Rendell’s “last” campaign; Unity in Ohio special primaries; Schmidt-Wulsin really “running” for Congress; more
Continue Reading August 25th, 2006
SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE.
OHIO: UNITY IN SPECIAL CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARIES.
While candidates quickly crowded the special congressional primaries — Dems in CD-3 and GOP in CD-18 — most exited just as quickly. In CD-18 — the seat being vacated by scandal-tainted Congressman Bob Ney (R) — Republicans are rapidly rallying behind State Senator Joy Padgett. She started with endorsements from Ney and House Majority Leader John Boehner. Dover Mayor Richard Homrighausen filed against Padgett, but withdrew this week and endorsed her. Former Ney aide John Bennett and community activist Greg Zelenitz also quit the race this week. Padgett is heavily favored over her four remaining challengers. In the CD-3 race to replace the withdrawn Democratic nominee, Dems are now unified behind former federal prosecutor and Navy veteran Dick Chema. Wealthy political consultant/’04 nominee Jane Mitakides and former college basketball star Roosevelt Chapman quit the race by Friday in favor of Chema. Chema’s only remaining primary foe is a frequent candidate. Chema will be a decided underdog against Congressman Mike Turner (R) in the general election. The CD-18 primary is September 14 and the CD-3 primary is September 15.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.26.06
P2008: NO SURPRISE, BUT RENDELL TAKES HIMSELF OUT OF ‘08 RACE.
At one time, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell (D) was being touted as a likely candidate because he had national stature and the ability to raise money. A former Democratic National Chairman during the later part of the Clinton Administration, Rendell has contacts with a national network of party leaders. In 2005, Rendell was being mentioned as possible White House hopeful in 2008. However, a somewhat competitive race for reelection this year against former pro football player Lynn Swann (R) forced Rendell to focus his attention and dollars in the Keystone State. On Friday, Rendell made it clear he would not run for President nor for any other office ever again in the future. “This is my 14th election — enough is enough,” he explained to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.26.06
OHIO: A DAY AT THE RACES.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF CONGRESSIONAL RACE: In an interesting twist on the usual public debate on having debates, the Columbus Dispatch and the Cincinnati Enquirer both report physician and CD-2 Democratic nominee Victoria Wulsin on Monday challenged Congresswoman Jean Schmidt (R) to a race. Specifically, Wulsin challenged Schmidt to race: the 5K charity run of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure for breast cancer research. In exchange for which, Wulsin wanted Schmidt — a veteran marathon runner — to agree to hold at least two debates out of the seven Wulsin has been trying to arrange for several weeks. Schmidt replied she was unavailable to run in the Komen event because she is training that day for the upcoming Columbus marathon. Instead, Schmidt counter-challenged Wulsin to compete against her in a 13-mile half marathon race. Wulsin accepted, provided that Schmidt agree to all seven proposed debates. The half marathon takes place later this month, and Schmidt’s campaign said the incumbent will participate in several debates in October with Wulsin. Schmidt is presently projected to win both races. Writer: Jo Valentine-Cooper
PROBABLY MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING: Schmidt is an experienced marathon runner, having completed over fifty marathons. Some are questioning whether she is capable of running a marathon in 3 hours, 19 minutes, 6 seconds — as shown on a photo on Schmidt’s campaign site. The photo shows Schmidt near the finish line at a 1993 race, with a time clock in the background showing 3:19:06, which would have made her a top-finisher. A newspaper article on the race does not name Schmidt as a top finisher, said attorney and social conservative write-in candidate Nathan Noy. Noy believes the photo may be fake or altered. He suggested Schmidt may not have even participated in the race. An attorney representing Schmidt denied the photo was altered and produced an official race results book listing Schmidt as the fifth-place finisher in her age group with a time of 3:19:09. However, a four-member Ohio Elections Commission panel seemed to agree with Noy, ruling Thursday there was enough evidence to look further into the complaint. One board member wondered aloud why there did not appear to be any shadow cast by Schmidt in the photo. State law prohibits candidates from publishing false statements designed to promote their election. In April, Schmidt received a public reprimand from the State Elections Commission for claiming on her website she had two college degrees when she actually only has one. My two cents: I’ve looked at the pic and — as much as I dislike Schmidt — I think the picture is authentic. As for the “missing” shadow, it appears the running in front of her obscures the portion that would appear on the lower portion of the photo.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.26.06
ALABAMA: DEM COMMITTEE DISQUALIFIES LESBIAN DEM STATE REP-ELECT.
According to the AP, Alabama State Representative-elect Patricia Todd (D) — a white, openly gay candidate — may be disqualified from taking her seat because she violated a state party rule that has not been enforced for twenty years. Both Todd and her unsuccessful Democratic primary run-off opponent Gaynell Hendricks failed to file a financial disclosure form with the State Democratic Chairman. Therefore, a state party subcommittee on Thursday — acting on Hendricks’ complaint — disqualified both from the the race. A full committee will decide on Saturday whether or not to remove her from the ballot. Todd faces no Republican opposition in this black-majority district and was guaranteed to become the first openly-gay Alabama legislator. The issue seems to be about her race rather than her sexuality, as a prominent black state legislator is complaining a black person should represent this minority district. State Democratic Chair Joe Turnham said gubernatorial nominee Lucy Baxley and Lieutenant Governor nominee Jim Folsom Jr., both violated the same rule as Todd and yet they have not been disqualified. Stay tuned.
Writer: Alex Mizenko - 08.26.06
FREE SPEECH ZONE.
Congresswoman Katherine Harris (R-FL) told the Florida Baptist Witness newspaper this week that the constitutional separation of church and state is “that lie we have been told.” Further, she added “God is the one who chooses our rulers.” Based upon her comments and her poll numbers, I guess that means Harris believes God is supporting Senator Bill Nelson (D).
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.26.06
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.
FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE.
FREE SPEECH ZONE.
It was a long day at work, so just an open thread today. I’ll post more over the weekend, including more reader-submitted articles.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.25.06