DEMS TRY TO LIMIT ‘02 WAR RESOLUTION; IRAN WAR PLANNING; RON PAUL UPDATE; VILSACK QUITS; RICHTER PROTECTING US GOALS; MORE
Continue Reading February 25th, 2007
MONDAY NEWS UPDATE.
DEMS TRY TO LIMIT ‘02 WAR RESOLUTION; IRAN WAR PLANNING; RON PAUL UPDATE.
IRAQ: Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Carl Levin (D-MI) confirmed Sunday during an appearance on Meet the Press that he will introduce legislation to revise the initial 2002 congressional authorization resolution for the war in Iraq. Levin’s plan, which is backed the Dem leadership, would require that “most” troops be withdraw from Iraq by March 2008. Don’t look for the plan to go anywhere, as Levin acknowledged the Dems don’t have enough votes to kill a likely Republican filibuster to block any Iraq withdrawal plans.
IRAN: The Sunday Times (London, UK) reports that at least four top ranking US generals have made it clear they will each resign if the Bush Administration decides to take military action against Iran. The newspaper did not identify either the UK & US sources nor the names of the generals. However, they did report Defense Secretary Robert Gates “has repeatedly warned [the White House] against striking Iran.” Gates and the generals purportedly believe the US lacks the military capacity to take Iran on in any meaningful fashion and would be a major “error of judgment.” In related news, New Yorker magazine reported this weekend that the Joint Chiefs of Staff — at the urging of the Bush Administration — recently created a special Pentagon planning group to plan a bombing attack on Iran that could be implemented within 24-hours of getting word from the White House. The official Pentagon response was a non-denial denial: “The United States is not planning to go to war with Iran. To suggest anything to the contrary is simply wrong, misleading and mischievous.” It all depends on what is meant in that quote by the use of the word “war.”
LIBERTARIANS: Anti-tax activist Michael Badnarik, the Libertarian Party’s 2004 Presidential nominee, has endorsed Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) for President. While Badnarik understands Paul is seeking the GOP nomination, he also is encouraging the LP the nominate Paul for President. Paul was previously the LP Presidential nominee in 1988, and has not expressed any interest in the 2008 LP nomination. In fact, Paul has already said he also plans to seek re-election to the House next year as a Republican. At least ten candidates have announced campaigns for the LP nomination.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.26.07 | Permalink | postCount(’022607a’);
FREE SPEECH ZONE.
The daily open thread.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.26.07 | Permalink | postCount(’022607b’);
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!
WEEKEND NEWS UPDATE.
VILSACK QUITS; RUDY & JOHN SKIP; RICHTER PROTECTING US GOALS; ARNOLD’S FUTURE.
P2008 - DEMS: Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack (D) — the immediate past chair of the centrist Democratic Leadership Council — quit the Presidential race on Friday. Vilsack announced his candidacy in early November 2006, and positioned himself as a strident foe of the Iraq War. However, independent poll numbers repeatedly showed him running fourth in his homestate of Iowa behind the “first tier” trio of Clinton, Obama and Edwards — which likely convinced Vilsack he was a very longshot at best to break into the leader group. For the record, Vilsack attributed his withdrawal to serious fundraising problems.
P2008 - GOP: Both John McCain and Rudy Giuliani will be “no shows” at the first New Hampshire candidates debate in April sponsored by WMUR-TV. Both men have scheduling conflicts and informed the TV station they will not attend.
CT/NY: According to the Rothenberg Political Report, retired pro hockey goalie Mike Richter (D) is looking to run for Congress in 2008 — but he’s shopping around for the best possible district. Richter, who played college hockey at Yale and in the NHL for the New York Rangers, is looking at seats in both Connecticut and New York. One possible opponent: vulnerable Congressman Chris Shays (R-CT).
ARNOLD: California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) told The Politico he very much likes both John McCain and Rudy Giuliani, but plans to make no endorsement in the race until after the GOP selects a Presidential nominee. He also said he is interested in running for either US Senator or Los Angeles Mayor once he is term-limited in 2010.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.24.07 | Permalink | postCount(’022407a’);
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The daily open thread.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.24.07 | Permalink | postCount(’022407b’);
FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE.
POSSIBLE JOE-FECTION; COCHRAN TO RUN AGAIN; MEEHEN SPECIAL LOOKS MORE LIKELY.
US SENATE: US Senator Joe Lieberman (Independent Dem-CT) is dropping vague hints he’d consider switching to the Republican Party if congressional Dems block or cut federal funding for the US military effort in Iraq. “I have no desire to change parties. If that ever happens, it is because I feel the majority of Democrats have gone in a direction that I don’t feel comfortable with … We will see how that plays out in the coming months,” said Lieberman to The Politico.
