this weekend,
with US Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) by his side. The ostensible
purpose of the trip: promote Iowa Democratic candidates in the
2006 elections. First elected to the Senate just two years ago,
the charismatic Obama previously discounted any interest in seeking
the White House in 2008. His comments this weekend opened the
door. "My only attentions right now are focused on '06. Whoever
is looking toward 2008 without focusing on 2006 makes a mistake,"
said Obama, without disclaiming any interest in 2008. Also at
the Harkin event was former Virginia Governor Mark Warner, who
was more direct about his intentions. "You know and I know
that it all starts in Iowa. Do your part. We're going to take
back the Congress this year and then we're going to take back
our nation," said Warner during his remarks to the crowd.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.18.06 | Permalink
|
P2008:
DESPITE DENIALS, BLOOMBERG IS EXPLORING INDY WHITE HOUSE RUN.
New York City Mayor
Mike Bloomberg -- a billionaire business news mogul and Democrat
before he was elected in 2001 as a Republican -- repeatedly denies
he has any interest in running for President in 2008. "I
am not running for President, for the record," is his standard
response to reporters. However, the WCBS-TV reported that Bloomberg
held a secret meeting last month with some top political operatives
and money people for "serious discussions about the viability
of a White House run." According to the TV station, participants
included Democratic Leadership Council leader Al From, legendary
Wall Street hedge fund manager Michael Steinhardt, New York City
Schools Commissioner Joel Klein, three NYC Deputy Mayors, and
others. One participant, speaking anonymously, said Bloomberg
was both intrigued and skeptical about making the race. At one
point during the dinner, Bloomberg purportedly asked: "How
likely is a 5' 7" Jew-from-New York, billionaire, who's divorced,
and running as an independent, to become President of the United
States?" WCBS reported Bloomberg told the participants he
"reportedly thinks he has another year" to make a decision
on the race and -- if he runs -- he's "considering"
spending hundreds of millions from his own deep pockets.
Like I wrote back in May, I
still believe the whole Unity
08 group is being assembled for Bloomberg.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.18.06 | Permalink
|
BY
THE NUMBERS: LATEST INDEPENDENT NUMBERS. COLORADO
- GOVERNOR: Former Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter
(D) - 50%, Congressman Bob Beauprez (R) - 33%. (Rocky Mountain
News). HAWAII - US SENATE - DEM PRIMARY: US Senator
Dan Akaka - 51%, Congressman Ed Case - 38%. (Honolulu Advertiser/Ward
Research). IOWA
- GOVERNOR: Secretary of State Chet Culver (D) - 44%,
Congressman Jim Nussle (R) - 44%, Others - 2%. (Des Moines
Register/Selzer & Co). IOWA - GOVERNOR: Culver (D) - 48%, Nussle (R)
- 43%. (KCCI-TV/Research 2000). MAINE - GOVERNOR: Governor John Baldacci (D)
- 42%, State Senator Chandler Woodcock (R) - 41%, Others - 2%.
(WCSH-TV/Voice of the Voter). NEVADA - GOVERNOR: Congressman Jim Gibbons (R)
- 45%, State Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus (D) - 38%. (Research
2000). MASSACHUSETTS - GOVERNOR - DEM PRIMARY: Former
US Assistant Attorney General Deval Patrick - 46%, venture capitalist
Chris Gabrieli - 25%, Attorney General Tom Reilly - 18%. (Boston
Globe/University of NH). MINNESOTA - GOVERNOR: Governor Tim Pawlenty (R)
- 42%, Attorney General Mike Hatch (D) - 42%, former State Finance
Commissioner Peter Hutchinson (Independence) - 7%, Others - 4%.
(Minneapolis Star-Tribune). NEVADA - US SENATE: US Senator John Ensign (R)
- 56%, businessman Jack Carter (D) - 35%. (Reno Gazette-Journal/Research
2000). VERMONT - GOVERNOR: Governor Jim Douglas (R) - 59%, former
State Democratic
Chair Scudder Parker (D) - 32%, website publisher Bob Skold (Liberty
Union) - 2%. (American Research Group). VERMONT - US SENATE: Congressman Bernie Sanders (Independent)
- 55%, software executive Rich Tarrant (R) - 40%, frequent candidate
Peter Diamondstone (Liberty Union) - 1%. (American Research Group). VERMONT - CONGRESS: Senate President Pro Tem Peter Welch
(D) - 48%, State Adjutant General Martha Rainville (R) - 45%,
retired nurse Jane Newton (Liberty Union) - 2%. (American Research
Group).
