Posted 04.27.06 11:28 AM | Comments (0)

The Hotline Futures Market: South Carolina

After presiding over one of the most successful party re-vamps in recent memory, including gaining a Sen seat, the Gov mansion and the State Legislature, the GOP chair has done a lot to turn this red state even more red. However, some intra-party strife boils just under the surface, and it may well bubble up sooner than some think. A wealthy developer who came within 4K votes of a runoff -- and presumably the Sen seat with it -- is considering a bid in two years against the state's senior Sen, and with a host of up-and-comers as well as established political names in the mix, '10's Gov race may get pretty messy. [REID WILSON]

• State Rep. Catherine Ceips (R): She's "making a name for herself" in the House and is considering a bid for State Sen. "She's looking at moving up."
• State Rep. Alan Clemmons (R): A "very aggressive" member, he'd "like to be Speaker of the House." Some see him as unpredictable and quirky.
• SC GOP Chair Katon Dawson (R): He's presided over a state party that gained two U.S. Sen seats and owns all but two statewide offices. He took over a party in debt and has put it on solid financial footing.
• Consultant Chip Felkel (R): Owns a niche in the northern part of the state, but he's not seen as a big player throughout the state.
• State Rep. Bobby Harrell (R): The Speaker of the House, he "absolutely" could run for higher office. Had been mentioned as a Sen candidate in '04, may run for Gov in the future. He's "four-star."
• State Rep. Chip Huggins (R): Having run unopposed for his last term, Huggins is "comfortable doing what he's doing" and is not seen as a candidate for higher office.
• State Rep. Ralph Norman (R): A "smart fella," Norman is running in SC 05 against Rep. John Spratt (D). He's one of the NRCC's top recruits and though he faces primary opposition, he "has the blessing of everybody" for the race.
• Ex-US Atty Strom Thurmond Jr. (R): Thurmond has returned to private practice, and "you just assume that he eventually will run for something." His name is valuable; "we still have bumper stickers left over," says one expectant SC GOPer. Others expect him to run for Rep. Gresham Barrett's (R) SC 03 seat if Barrett runs for Gov in '10.
• Ex-Sen. Fritz Hollings (D) aide Ashley Cooper (D): Cooper has since returned to the private sector, but he's said to have a future as a candidate if he wants it.
• Columbia City Councilmember Tameika Isaac-Devine (D): Running for re-election in '06, she's "definitely" a future candidate for something bigger.
• State Rep. Doug Jennings (D): "There's always been talk" about Jennings running, and he "has the ability to jump in and do it any time."
• State Sen. Joel Lourie (D): We met him as a State Rep., and he's not done with his rise. He's contemplating a bid for Gov. in '10 after winning in a GOP district. He's been called "a good moderate modern kind of guy."
• Businesswoman Darla Moore (D): Has been talked about in the past, "she's not going to" run.
• State Sen. Gerald Molloy (D): The first African-American to win in a majority white district, he "could be a potential candidate for major statewide office."
• State Rep. James Smith (D): The former Min Leader may be shipped off to Iraq pretty soon, though he "almost certainly would run for statewide office in '10"

• Ambassador David Wilkins (R): The former House Speaker may run for Gov in '10. He's "very popular, very well-connected, and if he wants to run for office, he'd certainly be a leading candidate for something."
• State Rep. Nikki Haley (R): Beat a long-serving GOP incumbent in a primary and was pres. of her freshman class. "Generally looked at as an up-and-comer," she "has aspirations for higher office." "One of the brighter young members."
• Ex-Spartanburg Co. Council Chair Karen Floyd (R): Running for Superintendent of Education, she's the front-runner to take over a Dem-held statewide office.
• '04 Sen Candidate Thomas Ravenel (R): The wealthy developer narrowly missed a run-off for then-Sen. Fritz Hollings' (D) seat, now held by Sen. Jim DeMint (R). He's said to be ready to spend several million dollars in a primary challenge to Sen. Lindsay Graham in '08. "His money makes him a factor."
• State Sen. Vincent Sheheen (D): "A guy who's on his way to great things," the nephew of a former House Speaker is building a profile on prop taxes. He's said to be very telegenic.
• State Rep. Paul Agnew (D): The freshman is "smart as hell." From a big political family, he will "almost certainly run for something soon."
• Drew Theodore (D): An insurance salesman, Theodore may run for a down-ballot statewide office this year.
• State Rep. Laurie Funderburke (D): Elected in a swing district, Dems are excited about her prospects. "She'd be a terrific statewide candidate," says one.



Posted 04.27.06 11:04 AM | Comments (2)

One Day On The Job And Already Partying


The 10 year anniversary party for "Fox News Sunday" featured enough guests to book the show for a month. And while the celebration was for Chris Wallace, Marty Ryan, Rick DiBella, Andrea DeVito and crew, new WH spokesperson Tony Snow was the center of attention, accepting multiple congratulations on the new job as party goers speculated on how he'd do at the podium.

On the admin side, VP Cheney, JCS Chair Peter Pace and WH counselor Dan Bartlett stopped by. John McCain, Bill Frist, Newt Gingrich, Tom DeLay, and Mark Dayton worked the crowd. Not many Dems in attendance but Hillary Clinton stopped by so what more do you need?

The Fox News All Stars were out in full force -- Brit Hume, Bill O'Reilly, Greta Van Susteren, Bill Hemmer, Shepard Smith, Mort Kondracke, Fred Barnes, Bill Kristol, Carl Cameron, Bret Baier, Juan Williams, Brian Wilson, Major Garrett, and Jim Angle. Dan Senor was also in attendance (but no sign of new wife Campbell Brown). And Ron Bonjean would like you to know he's now a "spokesmodel" instead of just a spokesman. [EMILY GOODIN]


Posted 04.27.06 07:30 AM | Comments (0)

Hotline After Dark -- What's Your Cable Alias

"Alias" kicks butt on ABC, pundits kick it on cable:

Lots of admin news happening yesterday, leaving reporters to talk about Tony Snow and Karl Rove all in one breath.

WHY CAN'T WE JUST ALL GET ALONG?

Snow stopped by "Special Report" last night: "I want to get along with the press corps and understand whatever concerns they may have and at the same time try to figure out exactly the technical aspects of doing the job effectively. I'm the guy who's going to spend the next couple of weeks watching briefings and meeting with staff and figuring out how it all works."

On his press sec. style: "I'm probably more Fitzwaterian."

On his predecessor: "Not only do I not want to engage in comparisons with Scott, I'm not sure I could get inside his head and figure out what his role is. I simply know what I want mine to be, which is somebody who's an effective counselor and press secretary."

TAKES ON THE NEW GUY

Reporters offered their assessments of Snow last night:

CNN's Malveaux: "He is wasting no time in really reaching out to us, trying to improve, if you will, somewhat the strained relations between the White House and the press corps" ("Lou Dobbs Tonight," 4/26).

Slate's Dickerson, on the Rove testimony happening the same day of the announcement: "Tony Snow in his first
task, which was to provide one good news day for the White House, he's already failed" ("Hardball," MSNBC, 4/26).

NPR's Liasson: "He clearly wants to make reporters feel like they're getting something as opposed to just being in this horrible kind of weird dysfunctional relationship" ("Special Report," FNC, 4/26).

Washington Post's Milbank: "It will ... help the president a great deal to have a guy that everybody likes in the press corps, at least as of this moment. ... Of course, we did like Scott before" ("Countdown," MSNBC, 4/26).

FNC's O'Reilly: "The truth about Tony Snow is this. America is a better country because he will be in the Bush White House. Snow is not a bubble guy. He'll tell the president what he thinks, and he will not sugar coat it" ("O'Reilly Factor," 4/26).

IF THERE'S GOOD NEWS FOR THE WH, THERE MUST BE BAD NEWS FOR THE WH

CNN's King: "Sources sympathetic to Rove are saying they believe this could lead to the resolution. From their accounts, they say the special prosecutor has a few lingering questions in their view about Rove's account of exactly why he didn't tell the full story in his first grand jury testimony about conversations with reporters" ("Situation Room," 4/26).

