Warner quits P2008 race; MO, NJ. OH, PA, SC & TN polls; Blago & Reid scandal allegations
Continue Reading October 11th, 2006
FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE.
P2008: WARNER WON’T MAKE WHITE HOUSE RUN IN ‘08.
Nextel co-founder and former Virginia Governor Mark Warner (D) surprised everyone by announcing Thursday he will not be a candidate for President in 2008. The news was so unexpected because Warner had done everything needed over the past two years to position himself as a likely contender. He launched a leadership PAC, contributed to numerous Democratic congressional hopefuls around the nation, and made repeated trips to key early contest states. In fact, Warner still appeared at a previously scheduled fundraiser in Iowa on Thursday evening. “Forward Together has contributed more money this year to Democratic candidates and party organizations than any other federal leadership PAC. Our effort raised over $9 million. I headlined 86 events in 25 states to help raise or directly donate $7.3 million to Democrats this cycle … But this has also been another kind of journey — one that would lead to a decision as to whether I would seek the Democratic nomination for President … After 67 trips to 28 states and five foreign countries, I have made that decision. I have decided not to run for President. This past weekend, my family and I went to Connecticut to celebrate my Dad’s 81st birthday, and then we took my oldest daughter Madison to start looking at colleges. I know these moments are never going to come again. This weekend made clear what I’d been thinking about for many weeks — that while politically this appears to be the right time for me to take the plunge — at this point, I want to have a real life. And while the chance may never come again, I shouldn’t move forward unless I’m willing to put everything else in my life on the back burner. This has been a difficult decision, but for me, it’s the right decision,” explained Warner. In the short term, Warner’s exit will likely benefit other Dem hopefuls like fellow Southerner and former US Senator John Edwards (D-NC), or one of the other centrists contenders like US Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN), Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM) and Governor Tom Vilsack (D-IA). As for Warner, he is still viewed as a possible candidate for either US Senate if incumbent John Warner (R) retires in 2008 or for the open Virginia governorship in 2009.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 10.13.06
BY THE NUMBERS: US SENATE RACES.
MISSOURI: State Auditor Claire McCaskill (D) - 51%, US Senator Jim Talent (R) - 42%, Frank Gilmour (Libertarian) - 3%. (KSDK-TV/SurveyUSA).
NEW JERSEY: US Senator Bob Menendez (D) - 49%, State Senator Tom Kean Jr. (R) - 45%. (Quinnipiac University).
NEW JERSEY: Menendez (D) - 44%, Kean (R) - 40%. (Rasmussen Reports).
OHIO: Congressman Sherrod Brown (D) - 54%, US Senator Mike DeWine (R) - 40%. (WCPO-TV/SurveyUSA).
TENNESSEE: Congressman Harold Ford Jr. (D) - 48%, former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker (R) - 48%. (Rasmussen Reports).
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 10.13.06
BY THE NUMBERS: GOVERNOR RACES.
OHIO: Congressman Ted Strickland (D) - 60%, Secretary of State Ken Blackwell (R) - 32%, retired college professor Bill Peirce (Libertarian) - 2%, newspaper editor Bob Fitrakis (Green) - 1%. (WCPO-TV/SurveyUSA).
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 10.13.06
BY THE NUMBERS: US HOUSE RACES.
PENNSYLVANIA - CD-12: Congressman John Murtha (D) - 57%, Washington County Commissioner Diana Irey (R) - 30%. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review/Susquehanna Polling).
SOUTH CAROLINA - CD-5: Congressman John Spratt (D) - 56%, State Representative Ralph Norman (R) - 42%. (WLTX-TV/SurveyUSA).
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 10.13.06
FREE SPEECH ZONE.
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) had been riding high in recent polls as voters seemingly moved away from his GOP opponent after the recent corruption conviction of former GOP Governor George Ryan. Well, Blagojevich much be more nervous now that a top adviser and fundraiser was indicted Wednesday on corruption charges by the feds related to a pay-to-play scheme for state government contracts. The prosecutor says the actions were undertaken in support of an unnamed “political figure.” Blagojevich said he believes his friend’s claim of innocence, but would “feel betrayed” if they prove true … An AP report alleges US Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) failed to disclose a profit of over $700,000 (from a roughly $400,000 investment) on a land deal a few years ago. Reid denies wrongdoing, but says he may file a “technical correction” to his Senate disclosure forms.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 10.12.06
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. OUR THANKS TODAY GO OUT TO: Former Assistant US Attorney & Navy veteran Dick Chema, Democrat for Congress in Ohio’s CD-3.
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