Wednesday’s political round-up

May 31, 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:

* Former Kansas Republican Party Chairman [tag]Mark Parkinson[/tag] became a Democrat yesterday, and became Gov. [tag]Kathleen Sebelius[/tag]’ (D) running mate today. Parkinson, 48, acknowledged that he had doubted Sebelius when she first ran for governor four years ago but said he now believes she provides “independent leadership” in Kansas. “In an age where leaders duck responsibility and dodge their mistakes let me be the first to say: I was wrong,” Parkinson said in a written statement. The current lieutenant governor, [tag]John Moore[/tag], is retiring when his term expires in January.

* In California’s 50th, former Rep. [tag]Brian Bilbray[/tag] (R) was counting on a boost from a [tag]John McCain[/tag] visit with a week to go in his special election campaign, but McCain cancelled his appearance because of differences over immigration policy. Bilbray has repeatedly criticized the McCain-backed immigration bill, calling it “amnesty” for illegal immigrants.

* In Kentucky, Lt. Gov. [tag]Steve Pence[/tag] will announce today that he’s not running for re-election with Gov. [tag]Ernie Fletcher[/tag] (R), who was indicted earlier this month for violating state employment law. When told of Pence’s move to leave the 2007 ticket and the governor’s Cabinet, Republican campaign strategist Ted Jackson said it was “devastating to Ernie Fletcher.”

* [tag]Lynn Swann[/tag]’s (R) gubernatorial campaign in Pennsylvania hit another snag recently when he apparently failed to file required pre-primary campaign-finance reports with the Department of State. Just as bad, some of the filings the Swann campaign did turn in included incomplete or unclear information in key parts. Swann spokesman Leonardo Alcivar said the campaign had “complied with the law,” but would not provide copies of faxes he claimed to have sent to state officials.

* And in Illinois, the latest Survey USA poll offers relatively good news for Gov. [tag]Rod Blagojevich[/tag] (D). The poll shows him leading state Treasurer [tag]Judy Baar Topinka[/tag] (R), 43% to 37%. Blagojevich would surely like to be a lot closer to the 50% mark, but the six-point lead is greater than than of other recent polls.

It’s a relief to see Blagojevich climbing out of his rut. It’s going to be a close race, which is a travesty in a blue state like Illinois. I’m hoping Barack Obama can campaign with Blago. That’ll help.

With that being said, in the worst case scenario, if Topinka wins (which I hope she won’t– she may be a moderate, but a Repub is a Repub, and we don’t need any more of them in governorships,) Obama would be a great candidate to unseat her in ’10. In Illinois, governors have no term limits, so it’s no guarantee that Blago will call it quits after two terms. I’m hoping he will, though– Obama needs to be governor of Illinois before running for President.

Meanwhile, it’s interesting to see the travails of Republicans around the nation. Yeah, Ernie Fletcher is sinking fast . . . Brian Bilbray is in trouble . . . and, bravo to Parkinson for “seeing the light!”

  • Obama needs to be governor of Illinois before running for President.

    Absolutely correct. The path to the White House is not through Congress.

  • Just what is the matter with Kansas?

    Parkinson “joins two other Johnson County Republicans who switched parties this year: District Attorney Paul Morrison, who is running for attorney general against Republican incumbent Phill Kline; and Cindy Neighbor, who is running for the 18th District House seat.”

  • Blagojevich and Topinka had their first debate last weekend. The more she talks, the less electable she becomes. She’s, pardon the term, full of shit.

    After she spent the entire debate saying nothing and bitching about Rod’s programs like health care and preschool for children and plans funding eduction Rod simply pointed out that she’s been in office for 23 year and she ought to have a inkling of a plan.

    Her response was that she’d just started running for Governor so she hadn’t had a chance to make plans yet! Ha!

    She’s an airbag who needs to go. She was part of Ryan’s corrupt administration and all she can do is claim Rod is corrupt. Methinks she doth protest too much.

    Rod is doing a good job and he will continue to rise in the polls, especially if she keeps making public appearances and blathering on in her shrill complaint-filled manner.

    And I don’t think Obama needs to be a Governor as a prerequisite. I think he just needs to run.

  • Not to rain on any body’s parade, but Obama having a Kenyan father (I think) has a bit of a “Manchurian Candidate” aura to him from a Rethug point of view. Democrats may love and accept him, but he has to be perceived as a regular (not exceptional) American to the masses (including white, blue-collar males–a.k.a. Nascar dads). He’s got to have a folksy, comfortable feel (not unlike George W. Bush’s faux persona).

    Being black, eloquent and a visionary is not enough.

  • “Just what is the matter with Kansas?” – knobboy

    According to those politicians that switched to the Democratic Party, they “didn’t leave the Republican Party,” but rather “the Republican Party left them.” Kansas has a very conservative Republican Party, and thus moderates in the Republican Party don’t stand much of a chance. Therefore, in order to gain a political seat, they are willing to switch over to the Democratic Party, where they are allowed, perhaps even encouraged, to be politically moderate.

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