MSNBC's Shuster: "The theory out there has been that maybe Karl Rove was changing his testimony, not because his memory was refreshed, but rather because Matt Cooper had just been subpoenaed in the case" ("Hardball," 4/26).

Newsweek's Fineman: "Karl Rove's testimony shines a light once again on the whole question of whether ethics in government means anything in Washington these days" ("Scarborough Country," MSNBC, 4/26).

CNN's Toobin: "This is an example of how in Washington, the more important you are, the fewer rights you have, in a funny way, because any ordinary person who is under investigation in a white collar case would very simply take the fifth, would never even darken the door of the grand jury, never expose himself to the risk of testifying once, much less five times. But Karl Rove is deputy chief of staff. He can't take the fifth and stay in his job" ("Situation Room," 4/26).

FNC's Angle: "Sources close to Rove emphasized that Fitzgerald still says Rove is not a target of the investigation" ("Special Report," 4/26).

NO REAGAN OR FOOTBALL REFERENCES SO DID THIS INTERVIEW REALLY COUNT?

Sen. George Allen (R-VA) played "Hardball" with substitute host David Gregory. When Gregory asked him about Snow, Allen said: "You'll banter with him pretty good, David" (MSNBC, 4/26). [EMILY GOODIN]

Posted 04.27.06 07:17 AM | Comments (0)

Let Freedom Ring

As he makes another visit to NH today and tomorrow, NY Gov. George Pataki's (R) Freedom PAC has hired former WH aide/Rove protege Leonard Rodriguez as its new political director. The committee also goes live today with a new website. Check it out: www.freedompac.com. Pataki has scheduled stops in NH today and tomorrow. He'll give the keynote address at DE's GOP convention on 4/29.

Posted 04.27.06 06:47 AM | Comments (0)

April 26, 2006

From The Field: Jim Webb's Boots on The Ground

ARLINGTON, VA -- Jim Webb's Senate announcement tour lived up to its slogan ('Born Fighting') at today's stop in Arlington:

Double-barrel assault on the Bush Administration? Check. Air of rugged machismo? Check. Combat boots? Out in force.

Surrounded by his family (minus one son, a lance corporal in the Marines preparing to deploy to Iraq), Webb stood before a crowd of 300 to 'state the principles on which we are going to run this campaign.' These turned out to be the same principles that marked his military career -- a running theme in his announcement speech, which centered on the Iraq war.

Webb opened with a declaration: "My objection to this war is not aimed at the army, but at the administration that has chosen to wage it." In martial language, he lashed out at the Bushies as "people who offer no creed," and "sent us into a war wholly unrelated to our national interest." Into this critique he folded domestic spying, the "politics of fear and social division," and even gas prices, noting that in 2002 oil was $24 a barrel versus $75 a barrel today --"a direct result of the instability we brought to the region." Webb endorsed a windfall profit tax on oil companies for good measure.

Webb hopes to steal the issue of national security from the Republican Party. Just one day into his campaign, he's already stolen the boots-and-suits look popularized by Paul Bremer, which, if today's crowd was any indication, has quickly emerging as a politico-fashion statement among Virginia Democrats. In a rare mention of the incumbent, Webb wondered aloud why George Allen wears cowboy boots "when there aren't any cowboys in Virginia?" Then he repeated his vow to don combats boots on the campaign trail (lifting a leg for emphasis) and encouraged his crowd to do the same.

"Put on some boots, folks," he urged. "Work boots, hiking boots --anything except cowboy boots." [JOSHUA GREEN]


Posted 04.26.06 04:58 PM | Comments (26)

Rove "Not" A Target

From Rove's attorneys:

"Karl Rove appeared today before the grand jury investigating the disclosure of a CIA agent's identity. He testified voluntarily and unconditionally at the request of special counsel Patrick Fitzgerald to explore a matter raised since Mr. Rove's last appearance in October 2005."

"In connection with this appearance, the special counsel has advised Mr. Rove that he is not a target of the investigation. Mr. Fitzgerald has affirmed that he has made no decisions regarding charges. At the request of the special counsel, Mr. Rove will not discuss the substance of his testimony."


Posted 04.26.06 04:46 PM | Comments (0)

From Last Call: Brown Drops From RI SEN

RI Sec/State Matt Brown (D) dropped out of the SEN race, "citing money problems" (AP).

The Hotline's Last Call!

Brown:

Today, I am ending my own campaign for United States Senate -- but the goal remains the same. These days, it takes an enormous amount of money to run a Senate campaign, and I simply will not have the resources in the final stretch to run successfully.

Full letter to supporters after the jump.

ar Supporter,

When I began this campaign, it was with the goal of sending another Democrat from Rhode Island to serve in Washington. Today, I am ending my own campaign for United States Senate - but the goal remains the same. These days, it takes an enormous amount of money to run a Senate campaign, and I simply will not have the resources in the final stretch to run successfully.

I want to thank my extraordinary staff and all the people who have supported my campaign which began just over a year ago with about 50 friends and family in our living room. You have worked so hard and been so committed to this campaign and I will never forget it.

I first ran for office four years ago because, based on my experience in community service, I believed that working in government was a good way to make a difference in our communities and our country. I still believe that.

In my final year as Rhode Island's Secretary of State, I will continue to work to increase civic participation, improve our elections, help people start new businesses and make government more open and accountable.

I also believe there other ways to make a difference beyond government service - and I look forward to finding a way to do my part to serve. Like many people, when I look at the challenges before us, I am worried about what the future holds for my child and for all our children.

I will continue to work for the things I talked about in this campaign.
First and foremost, we must bring our troops home from Iraq. Because setting a timetable to withdraw our troops is the best chance we have of compelling the Iraqi leaders to stabilize the dangerous situation there. Because we need to restore our military strength which has been depleted by this operation in Iraq, so that we are equipped to deal with real threats to our security. Because the billions of dollars we're spending in Iraq would be better spent ensuring that Americans can get good affordable health care and education so that they can move up and make a good life for themselves and their families. And because it would begin to restore our moral authority in the world so we can lead the charge to tackle the serious global challenges facing us in this century - including nuclear proliferation, global warming and disease pandemic. I called for the troops to come home last August for all of these reasons. It is even more evident today that this is what we need to do and I will continue to work to make it happen.

One way we can all work to ensure a better future for our children is to elect more Democrats to the Senate. The core principal of the Democratic Party is the basic principal of this country - that everyone, whatever their background, should get a chance to make a good life and give their children a good future. To live up to this principal and make our country what we want it to be, we need more Democrats in Washington, Democrats like Jack Reed. Jack Reed cares deeply about the people of this state, understands what they're up against and works tirelessly to give them a better chance at a good life.

I am pleased today to announce my full support for our Democratic candidate for Senate - Sheldon Whitehouse. Sheldon and I were friends and colleagues for 10 years, going back to our work together at City Year - we've been on opposite sides of a political campaign for just a year. I never lost my longstanding respect for his character or ability. Sheldon is a good man, who loves his family and his state, is deeply committed to public service and will do the right thing for Rhode Islanders. I will do everything I can to help elect him and I know that Sheldon Whitehouse will be a great Senator for Rhode Island.

Matt
Brown 694082>

Posted 04.26.06 04:21 PM | Comments (0)

Granholm Job Clock Follows Gov To DC

Seen outside Vernon Jordan's house in Georgetown: the MI GOP's Granholm Job Loss Clock.




The MI Gov. has a high-dollar fundraiser scheduled for tonight at Jordan's manse. Yes, folks, the MI GOP actually obtained a permit to legally position the clock on the street.

Posted 04.26.06 04:07 PM | Comments (0)

How Many Virginians Read Instapundit?



Enough, apparently, to convince Sen. George Allen's re-election team to advertise on the Blogfather's national website.

Or maybe there's another reason ...uh... a second reason.

Actually, the ad suggests a reason why Allen's suddenly distracting re-election campaign may be salubrious for the theoretically postponed nurturing of his presidential ambitions.

Now, Allen can easily do some base-tending-to without having to explain why, and his campaign can also prospect for small donors -- openly.

Dems DO want to stop Allen. Allen thus has Dems as a foil to (a) raise money and (b) get his name out to conservatives (or libertarians) nationally.

