One of the mantras of the Senate Guru blog is the notion of "expanding the map," increasing the number of competitive seats this cycle. "Expand the Map!" is, of course, the name of the ActBlue page maintained by Senate Guru, and it is also what Democrats have to do to attain a 60-seat, filibuster-proof majority in the U.S. Senate.
One such potential battleground state in which Democrats can expand the map is Kansas, where former Congressman Jim Slattery just secured the Democratic nomination and will face off against Bush-cover-up-artist Pat Roberts. Rasmussen Reports saw KS-Sen become a single-digit race in June, only to have Roberts heighten the intensity of his negative political attacks against Slattery. If Slattery can overcome Roberts' attack machine, KS-Sen has the potential to be a very competitive race. Senate Guru profiled Slattery's background almost a year ago, when rumors that Slattery was considering a 2008 Senate bid first arose. For further breakdown of the myths vs. the facts of the Roberts record, visit 40 Years is Long Enough. And please consider a contribution to former Congressman Slattery via the Expand the Map! ActBlue page.
SENATE GURU: Congressman Slattery, thank you very much for taking the time to share your thoughts with the Senate Guru community. To kick this off, I have to remind our readers that no Democrat has won a U.S. Senate race in Kansas since 1932, and I have to ask you how your campaign is going to buck this three-quarters-of-a-century trend.
JIM SLATTERY: Well, I happen to believe that the people of Kansas this year are really looking for change, and they want to fundamentally change what's going on in Washington for a lot of reasons. The long story short is that the people of Kansas are fiscally conservative and they're very upset that we are now running the largest deficit in our nation's history. They're upset that, in 2001, we had $250 billion surpluses and we were talking about paying off the national debt; and, today, we have added $3 trillion to our national debt since 2001, and they are surprised to learn that Senator Roberts voted for that. They're also surprised to learn that Senator Roberts voted for the Bridge to Nowhere in Alaska that Senator McCain railed against. As somebody who has paid a lot of taxes, I take that personal, and I deeply resent the federal government wasting my tax dollars as they have been doing.
And, a lot of Kansans are very worried about the War in Iraq, and they're beginning to sort through it all. They're upset that we went into this war based on faulty, inaccurate intelligence data and very naive assumptions. Many of them are surprised to learn that Senator Roberts was Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee during the lead up to the War in Iraq. His committee was responsible for getting this intelligence data right, and it was wrong. So, those two issues are powerful in this election; and, in addition to that, Senator Roberts has voted against requiring automakers to improve fuel efficiency in our vehicles, year after year, up 'til this election year. I believe that, had that legislation been passed, we would be in a far different situation today, with regard to the import of oil from the OPEC countries.
In addition to that, Senator Roberts also opposes the bipartisan legislation to empower Medicare to buy drugs from the drugmakers in volume at discount prices. So those are some of the issues that upset Kansans and some fo the reasons why they want change. This year, we're going to offer them that change.
Speaking of the Expand the Map! ActBlue page, Scott Kleeb is only $41 away from the $2,000 mark, and Larry LaRocco is only 3 contributions away from the 100 contribution mark. Consider throwing a twenty dollar bill their way. Pretty please!
Oregon: New Survey USA poll: Democratic Speaker Jeff Merkley continues to hold Republican Gordon Smith under 50% as Smith leads in this poll 49-37; but, as SSP's James L. points out, the poll is frought with red flags. For one, despite a 43-33 Democratic advantage in voter registration, Survey USA's sample is 41% Democratic, 37% Republican. Second, Republican Gordon Smith's 53-29 lead among voters age 18-34 just seems like quite an aberration. It is worth noting that Republican Smith's mentions of John Kerry and Barack Obama in his TV ads has fuzzied up the perception of his Party affiliation, no doubt contributing to about a quarter of Democrats supporting him in the poll. Oregonians need loud and frequent reminders that Gordon Smith is a Republican.
