SHARPTON BLASTS MALONEY FOR USING N-WORD; REP DANNY DAVIS TO SEEK LOCAL OFFICE IN 2010; CHRISTIE TAPS RUNNINGMATE; NM GOV RACE GETS MORE CROWDED; PATERSON'S APPROVAL RATING IMPROVES. 20 Jul 2009 6:56 PM (15 years ago)
NEW YORK #1. Outspoken civil rights activist Al Sharpton -- a supporter US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D) -- is lashing out her 2010 primary opponent. Sharpton blasted Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D) for using the "N-word" while quoting someone. "The quote by Congresswoman Maloney, if accurate, is alarming and disturbing at best," No public official, even in quoting someone else, should loosely use such an offensive term and should certainly challenge someone using the term to him or her," Sharpton wrote in a statement. The Congresswoman said she was quoting a conversation someone had with her earlier. "I apologize for having repeated a word I find disgusting. It's no excuse but I was so caught up in relaying the story exactly as it was told to me that, in doing so, I repeated a word that should never be repeated," said Maloney said in an apology statement.
ILLINOIS. Congressman Danny Davis (D) will not seek re-election next year. Instead, Davis announced he will be a candidate for Cook County Board President next year against incumbent embattled incumbent Todd Stroger (D). Davis, 57, previously served on the county board before being elected to Congress in 1996. The CD-7 seat is safely Democratic.
NEW JERSEY. Former US Attorney Chris Christie (R) has tapped Monmouth County Sheriff Kim Guadagno as his Lieutenant Governor runningmate. Governor Jon Corzine (D) is expected to select a runningmate within the next few days. This is the first gubernatorial election in New Jersey with Lt. Governor runningmates, as the position was only recently created.
NEW MEXICO. Doña Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez (R) entered next year's open race for Governor. Other announced Republican candidates include former State GOP Chair Allen Weh, State Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones and National Guard Brigadier General Greg Zanetti. GOP leaders are trying to convince former Congresswoman Heather Wilson (R) to run. Democrats running include Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish and State Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez. Governor Bill Richardson (D) -- the target of an ongoing corruption investigation -- is term-limited.
NEW YORK #2. A new Siena College poll shows a state legislative meltdown last month, and Governor David Paterson's (D) attempt to break the deadlock by naming a new Lieutenant Governor, has improved his favorability. According to the poll, Paterson now has a 36% approval rating -- up from 27% in last month's poll.
Daily Report by Vin Gopal - 07.21.09
SENATORS ANNOUNCE SOTOMAYOR STANCES; ENSIGN APPROVAL RATE CRASHES; ROMNEY LEADS GOP FIELD FOR 2012; REID BACK GILLIBRAND 19 Jul 2009 4:36 PM (15 years ago)
SUPREME COURT. As the committee confirmation hearings for US Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor wind down, several previously-undecided Senators have announced their positions. While Democrats solidly support Sotomayor -- ensuring she will easily be confirmed by the full Senate -- it looks like there is even a possibility that roughly half of the GOP Senators will also vote in support of the nomination. US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced he will vote against Sotomayor's nomination. This will be the first time McConnell has ever voted against a nominee for the highest court. Senators Jim Bunning (R-KY), Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and Bob Bennett (R-UT) each announced that they will also vote against Sotomayor. By contrast, Senators Richard Lugar (R-IN) and Bob Martinez (R-FL) announced they will support the nomination. Two influential GOP Senators -- Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) -- are both still officially uncommitted, but pundits expect both men will support Sotomayor.
NEVADA. US Senator John Ensign (R), mired in a sex-and-payoff scandal, is seeing his approval ratings at home nose dive. A new Las Vegas Review-Journal poll shows Ensign's approval rating at just 31%. He does not face the voters again until 2012, but has already announced he will seek reelection.
P2012. A new Gallup Poll shows a competitive Republican Presidential contest shaping up for 2012. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney leads with 26%, followed by outgoing Alaska Governor Sarah Palin at 21%, and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee at 19%. The others: former House Speaker Newt Gingrich - 14%, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty - 3%, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour - 2%.
