Monday’s political round-up

March 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:

* Kate Michelman, former president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, publicly speculated about entering Pennsylvania’s Senate race as an independent, taking on Rick Santorum (R) and Bob Casey (D), in large part because of Casey’s opposition to abortion rights. As recently as late last week, Michelman said Casey is “a perfectly fine person, but not someone we can trust to defend our rights, not at all.” She added, “If that upsets the political establishment, so be it.” Over the weekend, Michelman changed course and said she will not run. “Despite profound and fundamental differences, I have decided that Pennsylvania will be better served by electing Bob Casey to the U.S. Senate than giving his opponent another term,” Michelman wrote in an op-ed for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

* Speaking of key, competitive Senate races, according to a new Rasmussen poll, Missouri State Auditor Claire McCaskill (D) is still ahead of Sen. Jim Talent (R), 43% to 40%. Last month, a similar Rasmussen poll showed Talent leading, 46% to 41%.

* With speculation rampant that Rep. Katherine Harris (R) will drop out of Florida’s Senate race, the question quickly becomes, who’d replace her for the GOP? Attention is now shifting to the Republican president of the Florida Senate, Tom Lee. Asked about the campaign on Thursday, Lee said, “I really don’t have any comment on that. That’s an issue the Republican National Senatorial Committee has to deal with.” He added, “I would never say never.”

* On Friday, Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Calif.) became the latest House Republican to announce that he’d retire at the end of his term, citing health reasons. The decision leaves the GOP in a bit of a tough spot — the filing deadline has elapsed in Gallegly’s district. Attorney Michael Tenenbaum is the only other Republican on the ballot, but Tenenbaum is an unknown. Two Democrats, businesswoman Mary Pallant and the Rev. Jill Martinez, are running to represent the district, which encompasses most of Ventura County and part of Santa Barbara County.

* In Massachusetts, the Dem gubernatorial primary has been a competitive fight between Tom Reilly and Deval Patrick, but it might get even trickier with a third competitor. Businessman Chris Gabrieli took another step towards the race late last week, filing paperwork so his campaign committee can raise and spend money to seek the Democratic nomination. Reilly strongly considered Gabrieli for his running mate before going in a different direction. Gabrieli’s previous campaign was an unsuccessful run for lieutenant governor in 2002.

Unfortunately, the Gallegly news is not good at all for Democrats. Over this past weekend, Mary Pallant withdrew from the race. She cited personal attacks made by “Reverend Jill’s” campaign that have harmed her family. Whoever “Reverend Jill” is, the Democrats I know have no clue. I do know that Pallant’s withdrawal takes a lot of air out of the Democratic campaign in the 24th District, particularly given her statement that she intends “not to vote for a candidate” in the district. There will be enough bad blood that the Martinez is not going to be able to unify the party after this, which means that since it’s a marginal district, that Republican – whatever his name recognition – will likely be getting a “free ride.”

As to Kate Michelman withdrawing that lunatic idea of running for Senate in Pennsylavania, bravo for her! 2006 is NOT the year to run loser campaigns over “party purity” – we don’t need the 2000 Nader disaster played over again. Right now, what we have to do is STOP THE REPUBLICANS. Once the fire is out in the building, we can take the time to consider the new paint scheme. AFTER we win!! All these elections are going to end up close, and any “progressive liberal” who divides the anti-GOP vote is working for the Thugs. Thank God Michelman figured out that a vote for her would effectively be a vote for Santorum.

And yes, afterwards, I’ll be happy to participate in “democratizing” the Democratic Party.

  • I’m glad also to see Michelman drop her bid for Senator from Pennsylvania. I want Santorum to lose fair and square.

  • Thank God Michelman figured out that a vote for her would effectively be a vote for Santorum.

    Either that, or she simply figured out that if her campaign had led to a third term for Santorum, NARAL’s name would have been forever mud in Democratic circles. A lot of us are still pretty bummed about what they did in Rhode Island, endorsing Chafee before the Democratic nomination race even got going.

  • That’s good news for Missouri. I’ve complained about this before, but one more time just to make me feel better. I don’t have one Democrat representative from my city councilwoman to the President. I think, maybe, that I would even settle for a bad Democrat at this point.

  • On Friday, Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Calif.) became the latest House Republican to announce that he’d retire at the end of his term, citing health reasons.

    What’s the count up to now, Mr. Carpetbagger? How close are we to the tipping point, ala 1994? I’m guessing we need at least a half dozen more GOP retirements.

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