Idaho: The ID-Dems have filed a complaint against Republican Jim Risch with the Federal Elections Commission noting that Risch's campaign headquarters is housed in the same building as his law firm and that Risch's recent FEC filing fails to disclose any arrangement the campaign may have with the law firm regarding rent or other resources. If these questions have easy answers, then Risch's campaign should have no problem explaining away any questions. But if Risch's campaign is saving money by inappropriately using or under-paying for space from Risch's law firm, well, then we have a major violation. In other news, former Congressman Larry LaRocco is working with the Lewiston Fire Department in his 32nd job on his Working for the Senate grassroots outreach effort.
Maine: Whoop-de-whoop. Republican "environmentalists" endorse Susan Collins for re-election. Get psyched! They even tout her high rating from the League of Conservation Voters in 2007, while completely disregarding her lousy 63.5% rating average between 1999 and 2006. If this nonsense sways a single undecided Maine voter, I may become inconsolable.
Running for public office was never an ambition of mine. With a background in theology and missionary work, I always thought my life's work would be teaching religion and tolerance; I thought I'd be leading a life of service, not one of public service.
Many of you know why that all changed for me - it was when my brother was killed on 9/11 in the World Trade Center attack. After working with victims' families groups to push for responsiveness and accountability in investigating why that terrible event happened, a new calling came before me.
I returned home to Oklahoma to start a family and a public advocacy organization. When a state senate seat opened up in my neighborhood, I decided to run for that office and try to affect change from within state government. After knocking on 20,000 doors, I was fortunate enough to win that election.
I love being a state senator. I love having direct contact with my constituents and being able to take their concerns straight to the state capitol. In my job, I've been able to reassure people in my district that government can be a force for good in people's lives.
When I was approached about running for U.S. Senate last year, I was initially reluctant. Like many Oklahomans, I was wary about the Washington establishment. But then I began to ask myself why Washington couldn't be a little more like my state senate district, where the needs and concerns of voters are taken directly to the seat of government.
Many of the fights I've been leading in the Oklahoma legislature are fights that need to be taken to Washington. I've fought to expand health insurance coverage for children to close the gap between those who qualify for Medicaid and those who can afford private insurance. My second TV ad, which you can see here, talks about my fight to hold insurance companies to their word in covering patients who enroll in potentially life-saving clinical trials.
I've fought to honor our veterans and our troops by battling hunger, homelessness, and shortfalls in benefits for those who have given so much to serve our country. I've fought for common-sense solutions to our energy problems that will grow our economy while developing clean, renewable energy alternatives that will make us both energy independent and environmentally responsible.
My opponent, Jim Inhofe, has ignored the needs of Oklahomans on all of these issues, instead pursuing his own ideological agenda and putting the needs of corporate lobbyists ahead of his constituents. He talks about how he doesn't change - but the problem is that while he hasn't changed, the world has. He's out of touch with Oklahoma and with the new realities that have made his worldview a relic from the past. For the future of Oklahoma, Jim Inhofe needs to retire.
More details about my campaign and our issues are on my website, www.andrewforoklahoma.com, and I'm happy to take your questions.
Reminder: Oklahoma State Senator and 2008 Democratic Senate nominee Andrew Rice will liveblog here at Senate Guru today at 2pm Eastern, 1pm Central, Noon Mountain, 11am Pacific.
Help red-state Democrats Jim Martin and Jim Slattery increase their post-primary bankrolls with a contribution via the Expand the Map! ActBlue page so that they are better equipped to take down Shameless Saxby Chambliss and Bush-cover-up-artist Pat Roberts, respectively.
Mississippi: Ethically questionable Roger Wicker has taken over $1.6 million in non-labor union special interest PAC money. Former Governor Ronnie Musgrove has taken a whopping $27,800 in similar contributions. It's clear that Wicker is bought and paid for by Big Business. (HT: Cotton Mouth) To drive the point home, the DSCC has released a new ad highlighting Wicker's support for the insurance companies that contributed big bucks to his campaign, at the expense of Mississippi's seniors and military families, at right.
Colorado: Not content to sink his 2008 Senate bid due to his own trail of scandal after scandal, Backwards Bob Schaffer now has his son creating scandal and embarrassment.