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.18.06 | Permalink
|
GOVERNORS:
QUICK TAKES. MASSACHUSETTS: Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey (R) clearly
doesn't want to face wealthy venture capitalist Chris Gabrieli
(D) in the general election. How else to explain Healey running
anti-Gabrieli attack spots last Thursday -- during the days before
Tuesday's Democratic primary -- instead of afterwards. Gabrieli
quickly responded with a spot answering the attack and defending
his record in busines. Healey could probably have saved her money,
as polls for the past few weeks show former US Assistant Attorney
General Deval Patrick is much more likely to win the Dem primary. ALASKA: Former GOP State Representative Andrew Halcro (Independent)
will have to quickly find a new runningmate for Lieutenant Governor.
Former GOP State Representative Ken Lancaster withdrew last week
citing personal reasons.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.18.06 | Permalink
|
NEBRASKA:
WITEK BACK ON BALLOT AS DEM.
A state court judge ordered Secretary of State John Gale (R) to
place State Auditor Kate Witek on the ballot as a Democrat in
her race for re-election. The conservative Witek -- who was a
GOP candidate for Lieutenant Governor on Congressman Tom Osborne's
ticket in the GOP primary earlier this year -- switched parties
one day before the Democratic State Convention last month. The
Dems then nominated her to run again for her current post, as
the party had nobody in that race. In a deal brokered by the Attorney
General's office, Gale has agreed to list Witek as a Democrat
and not appeal the court ruling. In exchange, Witek will only
be listed once on the November ballot, even though she submitted
sufficient signatures to also run as an Independent.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.18.06 | Permalink
|
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
The torture ban, the Iraq War ... and anything else you'd like
to discuss.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.18.06 | Permalink
|
SEND
A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here's my open offer
for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button
or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide
Office, etc., campaign you are involved in -- feel free to add
a sticker and brochure -- and I'll place a link to official campaign
site here on our homepage in a daily "thank you" note.
My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale,
FL 33301. OUR THANKS TODAY GO OUT TO: Democratic activist
Tom McGrath, who sent us pins for former US Assistant Attorney
General Deval
Patrick, Democrat for Massachusetts Governor; US Senator
Ted Kennedy, Democrat
for re-election in Massachusetts; and non-profit jobs training
center CEO Andrea
Silbert, Democrat for Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor.
WANNA
TRADE?
I'm interested in building up my collection of Canadian campaign
buttons. If you've got Canadian political buttons to
trade, I'm interesting in swapping with you for some great US
pins. Please drop me
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Your place to keep the buzz going.
Posted
by Ron Gunzburger - 09.16.06 | Permalink
|
SEND
A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here's my open offer for every campaign (and campaign supporter):
send me a button or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional,
Statewide Office, etc., campaign you are involved in -- feel free
to add a sticker and brochure -- and I'll place a link to official
campaign site here on our homepage in a daily "thank you"
note. My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale,
FL
33301.
WANNA
TRADE?
I'm interested in building up my collection of Canadian campaign
buttons. If you've got Canadian political buttons to
trade, I'm interesting in swapping with you for some great US
pins. Please drop me
a note!
entire
incident as being a set-up by his Democratic opponent. Later on
Friday afternoon ABC News published sexually graphic email and
instant messaging communication between Foley and other under-aged
teenage boys. That prompted Foley to submit his immediate resignation
from Congress and withdraw from his race for re-election. Foley,
who was the Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus for Missing &
Exploited Children, helped lead the fight for tougher criminal
laws to stop online sexual predators who target children. Ironically,
those same laws he championed could possibly now be used to send
Foley to federal prison. Florida law will allow to replace Foley
with a new GOP nominee -- but Foley's name will remain on the
ballot. That will force voters to cast a ballot for Foley to have
it be counted for the GOP replacement nominee. Further, the new
candidate would not be able to convert most contributions in any
existing state campaign account into a federal account for the
race because Florida candidates may accept corporate contributions
while federal candidates are explicitly barred from accepting
that same money. Because of all this, wealthy venture capitalist
and former Republican Tim Mahoney must now be rated the likely
winner of this CD-16 seat in November. In directly related --
and further disturbing news -- it appears Congressman Rodney Alexander
(R-LA) promptly notified the Speaker Denny Hastert (R-IL) and
the House Republican Leadership ten months ago of Foley's inappropriate
communications with the Louisiana boy. Hastert apparently buried
the sordid (and possibly criminal) matter entirely until it resurfaced
on Friday. It looks like Speaker Hastert may have some serious
explaining to do about why the Leadership protected this apparent
pedophile.
