Campaign and Election News – Covering Key Races Around the Country
Weekly Open Thread: What Races Are You Interested In?
Shanah Tova!
88 thoughts on “Weekly Open Thread: What Races Are You Interested In?”
It’s the 70’s again! Does this mean disco’s back?
Now that Lincoln Chafee is pretty much officially in, it looks like he’s the unofficial frontrunner. I haven’t heard much from the Democrats about who wants to run. As for the Republicans, I’m leaving them out of the picture because at this point they’re a non-factor. This race is pretty much going to come down to Chafee vs Democrat, just like in Massachusetts with Patrick vs Cahill. And if Maine has a strong independent running, we’ll have three New England states with third party candidates making a strong contention.
On a more personal note, I was playing Beatles Rock Band last night, and I’m disappointed that the more famous songs weren’t on it (i.e. She Loves You). Most of them were songs I’ve never heard of (i.e. Taxman, I am the Walrus). I mean, what the?
I’ve put up my third update on the hot races here in November:
Even though Deeds is still behind, the Democrats’ position is relatively strong for the House. I doubt there would be a turnover of the six seats needed to take control of the House, but I think it’s likely the margin would narrow, possibly by as much as 4 seats. And there are rumors that one or two Rs in the House would vote for a Democratic speaker over Speaker Howell. Not sure if there is any truth to that, but I’d welcome any opportunity to get rid of him.
I still think he beats Hutchison on account of the Glenn Beck crowd, but if the eventual Democratic nominee can’t make this stick to him, we deserve to lose the race.
Bill Clinton Endorses Gavin Newsom. Game Changer or to little, too late?
After reading a poll showing Newsome losing to Brown in his own damn city, I felt like he was toast. How likely is Newsom to win the primary?
Sen. Jay Rockefeller:
I think the world of Olympia Snowe. She’s got incredible courage, and the Republican leadership is brutal in the way they apply pressure. Much more so than the Democrats… They bring the hammer down on her, and I’m not going to say how.
So why doesn’t she just switch parties? Her caucus hates her. Most conservatives loath her. Seems to me her life would be so much easier and much more pleasant.
(This in in accord with a comment James L. made a couple days ago, to wit: never underestimate the ability of the Repub caucus to whip their members.)
I hope Charlie Melancon can raise money well because even though he may not be everyone’s favorite over here I think he would be a vast improvement over David Vitter who I use to think was genuine about his concerns regarding prescription drug coverage was genuine, but that turned out not to be the case of course.
Just wondering, are there any other Jews on here?
This doesn’t seem to have been mentioned here yet:
Roy Blunt made a monkey joke about the president at the “Values Voter Summit.” Oh sure, he’ll deny it, because he’ll say he didn’t mention the president by name or title, but the context is really clear and this is really obvious and unsubtle racism. Blunt was consistently trailing Carnahan in the opinion polls, but I think after this, his political career, except perhaps in the conservative media or speech circuit (that is, things that require no election victories), is probably dead.
if she did, was it before the senior empousa’s withdrawal?
Patrick Leahy has introduced a bill that would repeal health insurance companies’ exemption from anti-trust laws.
Personally, I think passing this bill would be one of the most important steps we could take towards reforming the health system, regardless of whether we pass a public option or not.
There are a couple of DailyKos diaries on President Obama’s request to Governor Paterson that he get out of the New York Gubernatorial race. The most interesting one is NY-Gov: Why Obama Stepped In
Here are the crucial paragraphs:
It would create an absolute disaster if Paterson runs in the general election, against either Lazio or Giuliani…really doesn’t matter. Seconldy, his and Rangel’s comments will create a poisonous political atmosphere the likes of which we haven’t seen since the late 1980’s. Which, in my opinion, helped bring us Giuliani and Pataki. Finally, keep this in mind: THIS IS NEW YORK, MEDIA CAPITAL OF THE WORLD. An election that brings back New York racially tinged politics is going to be national news every single day, dragging down Democrats across the country who have nothing to do with it. The media will cover it heavily because they happen to be here.
There is only one man who can stop this disaster, and that’s President Barack Obama. As an inverse to Paterson, Obama’s approval among African-Americans in New York is in the high 90’s. He can provide Cuomo, or whoever runs against Paterson, with full political cover from a guy like Rangel. He’s got more juice than anybody.