Posted 04.26.06 02:32 PM | Comments (1)

Wicked Good!

We almost missed this front-page piece in yesterday's Boston Globe.

They snagged an interview with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who said he will again provide cheap home heating oil next winter for MA. Chavez, a leftist/populist who is known to refer to Pres Bush as "Mr. Danger," told Rep.'s William Delahunt (D-MA) and Gregory Meeks (D-NY) and ex-Rep. Joseph Kennedy II (D), during a meeting in Caracas that his country's state-run oil giant would even provide even more of the discounted petro for MA and other northeastern states in '07.

Now obviously such cold-weather states are more inclined to have a need for this aid, but we can't help but wonder if Chavez, a wily pol who delights in tweaking the Bush admin, does not also have an electoral map in hand when making decisions about what states he'll supply the fuel to.

We'll know for sure if we see him in front of a Cumberland Farms on the Cape this summer offering unleaded for a $1.25 per-gallon.

Posted 04.26.06 02:22 PM | Comments (0)

Hotline/Diageo Poll: She Rules, And It Ain't Mysterious

To call Hillary Clinton the 800lb gorilla of WH '08 Dem race massively undersells her standing, even self-described "conservative" Dems. They also think she's the most likely Dem to win WH'08, even if John McCain's the GOP nominee. So she's got her party's nod locked up, right? Not quite.

A new Diageo/Hotline poll shows HRC far ahead in a crowded Dem field. But at 38%, she still falls below the comfort zone she needs in a race with lesser-knowns like Warner and Bayh. Still, when matched up in one-on-ones with Kerry, Edwards, Gore and Warner, HRC breaks through the 50% barrier. In fact, vs. Kerry-Gore-Warner, she smashes through it. Only Edwards holds her under 55%.

Also of note, she's the only Dem leader who gets a fav rating above 50%, well above, at 78%. Dean hovers at 48%, trailing even GOPer McCain. Reid and Pelosi hope to run the Hill in '07, but they still remain unknown to about half of their own party.

Finally, when asked why they're in the wilderness, many Dems say it's because they "lack decent representation" or the party offers a "weak" platform. But the most popular response? They "don't know."

Conducted 4/19-23 by Financial Dynamics; surveyed 603 regis. Dems voters; margin of error +/- 4% (release, 4/26). ^ denotes a half sample. *To obtain complete poll results, go to www.diageohotlinepoll.com. After last month's look at GOPers, this month we are loooking at Dems only.

Bush As Pres.                  Non
           All Lib Prg Mod Con Wht
Approve    11%  8%  6% 10% 20% 11%
Disapprove 86  91  93  84  77  86

Why Disapprove Of Bush Job?^        Why Approve Of Bush Job?^
All options (vol)       44%         Economic policies        28%
Iraq                    26          9/11 response            16
Economic policies       18          Abort/gay marr positions 15
Rising gas prices       14          All options (vol)        15
Katrina                  9          War on terror            10
War on terror            9          Handling Iraq war        10
Abort/gay marr positions 6          Tax policies             10
Tax policies             6          Fed. court nominations    4
Environmental policies   6          Environmental policies    3
Fed. court nominations   3

Fav/Unfav   --All--   --Lib--   --Prg--   --Mod--  --Con--   Non Wht
           Fav/Unfav Fav/Unfav Fav/Unfav Fav/Unfav Fav/Unfav Fav/Unfav
McCain     54%/22%   56%/24%   56%/33%   57%/19%   54%/16%   44%/17%
Reid       23 / 7    25 / 7    30 / 6    23 / 7    16 / 9    16 / 2
Pelosi     33 / 8    43 / 6    50 / 5    31 / 8    13 /13    29 / 6
H.Clinton  78 /13    84 / 8    80 /14    77 /13    73 /19    87 / 2
Dean       48 /20    58 /19    59 /17    45 /19    26 /30    40 /13

WH '08 Dem Primary              Non 2nd Dem Primary Choice          Non
            All Lib Prg Mod Con Wht             All Lib Prg Mod Con Wht
H. Clinton  38% 42% 33% 34% 40% 55% John Kerry  22% 20% 31% 18% 26% 38%
John Kerry  14  12  10  17  15  16  H. Clinton  21  19  20  23  26  20
J. Edwards  13  15  10  11  16   9  J. Edwards  18  17  15  18  21  17
Joe Biden    5   5   8   5   5   3  Joe Biden    7   7  10   9   3   -
Wesley Clark 3   2   7   3   1   2  Wesley Clark 5   6   1   7   4   -
R. Feingold  3   5   7   1   1   1  Mark Warner  4   4   1   5   4   2
B.Richardson 2   2   1   1   2   -  B.Richardson 3   3   2   3   1   3
Mark Warner  2   1   6   2   2   -  R. Feingold  3   6   5   1   -   -
Evan Bayh    1   1   2   3   -   -  Tom Vilsack  2   1   4   -   1   -
Tom Vilsack  *   -   1   1   -   -  Evan Bayh    1   2   -   1   1   -
Undec/Oth   18  16  14  21  18  15  Undec/Oth   16  17  15  17  12  21

Combined First/Second Choice For GOP Primary    Non
                            All Lib Prg Mod Con Wht
Hillary Clinton             59% 61% 53% 56% 66% 75%
John Kerry                  36  32  41  35  41  54
John Edwards                31  32  25  29  37  26
Joe Biden                   12  12  18  14   8   3
Wesley Clark                 8   8   8  10   5   2
Russ Feingold                6  11  12   2   1   1
Bill Richardson              5   5   3   4   3   3
Mark Warner                  6   5   7   7   6   2
Evan Bayh                    2   3   2   4   1   -
Tom Vilsack                  2   1   5   1   1   -
Undec/Oth                   34  33  29  38  30  36 

Which Of Following Dems Would You   2-Way Dem WH Primary Matchups   Non
Never Vote For In A Dem Primary?                All Lib Prg Mod Con Wht
                                Non Clinton     57% 64% 54% 53% 60% 62%
            All Lib Prg Mod Con Wht Kerry       30  26  33  28  25  25
H. Clinton   9%  7%  8% 10%  7%  1% Undec/Oth   14   9  12  15  13  11
John Kerry   9   9  11  10   6   5
W. Clark     8   6  15   9   5   9                                  Non
John Edwards 6   6   4   5   6   8              All Lib Prg Mod Con Wht
B.Richardson 5   6   2   6   6   9  Clinton     52% 59% 49% 50% 53% 65%
Joe Biden    4   5  11   3   1   3  Edwards     33  32  41  34  29  26
R. Feingold  4   3   8   2   6   5  Undec/Oth   15   8   9  16  18  10
Mark Warner  3   2   2   2   5   -
Tom Vilsack  3   4   3   3   3   -                                  Non
Evan Bayh    3   2   5   3   1   3              All Lib Prg Mod Con Wht
DK/Refused  51  54  41  51  54  57  Clinton     66% 73% 67% 61% 65% 87%
                                    Warner      15  11  16  17  16   5
Likelihood Of H. Clinton Winning    Undec/Oth   20  15  15  23  18   8
Dem Primary Nomination?        Non
           All Lib Prg Mod Con Wht                                  Non
Very       27% 26% 27% 22% 39% 37%              All Lib Prg Mod Con Wht
Smhwt      45  46  46  50  33  41   Clinton     57% 62% 59% 53% 58% 64%
Not very   15  14  19  16  15  12   Gore        29  32  27  30  27  23
Not at all  7   8   6   5  11   6   Undec/Oth   14   6  13  18  15  13

