Thursday’s political round-up

July 13, 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:

* The circus better known as Connecticut’s U.S. Senate race took another bizarre twist yesterday when likely Republican nominee [tag]Alan Schlesinger[/tag] came under pressure from his party to quit the race. Schlesinger is under fire for allegedly repeatedly visiting casinos and gambling under an assumed name. Schlesinger is vowing to stay in the race.

* Illinois Governor [tag]Rod Blagojevich[/tag] (D) was actually trailing in some statewide polls a couple of months ago, but after a recent ad blitz, the incumbent seems to have regained his footing. A new Rasmussen poll shows Blagojevich leading state Treasurer [tag]Judy Baar Topinka[/tag] (R), 45% to 34%. It is easily Blagojevich’s biggest lead in any poll this year.

* In California, a new Rasmussen poll, the first since the Dem primary, shows the state’s gubernatorial race neck-in-neck, with the challenger inching ahead of the incumbent for the first time in a while. According to Rasmussen, [tag]Phil Angelides[/tag] (D) now leads [tag]Arnold Schwarzenegger[/tag] (R), 46% to 44%.

* Speaking of California, the same Rasmussen poll shows Sen. [tag]Dianne Feinstein[/tag] (D) leaving her Republican rival, [tag]Dick Mountjoy[/tag], in the dust. The incumbent is now ahead, 60% to 33%.

* The AP had a good overview today of retired football player [tag]Lynn Swann[/tag]’s Republican gubernatorial campaign in Pennsylvania, concluding that the “smooth-talking Swann often has failed to find his footing, struggling to articulate his vision beyond the bumper-sticker shorthand of tax cuts, spending caps and government reform.” Swann, after an initial burst of support, has fallen back in the polls and is struggling to keep up financially with incumbent Gov. [tag]Ed Rendell[/tag] (D).

* And in 2008 news, former New York City Mayor [tag]Rudy Giuliani[/tag] conceded publicly yesterday that he’s “seriously considering” a run for president. Giuliani made the comment at a fundraiser for Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich (R).

Didn’t an ad blitz work in PA as well for Ed? Seems like he came out with some TV ads that put him back on top not too long ago. If it’s working in PA and IL, does this mean that Rahm is right to be worried about the available dem money for a last minute TV push?

  • As Rachel Maddow mentioned (with great glee) on her show this morning, this piece of news won’t be much of a boost to Giuliani’s hopes.

    NEW YORK, July 12 (UPI) — AOL’s new love and sex coach is Donna Hanover, the ex-wife of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

    The former first lady of New York has jumped headfirst into her new AOL gig, mincing few words in giving out tips to the lovelorn and lustful, the New York Daily News reported Wednesday…

    …On whether or not it is OK to sleep with an ex, Hanover says go for it…

    No comment from her ex noted.

  • Rudy Giuliani sold his soul during the 2004 election, thinking that he’d actually get support from the conservatives in 2008. Right. Because New York, pro-choice divorcees are the hot ticket for the theocrats. He has no chance, at all, and hopefully whatever thoughtful or compassionate conservatives are willing to vote for him will be so disgusted by the scorch and burn his rivals will do on him that they’ll vote Democratic. If that’s a pipe dream, well, so is the idea of Giuliani ever making it in national politics (at least as an ass-kissing Republican’t).

  • I *love* that Rudy’s running. This is really, really going to be fun. The man does not take criticism or overly inquisitive media types well.

    And, CB, as the man who wrote the “Hail to the Cheat” article, you’re going to have a fantastic ringside seat. Enjoy, and don’t forget to share with your loyal readers.

  • Didn’t an ad blitz work in PA as well for Ed?

    Good point, Nick. The race was close in Pennsylvania, right up until Rendell starting the airwaves in a big way. He’s had a double-digit lead ever since.

    And, CB, as the man who wrote the “Hail to the Cheat” article, you’re going to have a fantastic ringside seat. Enjoy, and don’t forget to share with your loyal readers.

    What I know, you’ll know…

  • ***Am I the only one who suspects that Schlesinger’s problems were likely engineered by oppo research by Team Lieberman?***
    The Confidence Man

    But of course! Why would the GOP need to run a challenger, when they’ve already got an incumbent in their corner?

  • Steve, I do appreciate your excellent snark, but my point was actually quite serious: Lieberman has quite an interest in driving the stronger GOP candidates out of the race. A strong GOP candidate siphons off Lieberman’s “centrist” support in the 3-way open election.

    Honestly, I think everything Lieberman’s been doing and saying the last month — especially including his performance in the debate vs Lamont — has been directed at shoring up his support among GOP voters.

  • The more Judy squaks, the better for Rod. He’s leading now even after an investigation was turned over to our good fed friend Fitzgerald.

    Oh well, if he does the bang up job he did with the Plame case, it’ll all blow over.

    • Comments are closed.