Sunday, May 16, 2004

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 |

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 |

Sunday, May 09, 2004

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 |

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 |

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 |

Sunday, May 02, 2004

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |