Paulitics

The Gliberals

Greg Staples doesn't like the Liberal position on fixed election dates -- they are not opposed in theory but don't like the particulars of the Conservative proposal which they find "sloppy" -- and doesn't think they'll get away with it: "It really isn't that hard an issue and being this wishy-washy makes it look like the Mr. Dithers label can go on the whole Liberal Party." Of course, parties can take the position that the Liberals are taking -- that in principle they support a thing but not the way the government is doing it -- but it will be a difficult sell because it will appear that this stand-for-nothing party is merely standing in opposition.

Posted by Paul Tuns at 7:05 PM | Permalink

Wisdom from Bill Maher

You can't write that sentence often but in a "10 Questions" feature with Time magazine, the former host of Politically Incorrect [sic] offered this gem: asked about Katie Couric as she gets ready to take over whichever nightly news slot, Maher says, "I think she'll probably read the teleprompter the same way the others did." He adds: "The evening news really only has one news segment now ... These people used to complain that they only had 30 minutes. But obviously they don't really want to fill more than seven."

Posted by Paul Tuns at 6:45 PM | Permalink

Nader gets Reform endorsement

Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader has been endorsed by Ross Perot's old party, the Reform Party. While remaining an independent, the endorsement puts Nader on the ballot sevens states (Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana and South Carolina) and may make it easier to get on the ballot in California where the party has perhaps as many as 10,000 supporters. The story leaves the impression that there will not be a Reform Party candidate (many of the leadership contenders have backed Nader) but stops short of saying exactly that. If Nader does nothing else, he may serve the purpose of finally ending this freak show/political party.

Posted by Paul Tuns at 10:49 PM | Permalink

Zell on Kerry

Newsday reports that Democratic Senator Zell Miller (GA) is criticizing the unelectable presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Senator John Kerry calling him an "out-of-touch, ultraliberal from Taxachusetts." He also said that Kerry's war record (Vietnam) does not excuse his war record (Iraq) and his refusal to support the military: "The man now wants to be the commander in chief of U.S. armed forces?" Miller asked rhetorically. "U.S. forces armed with what, spitballs?"

Posted by Paul Tuns at 10:44 PM | Permalink

New York Governor 2006

Robert Novak reports that Empire State Republicans think they will lose the 2006 gubernatorial race against Democrat Eliot Spitzer unless former mayor Rudy Giuliani runs for the GOP. Three-term Governor George Pataki is not expected to run and will either return to private practice (he's a lawyer) or be given an federal appointment by President George W. Bush if he is re-elected. Novak reports that no one knows Giuliani's intentions or whether he would skip the gubernatorial run for a chance to be the GOP presidential candidate in 2008.

Posted by Paul Tuns at 11:45 PM | Permalink

Veep watch

The media says that John Kerry might balance his ticket with a southerner (Floridian Senators Bob Graham or Bill Nelson, North Carolina Senator John Edwards), southwest (New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson), Hispanic (Richardson), someone more to the centre of the party (anyone from the south, Indiana Senator Evan Bayh), a midwesterner (Bayh or Rep. Dick Gephardt) or a woman (various senators or governors). But Ronald Faucheux, an adjunct professor at George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management, writes in today's Washington Post that Kerry might have more than balance considerations in mind when he choses a running mate. "Though vice-presidential selection was once seen as a way to balance a presidential candidate's philosophy or region with a running mate who represented something entirely different, it has shifted in recent years as vice presidents have taken on a more serious role in governing and have acquired an increased visibility. In that sense, a nominee's appeal in any one state is far less important than his or her ability to reinforce the broader message and image of the candidate, as well as of the party as a whole."
The column outlines to what degree the vice-presidential candidates have made an electoral difference. Balance seems to be over-rated. Competence is more important and in that department, few Democrats can qualify.
For the record, Richardson is again denying any interest in the veep position, jokingly telling reporters that if they are going to continue to ask him whether he would accept such an invitation, "I would not accept at gunpoint."

Posted by Paul Tuns at 11:27 PM | Permalink

Connecticut Senate 2004

Senator Christopher Dodd (D, CT) has made it official that he is running for re-election this year and the Hartford Courant reports the senator is eyeing the post of Senate Minority Leader if Tom Daschle loses his re-election bid. Dodd is also considering a gubernatorial run in 2006.

Posted by Paul Tuns at 11:13 PM | Permalink

Florida Senate 2004

Bob Smith, the former Republican Senator from New Hamsphire who lost his 2002 GOP primary to John Sununu Jr. and relocated to Florida to sell real estate, has abandoned his quest to become the Republican Senate nominee in Florida. He has endorsed former Rep. and failed 2000 Republican Senate candidate Bill McCollum. McCollum and former federal HUD Secretary Mel Martinez are leading the crowded GOP field to replace retiring Senator Bob Graham (D).