Pennsylvania: In a hypothetical 2010 Senate match-up between Arlen Specter and MSNBC's Chris Matthews, a new Quinnipiac University poll finds Specter only up by 5 points, 41-36.
Two more sources that are not exactly considered bastions of liberalism, the New York Post and David Broder, are hyping Democrats' expected gains in the Senate in 2008.
Georgia: The 2008 Democratic Senate primary run-off occurs today between real Democrat Jim Martin and Bush-supporter Vernon Jones. Go Jim Martin! In other news, Libertarian Allen Buckley seeks the opportunity to join in any GA-Sen debates. I hope he is included. Especially given Bob Barr's Presidential campaign, Georgia Libertarians should be out in full force.
Oklahoma: New Sooner poll: Since the last Sooner poll, Jim "In Denial" Inhofe has dropped 8 points and State Senator Andrew Rice has climbed 11 points, to bring the race to 52-30. It is noted that this poll was taken before Rice went up with his first TV ad. (Rice has also since released a second TV ad, below.) SSP also notes that Rice has brought on some top-tier Democratic strategists, indicating that the DSCC is taking OK-Sen very seriously. Learn more about the race when Rice liveblogs here at Senate Guru this Wednesday, August 6, at 2pm Eastern, 1pm Central, Noon Mountain, 11am Pacific.
Rice's first ad
Rice's second ad
Alaska: Indicted Ted Stevens has filed to move his trial from Washington D.C. to Alaska. His reason: it will crimp his campaigning:
If Judge Emmet G. Sullivan refuses his request, Stevens will likely be stuck in Washington and not able to campaign in Alaska in October.
"This factor weighs heavily in favor of transfer," Stevens's court filings say, citing the Senate's Sept. 26 target adjournment date.
Since Stevens' goal is obviously to facilitate his campaigning, wouldn't changing the trial venue count as altering legal proceedings for political purposes? The Department of Justice will rule on the transfer motion by next Monday. In other news, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich is touting the kick-off of his 50+ member Republicans for Begich group.
Idaho: Former Congressman Larry LaRocco has released his first TV ad.
"(Risch) draws a very distinct line between legitimate media and the bloggers that are left-wing hatemongers," Jason Risch wrote. "The blogging done by legitimate media sources are not in the same category as the left-wing hatemongers. He considers the legitimate media, legitimate - regardless of the medium used to convey news."
Left-wing hatemonger Senate Guru says:
Jim Risch is a debate-ducking coward and his campaign manager son is a big ol' meanie.
In Wicker, the Republicans have a candidate who isn't particularly comfortable in the role of candidate.
Even with a packed house under the Founder's Square pavilion with most of the seats taken by people bused in for the purpose of providing a pro-Wicker background, Wicker isn't the most charismatic candidate. ...
Even outnumbered and facing hecklers, Musgrove stood in there pitching and stayed on message. He even turned the old Ronald Reagan ("Are you better off than you were four years ago?") question around on Wicker and did so with success.
Musgrove is a better retail politician than is Wicker. That's not a knock on Wicker, it's simply a fact. Musgrove is a people person. Wicker is more reserved.
I'll take the charismatic retail politician with the strong message over the empty suit any day of the week. Great job showing up the ethically questionable Roger Wicker, former Governor Ronnie Musgrove.
Colorado: It's hilarious how the biggest obstacle to Backwards Bob Schaffer's 2008 Senate campaign is the campaign manager, Dick Wadhams, and his rapidly eroding grip on good sense.
Kentucky: Stories like this get me psyched at the prospect of Bruce Lunsford debating Obstructionist-in-Chief Mitch McConnell.
North Carolina: In recognition of Bush-rubber-stamp Elizabeth Dole's support of George W. Bush 92% of the time, and us being 92 days from Election Day, a new effort will offer the "92 Ways Dole is Wrong for North Carolina."
New Hampshire: A new website, Sununu Dirty Tricks, promises to expose "John Sununu's special interest attack machines."
Arizona: In a hypothetical match-up by Public Policy Polling, in a potential 2010 Senate race, John McCain only leads Governor Janet Napolitano by single digits, 50-43. While not as glowing a result as the BRC poll from a year ago showing Napolitano leading McCain by a double-digit 47-36 margin, it's still not a bad start, especially given that McCain has probably gotten a boost given the relentless media coverage.