Best Chance To Beat GOP Nominee     Best Chance To Beat McCain In
In General?^                    Non General?^                       Non
            All Lib Prg Mod Con Wht             All Lib Prg Mod Con Wht
H. Clinton  32% 38% 37% 22% 40% 43% H. Clinton  36% 33% 36% 36% 46% 40%
John Kerry  15  14  19  19  12  21  J. Edwards  13  15  24  13   5   7
J. Edwards  14  13  12  16  13  11  John Kerry  10  13  10  11   6  21
Joe Biden    7   8   2  12   7   2  Joe Biden    5   6   8   4   6   -
Mark Warner  3   1   2   4   4   -  Mark Warner  4   2  12   3   6   6
Wesley Clark 3   2   4   3   4   -  Wesley Clark 3   4   2   4   2   -
Tom Vilsack  1   1   -   -   -   -  Evan Bayh    2   3   2   1   -   -
Evan Bayh    1   1   -   2   2   2  R. Feingold  2   5   -   -   -   2
B.Richardson 2   4   -   1   -   -  Tom Vilsack  1   -   -   2   2   -
R. Feingold  2   2   5   -   2   -  B.Richardson 1   -   2   1   2   -

Why Would You Vote For Clinton In Dem Primary?        Non
                                  All Lib Prg Mod Con Wht
Agree w/her positions             27% 33% 29% 21% 22% 24%
Works in bipartisan way           18  14  25  14  18  16
Says what she means               16  14  25  14  18  16
Best chance of winning general    12  11  14  12  11  12
Don't like others                  6   6   2   7   9   7
Not typical politician             5   4   3   7   3   5

Why Do You Think Dems Are The Minority In Both Houses?^             Non
                                                All Lib Prg Mod Con Wht
Disorganiz. of Dem party/weak platform          15% 18% 18% 19%  2% 11%
Strong GOP turnout/lack of turn out fm others    8   8   2   8   7  12
GOP corruption/crooked deals keep in office      7  10  10   3   6   4
More GOPers than Dems/not enough Dems to vote    7   7   7   6   9   2
Money is w.GOPers/Dems more poor/middle class    7   8  14   3   4   4
Lack of decent Dem. representation               5   1   7   6  11   7
Dems don't fight for what they believe in        3   2   7   5   -   2
Bush is in office/brought in more GOPers         3   2   4   5   2   5
Power of religious right                         2   2   4   2   -   -
GOPers are better party/Bush was better cand.    2   -   9   1   4   -
Uninformed voters                                2   5   -   2   -   -
Fear of terrorism/Iraq war                       2   2   5   2   -   2
Election process/Electoral College               1   2   2   1   -   -
Right wing conserv. values of GOP                1   1   -   -   -   -
Dems are too liberal                             1   -   -   2   -   -
Bush stole '00 and '04 elections                 -   -   -   -   -   -

Why Do You Think Dems Do Not Have POTUS In WH?^                     Non
                                                All Lib Prg Mod Con Wht
Bush stole '00 and '04 elections                12%  7% 18% 12% 19% 19%
Disorganiz. of Dem party/weak platform          11  13  14  11   4   9
Lack of decent Dem. representation              11   9  15  15   6   2
Money is w.GOPers/Dems more poor/middle class    8   8   9   8   6   6
Strong GOP turnout/lack of turn out fm others    7  10   4   7   2  14
GOP corruption/crooked deals keep in office      4   6   4   2   6   2
Dems don't fight for what they believe in        4   4   6   7   -   6
More GOPers than Dems/not enough Dems to vote    3   1   -   4   5   6
Election process/Electoral College               3   5   2   4   2   2
Power of religious right                         3   5   -   3   2   -
Uninformed voters                                3   2   2   4   4   -
Fear of terrorism/Iraq war                       3   2   4   3   2   -
GOPers are better party/Bush was better cand.    2   3   -   -   2   -
Dems are too liberal                             2   2   7   -   -   2
Right wing conserv. values of GOP                1   2   -   3   -   2
Bush is in office/brought in more GOPers         1   -   -   2   2   -

Posted 04.26.06 01:27 PM | Comments (0)

Cooks In The Kitchen

What was that part again about too many cooks in the kitchen? How about too many consultants in the war room? The latest crop of '06 contenders feature a few former consultants and state party chairs, inevitably bringing the behind-the-scenes campaign types to the front of the podium. It's not a new idea, but it shows the force consultants have on the political process has become more prominent than a few cycles ago.

So here's our list of consultants for office. If you can think of any more '06 candidates who were once consultants, we welcome your comments:

AZ SEN candidate Jim Pederson (D), the former head of the AZ Dems that elected Gov. Janet Napolitano to office, also chaired the Fair Election Campaign.
WA SEN candidate Mike McGavick (R), who worked on former Sen. Slade Gorton’s campaigns in '80 and '88 before becoming Gorton's CoS for three years.
OR GOV candidate Kevin Mannix (R) was the former head of the Oregon Republican Party before he stepped down to run for his statewide bid last year.
ME GOV candidate David Emery (R), a former congressman, ran his own polling and marketing firm for the past 15 years before tossing his hat into the race.
Brian Kennedy (R) for IA-01 is also a former party chair who founded Campaign of One, a GOP committee that sponsors internet-based campaigns.
Ralph Reed (R) for GA LG once ran the state's GOP and chaired the SE Region/GA effort for Bush-Cheney '04. He's also started his own PR firm, Century Strategies.
John Raese (R) was the head of the WV GOP chair before running for WV SEN.
VA Sen's Harris Miller (D) was the former head of the Fairfax Co. Dems and SD Gubernatorial candidate Jack Billion (D) used to run his county's Dem organization.

And then there's the inevitable pundit-turned-politician Allan Lichtman (D) for MD SEN. Not quite an inside operative, but imagine what kind of VA Senate campaign UVA's Larry Sabato would run? [SHIRA R. TOEPLITZ]

Posted 04.26.06 12:46 PM | Comments (0)

Rove To Testify

Per the AP,, Fitzgerald convened the Plame case grand jury this morning.

Fox News reports that Karl Rove will testify this afternoon.

More, from National Review's Byron York:

"The source did not comment further, but one matter that has arisen since Rove's last testimony -- counting today, he has testified five times -- is the involvement of Time's Viveca Novak in the CIA leak matter. Last October, according to her own account, Novak received a call from Rove lawyer Robert Luskin in which Luskin said he had told Fitzgerald about a conversation he, Luskin, had had with Novak. The Rove side apparently believed the Novak conversation would be exculpatory for Rove, and it led to still more investigation by the grand jury -- which may be the topic of today's testimony."

Posted 04.26.06 11:34 AM | Comments (0)

Hotline After Dark

If "American Idol" doesn't give you something to sing about, you can always turn to cable.

Reporters must have filled their cars up yesterday because none of them seemed too impressed with Pres. Bush's gas plan:

MSNBC's Shuster described it as: "Under intense pressure to get gas prices down and get his poll numbers up" ("Hardball," 4/25).

CNN's Malveaux: "As gas prices go up, the president's approval numbers go down" ("Situation Room," 4/25).

MSNBC's Scarborough: "September 11 called for bold action, true leadership, energy independence. All we got today seemed to be a desperate attempt by an unpopular president to stop the political bleeding" ("Scarborough Country," 4/25).

FNC's Cameron: "With gasoline and oil prices hitting new records, President Bush signed on to a bipartisan push in Congress for an investigation into possible price gouging" ("Special Report," 4/25).

Boston Globe's Klein: "This is really a symbolic move. It isn't really going to do much about prices, it isn't going to do much about the supply and demand of oil in the United States or elsewhere" ("Countdown," MSNBC, 4/25). [EMILY GOODIN]



SNOW IN THE FORECAST

Late last night news broke that Tony Snow accepted the WH spokesperson job:

FNC's Colmes: "Fox has confirmed that our own Tony Snow will become the next White House press secretary" ("Hannity & Colmes," 4/25).

NBC's Gregory: "I think, for people like me in the job that we're doing, somebody like a Tony Snow, who has some sense of what are needs are, where we're coming from, can be very helpful" ("Scarborough Country," MSNBC, 4/25).

CNN's Cooper: "Sources say that Snow sought and received assurances that he would be an active participant in major policy debates and that he would have significant say in the hiring of deputies within the press and communications departments" ("AC 360," 4/25).

NO LONGER ON DEEP BACKGROUND

Mark Felt was on "LKL" to talk about his role as "Deep Throat." Asked why he decided to help Bob Woodward: "Because he was doing a good job."

He said he was never tempted to tell anyone he was "Deep Throat" and when he read an article speculating on the identity: "I'd clip it and put it in a book."