Posted by Paul Tuns at 4:19 PM | Permalink

Minnesota Senate 2008

It's four and a half years away but not-very-funny comedian Al Franken is considering whether to challenge Senator Norm Coleman (R, MN) in 2008. Franken said chances are 50-50 he will run for the Democratic nomination and he said he would make a decision by the end of the year. Born and now living in New York City, Franken grew up outside Minneapolis. He told AP that he has asked Senator Hillary Clinton (D, NY) about "running for Senate in a state you haven't lived for in a while, or in your case, ever?" Franken recalled the former First Lady's response: "This will be a long conversation," and they agreed to talk about it at a later date.

Posted by Paul Tuns at 4:12 PM | Permalink

GOP Congressman to retire

Rep. Jack Quinn has become the second Republican Congressman from the Empire state to announce he would not seek re-election, joining Rep. Amo Houghton. In announcing he would not seek a 10th term, the moderate Congressman from western New York said the travel was beginning to wear on him. However, he did not rule out running for state-wide office (governor or senator) in the future. Democrats are optimistic they can pick up the heavily Democratic district.

Posted by Paul Tuns at 4:06 PM | Permalink

Veep watch

Robert Novak reports that some Democrats are urging John Kerry to consider Senator Joe Biden (D, DE) for the vice presidential slot on the ticket. Biden is the ranking member on the foreign affairs committee, supported the war in Iraq and has not been as critical of the president. Biden had considered running for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004 but did not take the plunge. He abandoned a 1988 run after he was found plagarizing a speech. Novak says "Picking the 61-year-old Biden would be reminiscent of George W. Bush's selection in 2000 of Dick Cheney, then 59. Biden, like Cheney, would be chosen for his qualifications to succeed to the presidency rather than for influencing electoral votes of a large swing state."

Meanwhile, senators and former senators often mentioned as possible running mates appeared with Kerry at a New Orleans campaign stop last week: former Senator Max Cleland (GA) and senators John Edwards (NC) and Bob Graham and Bill Nelson (both of Florida). Cleland hammered administration officials for prosecuting a war without themselves serving in the military.

Posted by Paul Tuns at 2:49 PM | Permalink

Louisiana Senate 2004

Robert Novak says in his Chicago Sun-Times column (scroll down to last item) today that former Democratic Governor and U.S. Rep. Buddy Roemer's possible entry into the Senate race as a Republican could ruin the GOP's chances of picking up the state. Senator John Breaux (D) has announced he is not seeking re-election and the Republicans cleared the nomination for Rep. David Vitter. A number of canidates led by Rep. Chris John are running for the Democratics in the multi-candidate, non-primary Louisiana Senate election. But today, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that Roemer is not likely to run. The Times-Picayune says that despite indicating two weeks ago that he was seriously considering running for Senate, on Friday he said he doesn't "expect to run." Roemer could have split the Republican vote and certainly would have done well with superior name recognition compared to all the other candidates.
Novak says that with Democrats seriously challenging in four Republican-held seats (Alaska, Colorado, Illinois and Oklahoma), the GOP "may have to take Louisiana to keep control of the Senate." Republicans are expected to pick up at least three of four other southern Senate seats: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina.

Posted by Paul Tuns at 8:50 AM | Permalink

Golden State poll

The Los Angeles Times reports that according to its latest poll, Senator John Kerry leads President George W. Bush 53%-41% in California. With independent narcissist Ralph Nader on the ballot, it's Kerry 49%, Bush 39% and Nader 6%. Fortunately for the GOP, California is not part of the president's re-election strategy.

Posted by Paul Tuns at 12:02 PM | Permalink

Texas gubernatorial 2006

Robert Novak reports (scroll down) that some Republicans are looking at Karen Hughes, a former and soon to be again advisor to President Bush, as a possible candidate for governor in Texas. Republican Governor Rick Perry has indicated he will run again but rumours persist that he will face a high-profile primary challenge, possibly from Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.

Posted by Paul Tuns at 10:21 AM | Permalink

Hillary says no to veep

Or at least that is what the junior New York senator is telling the media. The Washington Times reports that Hillary Clinton (D, NY) told Katie Couric is an interview taped earlier in the week that if asked by John Kerry to be his running mate, she will say no. Well, not exactly. Clinton said: "Well, I don't think that [being asked to join the Democratic ticket] will happen ... I've made it clear I don't want that to happen, and that my answer will be no if it does happen. I'm not ... I'm not prepared to do that." GOP strategist David Winston said that Clinton is unlikely to run because she is hoping Kerry loses and she can run for president in 2008: "She's a pretty ambitious, focused person. I'm not sure that vice president is what she views as her goal." Democrats said Republicans should not look for hidden motives or agendas in Clinton's comments but considering there is a 12-year track record of hidden motives and agendas in Clinton comments, Republicans are probably correct.

Posted by Paul Tuns at 10:16 AM | Permalink