Thursday’s political round-up

September 7, 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:

* New Jersey’s closely-watched Senate race continues to go back and forth, and in the latest poll, it’s the Republican on the upswing. The latest Rasmussen poll shows state Senator [tag]Tom Kean[/tag] Jr. (R) leading Sen. [tag]Bob Menendez[/tag] (D), 44% to 39%. Unfortunately, however, a considerable part of the state still seems confused about the difference between Tom Kean Jr. and Tom Kean Sr.

* In Oklahoma, incumbent Gov. [tag]Brad Henry[/tag] (D) appears to be well on his way to winning a second term fairly easily. The latest Rasmussen poll shows Henry leading Rep. [tag]Ernest Istook[/tag], the GOP nominee, by more than 20 points, 54% to 33%. Since May, Henry has increased his lead by 10 points. He also enjoys surprisingly strong support from Republican voters, 27% of whom plan to vote for him.

* NBC’s Meet the Press has arranged for a series of Senate debates leading up to the election, starting four days ago with a Santorum-Casey discussion. Tennessee’s candidates — Rep. [tag]Harold Ford[/tag] (D) and Bo[tag]b Corker[/tag] (R) — are scheduled to appear on Oct. 22, but as of now, Corker’s campaign refuses to say whether the GOP candidate will show up.

* In Rhode Island’s other big race, the gubernatorial contest appears to be shifting towards the Democratic challenger. In the latest Rasmussen poll, Lt. Governor [tag]Charles Fogarty[/tag] (D) has jumped ahead of leads incumbent Gov. [tag]Donald Carcieri[/tag] (R), 46% to 41%. A month ago, the two were tied at 43%.

* And in the Sunshine State, the Orlando Sentinel reports today that the Florida Republican Party sent out congratulatory emails to winners of the statewide races. Rep. [tag]Katherine Harris[/tag] (R), the winner of the GOP Senate primary, didn’t get one. (via Taegan Goddard)

“Unfortunately, however, a considerable part of the state still seems confused about the difference between Tom Kean Jr. and Tom Kean Sr.”

It’s just so darn compelikated. Them boys aughtn’t to be messin’ around like ‘at. 😉

  • In New Jersey, Bob Menendez should run a television ad to differentiate the father from the son (senior statesman from rubber-stamp Republican wannabe). Then point out that coming from “a good family” doesn’t guarantee anything (moderation, humility, etc.) in politics–just look George W. Bush and his family. (/snark)

  • your item on the new jersey senate race

    confirms a suspicion of mine that tom keane, pere, is sticking with the abc/disney movie “path to 9/11”

    solely to help his son’s election campaign.

    its clear form his public statements that kean, sr. knows that the movie is misleading but he sidesteps that issue, playing dumb about the movies’ factual specifics.

    if i were mendendez, i would go after that aggressively – a former public official (co-chair of the 9/11 commission, governor of new jersey) with a responsibility to the nation and the state to be truthful about the sept 11, 2001 attack,

    looking the other way from a propaganda movie based on a set of lies

    in order to benefit a family member.

    would a democratic candidate these days have the guts to challenge behavior like this?

    of course not.

  • I’m no fan of Katherine “Look at my Holy Boobs” Harris, but seriously it is disturbing to see organized parties shunning their supporters picks. She won the primary, she’s the peoples choice, just like Lamont.

  • Do you suppose there’s any value to referring to Jr. as “The son of the former governer” when he’s mentioned? It should make it more specific, pointing out that this guy hasn’t accomplished anything that should be giving him a leg up.

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