Felt also said he's seen the movie but has not read the book. And of the famous "Follow the money" line: "I don't recall ever saying that" (CNN, 4/25).

O'REILLY NOT GETTING ANY SATISFACTION

FNC's Bill O'Reilly: "You may have heard that Mick Jagger is not going to give up his hotel suite in Vienna so President Bush can have it when he goes to Austria for a summit in June. That strikes me as kind of disrespectful. Jagger and the Rolling Stones have made millions operating in the USA despite some previous drug convictions among band members. Some of them British subjects. U.S. immigration authorities have the option of denying work permits to foreigners who have run-ins with the law. So, the president will get another room in Vienna, and Jagger can have some satisfaction. But it is still disrespectful and ridiculous. The USA has been nice to the Rolling Stones" ("O'Reilly Factor," 4/25).

FNC's Hume: "If you listened carefully in this city today, that whooshing sound you heard was that of political figures in both parties in a continuing head-long rush to do something, or at least appear to be doing something, about those rising gasoline prices" ("Special Report," 4/25). CNN's Malveaux: "As gas prices go up, the president's approval numbers go down" ("Situation Room," 4/25). FNC's Kondracke: "I don't think the president thinks that there is price gouging involved here. ... But is he not going to tolerate it. This is covering himself against Democratic charges" ("Special Report," 4/25). CNN's Henry: "Republicans are fearful that these rising gas prices could fuel a Democratic takeover of Congress in November. So the bottom line is this White House is trying anything it can right now to try to take a bite out of those prices" ("Situation Room," 4/25). CBS' Plante: "Democrats looking to take back Congress in November have jumped on the gas price issue" ("Early Show," 4/26). CNN's Koppel: "Just back from recess, Democrats rushed to tap into growing outrage over rising gas prices" ("Situation Room," 4/25). Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA): "The president, actually, is doing a heck of a lot, not just to move us towards ethanol, but to flex-fuel, and biodiesel, and all kinds of other things" ("Hannity & Colmes," FNC, 4/25). Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA), asked if oil companies are violating the law: "They are not violating the law. That's where we need the Federal Trade Commission to investigate that. ... The Congress has given the Federal Trade Commission the power to do the kinds of investigations about the price fixing and price gouging. What I am saying is that the excess profits ought to go as a result of the spiraling profits that these oil companies have made as a result, not as a result of any business decision but because the American family, so to speak, American consumers are, effectively, being gouged" ("Situation Room," CNN, 4/25). FNC's Wilson: "Because of his past position on the House Ethics Committee, Mollohan understands the ethical guidelines under which members of Congress are supposed to operate, including the suggestion that members not get involved in business dealings with anyone who may benefit from their official actions" ("Special Report," 4/25).



FNC's O'Reilly: "You know what I'm hoping, that they knock that spin nonsense off and realize where the Bush administration is in history. And that is it's heading into Jimmy Carter territory" ("O'Reilly Factor," 4/25).


CNN's Cooper: "Sources say that Snow sought and received assurances that he would be an active participant in major policy debates and that he would have significant say in the hiring of deputies within the press and communications departments" ("AC 360," 4/25).


NPR's Williams: "The problem is I think it's hard to go from being a pundit like Tony was, to suddenly being somebody else's spokesman and carrying the message of the day" ("O'Reilly Factor," FNC, 4/25).


CNN's Dobbs: "What do you think of Tony Snow being a White House press secretary?"


CNN's Blitzer: "I like Tony Snow a lot. He's actually been an old friend of mine. I think he's going to be really good. He's very smart. He's clearly got his strongly held views, but I think he will be a very strong White House press secretary because he knows the press. He knows the administration, and to be a good White House press secretary, you have to know that interaction. He understands it, and I'm encouraged."


Dobbs: "Jeez, Wolf, I just asked what you thought" ("Lou Dobbs Tonight," 4/25).


ABC's Yellin: "Snow knows both politics and the media" ("GMA," 4/26).




Johnson was on "Hannity & Colmes" last night:


On the race: "Controversy is something that I expected in this campaign. We've not been disappointed about that."


On McKinney's run-in with a Capital Hill police officer: "I think that Congresswoman McKinney does a great job of keeping that issue in the news. I'm going to be attuned to the issues that affect the people of the Fourth District and the people of the United States of America."


Asked if McKinney is playing the race card: "I think the race card has been played with the allegation of racial profiling" (FNC, 4/25).




Steele was on "Hannity & Colmes" last night:


On the Dems: "The goal is to discredit Michael Steele. That is their ultimate goal, is to discredit me in the eyes of my citizens and my friends and my neighbors and my community that I've represented as lieutenant governor for the last three years. And the question back to them is, what is your idea? I mean, if you don't agree with me on an issue, great. Let's have that debate in the town square. But why do you have to tear me down personally? Why do you have to take my personal records, which involves my family, my wife and I on those credit reports together? So it's not just Michael Steele that's being harmed."


On the Dem strategy memo: "The reality of it is, whether you couch it in flowery language or not, whether you say the objective is to tie Michael Steele to the national Republican establishment, everyone in my state knows I'm a Republican,for
goodness sake. I was state party chairman. So this is no big secret here."


More: "The fact is, trust me, the folks on the other side are not happy this strategy memo is floating around the state of Maryland and around the country" (FNC, 4/25).




NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, asked about WH '08: "I have the best job in government. I have the best job right now I have ever had in my life. I plan to stay in this job and fill out the four-year term that I was elected to, and do everything I can to help the people of New York, who hired me to do the job. And if I can be supportive for the president, regardless of who he is or which party, or she is, if I can be supportive of Congress, regardless of which party, anything to make the country that gave my grandparents the opportunity to come here, I'm going to do exactly that. But the answer to your question is, I am mayor of the city of New York through the year 2009" ("Situation Room," CNN, 4/25).




Kerry called into "Talk of the Nation" to talk about the 35th anniversary of his Vietnam testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Cmte:


On what he was feeling that day: "I was embarrassed. I was late to the hearing. ... I had no idea I was the only person testifying so they were sitting there waiting for me."


On the '04 race: "We could have done perhaps more in the campaign to respond to lies, and there were a great many lies put out there about me and my service. I can tell you that any time in the future anybody tries to reassert one of those, they will be properly answered."


More: "Iraq is not Vietnam. ... Iraq, like Vietnam, has been based on a great deal of misconception" (NPR, 2/25).


Posted 04.26.06 10:20 AM | Comments (0)

The Tao Of Snow

According to administration officials, former admin. officials and Republicans who know Snow and Pres. Bush, their mutual respect stems from several sources.

One is -- both are evangelicals. That link binds together their worldview and most especially, their view of their place in the larger scheme of things.

Another is -- Snow sees Bush as a political gambler, in a good way. He wrote, during the Miers nomination mess, that Bush "possesses a gambler's daring and patience. He loves to linger over a controversy until his adversaries fidget and sweat. His pleas to "trust me" have the effect of dragging out the drama -- and imparting the sense that when the Senate finally casts its votes, the guy from Midland again will enjoy the last laugh."

Snow has privately criticized how the White House communicates with just about every audience. Sources said he was granted latitude to add or subtract staff. But Bush advisers are also roundly and strenuously denying that Snow's ascendance implies some sort of declension or de facto demotion for senior presidential counselor Dan Bartlett.

Still, Snow, said one Republican close to the White House, "is an adult."

That's one of the several talking point concepts that "senior administration officials" and "Republicans close to the White House" will try to propagate today. Another is that Bush picked him NOT based on his loyalty to the Bush-Texas-axis but because Snow merited the job. A third is that Snow will bring the touch of the common man to the job.

An open question among presidential allies is whether the left-leaning mainstream media will embrace Snow as their savior.
Certainly, the Republican base will love Snow's repartee with, say, Jessica Yellin and David Gregory.

But if the press room exchanges become more partisan and more acrimonious, which is a distinct possibility with a pundit ruling the roost, does that relegitimize the White House press corps, as the White House wants to do? Or does it serve to (ingeniously?) highlight the differences between the media establishment and the president? [MARC AMBINDER]


Posted 04.26.06 09:46 AM | Comments (0)

New Hotline/Diageo Poll

A Diageo/Hotline poll shows Sen. Hillary Clinton (D) leading the WH '08 Dem primary field with 38% among regis. Dems. The closest competitors are John Kerry (14%) and John Edwards (13%).

