Friday’s political round-up

November 10, 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 election was three days ago, but it’s worth noting that there are still 11 races that remain undecided. Taegan Goddard offers a helpful list: CT-2, FL-13, GA-12, NC-8, NM-1, OH-2, OH-15, WA-8, and WY-AL. Moreover, LA-2 and TX-23 will be decided by run-off elections.

* Thanks to Democratic gains in the West, Denver hopes to capitalize in its quest to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention. USA Today noted that officials involved in Denver’s bid for the convention say “their prospects against rival New York City improved on Tuesday as Colorado voters put a decidedly Democratic stamp on the state.” Denver City Council member Rosemary Rodriguez, who serves on the city’s convention bid committee, said, “I think our chances are now better.”

* Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, was rewarded for his service by being named chairman again for the 2008 cycle. Since the party went +6 and took back the majority, I suppose this isn’t a surprise.

* Voters in Minnesota’s 5th congressional district elected Democrat Keith Ellison to Congress this week, making Ellison the first-ever Muslim to serve on Capitol Hill. As the NYT noted, his election was celebrated by Muslims in the U.S., and even oversees, who saw his victory “as a sign of acceptance and a welcome antidote to their faith’s sinister image.”

* An interesting tidbit from Tennessee’s Senate race: Sen.-elect Bob Corker (R), who was mayor of Chattanooga for four years, won the race despite loosing the vote in Chattanooga. (thanks to S.T. for the tip)

* In Chicago, Democratic Reps. Jesse Jackson Jr. and Luis Gutierrez had considered mayoral campaigns against incumbent Richard M. Daley, but announced yesterday that they want to stay in Congress now that Dems are in the majority. “I am excited, eager and downright giddy about the prospects in Washington,” said Mr. Jackson, above, who is the only Illinois lawmaker on the House Appropriations Committee.

* And in 2008 news, Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) noted on his official blog yesterday, “We’ll be making the mechanical steps within the next few weeks to move forward” with a planned presidential campaign. Next step will be an exploratory committee.

Brownback for Prez? Oh, please. On the other hand, bring it on! President Pelosi will make hamburger out of him.

  • “Voters in Minnesota’s 5th congressional district elected Democrat Keith Ellison to Congress this week, making Ellison the first-ever Muslim to serve on Capitol Hill. As the NYT noted, his election was celebrated by Muslims in the U.S., and even oversees, who saw his victory ‘as a sign of acceptance and a welcome antidote to their faith’s sinister image.'”

    They obviously have not been reading LittleGreenFootballs. From reports from my (slightly to the right of Alan Keyes) wife Cathy they are simply freaking out over there at the idea of a Muslim being in Congress (fears of suicide bombing the chamber or spilling secrets to al Qaeda abound).

    Ah, such is the underlying fairness that is the American Character 😉

  • Hey Lance,

    I’ve seen you mention your uberconservative wife on here before. I have to ask – how do you two do it? Politics is such an important issue for me that I don’t think I could handle being married to a moderate Republican, let alone a very conservative one – even if she looked like Irene Jacob!

    P.S. As I said in the previous thread – I think Denver is a super site for the ’08 convention.

  • I live in Ellison’s district and voted for him. I voted a straight Democratic Party ticket, which is part of the reason Ellison got my vote. The other part is that I couldn’t stomach the possibility of a Republican empty suit representing me. Or a marketing professional for that matter.

    I do have my concerns about him. Check out the Wikipedia subsection “Controversies” for some of them:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Ellison_(politician)#Late_payment_of_taxes

    I don’t have a lot of sympathy for people who don’t pay their taxes on time and don’t follow the rules when it comes to campaign finances reporting. Ellison will probably hold this seat for awhile, and I predict he’ll have a scandal-ridden ride. His past doesn’t bode well for his future unless he turns over a new leaf.

  • “Hey Lance,

    I’ve seen you mention your uberconservative wife on here before. I have to ask – how do you two do it? Politics is such an important issue for me that I don’t think I could handle being married to a moderate Republican, let alone a very conservative one – even if she looked like Irene Jacob!’ – Progressive Realist

    That is a damn good question. First of all, I suppose one thing is she’s a housewife, and the only work outside the home she does is occassionally babysit the nephews and teach English to Hispanic immigrants. Keeps her humble. Second I suppose the fact that I’m rather to the right of most of CB’s commentors helps. So I’m a little closer to her position than most. Third the fact that she considers most Republican’ts as too liberal is vastly ammusing. Fourth she will on occasion listen to reason (and vote for Jim Webb).

    And finally when I say she’s to the right of Alan Keyes, it’s just about one or two issues. Besides everybody knows that “Go Anywhere to run for Senate” Keyes is a joke 😉

    She’s easy enough to live with. I’ve got you guys to talk politics with.

  • * Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, was rewarded for his service by being named chairman again for the 2008 cycle. Since the party went +6 and took back the majority, I suppose this isn’t a surprise.

    No surprise, but, possibly, more than he deserves. DSCC left it till 23:55 to come in and help Webb (that vital 6th); 9/10 of the campaign ran on Dean’s “seeding all 50” and grassroots/netroots (including convincing Webb *to* run). According to today’s NYTimes, Schumer was surprised to see so many states flip on their red/blue allegiance; it wasn’t a part of some grand plan. I have nothing against Schumer, but I sure hope he’ll be a tad more ambitious next time around.

    Lance… Like the Progressive Realist I too have been wondering how you could, possibly, stand to have an enemy in your own nest I’m a housewife also but can’t imagine being on a different political wavelength from DH. The past few months, we’d have had nothing to talk about (except “did you enjoy your dinner?”), if we hadn’t shared the hate towards Bush and the determination to exterminate the vermin from the Congress. Even 35 yrs ago, he’d have had to have been *one hell of stud* for me to discount his “wrong thinking”. I can — and do — tolerate his being a couple degrees to the right of me, though. That’s what aging/mellowing does to ya…

  • I was unhappy with several of the candidates Schumer backed in the primaries (especially Casey), but at least Schumer’s candidates won (unlike most of those Emmanuel hand-picked). He deserves another term if he wants it.

    • Comments are closed.