Wednesday’s political round-up

October 12, 2005

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:

* Al Gore said this morning that he has no intention of ever running for president again: “I have absolutely no plans and no expectations of ever being a candidate again.” Gore did not completely shut the door to political endeavors, saying, “I don’t completely rule out some future interest, but I don’t expect to have that.”

* Feeling the heat after losing his lead in the polls, Republican gubernatorial candidate Jerry Kilgore is going after Democratic candidate Tim Kaine’s opposition to the death penalty in a big way. The Kilgore campaign unveiled two television ads Tuesday in which family members of murdered Virginians denounce Kaine for his position on the issue. Kaine’s campaign immediately released its own ad, in which Kaine says he has a personal objection to the death penalty but would carry out Virginia law.

* In related news, the Kaine campaign will welcome Bill Clinton to Virginia today for two high-dollar, private fundraisers.

* With less than a month before the election, a new Farleigh Dickinson University/Public Mind poll in New Jersey shows Sen. Jon Corzine (D-N.J.) rebounding a bit over last week, now leading Doug Forrester (R), 48% to 40%.

* New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s (R) lead over Fernando Ferrer (D) continues to expand. A new Marist Poll shows Bloomberg up 59% to 32%, while Quinnipiac data out this morning shows Bloomberg leading by almost identical numbers, 60% to 32%.

* A bipartisan collection of Western governors is working diligently on creating an early regional presidential primary that would send voters to the polls in early February 2008. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) and Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman (R) have been doing all the legwork on this and said yesterday that they have brought Arizona on board for their plan. Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn (R) has expressed interest in joining his neighbors on this and wants his successor to take this to the legislature in 2007, while Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D) said he’s support any measure that would bring attention to the issues of the West.

Everything Al Gore has said lately indicates that he thinks we’re in deep, deep shit right now. The Dems have no strong candidates. None.

And he can’t bring himself to run again?

Say it ain’t so.

  • I’ve yet to hear a single reasonable explanation as to why Richardson did his level best to thwart the New Mexico recount next year. I’m open to hearing the reasons, but until then he’s off my personal list for any national office. Don’t trust him. Not that the loss of my vote will worry him, but I feel he undermined Kerry, and his recount behavior did zero to change that impression.

  • Al Gore said this morning that he has no intention of ever running for president again: “I have absolutely no plans and no expectations of ever being a candidate again.” Gore did not completely shut the door to political endeavors, saying, “I don’t completely rule out some future interest, but I don’t expect to have that.”

    I think a massive, grass roots campaign would change his
    mind, but does he have enough support among even
    progressive Democrats to mount one? CB, you’d be a good
    judge of that. And the rest of you, too.

    As Hillary and Dean continue sliding to the right, I’m afraid
    there’s nobody left except Clark, Gore, maybe Edwards
    and the newcomer, Obama. And I think only Clark and
    Gore have the stature and resume for the top spot at
    this time.

    So what say y’all? We ain’t got nobody else, do
    we?

  • So what say y’all?

    I’m with you, hark. In fact, you got the only four I care about: Clark, Obama, Edwards, and Gore. I don’t think Gore will run, though.

    About Obama, RFK ran after four years in the Senate. Why not again?

  • If we steer clear of Senators from the North East, we might actually have a chance at winning, and not whining.

  • Serving as his brother’s Attorney General, RFK was also a national figure long before being elected to the Senate. I think that experience, rather than a partial Senate term gave his run credibility.

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