MISSISSIPPI: US Senator Thad Cochran (R) says he is now likely to seek re-election in 2008. He has begun scheduling fundraising events to show he’s serious about the race. Cochran told the Clarion-Ledger he “felt that Mississippi had too much invested in me and I have too much invested in Mississippi” to walk away from 30 years of seniority.
MASSACHUSETTS: Congressman Martin Meehan (D) was named one of three finalists for the chancellorship at University of Massachusetts-Lowell. If Meehan gets the appointment — as many believe will happen — expect a free-for-all in the special election to fill his seat. Three Dems have already announced they will run in the special, and at least seven more are looking at the race.
GEORGIA: Govenor Sonny Perdue (R) set June 19, 2007, as the date for the CD-10 special election primary to replace the late Congressman Charlie Norwood (R).
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.23.07 | Permalink | postCount(’022307a’);
FREE SPEECH ZONE.
I’ve received a bunch of emails asking me what I think of Circuit Judge Larry Seidlin, of the current Anna Nicole Smith body trial infamy. Yes, I know him and have appeared before Judge Seidlin in the past (although the last time I appeared before him on a case was at least 15 years ago). Well … to be rather diplomatic here … I’m enjoying that now the rest of the nation has a chance to learn what those of us here have already known about him. “The wheels of justice aren’t always round. Sometimes they’re kind of square, and like in the Old West, the ride can be bumpy.” Huh? There were square wheels in the Old West? Please, please don’t anyone give this embarrassment a TV show.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.23.07 | Permalink | postCount(’022307b’);
THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE.
NEW IOWA POLL NUMBERS; R.I. BACKDOORS GAY MARRIAGE.
IOWA: A new Strategic Vision-R poll was released Wednesday of likely Iowa caucus participants. Republicans: Rudy Giuliani - 29%, John McCain - 22%, Newt Gingrich - 11%, Mitt Romney - 9%, Chuck Hagel - 5%, Tommy Thompson - 3%, and all others with 2% or less apiece. Democrats: John Edwards - 24%, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama tied with 18% each, Tom Vilsack - 14%, Joe Biden - 5%, Bill Richardson - 3%, and all others with 2% or less apiece. Interestingly, 48% of Republican respondents said they favored “a withdrawal of all United States military from Iraq within the next six months” — versus 37% opposed the idea. By contrast, Democrats favored withdrawal by a 64-9 margin. These pro-withdrawal numbers could bode ill in Iowa for candidates in both parties who either are pro-surge or waffle on Iraq.
GAY MARRIAGE: Attorney General Patrick Lynch (D) issued an advisory opinion on Wednesday that the state will grant full recognition and marital benefits to all same-sex Rhode Island couples who got married in Massachusetts. “Rhode Island will recognize same sex marriages lawfully performed in Massachusetts as marriages in Rhode Island,” wrote Lynch. While the advisory opinion is significant, it is not binding. Legal observers expect most state and local governmental entities in the state will honor Lynch’s directive.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.22.07 | Permalink | postCount(’022207a’);
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Your daily open thread.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.22.07 | Permalink | postCount(’022207B’);
WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE.
FL GOP KILLS STRAW POLL; MULTIPLE CHOICE REPUBLICANS; IRAQ; FEDS SEEK LIBBY FLIP.
FLORIDA: John McCain’s allies won a strategic victory over rival Mitt Romney in behind-the-scenes maneuvering for this fall’s Florida Republican Convention. Romney — who is backed by many of former Governor Jeb Bush’s closest allies in the state (although Jeb is officially neutral) — is viewed as as having the best field organization in the state. McCain — who is backed by many of Governor Charlie Crist’s closest allies (although Crist is officially neutral) — was worried he would be embarrassed by Romney’s purported superior ability in Florida to turnout supporters at key events. That’s why it is being viewed as a McCain victory that state party leaders this week cancelled the planned straw poll of delegates and replaced it with a Presidential candidates debate. Romney’s campaign was officially “disappointed” by the move. While the change of plans helped McCain avoid a possible straw ballot defeat at Romney’s hands, Rudy Giuliani and others may all benefit by this deep-sixing of the convention vote.
ABORTION: Pro-life GOP Presidential candidates John McCain and Mitt Romney both have some ’splaining to do to social conservative primary voters. Two new videos surfaced on the popular YouTube website showing both men making fairly recent statements in support of preserving a woman’s right to abortion secured by the controversial Roe v. Wade decision. For McCain, it is a clip of him speaking during the 2000 primaries. “But we all know, and it’s obvious, that if we repeal Roe v. Wade tomorrow, thousands of young American women would be performing illegal and dangerous operations,” said McCain in the 2000 video. For Romney, it is a clip from a 2002 gubernatorial debate. Speaking about Massachusetts’ liberal abortion laws, Romney is seen on the video saying: “I will preserve them, I will protect them, I will enforce them.” As for video airtime of the other (i.e. positive) kind, Romney is already on TV with a 60-second spot in select media markets in Iowa, New Hampshire, Florida, Michigan and South Carolina.