At the end of the weekend, were you pleasantly surprised to find a leftover crumpled-up twenty dollar bill remaining in your pants pocket? Put it to good use by contributing to a terrific Democratic candidate for Senate via the Expand the Map! ActBlue page.
Georgia: With the Democratic run-off election on Tuesday between real Democrat Jim Martin and Bush-supporter Vernon Jones to determine who will face Shameless Saxby Chambliss, Martin has received a potentially game-changing endorsement: Reverend Joseph Lowery. Who is Reverend Lowery?
Martin picked up a key endorsement Wednesday from civil rights leader Joseph Lowery, who with the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and later headed the organization for 20 years.
The support of one of the pre-eminent civil rights leaders will be particularly helpful to Martin as he works to earn the support of black voters in Georgia who might have been leaning toward Vernon Jones. And Lowery has been quite vocal in supporting Martin and questioning Jones' record and actions.
Minnesota: Bush-Coleman 2008! Because Norm Coleman would vote the way George W. Bush wants him to, even if George W. wasn't in office.
Since the first Sununu-Shaheen contest in 2002, New Hampshire Republicans have lost an 11-point edge among registered voters. Each party now has 31 percent of the electorate, with 38 percent undeclared. In the state's presidential primaries this year, 62 percent of independents who voted chose a Democrat.
Since Sununu only won his race by 4 points in a banner Republican year, losing an 11-point registered voter edge is politically disastrous.
New Mexico: Patriot Majority West asks far-right-wing Republican Steve Pearce why he sides with George W. Bush in giving Big Oil billions of dollars in tax breaks and in blocking development of renewable energy, in a new ad at right.
Delaware's 2006 Republican nominee for Senate against Democratic Senator Tom Carper, Jan Ting, is backing Barack Obama for President and has been booted from his role with the DE-GOP over it.
Senate Republicans are so obstructionist that they voted against the troops. Senate Republicans filibustered the FY09 Defense Authorization Bill which would have included: "a 3.9 percent across-the-board pay raise for military personnel; major funding increases for research into traumatic brain injury treatment and troop suicide prevention efforts; $26 billion for the Defense Health Program, and $500 million for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles." Among those Republicans voting against the troops are: Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Ted Stevens (R-AK), John Sununu (R-NH), and Roger Wicker (R-MS).
Alaska: New Ivan Moore Research poll: Some before and after polling for you. Before the indictment: Mark Begich 51, Ted Stevens 43. After the indictment: Begich 56, Stevens, 35. Gotta like that. Even better, Stevens still maintains a healthy lead in the GOP primary poll over Dave Cuddy, 59-19. Elsewhere, Republican former Lt. Gov. Loren Leman, who had been rumored last year to be contemplating a primary challenge to Stevens, is now intimating publicly that he would consider being Stevens' stand-in if Stevens withdrew from the race after winning the primary.
Texas: New Rasmussen Reports poll: State Representative and Lieutenant Colonel Rick Noriega isn't losing sight of Bush-rubber-stamp John Cornyn as he only trails by 10 points, 47-37. With leaners, it's 50-39.
North Carolina: New Research 2000 poll: We still see a single digit race as State Senator Kay Hagan only trails Bush-rubber-stamp Elizabeth Dole by 8 points, 50-42. I hope that these numbers further tighten as the DSCC releases a new ad in the Tar Heel State questioning Dole's effectiveness, at right.
New Mexico: Meet the Press started its Senate Debate series in 2002, continued it in 2004, and it flourished in 2006. One of the many things I wondered in the days following Tim Russert's passing was whether MTP would continue the Senate Debate series. It appears that they will as the 2008 New Mexico Senate race will reportedly get the MTP Senate Debate series treatment. No date is scheduled; but, when it is, if possible, I will liveblog the Meet the Press debate for New Mexico, and for all other Senate debates on MTP, time-permitting. (I still miss Tim.)