He’d have to have his approval ratings improve by at least 30 points to be re-electible. However, I do believe that Bev Perdue who has approval ratings similar to those of Patterson has time to recover and win re-election.
It’s the 70’s again! Does this mean disco’s back?
Now that Lincoln Chafee is pretty much officially in, it looks like he’s the unofficial frontrunner. I haven’t heard much from the Democrats about who wants to run. As for the Republicans, I’m leaving them out of the picture because at this point they’re a non-factor. This race is pretty much going to come down to Chafee vs Democrat, just like in Massachusetts with Patrick vs Cahill. And if Maine has a strong independent running, we’ll have three New England states with third party candidates making a strong contention.
On a more personal note, I was playing Beatles Rock Band last night, and I’m disappointed that the more famous songs weren’t on it (i.e. She Loves You). Most of them were songs I’ve never heard of (i.e. Taxman, I am the Walrus). I mean, what the?
I’ve put up my third update on the hot races here in November:
http://swingstateproject.com/d…
Even though Deeds is still behind, the Democrats’ position is relatively strong for the House. I doubt there would be a turnover of the six seats needed to take control of the House, but I think it’s likely the margin would narrow, possibly by as much as 4 seats. And there are rumors that one or two Rs in the House would vote for a Democratic speaker over Speaker Howell. Not sure if there is any truth to that, but I’d welcome any opportunity to get rid of him.
Just posted my SSP-style ratings and Cook PVIs for each district. http://www.swingstateproject.c…
It will be pretty sad if we can’t capture the RI Gov house yet again after losing 2x to a Conservative.
Why didn’t the Dems approach Chaffee about running as a Dem?
and jokes that he didn’t know we’re in one
I still think he beats Hutchison on account of the Glenn Beck crowd, but if the eventual Democratic nominee can’t make this stick to him, we deserve to lose the race.
Courtesy of Neighborhood Research(R)
Registered Voters
Christie: 37
Corzine: 33
Daggett: 8
“Definite Voters”
Christie: 40
Corzine: 33
http://politicalwire.com/archi…
Bill Clinton Endorses Gavin Newsom. Game Changer or to little, too late?
After reading a poll showing Newsome losing to Brown in his own damn city, I felt like he was toast. How likely is Newsom to win the primary?
Sen. Jay Rockefeller:
http://politicalwire.com/archi…
So why doesn’t she just switch parties? Her caucus hates her. Most conservatives loath her. Seems to me her life would be so much easier and much more pleasant.
(This in in accord with a comment James L. made a couple days ago, to wit: never underestimate the ability of the Repub caucus to whip their members.)
I hope Charlie Melancon can raise money well because even though he may not be everyone’s favorite over here I think he would be a vast improvement over David Vitter who I use to think was genuine about his concerns regarding prescription drug coverage was genuine, but that turned out not to be the case of course.
Just wondering, are there any other Jews on here?
This doesn’t seem to have been mentioned here yet:
Roy Blunt’s macaca moment – literally!
Roy Blunt made a monkey joke about the president at the “Values Voter Summit.” Oh sure, he’ll deny it, because he’ll say he didn’t mention the president by name or title, but the context is really clear and this is really obvious and unsubtle racism. Blunt was consistently trailing Carnahan in the opinion polls, but I think after this, his political career, except perhaps in the conservative media or speech circuit (that is, things that require no election victories), is probably dead.
push Paterson out of the NY-Gov race.
Did she endorse KG for NY senate?
if she did, was it before the senior empousa’s withdrawal?
Patrick Leahy has introduced a bill that would repeal health insurance companies’ exemption from anti-trust laws.
Personally, I think passing this bill would be one of the most important steps we could take towards reforming the health system, regardless of whether we pass a public option or not.
Read more here:
http://senatus.wordpress.com/2…
There are a couple of DailyKos diaries on President Obama’s request to Governor Paterson that he get out of the New York Gubernatorial race. The most interesting one is NY-Gov: Why Obama Stepped In
Here are the crucial paragraphs:
He’d have to have his approval ratings improve by at least 30 points to be re-electible. However, I do believe that Bev Perdue who has approval ratings similar to those of Patterson has time to recover and win re-election.