NEW YORK. US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has endorsed interim US Senator Kirstin Gillibrand (D-NY) for reelection next year -- although Gillibrand faces a competitive primary challenge from Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. Recent polls show Maloney narrowly leading Gillibrand.
Daily Report by Vin Gopal - 07.20.09
AMA Endorses House Dem Health Care Plan; New Polls from NH, NJ. TX, NY; Maryland's GOP Bench. 16 Jul 2009 8:18 PM (15 years ago)
HEALTH CARE REFORM. In a major surprise, the powerful American Medical Association officially endorsed -- without any qualifications -- the House Democrats' $1 trillion health care reform proposal. The House Ways & Means Committee plan is among the more liberal proposals in play, and contains an expansive government-run public insurance option. The House expects a floor vote on it in two weeks. On the Senate side, there are two proposals advancing. Senator Ted Kennedy's proposal -- a progressive plan with a significant public option -- was approved the Senate Health & Education Committee this week. Senate Budget Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-MT) is also expected to have his committee approve a more centrist bipartisan proposal. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid promised Senate floor votes on the health care bills within the next two weeks. In related news, the DNC started running ads Wednesday targeting several Democratic Senators who have been reluctant to embrace the broad public option proposals backed by the White House.
NEW JERSEY. Former US Attorney Chris Christie (R) continues to lead Governor Jon Corzine (D), according to the latest Monmouth University poll. Christie now leads by a 45-37 vote, with former State EPA Director Chris Daggett (Independent) at 4%.
NEW HAMPSHIRE. The open US Senate contest is amazingly close, according to the new Research 2000 poll. Congressman Paul Hodes (D) leads former Congressman Charlie Bass (R) by a 42-37 vote. However, Hodes trails outgoing Attorney General Kelly Ayotte (R) by a 39-38 vote. Former US Senator John Sununu Jr. (R) was not included in the matchups.
TEXAS. The latest Rasmussen poll shows Governor Rick Perry leading US Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison by a 46-36 vote in next year's GOP gubernatorial primary.
NEW YORK. New Rasmussem polls on the gubernatorial and US Senate Democratic primary races, and the incumbents trail in both. Attorney General Andrew Cuomo leads Governor David Paterson by a 61-27 vote. In the US Senate race, US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand trails Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney by a 33-27 vote.
MARYLAND. Both the Washington Post and Baltimore Sun have reported on the very thin GOP bench of potential challengers next year against Governor Martin O'Malley (D). The top choice of GOP leaders is clearly former Governor Bob Ehrlich (R), who was defeated by O'Malley in 2006. The leading backup GOP candidate appears to be businessman and former Ehrlich Cabinet Secretary Larry Hogan Jr. "I was flattered to even be mentioned as a potential candidate but I am pushing for Bob Ehrlich to run for Governor. I think he should run and that he will run," emailed Hogan to Politics1. However, as a side note, Hogan does appear to be making more public political appearances around the state in recent days. Some Republicans are unsure of Ehrlich seeking a rematch, believing he would have already announced if he was really committed to making the 2010 race.
Daily Report by Vin Gopal - 07.17.09
Ensign to Run Again in '12; GOP Foes Lining Up Against Kosmas; MN GOP Guv Race Get More Crowded; Cuomo Outraises Paterson; IL Green Makes Second Guv Run; Newsom-Brown Guv Primary Update. 15 Jul 2009 6:49 PM (15 years ago)
NEVADA. Embattled US Senator John Ensign (R) announced this week that that he will seek re-election in 2012. Ensign recently admitted to an affair with a former staffer, whom his family later made significant payments to in an attempt to keep the affair quiet, and gave up his GOP leadership post in the Senate.