Georgia: Looking for more evidence that Spineless Saxby Chambliss is a corporate stooge? Well, this is your lucky day. An executive at Imperial Sugar Co. who had been warning the company's bigwigs that conditions were in bad shape and primed for an accident, right up until a refinery accident near Savannah that killed 13 workers in February, spoke at a Senate hearing. Well, enter Chambliss, who tries to pin the blame on the very executive who was trying to warn the company. Never mind that Chambliss "works closely with the sugar industry." Never mind that fellow Georgia Republican Senator Johnny Isakson has "full faith" in the executive's recount of his attempts to warn the company. Never mind, and this is the real kicker, that Chambliss' son Bo (yes, Bo) is a lobbyist (yes, a lobbyist) for an outfit with corporate ties to Imperial Sugar Co. Who on earth actually respects Saxby Chambliss?
"I've often said it's not John Kerry's fault that he looks French, but it is his fault that he wants to pursue policies that have us act like the French," Republican Sen. Gordon Smith of Oregon said Thursday.
"He advocates all kinds of additional socialism at home, appeasement abroad, and what that means is weakness for the future," Smith told reporters on a conference call organized by Bush's reelection campaign.
Since Republican Gordon Smith is "often" into name calling, I have a few for Republican Gordon Smith: he is a dishonest coward who is absolutely devoid of conviction. As long as Democratic Speaker Jeff Merkley holds his own in the Senate debates, I really believe that he is just one big joint appearance with Barack Obama in late October away from securing an Election Day victory. As such, I'm especially thrilled that the DSCC is continuing to pummel Republican Gordon Smith:
Minnesota: Here's a quick compare and contrast between Norm Coleman's fantasy world versus the real world, as told through the eyes of bowlers:
Norm Coleman's fake bowlers
What actual bowlers in MN have to say
Illinois: Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. says that he "wouldn't say no if asked" by Governor Rod Blagojevich to fill a Senate vacancy when, er, if Barack Obama ascends to the Presidency.
House Republicans are basically being instructed by the National Republican Congressional Committee to declare their disappointment in their fellow Republicans as a way to con voters. Given the number of Senate Republicans sprinting from the GOP brand, as illustrated by the number of Republican Senators and Senate candidates avoiding the Republican National Convention like the plague, how long will it be before the National Republican Senatorial Committee instructs their members likewise?
I'm starting a new regular feature at Senate Guru: the Friday Senate Trivia Open Thread. I'll post a question, and the answer will come on Monday. Use the comments for your guesses, or to just treat this like an open thread and share thoughts on the Senate races or anything else on your mind.
Question: Who was the very first Democratic Leader in the Senate?
Fresh on the heels of Exxon Mobil scoring the biggest quarterly profit by an American company ever while regular folks contend with $4 per gallon gas, the DSCC has launched Bought By Big Oil.com, highlighting how a number of Republican Senators and Republican Senate candidates have campaign coffers overflowing with Big Oil bucks. The DSCC put out a release for the new site, also noting some interesting stats including the fact that, since 1989, Republican Senators have taken over $22.4 million in campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry.
Kentucky: Two new, but similar polls on KY-Sen. First, a new Research 2000 poll sees Obstructionist-in-Chief Mitch McConnell under 50%, leading 2008 Democratic Senate nominee Bruce Lunsford 49-38. Second, a new Rasmussen Reports poll sees McConnell leading Lunsford 50-38, which moves to 52-42 when "leaners" are included. McConnell clearly has the edge, but he's still dangling from the 50% mark. Lunsford needs to get aggressive on McConnell's atrocious record early and often.
Alaska: Don't expect GOP Lt. Gov. and current House candidate Sean Parnell to stand in for Ted Stevens either should Stevens back out of the race after possibly securing the Republican nomination.