Joe
Lieberman (Independent) - 49%, businessman Ned Lamont (D) - 39%,
former State Rep. Alan Schlesinger (R) - 5%. (Quinnipiac University).
"I think [Lieberman is] very concerned that we're within
striking distance of winning this," said Schlesinger on Wednesday.
environmental
activist Ken Pentel (Green) - 1%. (KSTP-TV/SurveyUSA).
offer
for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button
or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide
Office, etc., campaign you are involved in -- feel free to add
a sticker and brochure -- and I'll place a link to official campaign
site here on our homepage in a daily "thank you" note.
My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale,
FL 33301. OUR THANKS TODAY GO OUT TO: Lieutenant Governor
State
Party Chair Jim Pederson (D) - 38%, former Graham County Sheriff
Richard Mack (Libertarian) - 2%. (KAET-TV/Arizona State Univ.).
Arnold
Schwarzenegger (R) - 48%, State Treasurer Phil Angelides (D) -
31%. (Public Policy Institute of California).
FLORIDA:
US Senator Bill Nelson (D) - 56%, Congresswoman Katherine
Harris (R) - 33%. (Rasmussen Reports).
COLORADO:
Former Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter (D) - 50%,
Congressman Bob Beauprez (R) - 34%. (Rasmussen Reports). 
State Treasurer Bob Casey Jr.'s (D) campaign gained more momentum
in the US Senate race this week after Carl Romanelli (Green) was
kicked off the ballot by a state judge. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
reported Commonwealth Court Judge James Kelly ruled that Romanelli
was 9,000 signatures short of 67,070 needed to qualify for the
November ballot. Several weeks ago, Democratic lawyers filed a
lawsuit alleging Romanelli did not have enough valid signatures
for ballot status. Romanelli, who has received significant funding
by Republican donors and received praise from GOP incumbent US
Senator Rick Santorum's campaign, was considered a potential "spoiler"
by drawing votes from pro-choice Democrats dissatisfied with Casey’s
socially conservative stance. The Romanelli campaign will make
a final attempt to reduce the high signature requirement in an
appeal to the State Supreme Court, but legal observers say the
odds do not favor Romanelli on the appeal.
Three
college football teammates told Salon magazine that Allen showed
obvious racial prejudices and attitudes during college. "Allen
said he came to Virginia because he wanted to play football in
a place where 'blacks knew their place,'” said radiologist
Dr. Ken Shelton, who played football with Allen on the University
of Virgina team. Another anonymous teammate noted that Allen frequently
used the "N-word" to describe African-Americans. Respected
political scholar Larry Sabato, who was also at the school when
Allen attended, stated he knows "for a fact" that Allen
used the N-word while in college. Shelton also reported Allen
called him “Wizard” because he shared the same last
name with Robert Shelton, unrelated, who was the Imperial Wizard
of the Ku Klux Klan. Classmate Shelton also told Salon that during
a hunting trip with Allen and a fellow football player, the future
Senator stuffed the decapitated head of a deer into the mailbox
of a local black family. Allen has apologized for wearing a Confederate
flag pin in the past, but he vigorously denies ever holding racist
views, ever uttering the N-word, or anything related to the deer-head
allegations. Allen's campaign noted that other former teammates
do not recall Allen showing any racist tendencies, nor did any
others corroborate Shelton's account. Allen, a potential 2008
Presidential candidate, is facing an increasingly competitive
challenge from former Navy Secretary James Webb (D).
Congressman
Ben Cardin (D) - 51%, Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele (R) -
40%. (Baltimore Sun/Potomac Inc.).
Congressman
Jim Gibbons (R) - 45%, State Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus
(D) - 36%, computer consultant Christopher Hansen (Independent
American) - 5%, environmental activist Craig Bergland (Green)
- 1%. (Las Vegas Review-Journal/Mason-Dixon).
Dan
Akaka turned back an aggressive primary challenge by a nine-point
margin on Saturday from ambitious Congressman Ed Case. Akaka,
one of the more liberal members of the Senate, was solidly supported
by the state's powerful Democratic establishment. Case, a centrist
"Blue Dog" Democratic, argued age instead of issues.
Case, 53, suggested his relative youth would let Hawaii start
building new seniority in the Senate in anticipation of the day
when the two octogenarian incumbents are gone. Some pundits believed
Case never thought he could win the primary, but was instead attempting
to jump ahead of Congressman Neil Abercrombie (D) for whichever
one of the two Senate seats comes open first. 