FLORIDA. State Rep. Sandy Adams (R) this week filed federal paperwork to challenge freshman Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas (D) next year. State Rep. Dorothy Hukill (D) jumped in last week. There are four other Republicans running, including Winter Park City Commissioner Karen Diebel. Kosmas defeated Congressman Tom Feeney (R) in an upset last year, after the incumbent became ensnared in the Abramoff lobbying scandal. Kosmas is a top NRCC target for 2010.
MINNESOTA. Former State Auditor Pat Anderson (R) announced her candidacy for Governor on Wednesday, making her the eighth GOP candidate in the contest. Anderson was defeated for reelection as Auditor in 2006.
NEW YORK. Attorney General Andrew Cuomo (D), a prospective primary challenger to Governor David Paterson (D), has raised over $5 million this quarter. The haul doubled the latest fundraising efforts of Paterson and leaves Cuomo with over $10 million cash-on-hand.
ILLINOIS. Attorney Rich Whitney will again be the Green Party's candidate for Governor in 2010. Although unsuccessful in his 2006 bid, Whitney earned 10%, finishing in a strong third place.
CALIFORNIA - San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom (D) has tapped State Sen. Alex Padilla to be his campaign chairman. Padilla - a former Los Angeles City Council President - has strong ties with Hispanics and labor. Newsom will face current Attorney General and former Governor Jerry Brown in a competitive gubernatorial primary next year. Recent polls show Brown holding a comfortable lead over Newsom. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) is term-limited. Republicans running include former Congressman Tom Campbell, State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner and former e-Bay CEO Meg Whitman.
Daily Report by Vin Gopal - 07.16.09 | Permalink | postCount('071609');
NRSC Endorses Toomey; Gerlach Makes PA Guv Run Official; Christie Widens Lead; Schauer-Walberg Rematch Is On; Ramstad Stays Out of Crowded MN Guv Race. 14 Jul 2009 5:16 PM (15 years ago)
PENNSYLVANIA. After holding off for several months, the NRSC formally endorsed former Congressman Pat Toomey for the US Senate seat next year. "Congressman Pat Toomey's life experience and public service make him uniquely qualified to serve Pennsylvanians in the US Senate," wrote NRSC Chair John Cornyn said in a statement issued Tuesday. State Senator Jane Orie - who was considering the race -- announced she will not challenge Toomey for the nomination. Pro-life activist Peg Luksik and businessman Larry Murphy are announced GOP candidates against Toomey in next year's primary. In other Pennsylvania news, Congressman Jim Gerlach (R) made it official that he will be a candidate for Governor next year. Gov. Ed Rendell (D) is term-limited and both primaries are getting crowded. Gerlach's open swing seat will be a top national Democratic pick-up target.
NEW JERSEY. A new Quinnipiac University poll shows former US Attorney Chris Christie (R) leading Governor Jon Corzine (D) by a 53-41 vote. This indicates -- along with other recent polls -- that Christie is slightly widening his lead over the incumbent. Both candidates are expected to select a Lt. Governor runningmate in the next couple of days.
MICHIGAN. Pastor and former Congressman Tim Walberg (R) announced he will challenge freshman Congressman Mark Schauer (D) in a rematch next year. Schauer narrowly defeated then-freshman Walberg for by just two points in 2008.
MINNESOTA. Former Congressman Jim Ramstad (R) - a GOP centrist who was strongly considering a political comeback with a prospective run for Governor next year - announced he will not be a candidate next year. The open gubernatorial race is already very crowded: 7 Republicans, 8 Democrats and 2 Greens have already announced candidacies, and many others are still looking at the contest. Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) is not seeking a third-term.
Daily Report by Vin Gopal - 07.15.09 | Permalink | postCount('071509');
KBH Makes It Official of '10 Texas Guv Race; McKenna Out, Kirk In in Illinois; Specter-Sestak Primary Will Be Costly; SarahPAC Raises $730,000. 13 Jul 2009 6:47 PM (15 years ago)
TEXAS. As expected, US Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison announced Monday that she will challenge incumbent Governor Rick Perry in next year's Republican gubernatorial primary. Hutchison, who previously had been exploring the race, also said she has raised over $6.7 million during the first six months of 2009 and now has over $12 million cash-on-hand. By contrast, Perry said last week that he has $9.3 million cash-on-hand. Hutchison has previously indicated she would resign her Senate seat early to allow a special election to take place in 2010 -- but did not mention it in her Monday remarks. The two announced Democrats in the race are former Ambassador/former Texas Rangers baseball team General Manager Tom Schieffer and country music performer/'06 Independent candidate Kinky Friedman (D).
