BREAUX FACES LEGAL BAR; SIMMONS OUT; EX-BLACK PANTHER CHAIR ENTERS GREEN RACE.
February 26th, 2007
TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE.BREAUX FACES LEGAL BAR; SIMMONS OUT; EX-BLACK PANTHER CHAIR ENTERS GREEN RACE.
LOUISIANA: Rumors are continuing to swirl that Governor Kathleen Blanco (D) -- a Breaux friend -- will quit her race for re-election this year so Breaux can jump in. In an effort to deter Breaux, State GOP Chair Roger Villere said research by the party's lawyers show Breaux is no longer eligible under state law to run for Governor in 2007. Villere said Breaux no longer meets the state constitutional requirement of being a Louisiana "citizen" for "at least the preceding five years." According to the AP, "Breaux is registered to vote and lists his primary address in Maryland, about 70 miles from Washington, where he works for the lobbying firm of Patton Boggs. Breaux changed his voter registration to Maryland after he retired ... in 2005." Villere says Breaux is not eligible and the GOP would be willing to go to court to disqualify him from the race. "We would have a strong case that he's not qualified because he doesn't meet our residency requirements," said Villere. Breaux's spokesman declined to comment on the story. If this information is correct, it could provide a very quick end to any further Breaux-Blanco "secret deal" stories.
CONNECTICUT: Freshman Congressman Joe Courtney (D) got some great news on Monday. The Politico reports former Congressman Rob Simmons (R), who was ousted last year by Courtney in the closest House race in the nation, is now unlikely to seek a rematch. The reason: Simmons just accepted a new job as the State Business Advocate in the office of Governor Jodi Rell (R).
GREENS: Former Black Panther Party National Chair and author Elaine Brown -- a close associate of the late radical Huey Newton -- has announced her candidacy for the Green Party's Presidential nomination. She intends to run on a platform "that addresses the interests of poor and working families, in terms of living wages, free health care, decent housing and increased funding for public education and higher education, ending the war in Iraq, restoring the environment and bringing about economic parity." Brown believes her candidacy could help grow the Greens. "I know the party can earn a significant increase in votes and membership, which will increase our viability to take congressional seats, state house seats, and local offices," she explains.
AL GORE - AN EDITORIAL: Yes, I'm openly and vocally supporting Obama for President. I've already contributed to his campaign and have encouraged others to do likewise. And, yes, I also like Edwards. I'll even acknowledge Clinton (not one of my top choices) is a strong favorite to win the Democratic nomination. Richardson and some of the others look good, too. That said, I'd be willing to walk away from all of the current field if Al Gore could be persuaded to enter the race later this year as a "Democratic unity" candidate. Gore repeatedly says he "has no plans to run" and seems sincere about it. But he'd make a great candidate in the general election, possibly the strongest candidate the Democrats could possibly put forward. Vietnam War veteran. Congressman. US Senator. Vice President. Environmental activist. Author. Oscar winner. Nobel Prize nominee. Best of all, his years out of elective politics since 2000 have turned him into a much more seasoned and likable guy in terms of his personality. Count me among the chorus of those saying: Run Al Run!
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.27.07 | Permalink | postCount('022707a');
FREE SPEECH ZONE.
The daily open thread.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.27.07 | Permalink | postCount('022707b');
WANNA TRADE?
I'm interested in building up my collection of Canadian campaign buttons. If you've got Canadian political buttons to trade, I'm interesting in swapping with you for some great US pins. Please drop me a note!
Entry Filed under: Contributions, In the News, politics