Thursday’s political round-up

June 29, 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 Ohio, Rep. [tag]Ted Strickland[/tag] (D) appears to be well-positioned to beat far-right Ohio Secretary of State [tag]Ken Blackwell[/tag] (R) in this year’s gubernatorial race. But just to make things a little easier for the GOP, a Nader-like Green Party candidate has qualified for the ballot. Professor and election-reform activist [tag]Bob Fitrakis[/tag] announced this morning that his petition signatures have been certified, making it a three-way race. And who certified the petitions? Blackwell, who kind of has a motivation to make sure Fitrakis helps pull some of Strickland’s votes away.

* In Massachusetts, [tag]Deval Patrick[/tag] (D) has some serious momentum in the Dems’ gubernatorial primary and, according to a new Suffolk University poll, has taken the lead in the race. Though state Attorney General [tag]Tom Reilly[/tag] (D) has led for months, the new poll shows Patrick ahead, 31% to 25%. Businessman [tag]Chris Gabrieli[/tag] isn’t far behind with 22%.

* Sen. [tag]Robert Byrd[/tag] (D-W.Va.) enjoys a sizable lead over businessman [tag]John Raese[/tag] (R) in a new State Journal poll, 59% to 30%. Byrd’s approval rating stands at 71% (via Taegan Goddard).

* Kathleen Troia “KT” [tag]McFarland[/tag]’s (R) Senate campaign against [tag]Hillary Clinton[/tag] is not only struggling to garner public support, it’s also very short on cash. McFarland announced yesterday that she is lending herself $100,000. Without it, advisor Ed Rollins said, there would not be enough money for television advertising before the Sept. 12 GOP primary.

* And in 2008 news, Senate Majority Leader [tag]Bill Frist[/tag] (R) appears to be moving forward with his presidential plans. Yesterday, his political action committee, Volunteer PAC, announced the hiring of an Iowa field director — [tag]Marcus Branstad[/tag], son of former Iowa Gov. Jim Terry Branstad.

Actually, the former Iowa Gov.’s name is Terry Branstad.

  • And who certified the petitions? Blackwell

    He’s doing, and has already done, much more than that. If we’re going to reference Blackwell, we need to remember two things: (1) he may be singly responsible for putting Boy George in office for the second term; and, (2) he’s overseeing his own election for governor of Ohio.

    For some sordid details of Blackwell’s past exploits, check out this great Rolling Stone article by Robert Kennedy Jr..

  • And in 2008 news, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R) appears to be moving forward with his presidential plans.

    Is it just me, or is this not great news? The more wingnuts the GOP has in its primary the better our chances are in 2008 (assuming we avoid the Hillary juggernaut–any chance she’d accept Sec State or something?)

  • I’m astounded that Bill “Schiavo Diagnosis” Frist thinks he has more than a snowball’s chance. Until I contemplate the Regal Moron.

  • I’m astounded that Bill “Schiavo Diagnosis” Frist thinks he has more than a snowball’s chance.

    Kinda like Daschle on our side of the aisle, huh? Astounding is exactly the right word.

  • I can just see the Frist campaign in 2008 – outside every appearance, protestors in cat suits holding signs: “Why did you murder me, Senator Frist?” And that will get reporters to ask “what’s all that about?” and when the story of Senator Kitten Murderer becomes well-known – when he was a student, he would “rescue” kittens from the local humane society and then dissect them (sometimes while still alive, by his own testimony) for his “education.” The local shelters finally figured him out for the serial psychopath he is and he was “outed.”

    I think among most conservative women – people Senator Kitten Murderer will be playing to – that story has a serious “ick factor” to it.

    So, campaign on Senator Psychopath – it’s going to be fun “dissecting” you.

  • One of Branstad’s kids got arrested for drunk-driving a few years back, IIRC.

    The eldest Branstad, Eric, was involved in a car crash which killed two in the other car, but it was youthful misjudgment.

    Marcus, who was born while his dad served as gov, just graduated from college, and was noticed on the political scene a couple months ago.

  • How do I go about borrowing 100 thousand dollars from myself? I could really use it.

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