ILLINOIS. State GOP Chairman Andy McKenna said Monday that he won't run for the US Senate next year. The news clears the path for Congressman Mark Kirk (R) to become the US Senate nominee next year without any major primary opposition. Kirk said last week he wouldn't run if McKenna entered the race. Kirk - a GOP centrist who represents an overwhelmingly Democratic district (Obama carried the district last year with 61%) is seen as the party's strongest candidate for the seat. State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias is the Democratic frontrunner. Embattled US Senator Roland Burris (R) announced last week that he would not seek a full term in 2010.
PENNSYLVANIA. US Senator Arlen Specter (D) is on a collision course for a costly renomination battle in his new party. Specter switched parties earlier this year when polls repeatedly showed he'd lose the GOP primary for renomination by a lopsided margin. Polls currently show Specter holding a comfortable lead in the Democratic primary over Congressman Joe Sestak. According to the latest financial reports, Sestak raised pver $1 million this quarter and now has $4.2 million cash-on-hand. Specter's new total hasn't been released yet, but he already had $6.7 million in the bank at the end of the 1Q-09.
P2010. SarahPAC -- the political action committee of Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK) -- posted $730,000 in contributions for the past six months. SarahPAC has $450,000 cash-on-hand. The PAC has only made two contributions thus far - $5,000 apiece to the re-election campaigns of Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). In related news, Palin said that in the upcoming elections she is willing to campaign in support of both conservative Repulicans and Democratic candidates who share her vision and values. Plain noted her own son is not a registered Republican -- but she didn't volunteer whether he is an Independent or belongs to another party. Newt Gingrich recently announced a similar pragmatic strategy for rebuilding the conservative movement: support conservative Republicans against RINOs in reliable GOP districts, but openly help conservative Democrats (instead of longshot GOP candidates) over center and left Dems in strongly Democratic districts.
Daily Report by Vin Gopal - 07.14.09 | Permalink | postCount('071409');
Sotomayor Confirmation Hearings Begin; California CD-10 Special Dates Set; Kirk Wants to Run for US Senate "if...". 12 Jul 2009 6:19 PM (15 years ago)
SUPREME COURT. US Court of Appeals Judge Sonia Sotomayor -- nominated to replace retiring US Supreme Court Justice David Souter -- begins her public confirmation hearings before the US Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday. Sotomayor seems assured of confirmation as conservative opponents are currently usure if even 20 GOP Senators will ultimately vote against her confirmation.
CALIFORNIA. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) has set the dates for the CD-10 special election to replace former Congresswoman Ellen Tascher (D). She was confirmed by the US Senate on June 25 to be the new US Under-Secretary of State for Arms Control & International Security. While the seat could be viewed as a potential swing district under the right circumstances, the GOP failure thus far in recruiting a major candidate gives the Democrats a near-lock in the special election. The primary will be September 1 and the general election -- if nobody receives a majority in the primary -- will be held November 3. Seven Democrats, two Republicans and one Green have announced candidacies to date.
ILLINOIS. According to Politico, Congressman Mark Kirk (R) is still planning to enter the US Senate race on July 20. However, Kirk still has serious concerns about entering the contest if State GOP Chair Andy McKenna also plans to run. McKenna previously served as finance chair of Kirk's first congressional campaign, but was angered by Kirk's vote in support of the recent Democratic "cap-and-trade" climate control legislation. Kirk's allies and the NRSC are now pressuring McKenna to stay out of the race. "I will run if Andy does not," Kirk emailed The Hotline over the weekend.
Daily Report by Vin Gopal - 07.13.09