Indy Quits OR Gov Run; Abortion Controversy; “Ned Lamont Democrats”; more
August 11th, 2006
FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE.OREGON: WESTLUND ENDS INDY RUN FOR GOVERNOR.
State Senator Ben Westlund (Independent) unexpectedly withdrew from the race for Governor on Thursday. "At the beginning of this campaign, I made a commitment to the people of Oregon, and that was: I was in it to win it, and that I absolutely would not play a spoiler role. Therefore, today, with no regrets (but some sadness) I am here to honor that commitment," Westlund wrote on his campaign website. He said he took some satisfaction that his campaign "rekindled Oregon's political center." According to the AP, Westlund saw that he was still in the 5-14% range -- depending on the poll -- and explained "he didn't want to be a 'spoiler' candidate ... skimming off just enough votes from the [Democratic Governor Ted] Kulongoski camp to give Republican challenger Ron Saxton the victory." Interestingly, Westlund was a Republican legislator -- albeit a pro-choice, pro-gay rights, pro-universal health care Republican -- until he launched his campaign a few months ago. Kulongoski immediately praised Westlund, saying that "Ben has been a partner over the years in the legislature and he remains a critical partner in the State Senate in our effort to create affordable health care, energy independence and continue growing our economy to provide living wage jobs to the people of Oregon." Saxton's campaign declined to issue any immediate statement. Westlund had already collected more than enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. His withdrawal is expected to shift momentum in the race towards Kulongoski. Also running are former TV news anchor and pro-life activist Mary Starrett (Constitution), retired accountant Richard Morley (Libertarian), and environmental activist Joe Keating (Pacific Greens).
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.11.06
TEXAS: HOUSE RACE DEVELOPMENTS IN CD-22, CD-23.
With Tom DeLay (R) again out of the CD-22 contest, Sugar Land Mayor David Wallace (R) announced he will run as a write-in in the general election. Wallace's entry does not preclude other write-in hopefuls -- including other Republicans -- from jumping into the race. The Texas Republican Party has vowed to actively support just one GOP write-in hopeful for the seat. Filing for write-ins closes September 1. There is also news involving one of the five recently redrawn districts. With candidate filing reopened through August 25, progressive former Congressman Ciro Rodriguez (D) jumped into the CD-23 race against Congressman Henry Bonilla (R). "It's not going to be easy, but it's doable," Rodriguez told the San Antonio Express-News. Rodriguez lost the primary earlier this year in CD-28 to Congressman Henry Cuellar, President Bush's proclaimed "favorite" House Democrat.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.11.06
ABORTION: MS. MAGAZINE BRINGS BACK CONTROVERSIAL AD CAMPAIGN.
In 1972 -- one year before the famous Roe v. Wade ruling -- Ms. magazine ran a very controversial ad campaigns in which 53 prominent American women publicly declared they had undergone abortions and supported liberalizing abortion rights. Among the women were Billie
Jean King, Susan Sontag, Anais Nin and Ms. founder Gloria Steinem. Now, with Roe under assault from the right and state-level actions like the South Dakota abortion ban, Ms. is bringing back the "I Had An Abortion" ad. The magazine is encouraging women who have had abortions to openly add their names to a 2006 version of the "I Had An Abortion" ad. "We must put a human face on the abortion issue. Ms. calls on women who have had abortions to step forward publicly by signing our petition, which we will send to Congress, the White House, and state legislators. Politicians need to know that their decisions affect their neighbors, their colleagues, influential movers and shakers, and even their own daughters," said Ms. magazine executive editor Katherine Spillar.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.11.06
CONNECTICUT: DOES THE LAMONT-LIEBERMAN MESSAGE PLAY IN PEORIA?
With nearly two days passed since the victory of businessman Ned Lamont in the Connecticut Democratic Primary for US Senate, it already appears that the fallout from this result could have serious implications on the national shape of the midterm elections in November. It's still too early to tell, though, how it will play out in other states. Many Republicans are outright gleeful over the defeat, believing that it provides credibility to their argument that the Democrats, as put by GOP Chair Ken Mehlman, are carrying on the banner of "isolationism, defeatism, and a 'blame America first' attitude," and that moderates "risk being purged." GOP leaders are even described liberal federal candidates as "Ned Lamont Democrats" -- but it seems a stretch to think voters outside Connecticut even know what that means (as most cannot name their own US Senators). In several Senate and Congressional races throughout the country, Republicans are planning to exploit the situation as a campaign issue, especially in battleground races where they wish to paint the Democratic candidates, many of whom hail from the moderate wing of the party, as being part of a party that is controlled by the far left. The Senate race in Missouri is one such race, where US Senator Jim Talent's (R) campaign supporters are launching an attack on his opponent, State Auditor Claire McCaskill (D), asking whether she supports Ned Lamont and the "wishes of the angry left." Still, Democratic leaders, who have for the most part solidified in unity behind Lamont after the primary, are optimistic. DNC Chairman Howard Dean commented on the record high turnout in the election and thought it a sign of a highly motivated and energized Democratic electorate. Other Democratic strategists say Republicans are making a major mistake if they think criticizing anti-war candidates as being on the "radical left" when national polls regularly show over 60% of Americans say they oppose the Iraq War.
Writer: Preston Caldwell - 08.11.06
CALIFORNIA: LT GOV NOMINEE DISTANCES HIMSELF FROM MEL GIBSON.
California Lieutenant Governor nominee Tom McClintock (R) has decided to halt further of a three-page fundraising letter written on his behalf by actor Mel Gibson. The campaign has already used the letter in four series of mailings, sent each time to prospective new donors. "Tom saw the news and the situation as it was unfolding with Mel Gibson and made a conscious decision to direct people not to use the letter any further," said the State Senator's spokesman. In the letter, Gibson explained how he usually avoids politics, but decided to help McClintock because of the staunchly conservative positions he took in the 2003 gubernatorial election. He stood solidly for principles that might not be politically correct - but were right and true," wrote Gibson.
Writer: Ben Wisniewski - 08.11.06
FREE SPEECH ZONE.
I'm having trouble deciding which annoying TV spots I hate the most these days: "HeadOn, Applied Directly to the Forehead" and the "Dr. Z" car commercials are leading my list.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.11.06
SEND A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here's my open offer for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide Office, etc., campaign you are involved in -- feel free to add a sticker and brochure -- and I'll place a link to official campaign site here on our homepage in a daily "thank you" note. My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. TODAY'S THANKS GO TO: Former Lima Law Director Rick Siferd, Democrat for Congress in Ohio's CD-4.
WRITERS WANTED: WRITE FOR POLITICS1.
Claim your 15 minutes of online fame with the political crowd. Click here to learn more about writing for Politics1.
Entry Filed under: Contributions