Tuesday’s political round-up

August 9, 2005

Today’s installment of campaign-related news items that wouldn’t generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers:

* Most of the GOP establishment is delighted to see Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro take on Hillary Clinton next year, but not everyone in New York is pleased. Lawyer and Richard Nixon son-in-low Ed Cox, who was the first Republican to announce a campaign against Clinton said, “Ms. Pirro’s limited record and her positions on the issues will prevent her from motivating Republican and conservative voters. That is simply a recipe for a resounding defeat.”

* The New York Post, meanwhile, notes that Pirro’s principal campaign pitch is that people should vote for her because Clinton wants to run for president in 2008. The Post argued that Pirro can’t beat Hillary with the simple “doormat” charge.

* In New Jersey, a new Rasmussen poll shows Jon Corzine (D) leading Doug Forrester (R) in the state’s gubernatorial race, 45% to 37%.

* A new statewide poll in Massachusetts offers mixed news for Dems hoping to win next year’s gubernatorial race. Though Gov. Mitt Romney (R) has not yet said whether he’ll run for a second term, he nevertheless leads two of the three top Dem contenders for the job. A State House News poll shows Romney leading attorney Deval Patrick (D) (50% to 35%), and Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin (49% to 40%). Attorney General Thomas Reilly (D), however, not only leads the Dem primary field, he also is the only Dem to beat Romney in a hypothetical match-up, 47% to 44%.

* With many observers believing Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) is vulnerable next year, a growing field of Republican candidates is emerging. The latest is former two-term Jim Edgar (R), who apparently is weighing a comeback. Speaking from his vacation home in Colorado, Edgar said yesterday he would discuss his political future when he returns to Illinois later this summer. No word from any of the other six Republican candidates on whether they’d drop out if Edgar jumped into the race.

On the MA governor news, I think the numbers reflect name recognition as much as anything else. There is a very real, seething dissatisfaction with Romney (I personally highly doubt he’ll run for reelection at all.) Tom Reilly has been a public figure for a long time, which gives him a leg up at this point over Patrick, who is known by basically nobody except political insiders. I’m sure that will change as people get more engaged.

The Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey is preparing to run in Mitt’s place. Good luck to her. Romney’s stint as governor has been something of a scorched earth experience, and may have gone far towards dimming the chances of any republican hoping to become governor in the near future.

  • I watched Cox on TV Sunday. He got stuck on the question of whether he supported the Clinton impeachment. A Republican running in NY has to be able to field that question without saying yes.

    Why is the GOP base delighted with Pirro? She’s a lightweight who is pro-choice and has a lot of baggage, namely her mobbed up husband.

  • On Pirro vs. Clinton, I doubt the challenger will be able to make much headway. Those surveys showing Hillary with consistent 60-65 percent approval and re-elect numbers are probably more solid than usual: she’s as high profile as it gets, and everyone knows all the negatives about her, from carpet-bagging (no offense!) to her political opportunism. And Cox is right that Pirro doesn’t offer much of a choice–she’s similarly moderate to liberal on social issues, and Hillary has worked hard to make sure that nobody can run to her right on questions like war and peace or criminal justice.

    The Republicans seem to think that just playing the “she wants to be president” card might be enough to win the race, or at least make things interesting. As a Democrat who’s desperate to see Hillary *not* get the nomination in 2008, I actually hope they’re right–but I just don’t see it happening. We New Yorkers don’t generally mind our representatives having higher ambitions, and I doubt many will be concerned with the prospect of Gov. Spitzer appointing Hillary’s replacement, were that to happen.

  • Blago is just a sitting duck. Sitting on over $10 million in cash.

    I’d love to have his warchest and his hair. And the IL-GOP has all the organization of a 5 year old t-ball tournament.

    But I wouldn’t want his record.

  • With many observers believing Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) is vulnerable next year, a growing field of Republican candidates is emerging.

    Is it just me, or is this a potential golden opportunity for the junior senator from Illinois? You know, the golden child of the Dem party. If Senator Obama really wants to get to the White House, say in 2012 or 2016, the route there is through a Governorship.

    Chuck, or any other illinois native, would Blago play kingmaker for Obama?

  • As a Democrat who’s desperate to see Hillary *not* get the nomination in 2008, I actually hope they’re right

    jeffstoned,
    I’m not the only one, then…

  • Diane,

    Count me as another concerned Dem that truly hopes Hillary stays in the Senate and does not run for President.

  • I’m another Democrat who hopes Hillary does not run for President. At this early stage I’m pinning my hopes on Wes Clark (I remain convinced that had we nominated Wes last time around Dubya would now be in the 8th month of his permanent vacation).

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