In
his concession speech, Case said he had no regrets about having
run for the Senate this year. In the GOP primary, former Vietnam
War POW Jerry Coffee -- who withdrew from the race after major
health problems developed -- easily won the primary over four
others who were actively seeking the nod. The Hawaii Republican
Party must now decide whether they will replace Coffee on the
ballot -- although leaders acknowledge they do not have any viable
candidates this year for the seat. Governor Linda Lingle (R) and
former State Senator Randy Iwase (D) easily won their respective
gubernatorial primaries, although Lingle is heavily favored in
November. In the CD-2 primary for Case's open House seat, former
Lieutenant Governor Mazie Hirono narrowly edged out State Senator
Colleen Hanabusa in the ten-candidate contest. Hirono won 20.7%
to Hanabusa's 20.0% -- a difference of just 799 votes. State Senator
Bob Hogue scraped past former State Representative Quentin Kawananakoa
in the contentious GOP primary by a margin of only 199 votes.
Hirono is a safe bet to defeat Hogue in November in the solidly
Dem district.
Perdue
(R) - 52%, Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor (D) - 32%, computer
consultant Garrett Hayes (Libertarian) - 6%. (InsiderAdvantage).
MINNESOTA
- GOVERNOR: Attorney General Mike Hatch (D) - 44%, Governor
Tim Pawlenty (R) - 42%, former State Finance Commissioner Peter
Hutchinson (Independence) - 9%. (University of Minnesota).
Democrat
in the race for Governor -- won the party's endorsement at the
state convention a few months ago. On Tuesday, he romped to victory
in the primary over wealthy businessman Chris Gabrieli and Attorney
General Tom Reilly. Reilly started the race as the solid frontrunner,
but his inept campaign was able to largely squander his early
advantage over the past few months. Gabrieli jumped into the contest
after having a spat with Reilly. The networks all projected Patrick
as the winner early in the evening. Incomplete vote totals showed
Patrick at 49%, Gabrieli at 28% and Reilly at 23%. Independent
polls show Patrick leading Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey (R)
and wealthy businessman and former Republican Christy Mihos (Independent).
Governor Race Rating: DEM Favored. In the Republican primary for
US Senate, language school owner Ken Chase was leading former
Wakefield Selectman Kevin Scott by a 51-49 vote, with about 85%
of the vote counted. It doesn't really matter which man wins,
as neither would have any chance against entrenched incumbent
Ted Kennedy (D) in November. Senate Race rating: Safe DEM.
FREE
SPEECH ZONE.
Sheriff
Mike Bouchard (R) - 41%, David Sole (Green) - 2%, attorney Leonard
Schwartz (Libertarian) - 2%, retired automotive engineer W. Dennis
FitzSimons (US Taxpayers) - 1%. (WDIV-TV/SurveyUSA).
Freshman
US Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) was stumping in Iowa this weekend,
with US Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) by his side. The ostensible
purpose of the trip: promote Iowa Democratic candidates in the
2006 elections. First elected to the Senate just two years ago,
the charismatic Obama previously discounted any interest in seeking
the White House in 2008. His comments this weekend opened the
door. "My only attentions right now are focused on '06. Whoever
is looking toward 2008 without focusing on 2006 makes a mistake,"
said Obama, without disclaiming any interest in 2008. Also at
the Harkin event was former Virginia Governor Mark Warner, who
was more direct about his intentions. "You know and I know
that it all starts in Iowa. Do your part. We're going to take
back the Congress this year and then we're going to take back
our nation," said Warner during his remarks to the crowd.
Mike Bloomberg -- a billionaire business news mogul and Democrat
before he was elected in 2001 as a Republican -- repeatedly denies
he has any interest in running for President in 2008. "I
am not running for President, for the record," is his standard
response to reporters. However, the WCBS-TV reported that Bloomberg
held a secret meeting last month with some top political operatives
and money people for "serious discussions about the viability
of a White House run." According to the TV station, participants
included Democratic Leadership Council leader Al From, legendary
Wall Street hedge fund manager Michael Steinhardt, New York City
Schools Commissioner Joel Klein, three NYC Deputy Mayors, and
others. One participant, speaking anonymously, said Bloomberg
was both intrigued and skeptical about making the race. At one
point during the dinner, Bloomberg purportedly asked: "How
likely is a 5' 7" Jew-from-New York, billionaire, who's divorced,
and running as an independent, to become President of the United
States?" WCBS reported Bloomberg told the participants he
"reportedly thinks he has another year" to make a decision
on the race and -- if he runs -- he's "considering"
spending hundreds of millions from his own deep pockets.
Like I 
IOWA
- GOVERNOR: Secretary of State Chet Culver (D) - 44%,
Congressman Jim Nussle (R) - 44%, Others - 2%. (Des Moines
Register/Selzer & Co).
FL
33301.