More, later...


Posted 04.26.06 09:37 AM | Comments (0)

The Boss Arrives At 9:00 a.m.

The Tony Snow announcement, with POTUS, at 9:00 am ET.

(And, btw, is this "late" morning announcement an indication that Snowy will be doing things differently?)

Posted 04.26.06 08:06 AM | Comments (0)

April 25, 2006

McCain's PAC To Donate $100+K To MI GOP

Per Human Events Online (through Saul Anuzis's blog):

"National Commitee members Chuck Yob and Holly Hughes, along with Ambassador Ron Weiser announced that Senator John McCain's PAC will be donating [a total of more than] $100,000 to [the] district, county and local party organizations throughout the state. Senator McCain has raised millions of dollars in Michigan for our statewide candidates, state and local parties and his PAC, Straight Talk America."

"John Yob announced that he is handling several states on behalf of Straight Talk America PAC."

Some more info:

Earlier in the day, RNC committeefolks Chuck Yob and Holly Hughes e-mailed county chairs, district chairs and the state committee to invite them to an 8:00 pm ET conference call. The details were kept closely held. On the call, Yob announced that STA agreed to give EVERY party organization in the state money.
The total will exceed 100K.


Posted 04.25.06 09:45 PM | Comments (1)

Snow To WH

Cue the Snow-In-XX metaphors. More of them.

The Hotline has confirmed that the White House is expected to announce tomorrow morning that Tony Snow will be named press secretary.

More, from Fox News.

And Howie Kurtz.

Posted 04.25.06 09:31 PM | Comments (0)

House Race Hotline Update: Caucus Ruckus

Party activists will play an outsized role in determining the nominees to succeed Rep. Mark Kennedy (R-MN 06).

Over the weekend, all four GOP candidates agreed to select a nominee early at the district convention, held in two weeks (5/5-6).

The decision will likely render the late 9/12 primary meaningless, and give the nominee a head start on the campaign.

Last month, both Dem contenders ('04 nominee Patty Wetterling and Elwyn Tinklenberg) reached a similar, informal agreement for their 5/13 convention.

Who will benefit from the early nominations? The GOP avoids an extended campaign, which has turned negative in the fight over delegates. While all candidates tout their conservative credentials, state Sen. Michelle Bachmann (R) may benefit most from the convention, where her outspoken social conservatism plays well.

Among Dems, Tinklenberg may also be eager for an early resolution. He trailed in money raised and CoH last quarter, but also outspent the field -- sending out over a dozen direct mail pieces. However, Wetterling is a known commodity among activists, and her more liberal profile more closely reflects their viewpoints. Bottom line, if either convo reaches too far to the wings for its nominee, then the other party may have their opening. [JOSH KRAUSHAAR]


Posted 04.25.06 04:40 PM | Comments (0)

Remembering The Shoah

More evidence of subtle and overt RNC outreach to conservative Jews: the first (and only) commemoration statement we received today for Yom Hashoah came in the name of Ken Mehlman, the (Jewish) chair of the party.

Mehlman:

"Never Again is more than a slogan but a plan of action. Never Again can decent people remain silent in the face of anti-Semitism, racism or any other bigotry. Never Again can free nations turn their back on refugees seeking to escape tyranny. And Never Again can the world permit megalomaniacal and anti-Semitic despots to arm themselves under the false illusion of peace in our times."

And we hear that on Thursday, Dep Sec of State Bob Zoellick will keynote the Days of Remembrance ceremony in the Capitol rotunda. He'll likely draw some parallels between the Holocaust and the ongoing genocide in Darfur.


Posted 04.25.06 02:49 PM | Comments (0)

Snow In Late April

Tomorrow, Republicans close to the White House expect Pres. Bush to formally name Tony Snow as his new press secretary.

Quietly, researchers at the White House have examined hundreds of Snow's radio show transcripts and newspaper columns. They expect the White House press corps, in news articles and at early briefings, to publicly vet Snow, confronting him with his past statements. After the initial frission ... opinions differ.

Meanwhile, David Brock's MediaMatters is on a crusade to prove that Snow is a... Republican conservative (?) who, in MM's eyes, gets things wrong.

Posted 04.25.06 02:40 PM | Comments (0)

How About Dem Apples

The NRA endorses a Dem for statewide office in OH.

"The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) has endorsed Ohio gubernatorial candidate Congressman Ted Strickland for the May 2 primary election, the Strickland for Governor campaign announced today.

Strickland received an "A" rating from the NRA based on his consistent legislative record in support of Second Amendment rights in Congress and his responses to the 2006 NRA candidate questionnaire.

In an endorsement letter to Strickland, Chris Cox, chairman of the NRA-PVF, acknowledged Strickland's pro-sportsmen voting record as a member of Congress and urged NRA members and supporters to vote in the primary.

"During your tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, you have demonstrated a proven commitment to the defense of our Second Amendment rights," Cox said. "The NRA-PVF urges all NRA members, gun owners and sportsmen to vote for you in Ohio's Democratic primary for governor on May 2, 2006.".




Posted 04.25.06 02:29 PM | Comments (0)

Warner In California; Buys The Party Lunch

Spotted in CA today: ex-VA Gov. Mark Warner.

He's in Sacramento ahead of the party's convention this weekend. He meets today with state senate pres. pro-tem Don Perata and maj. leader Gloria Romero. He later meets with Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez. He dines tonight with various CA labor leaders.

He didn't leave the party's rank and file behind: Warner bought lunch for staff at state Dem HQ: Sandwiches, vegetarian chicken (these are CA Dems, after all), cheesecake and chocolate cake.

Warner ends his CA trip a dinner sponsored by the Hispana Organized For Political Equality.

Posted 04.25.06 02:17 PM | Comments (0)

Pres. Bush On Ethanol

"We can't use all the corn -- people gotta eat -- animals gotta eat too!"

He's got a point...

Update: per WH pooler Julie Mason of the Houston Chronicle: "En route [to the Marriott Wardman Park], the motorcade passed the Exxon station next to the Watergate, where gas prices were $3.29, $3.39 and $3.49 a gallon. Just saying."

Posted 04.25.06 10:58 AM | Comments (2)

Chris LaCivita Really Knows Niche Media

A trial balloon for the Allen presidential campaign?

Posted 04.25.06 10:11 AM | Comments (0)

Why The Clintons Are Smart

Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) wrote a letter 4/21 to Armed Services Chair Sen. John Warner asking for a hearing for the "retired generals who have called" on Defense Sec. Donald Rumsfeld to resign to "air their views."

So she hasn't called on Rumsfeld to resign but she will be able to take credit for bringing the generals to the Hill.

Clinton's request came just one day after ex- VA Gov. Mark Warner (D) became one of the last '08 hopefuls to call for Rumsfeld's resignation. [NORA MCALVANAH]

Posted 04.25.06 09:52 AM | Comments (0)

Snow In May?

A week after White House press secretary Scott McClellan suddenly resigned, and -- nothing.

Late last week, White House chief of staff Josh Bolten directly (firmly but politely) asked senior administration officials to stop unburdening themselves to the process-hungry Washington press corps. That explains, in part, why speculative chatter has diminished.

In the meantime, Fox Newser Tony Snow is said by Republicans familiar with the negotiations to have asked for guaranteed access to the president's ear and to an unusually large degree of latitude to reconfigure the WH press operation. That pleases the new chief of staff, who wants to relegitimize the press podium in the Brady briefing room.

But Snow, not content to be a herald, also wants near-complete control over what he says from the podium, be it bromides, platitudes or substance. That would encroach on the broad portfolio of responsibilities that Dan Bartlett claims for himself.

As of this morning, Snow's colleagues at the White House haven't been formally told that he's coming -- or if he's coming, when the announcement will out.

It's a safe bet that the president's advisers don't want to give the White House press corps a personnel announcement to deflect attention from the president's four-point plan to ease fears about gas prices.

