Friday’s political round-up

May 26, 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:

* In Pennsylvania, Gov. [tag]Ed Rendell[/tag] (D), who appeared increasingly vulnerable a couple of months ago after former football player [tag]Lynn Swann[/tag] (R) secured the GOP nomination, looks significantly stronger now. A new Rasmussen poll shows Rendell leading 52% to 34%. In April, Rasmussen showed Swann ahead by three.

* Rep. [tag]Ted Strickland[/tag] (D) continues to look strong in Ohio’s open gubernatorial race against Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth [tag]Blackwell[/tag] (R). A University of Cincinnati poll shows Strickland leading, 50% to 44%.

* Speaking of Ohio, that same University of Cincinnati poll shows incumbent Sen. [tag]Mike DeWine[/tag] (R) leading Rep. [tag]Sherrod Brown[/tag] (D), 52% to 42%. This conflicts with other recent polls showing Brown effectively tied with DeWine.

* Though there had been some speculation to the contrary, Alaska Gov. [tag]Frank Murkowski[/tag] (R) has reportedly decided to seek a second term.

* There has never been a Muslim member of Congress, but that may change this year. [tag]Keith Ellison[/tag], a two-term state representative in Minnesota, is considered a leading candidate to replace retiring Rep. Martin Sabo (D-Minn.) in one of the safest “blue” districts in the country. Ellison, who converted to Islam when he was 19 years old at Wayne State University in Detroit, will face two Dems in a September primary. If elected, he would also be the first African-American congressman from Minnesota.

* In 2008 news, New York Gov. [tag]George Pataki[/tag] (R), who for some reason considers himself a credible contender, was in Iowa yesterday, assuring possible supporters that his recent health problems are behind him. In February, Pataki suffered a ruptured appendix, followed by an intestinal blockage that kept him from working for more than a month.

Isn’t it sweet how the auditory incident takes the Hayden confirmation out of the Friday news cycle?

  • Oops, that was supposed to be in the Capitol gunfire thread… time for my afternoon coffee.

  • “In February, Pataki suffered a ruptured appendix, followed by an intestinal blockage that kept him from working for more than a month.” – CB

    Having had my appendix taken out maybe minutes before it ruptured, I would say these things are important but hardly disqualifying. Not like a President with Altzheimer’s or a Vice President who is a cyborg.

  • Lance, I don’t think Carpetbagger meant that Pataki is not qualified because of his appendix. He meant that Pataki is not qualified because he has dismal ratings in New York, and would never be able to carry his home state, let alone anyone else’s.

  • “He meant that Pataki is not qualified because he has dismal ratings in New York, and would never be able to carry his home state, let alone anyone else’s.” – TCC

    Pataki probably now subscribes to the Boy George II doctrine that it is not the opinions of Americans today, but of historians 30 years from now, what matter in the end.

    Of course, it helps to have Diebold in your pocket when you think that way.

  • Just to clarify, my derision of Pataki has absolutely nothing to do with his recent health problems, and everything to do with the fact that he’s kind of a schmuck.

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