Tuesday’s political round-up

February 28, 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 Illinois, Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) got some good news and some bad news from the latest Rasmussen poll. The good news is he leads State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka (R) in a hypothetical general election match-up, 42% to 36%. What’s more, Blagojevich’s support has grown in recent weeks. The bad news is Blagojevich is still below the 50% threshold, and the governor’s overall approval rating is only 38%.

* Speaking of Illinois, Iraq war veteran and Illinois congressional candidate Tammy Duckworth (D) launched her first TV ads of the campaign last week. The 30-second spot features Sen. Barack Obama (D) telling viewers, “Every so often you meet someone in public life who’s truly extraordinary. Someone you know will make a difference.” Obama describes Duckworth, who lost both of her legs in Iraq, as a “powerful voice for our priorities” and “a person of conscience and proven courage.”

* In Minnesota, both Dems in the U.S. Senate race are ahead of Republican Mark Kennedy, according to the latest Rasmussen poll. (Thanks to Knobboy for the tip.) Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar (D) now leads Kennedy, 45% to 42%. Philanthropist Ford Bell, meanwhile, has surged considerably in recent weeks and now tops Kennedy, 43% to 40%. As recently as December, Bell trailed Kennedy by 10 points.

* Former economic development Director Mike Blouin (D) is expected to announce this week that he will name physician Andrea McGuire as his running mate, if he secures the Dem gubernatorial nomination. There’s an interesting back-story here: Blouin opposes abortion rights, but has pledged not to change Iowa law on the issue. McGuire, meanwhile, supports abortion rights and has been active in promoting Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa. Blouin is in a primary fight with Iowa Secretary of State Chet Culver.

* In non-Midwest news, Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski (D) also got some good news and bad news from the latest Rasmussen poll. The good news for Kulongoski is that he leads all of his Republican rivals by double digits. The bad news is 46% of Oregon voters view him unfavorably, and his primary opponent, former state Treasurer Jim Hill (D), enjoys stronger statewide appeal.

CB – any updates on how Ford (I believe that is his name) from TN is doing in the race to replace Frist?

  • re: Iowa and the pairing of Mike Blouin and Andrea McGuire

    Part of politics, in my mind, is the crafting of a ticket that plays off the strengths and weaknesses of the individuals in a way that benefits both, broadening the appeal of the ticket to the voters and increasing the possibility of good the ticket can offer to the people and government.

    While I’m not up on Iowa politics, I must say the above pairing sounds like a winner on a decidedly-touchy, sure-to-alienate-someone subject. Hopefully, Blouin and McGuire can work together for all of Iowa and the Democratic Party.

    Just an aside: Is it too much to ask other Democratic state and, god-forbid, national tickets to do the same?

  • I think you need to give Chuck Schumer some credit for Ford Bell’s surge in the Minnesota polls. Nothing pisses off midwesterners like New Yorkers coming into the state and trying to coronate a DLC-approved candidate.

    Bell is considerably more than a philanthropist, however. His grandfather founded General Mills, but decided to put almost all the money into a charitable trust. As a result, Ford Bell is not like a Detroit Ford as he doesn’t have the money to go with the name. The guy is a millionaire, but just barely, and has worked as a teacher and veterinarian most of his life.

    I think he’s Minnesota’s Ned Landros.

  • “Just an aside: Is it too much to ask other Democratic state and, god-forbid, national tickets to do the same?” (Jim H, #2)

    No, it is not too much. In fact, we ought to insist on it. Our only litmus test should be whether one is mean enough, or selfish enough, or un-American enough, to vote Republican.

  • On a legal note not covered in our press, the Bush/Cheney criminal organization agreed to pay $300,000 to a man they wrongly held for almost a year that was never linked to terrorism.

    Al Jazeera article

    How many others are held in Bush’s concentration camps on false claims? I am sure that some are dangerous people and need to be confined but it should be done by the law. Bush’s criminal organization has repeatedly demonstrated it’s disdain for the law. For Bush/Cheney, the law is just a weapon to use against their critics, not something to regulate their activities.

  • How long until the Republicans try to give the right to vote to embryos? They’ll try their best to execute you or send you off to war to die for their profits after you are old enough but they want to save every embryo. Let’s all face it. There are 2 world leaders in a comatose state. Ariel Sharon and George W. Bush. Now they are on an equal level. It’s amazing how many self-righteous “conservatives” consider themselves to have the divine right to decide what other people do with their bodies. I don’t feel men should even have a say in the matter.

  • Kennedy (R-MN) is a 100% Bush supporter. His support is going down along with Bush’s popularity. Watch him try to re-invent himself as a Republican who sometimes disagrees with the party line.

  • CB – any updates on how Ford (I believe that is his name) from TN is doing in the race to replace Frist?

    Steve, if you’re still interested nine hours after you initially asked, Tennessee has found itself with a pretty close race to replace Bill Frist. A Rasmussen poll released about a month ago showed Rep. Harold Ford (D) trailing his major GOP challengers, but not by much. Former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker (R) leads Ford 42% to 40%; former Rep. Ed Bryant (R) is ahead by the same margin; while former Rep. Van Hilleary (R) enjoys the largest lead, 43% to 37%.

  • The news about Kulongoski is good to know. All you hear about his reelection campaign from the local media is how besieged and vulnerable he is. I thought it was going to be a rematch of 2002 with Kulongoskilosing to Mannix this time due to his unpopularity and a tough primary fight.

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