BTW: Under the Bolten regime, expect to see far more X-point-plans and regular metric-tracking of said points. Bolten is a metric fan. [MARC AMBINDER]


Posted 04.25.06 09:17 AM | Comments (0)

Hotline After Dark -- Two And A Half Kings



Gas prices are high, there are still illegal immigrants and Pres. Bush's poll numbers continue to stay low -- all of which you'd know if you had watched cable last night.

David Gregory hosted "Hardball" last night and most of the show was on high gas prices. "Lou Dobbs Tonight" was all about immigration. "Special Report" led with the bombings at the Egyptian resort. The roundtable discussed the new Osama bin Laden tape and the situation in Iraq.

WE MAY HAVE A WINNER

CNN's Malveaux reports: "Tony Snow is ... expected to accept the job as White House press secretary, succeeding Scott McClellan, that he has been offered this position, and sources are saying that he is highly likely to publicly make the announcement of his decision at the White House very shortly, perhaps as early as within the next few days -- conflicting reports whether or not it could even happen tomorrow" ("AC 360," 4/24).

And ex-WH adviser David Gergen points out: "Tony Snow does have the leverage that neither of his predecessors would have had. And that is, if he walks out on them because they're not open enough, it would be hugely devastating to the administration, so, that he, unlike Scott McClellan, can go in and say, gentlemen, this isn't good. The press has a legitimate need here. We have got to give it to them. And they know that the moment he walks out the door and disgusted, if they are really totally closed or they lie or whatever, that is a bleak, bleak day at the White House. His predecessors never had that leverage" ("AC 360," 4/24).

GETTING TECHNICAL

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), on not appearing with Bush when he was in CA talking about immigration: "My district line starts a few miles away from where the president was actually speaking. However, let me note that my lack of attendance had more to do with my respect for the president. ... I so strongly disagree with him on this illegal immigration issue that I felt it would be more respectful for me to stay away rather than to show up and look glum and refuse to applaud and things like that" ("Situation Room," CNN, 4/24).

PLAYING THE BLAME GAME

FNC's Hannity, on high gas prices: "I give blame for high gas prices, 30 years of the Democrats beholden to the extreme environmental movement. ... I blame you liberals for this" ("Hannity & Colmes," 4/24).

MSNBC's Scarborough: "Unfortunately, the oil companies know that in George Bush and Dick Cheney, two people that I supported, two people that I voted for twice, two people that I'd vote for again if they were running against John Kerry and Al Gore, you've got two people who are oil-state politicians, one from Texas and one from Wyoming" ("Situation," 4/24).

O'REILLY IS WATCHING YOU

FNC's O'Reillly, in his "Talking Points" memo: "Any media person who uses smear tactics in any way, not just on me, but any way will be featured on 'The Factor' and inducted into the billoreilly.com 'Hall of Shame.' We will keep a running list of media smear merchants on the Web site, in addition to our don't buy, don't advertise list" (4/24). [EMILY GOODIN]


Posted 04.25.06 07:42 AM | Comments (0)

April 24, 2006

Overseen...

The DCCC believes that elections are won one Trader Joe's parking lot at a time, apparently.






Posted 04.24.06 04:20 PM | Comments (21)

Bolton To Address Council On National Policy

Will the conservative movement survive the next election? That's one question the Council on National Policy will debate at their next meeting, which begins May 11th.

The CNP, thanks to their influential membership roster, their secret, thrice-yearly conclave, and their role in fomenting political movements like Pat Buchanan's 1992 presidential candidacy, is by now inured to the conspiracy theories about their reach and influence.

They were founded in the early 70s as the conservative alternative to the Council on Foreign Relations. But with hawks ascendant (and discredited?) and numerous other (public) groups competing for the attention of elites, CNP members have begun to question their own relevance.

One policy-maker who doesn't: U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton, the keynote speaker on Saturday night. Our download wouldn't be complete without the location: the Ritz-Carlton in Tyson's Corner.


Posted 04.24.06 04:16 PM | Comments (0)

Shad Planking: For The Record

Per our report from last week's Shad Planking that ex-Secretary of the Navy/VA SEN candidate Jim Webb (D) was seen wearing a Confederate flag sticker, Webb's camp sends in the following statement:

"Jim Webb was not aware he was wearing the lapel sticker. When he became aware he was wearing it, he removed the sticker."

Posted 04.24.06 01:34 PM | Comments (5)

Today's Blogometer: Source Outed!

The blogosphere was created for weekends like this. The firing of ex-CIA officer Mary McCarthy has all the ingredients for a blog feeding frenzy: hot-button issue ... check; crystal clear partisan players ... check; perceived MSM under-coverage ... check; possibility for wild conspiracy theories ... check.

Plus -- GAS: And The GOP Blames Whom?
--RUMSFELD: More Good Than Harm For Dems?
--WH 08: Fence Sitter

All in Today's Blogometer.

Posted 04.24.06 01:10 PM | Comments (0)

A Proxy Race In RI

Ethan Wingfield, the exec. dir of Students for (Sen. Lincoln) Chafee was elected chair of the College Republican Federation of Rhode Island over the weekend.

Wingfield's opponent, Tom Merrigan, was endorsed by Chafee's primary challenger, Steve Laffey. The race got ugly, with Merrigan challenging Wingfield's conservative bonafides. Wingfield responded by proclaiming himself a "Jesse Helms Republican."


Posted 04.24.06 12:38 PM | Comments (0)

YR Straw Poll...

We hear..

Sen. George Allen (R) won a straw poll this weekend conducted among 90 Young Republican leaders from across the country. Sen. John McCain followed closely behind. The small voting pool (with a Virginia bias) dilutes the already-questionable significance of said poll, but it's worth noting that the voters included managers and deputy managers of congressional races, field operatives who won big chunks of Ohio for pres. Bush, and others. Also Saturday, a presentation by McCain's PAC exec. dir., Craig Goldman, drew several Young Republican notables.


Posted 04.24.06 11:48 AM | Comments (0)

Sunday Snapshot: What You Missed

It was a hodgepodge of topics this weekend -- gas prices, Defense Sec. Donald Rumsfeld, the WH staff changes, the CIA officer fired for leaking to the Washington Post and the new Osama bin Laden tape.



ALL ABOUT IOWA AND NEW HAMPSHIRE

Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) was on "This Week." On the new bin Laden tape: "This is one of the reasons that Donald Rumsfeld should resign."



ABC's Stephanopoulos asked him: "This morning you have an essay in the Manchester Union Leader in New Hampshire, defending Manchester's right to have the first primary. ... I was talking to one senior Democratic strategist yesterday who said you're basically saying only white people's votes count in those early states."



Kerry responds: "That's so much bunk. I don't know how to describe that comment in any other way than to say that that's absolutely ridiculous. The converse of that is to suggest that the people in New Hampshire and Iowa are insensitive to those issues and don't care about them."



More: "I'm for certainly trying to find a way to broaden the process, but I think New Hampshire has proven itself. If you look at the democratic process, worthy of listening to candidates, worthy of really going through the process in a remarkably effective way, I wouldn't have been the nominee if Iowa and New Hampshire didn't listen the way that they listened. I think they've earned their spurs in a sense" (ABC, 4/23).

[EMILY GOODIN]




NOT PLANNING HIS VERSION OF THE KENNEDYS

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) was on "This Week" to talk about global warming: "I am a strong believer that you can take care of the environment and you can take care of the economy. There's a way of doing it. It's a very sensitive, fine line that you have to really walk. But it is doable. And we have shown that here in California in the last two and-a-half years."



Asked if the federal gov't can do anything about gas prices: "I don't think that you can."



And on the subject of levies: "I think the federal government has not learned these lessons. I think that they have failed terribly with Katrina. And I think there is a great potential there that they make the same mistake with California."



ABC's Stephanopoulos asked him: "After you finish serving as governor, can you see a dynasty? Will Maria follow in your place?"



Schwarzenegger: "I doubt it" (ABC, 4/23).



POLITICS IS ALWAYS ON HIS MIND

Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) was on "Meet the Press," where he discussed the situation with Iraq and Iran, the new bin Laden tape, and immigration.



