Sunday, April 25, 2004

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.

Saturday, April 24, 2004

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.

Sunday, April 18, 2004

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.

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.