Monday’s political round-up

May 22, 2006

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:

* Over the weekend, New Orleans voters narrowly re-elected Mayor [tag]Ray Nagin[/tag] (D) over Lt. Gov. [tag]Mitch Landrieu[/tag] (D), 52% to 48%. The victory gives Nagin another four years to oversee one of the largest rebuilding projects in U.S. history. “This is a great day for the city of New Orleans. This election is over, and it’s time for this community to start the healing process,” Nagin said Saturday night. The AP added that the vote was split largely along racial lines, but Nagin got enough of a crossover in predominantly white districts to make the difference.

* Sen. [tag]Bill Nelson[/tag] (D-Fla.) now leads Rep. [tag]Katherine Harris[/tag] (R) by 27 points according to a new Rasmussen poll, 60% to 33%. Nelson’s margin was slightly bigger in April’s poll, but his 60% support is a new high. Overall, 66% of the state’s voters view the incumbent Democrat favorably, while 50% of Floridians view Harris unfavorably.

* In Connecticut, the big news at the state party’s convention was the Lieberman-Lamont race, but there was another interesting fight. By a very narrow margin, Stamford Mayor [tag]Dan Malloy[/tag] (D) pulled an upset and won the party’s gubernatorial endorsement Saturday over New Haven Mayor [tag]John DeStefano[/tag] (D). Malloy won by only four delegate votes. The favored DeStefano isn’t worried. “We wouldn’t switch with their campaign in an instant,” DeStefano spokesman Derek Slap said Sunday. “We have a fundraising lead and strong labor support. Those are things that win the primary.”

* Now that several top White House officials are less-than-popular campaign draws, Republicans are reaching out to a new heavy-hitter to help out on the campaign trail: First Lady [tag]Laura Bush[/tag]. Polls show Mrs. Bush with strong poll numbers and the First Lady is a welcome celebrity for GOP candidates who would prefer to avoid the president. USA Today reported that in the 2005-06 election cycle, the first lady has appeared at 15 Republican Party events and raised nearly $7 million. Today, Mrs. Bush will be in Vermont on behalf of Republican House candidate [tag]Martha Rainville[/tag] and in Rhode Island for Sen. [tag]Lincoln Chafee[/tag].

* And in 2008 news, former Sen. [tag]John Edwards[/tag] told [tag]George Stephanopoulos[/tag] yesterday that he will not run for president again unless his wife Elizabeth, who has been treated for breast cancer, is healthy. “She’s doing great. All the tests are good, and they’re very encouraging,” Edwards said. “But we have young children, Emma Claire and Jack, and the health of Elizabeth and how my family’s doing would have to be at the front of anything.” He added that his decision about the race will not be influenced by what [tag]Hillary Clinton[/tag] or [tag]John Kerry[/tag] do.

Still tough Monday, CB.

I think you meant to say 66% view Nelson “favorably” vs. “unfavorably.”

Senator Nelson is viewed favorably by 66% of the state’s voters and unfavorably by just 23%.

For Harris, the numbers are just 42% favorable and 50% unfavorable. This includes 41% who have a very unfavorable opinion of their former Secretary of State.

  • The fact that Laura Bush would appear for Lincoln Chafee tells us just what kind of “good moderate Republican” he is. Has the man actually voted against Bush on any point of importance? He agonizes and examines and then “does his duty.” Your typical spineless Republican “moderate,” and the support by the Bush White House (in the form of Laura Bush’s appearance) tells you everything you need to know about this asshole.

  • Thanks, Beth, I thought I was seeing things with those numbers. I feel better now. 🙂

  • Still tough Monday, CB.

    Ever have the just-go-back-to-bed feeling? Thanks for the catch.

  • I continue to like John Edwards. He’s the only one who seems Democrat enough to remember the working class (or, if that hurts anyone’s sensitivities, the middle class). He puts the well-being of each of his family members ahead of his own politicial aspirations. And he doesn’t give a damn what triangulatoing pussyfooters like Clinton and Kerry are up to.

  • Ed,

    I, too, continue to like John Edwards. He’d make a fine VP running mate to Wes Clark. Then after 8 years of national recovery, foreign affairs repair and progressive policies implementation he’d be well positioned to take the helm and fulfill the 16 year Dem control of the White House that this country needs.

  • Thanks, as usual, for this column.

    Good to hear what’s going on with Edwards and glad he’s got his priorities right. Hope his wife continues well.

  • I also still like Senator Edwards. He still seems to understand what the rest of America is feeling. I mean the “non-rich” part of America. As for Laura Bush , I can’t think about her without wondering how she is still with this man who is anti-human. Does she really know what he is doing or does she even care? Is she another Barbara Bush who thinks her family can do no wrong and we all must be insane not to love GWB? These people disgust me and I know I am not alone in that feeling.

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