Kennedy: "I think if the president had spent half the time this past week in refocusing on a new policy in Iraq rather than just defending Don Rumsfeld, we'd be better off."



On John McCain addressing Liberty Univ.: "I think it's fine. I went down there and talked as well."



On Rev. Jerry Falwell: "I think he's had statements which I think I find intolerant in the past. I wouldn't have used the 'agent of intolerance.' But I don't know why, why we're dwelling on that necessarily. I think the fact that John McCain has an opportunity to talk to those young students, and Jerry Falwell invited him down there to do that, is a constructive and positive step."



More on McCain's speech: "He's going to obviously separate himself from, probably, past statements or accusations of Reverend Falwell, but I imagine he'll make a very candid speech, the sort of person that he is."



Asked if McCain is doing it for political reasons: "Most of us think that he's probably looking to the future with the politics on his mind."



Asked if Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA) would be a good pres.: "I think he's going to be a tough contender for it, and I think he's underestimated by a number of Republicans, but I think the Democrat's going to be the better candidate and he's -- that's the one I intend to support."



Asked if that's Kerry: "If he's going to run. If he runs, I'm supporting him" (NBC, 4/23).



IF IT'S SUNDAY, THERE'S A LOT TO TALK ABOUT

Sens. Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Carl Levin (D-MI) were on "Late Edition," where they discussed the new bin Laden tape, the situation in Iraq, and gas prices.



Reps. Pete Hoekstra (R-MI) and Jane Harman (D-CA) were on "Fox News Sunday," where they discussed the bin Laden tape, Iraq and Iran.



Harman was asked about the CIA agent that was fired for leaking to the Washington Post: "I don't know this woman, and I do not condone leaks of classified information. However, while leaks are wrong, I think it is totally wrong for our president, in secret, to selectively declassify certain information and empower people in his White House to leak it to favored reporters so that they can discredit political enemies. That is wrong. That is unprecedented. I've never, ever heard about that happening in another administration, and it's a double standard."



FNC's Wallace asked: "But, Congresswoman Harman, isn't there a big difference? She was breaking the law. He wasn't."



Harman: "Well, he wasn't breaking the law because the president claims to have power that no one else has. And he should be reminded that the Constitution starts with Article I, not Article II. The inherent powers of the presidency are not unlimited. He's been ignoring Congress. ... And so I am not condoning what this woman allegedly did in the CIA. Of course, I'm not condoning that. But I think having a double standard is absolutely wrong" (4/23).



Following their appearances were ex-WH CoSes Leon Panetta and Ken Duberstein where they discussed the WH staff changes. Panetta: "Ultimately, the real test is going to be whether or not they can impact on policy" (4/23).



Retired Gen. John Batiste was on "Face the Nation," where he renewed his call for Rumsfeld's resignation. He was asked if there was any coordination between the generals who called for Rumsfeld to step down: "No, there wasn't. This was all spontaneous" (CBS, 4/23).



Ex-Clinton CoS John Podesta and Pat Buchanan were on after Batiste to discuss Rumsfeld and the WH staff changes.



Podesta: "Until we see more signals that the president is going to come back to the center, I don't think that changing, you know, mixing up the White House staff is going to matter."



Buchanan: "If the election were held today, the Republicans I think would be defeated and be in real danger of losing both houses.I think what Rove will do and the president will do is, instead of turning this into a referendum on Bush, turn it into an us or them" (CBS, 4/23).



ROUNDTABLE ROUNDUP

The "Meet the Press" roundtable discussed the CIA officer fired for leaking to the Washington Post, WH staff changes, and Rumsfeld.



Los Angeles Times' Brownstein: "As a CIA officer, if you are leaking classified information, you have to be prepared to accept the consequences of that, if you believe it is important enough to do it in the first place and in the national interest. On the other hand, this administration doesn't come to this with clean hands."



Washington Times' Blankley was asked if he'd take the WH spokesperson gig: "No, no thank you."



Washington Post's Broder: "I don't think that argument about whether Rumsfeld stays or goes is much of a useful exercise as long as president is where he is."



The "Fox News Sunday" roundtable discussed gas prices and the CIA officer fired for leaking to the Washington Post.



Weekly Standard's Kristol, noting a clip of Energy Sec. Sam Bodman that was shown earlier in the show: "I was interested to see the energy secretary, Mr. Bodman, on that little clip there, because I think it's the first time I've ever seen him, actually. I'm not being sarcastic. He's a very impressive guy, I'm told, on T.V. He's not on the Sunday shows today, is he? I don't know. I think we would have put him on, wouldn't we, if they had offered the energy secretary at a time -- they've got to make the case. And if they don't, you're going to have Republican leaders in Congress, Frist and Hastert, also saying gee, we better be on the right side of this issue, so they'll denounce the oil companies, too, and everyone will be denouncing the oil companies" (4/23).



The "This Week" roundtable discussed the WH staff changes, '06 elections, Chinese Pres. Hu's visit to the WH, and the CIA officer fired for leaking to the Washington Post.



George Will: "The president can't do anything about Iraq. Those facts will play out as they play out. The President can't do anything about gasoline prices. They're baked in a complex of supply and demand. He can do two things. He can be conspicuous about doing something at the borders. And he can veto something to demonstrate that he's awake to the problem of spending."



Posted 04.24.06 11:21 AM | Comments (1)

The Hotline Futures Market: Rhode Island

What's the Hotline Futures Market? It's our exclusive look at the up-and-comers in every party in every state. You won't a list like this anywhere else. If you've missed a state, check out our archives.

The giant-in-waiting in RI is obvious. After taking over a mess of a city run by the mob and crawling with investigating FBI agents, Providence Mayor David Cicilline (D) is getting rave reviews. And while Dems' majorities in the legislature -- a more than 4-1 advantage -- are not threatened, the party seems to be making a concerted effort to reach out more to Hispanic voters. GOPers have their bright spots, but at the moment, they're clinging to the Gov mansion and a Sen seat which, thanks to a strong primary challenge, may be lost to Dems. [REID WILSON]


The stars we've been watching since '03:

• Warwick Mayor Scott Avedesian (R): "Everyone wonders what his next move is." The head of the RI Cities and Towns Assoc., Avedesian might have a future or he may have topped out.
• Assemb. Laurence Ehrhardt (R): After losing in '02, Ehrhardt came back to win in '04. Most, however, think he's reached his pinnacle.
• Businessman David Rogers (R): After losing twice to Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D) in RI 01, Rogers runs constituent outreach for Gov. Don Carcieri (R). "David has found satisfaction in places other than running for office."
• Chris Stanley (R): Stanley lost an '02 bid for Sec/State and is no longer involved in politics.
• Providence Mayor David Cicilline (D): "A great mayor," running for re-election in '06, his poll numbers are "through the roof." He gets a lot of credit for turning around ex-Mayor Buddy Ciani's (R) mess. Most believe he'll run for higher office in the future.
• State Sen. Daniel Connors (D): While Connors may have the ambition to run in the future, he lacks the organization for a statewide campaign.
• State Sen. Beatrice Lanzi (D): One of labor's favorites, she "has the potential," but hasn't shown the ambition yet.
• N. Providence Mayor Ralph Mollis (D): Mollis is running for Sec/State in '06, but he'll face a well-funded primary opponent. He's "built a pretty significant organization" to start him off, though.
• State Sen. Juan Pichardo (D): The first elected Hispanic in RI, he has a strong Providence base, and some could see him in the Mayor's office. "He's definitely got some aspirations."

And the stars to watch in the future:

• Cranston City Councillor Allan Fung (R): Running for mayor in '06, Fung is "very bright, very energetic." Most "would not be at all surprised if he's successful."
• Warwick City Councillor Sue Stenhouse (R): Carcieri's Dep Comm. Relations Dir. is pondering a bid for Sec/State, and many believe she'll make the leap within weaks. She "has the energy and the enthusiasm for higher office." A "good campaigner." "Win, lose or draw, I think there will be other things in her future."
• Assemb. Bob Watson (R): The House Min Leader is in his early 40s and boasts a good fundraising base in his affluent district. "He's got all the equipment."
• Assemb. J