THE DEMS: Since we gave the GOP two stories today on the P2008 race, it’s only fair we also cover the Democrats. Congressman Dennis Kucinich this week became the first Democratic candidate to open a campaign office in New Hampshire. Also, Governor Bill Richardson said Tuesday his first act as President will be to close the controversial US detention camp at Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba.
IRAQ: British Prime Minister Tony Blair will announce Wednesday that his nation will begin the timed withdrawal of his nation’s 7,100 troops from Iraq. The first 1,500 British troops will be withdrawn within weeks. The White House spin: “The United States shares the same goal of turning responsibility over to the Iraqi Security Forces and reducing the number of American troops in Iraq.” Hmm … so the White House agrees with the British plans … and we’re proposing to send 21,500 more US troops to Iraq.
LIBBY: MSNBC reports that federal prosecutors are very interested in possibly cutting a deal with former VP Chief of Staff Lewis “Scooter” Libby if he is convicted this week on felony perjury charges. They’d reportedly be willing to offer Libby sentencing leniency in exchange for his cooperation with them in pursuing similar criminal charges against Vice President Dick Cheney. All of this is related to Cheney’s office leaking information in 2003 that Valerie Plame was an deep cover CIA agent in retaliation for Plame’s husband being a prominent Bush Administration critic.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.21.07 | Permalink | postCount(’022107a’);
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Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.21.07 | Permalink | postCount(’022107b’);
TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE.
GOOD NEWS FOR MITCH; RNC THREATENS FLORIDA; GEORGIA CD-10 SPECIAL UPDATE.
INDIANA: Most political pundits see Governor Mitch Daniels (R) as the one of the most vulnerable gubernatorial incumbents in the nation for 2008. That said, Daniels got some great news this past weekend when the strongest potential Dem — Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson — announced he will not run for Governor next year. With Peterson out, the Democratic field is much thinner. State Senate Minority Leader Richard Young (D) is an announced candidate. Wealthy architectural firm owner and community activist Jim Schellinger (D) — who is close to Peterson — is expected to formally announce his candidacy soon. Former State House Speaker John Gregg is frequently mentioned as a possible candidate, but he told the Indianapolis Star he will not run if Schellinger jumps in. Gregg called Schellinger “a fresh face” and “the 800-pound gorilla” because of his ability to raise large amounts of money from the business community. “His decision makes mine a lot easier,” said Gregg.
P2008 CALENDAR: DNC threats to Florida legislators in recent weeks seemingly had little effect in derailing the Florida bill which would move the Sunshine State’s 2008 Presidential primary to the Tuesday “one week after the New Hampshire primary.” This would move Florida’s primary to January 29, and break the RNC/DNC fixed schedule that bars all except a few designated states from holding primaries or caucuses before February 5. Since the Dems struck out in their attempt to kill the advancing legislation, RNC National Chair Mike Duncan stepped in this past weekend in a secret meeting in Florida with key state party leaders. The RNC message, according to a reliable Republican source: If Florida goes forward with a January 29 primary, the RNC will strip the state of many delegate spots, eliminate all the VIP floor and gallery passes that Florida party leaders traditionally distributed, give Florida terrible floor seating and hotel location at the convention, and bar state party leaders and GOP elected officials who are not officially elected delegates from access to the convention floor. State GOP leaders didn’t like the message, but it is unclear if they have the clout (or the desire) to push the primary back to February 5.
GEORGIA: Timing is everything, and State Senator Ralph Hudgens (R) clearly has no sense of it. As Congressman Charlie Norwood (R) lay dying of cancer two weeks ago, Hudgens released a preemptive statement saying he would run in the special election once Norwood died. Hudgens previously lost three races for the US House. Then, when Norwood died last week, Hudgens released another statement just a few hours later announcing his candidacy for the seat. That tasteless behavior clearly rubbed some GOP leaders the wrong way. State Senator Jim Whitehead (R), who smartly waited a few days to say anything, this week jumped into the race. State Representative Barry Fleming (R) and former CD-12 Congressman Max Burns (R) — who both looked at the Norwood special election — immediately endorsed Whitehead. Former University of George football coach Vince Dooley is yet again mentioned as a possible candidate — as either a Dem or GOP candidate — but don’t look for him to really run.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.20.07 | Permalink | postCount(’022007a’);
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Your daily open thread.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 02.20.07 | Permalink | postCount(’022007b’);