Minnesota: Smilin' Norm Coleman said that he's getting rid of the contributions that he received from Ted Stevens' PAC. It turns out that he's only ridding himself of the Stevens contributions he received this cycle. Coleman is saying that contributions from previous cycles have been spent already and are long gone. Only problem: in January 2006, he ridded himself of contributions from Jack Abramoff given during the previous election cycle. So, basically, he's created a double-standard; now that he's amid a tough re-election bid, previous cycle's ill-gotten contributions all of a sudden don't count. The linked story from TPM also notes that Coleman's Chief of Staff happens to be married to Ted Stevens' Chief of Staff - small world! This is the second staffer of Coleman's to have ethically questionable marital ties. A month ago, a National Journal investigation that led to ApartmentGate found that another one of his staffers was the wife of a Republican operative renting an apartment to Coleman at apparently well-below the market rate, suggesting an inappropriate or unethical relationship.
Oregon: Further speaking of Ted Stevens, while Republican Gordon Smith is, like Coleman, dumping recent contributions from Stevens' PAC, the Republican Smith is keeping the Stevens contributions that ended up right in Republican Gordon Smith's own wallet. In other news, as the next step in Republican Gordon Smith's effort to confuse Oregonians into thinking that he isn't a Republican, Republican Smith has released a new ad in which he not only attempts to reiterate ties to Barack Obama, but also tries to suggest ties to John Kerry - in short, what Atrios said.
In my last post, I noted that the NRSC was sitting on over $120,000 in contributions courtesy of Ted Stevens. Holy cow, did I undershoot the mark. It would be more accurate to say that the NRSC is sitting on around $725,000 in Ted Stevens money since 2000! Republican Senators are dumping Stevens contributions left and right. Meanwhile, the NRSC has almost three-quarters of a million bucks in their coffers courtesy of the indicted Ted Stevens and they seem to be sitting tight.
Republicans want to dare Democrats to keep the Senate from recessing? I say we take up that dare. They need to be back in their states campaigning more than Democrats do.
Idaho: In one of the most exciting polls I've seen to date, new Research 2000 poll numbers show ID-Sen to be a ten-point race! Former Congressman Larry LaRocco is a stone's throw from debate-ducking Jim Risch, at 42-32, with conservative rancher Rex Rammell scoring 5 points (and Rammell isn't the only right-of-center non-GOP choice with Libertarian Kent Marmon and independent Pro-Life on the ballot). The poll even sees LaRocco winning among independents, 38-35. ID-Sen deserves a lot more attention than it has been getting from the media (including the netroots), and I hope this poll will help it garner some of that overdue attention. Back in May, I listed a dozen reasons why we can expect LaRocco to run very competitively with Risch. Help LaRocco keep the momentum going with a contribution via the Expand the Map! ActBlue page.
Alaska: Rasmussen Reports releases the first post-indictment polling numbers and they're good news for Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich. Begich leads Ted Stevens 50-37, Begich's first double-digit lead of the race. Begich also leads Republican David Cuddy 50-35 and Republican Vic Vickers 55-22. Also, Stevens' approve-disapprove is 50-47 against Begich's 63-32. Meanwhile, Stevens had his arraignment this afternoon, and he pled not guilty, of course. Stevens' lawyer also made a motion to shift the trial from Washington DC to Alaska. If I were the judge, I would deny the motion. Even if only slightly, having people fly into Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in order to attend or cover the trial could negatively impact impartiality. Further, the trial will begin in late September and will likely eat up much of Stevens' October.
North Carolina: BlueNC raises even more questions about the legitimacy of Elizabeth Dole's sketchy North Carolina residency status. (Hint: Dole has lived in the Watergate since 1975. It is, by any reasonable definition, her primary residence.)
Oregon: Oregon's third largest political Party, the 22,000-member Independent Party of Oregon, has decided to support Speaker Jeff Merkley's campaign. Meanwhile, here's the latest wonderfully accurate reminder from the DSCC to Oregon voters that Republican Gordon Smith = George W. Bush:
NRSC Chair John Ensign says that, despite a massive fundraising gap, he wants the NRSC to match the DSCC dollar-for-dollar in independent expenditure TV ads and that he expects Republican Senators to contribute to the NRSC to help make up the difference. Is he insane? Perhaps. As kos points out, when you subtract out vulnerable GOP Senators in 2008, potentially vulnerable GOP Senators in 2010, GOP Senate retirees and potential retirees, GOP Senators with ot
