North Carolina: Vulnerable freshman Republican backbencher Richard "Bank Run" Burr unveiled his latest lie last week:
U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., said he would back additional funding for the [Cash for Clunkers] program as well, though he originally opposed the "Cash for Clunkers" bill. He said he would favor the additional funding as long as it doesn't increase the budget deficit.
The proposed $2 billion would come from money already appropriated in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and will not further the national deficit.
So it was reported on Wednesday of last week that Burr said he'd support Cash for Clunkers. The vote occurred Thursday evening, the very next day; and, you may be shocked to learn that Burr voted against the additional funding for Cash for Clunkers. "Bank Run" Burr lied again.
Pennsylvania: VoteVets.org is endorsing Congressman (and retired Navy Admiral) Joe Sestak over Arlen Specter in the 2010 Democratic Senate primary. After union members, veterans' backing of Sestak over Specter as a bloc could have amongst the most profound of impacts as the race tightens up. Congressman Sestak is the highest ranking military officer ever to serve in Congress.
New York: Following Carolyn Maloney's announcement on Friday, New York Congresspeople Carolyn McCarthy and Jose Serrano (re-)confirmed that they will not challenge Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in the 2010 Democratic Senate primary, all but assuring her nomination. Further, the lack of a high profile Democratic primary challenger will allow Senator Gillibrand to save the bulk of her campaign bankroll for the general election period after the primary, making it less likely that a high profile Republican will challenge her.
Illinois: While a high-profile primary in New York has been averted, another is just getting started in Illinois as Chicago Urban League President Cheryle Jackson has announced that she will enter the 2010 Democratic Senate primary, currently populated only by state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias. Meanwhile, Treasurer Giannoulias' Senate campaign has secured the endorsements of a number of labor unions, including UNITE HERE, UFCW, UA International and the Illinois Pipes Trades Association. In other news, settle down, everyone. Roland Burris isn't reconsidering a 2010 Senate bid. He was just led into saying something that could generate a headline. The last undecided Democratic player is businessman and RFK son Chris Kennedy.
Louisiana: Republican Hookerlover David Vitter, ever the dishonest, cowardly hypocrite, mocks Democratic members of Congress facing unruly, screaming protesters at their town hall-style events. Why is such mocking by Vitter dishonest, cowardly and hypocritical? Because Vitter's mocking took place at Vitter's town hall-style event that included only friendly audience members and pre-screened questions!
Florida: WaPo's Cillizza looks at five Floridians who might fill the Senate vacancy created by unpopular Republican Mel Martinez' resignation. The list includes the three names on whom attention has most focused: former secretary of state & attorney general Jim Smith, former Gov. Bob Martinez (no relation to Mel), and former state House Speaker Allan Bense.
Nevada: The latest not-ready-for-primetime Republican to join the 2010 Senate fray is Danny Tarkanian, whose two claims to fame are being the son of college basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian and being a two-time political loser (he lost an '04 state senate race and an '06 Nevada Secretary of State run). Several lower-profile Republicans are already running to unseat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, including wingnut former assemblywoman Sharron Angle and New York banker John Chachas (who hasn't lived in Nevada since he was a teenager).
Texas: Republican Rep. Joe Barton is considering an entry into the scrum for the Senate seat from which Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison is expected to retire in her pursuit of the Texas Governorship. The Republican field already includes four Republicans as well as the prospect of an 800-pound gorilla entry by GOP Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst.
Ohio: Two-time George W. Bush appointee Rob Portman, the architect of the Bush economy, has had to make ends meet since leaving the Bush administration; so, he's hooked up with a law firm with clients that might not be to the liking of many Ohioans:
Fisher's campaign has tried to capitalize on working-class discontentment with the role of law firm Squire Sanders & Dempsey, Portman's employer, in a trade dispute over Chinese tires.
The law firm, but not Portman, represents a tire producers group from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in an International Trade Commission dispute filed by the United Steelworkers union.
Ohio union members haved filed a complaint against a business group from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce; and, Rob Portman's law firm is supporting the Chinese companies over the Ohio union members. That will go over really well.
Kansas: While the United States is amid wars on multiple fronts, Kansas' two Republican Senators have irresponsibly placed a hold on President Obama's nominee for Secretary of the Army, Republican Congressman John McHugh. I wonder if anyone in the Kansas media will ask Kansas' two Republican Senate candidates, Reps. Todd Tiahrt and Jerry Moran, whether or not they support the hold, preventing Army leadership from being in place during this time of war. |
