Expand the Map!
Expand the Map!
via ActBlue
Jim Martin (GA) $
Jim Slattery (KS) $
Ronnie Musgrove (MS) $
Jeff Merkley (OR) $
Kay Hagan (NC) $
Mark Begich (AK) $
Scott Kleeb (NE) $
Tom Allen (ME) $
Rick Noriega (TX) $
Larry LaRocco (ID) $
Andrew Rice (OK) $
Election Day 2008 Countdown

Click for www.electoral-vote.com

Support Senate Guru
Democratic Senators and Candidates
Alabama:
-State Senator Vivian Figures
Alaska:
-Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich
Arkansas:
-Senator Mark Pryor
Colorado:
-Congressman Mark Udall
Delaware:
-Senator Joe Biden
Georgia:
-2006 Lt. Gov. nominee Jim Martin
Idaho:
-Former Congressman Larry LaRocco
Illinois:
-Senator Richard Durbin
Iowa:
-Senator Tom Harkin
Kansas:
-Former Congressman Jim Slattery
Kentucky:
-Former state Commerce Secretary Bruce Lunsford
Louisiana:
-Senator Mary Landrieu
Maine:
-Congressman Tom Allen
Massachusetts:
-Senator John Kerry
Michigan:
-Senator Carl Levin
Minnesota:
-Commentator Al Franken
Mississippi-A:
-Former State Representative Erik Fleming
Mississippi-B:
-Former Governor Ronnie Musgrove
Montana:
-Senator Max Baucus
Nebraska:
-2006 Congressional Nominee Scott Kleeb
New Hampshire:
-Former Governor Jeanne Shaheen
New Jersey:
-Senator Frank Lautenberg
New Mexico:
-Congressman Tom Udall
North Carolina:
-State Senator Kay Hagan
Oklahoma:
-State Senator Andrew Rice
Oregon:
-House Speaker Jeff Merkley
Rhode Island:
-Senator Jack Reed
South Carolina:
-Engineer Bob Conley
South Dakota:
-Senator Tim Johnson
Tennessee:
-Former TN-Dems Chair Bob Tuke
-Businessman Kenneth Eaton
-Former Knox County Clerk Mike Padgett
Texas:
-State Representative Rick Noriega
Virginia:
-Former Governor Mark Warner
West Virginia:
-Senator Jay Rockefeller
Wyoming-A:
-Professor Chris Rothfuss
Wyoming-B:
-Former State Senator Keith Goodenough
-Attorney Nick Carter

Retirements, Resignations & Passings
Wayne Allard (R-CO): Announced retirement, 1/15/07
Craig Thomas (R-WY): Passed away, 6/4/07
John Warner (R-VA): Announced retirement, 8/31/07
Chuck Hagel (R-NE): Announced retirement, 9/10/07
Larry Craig (R-ID): Announced retirement, 10/4/07
Pete Domenici (R-NM): Announced retirement, 10/4/07
Trent Lott (R-MS): Formally resigned, 12/18/07

GOP Primary Challengers
Alaska:
-Businessman Dave Cuddy
-Attorney Vic Vickers
-Evangelist Rick Sikma
-Contractor Gerald Heikes
-Michael Corey
-Rich Wanda
Minnesota:
-Dr. Jack Shepard
New Hampshire:
-Former State Legislator Tom Alciere

Right-Leaning Candidates
Alaska:
-Teacher Bob Bird (Alaskan Independence)
Georgia:
-Allen Buckley (Libertarian)
Idaho:
-Rancher Rex Rammell (independent)
-Pro-Life, formerly Marvin Richardson (independent)
-Former Caldwell City Councilman Kent Marmon (Libertarian)
Kansas:
-Randall Hodgkinson (Libertarian)
-Joseph Martin (Reform)
Louisiana:
-Richard Fontanesi (Libertarian)
Massachusetts:
-Robert Underwood (Libertarian)
Michigan:
-Teacher Scotty Boman (Libertarian)
Minnesota:
-Charles Aldrich (Libertarian)
-James Niemackl (Constitution)
Nebraska:
-Kelly Rosberg (Nebraska)
New Hampshire:
-Ken Blevens (Libertarian)
New Jersey:
-Businessman Jason Schuerer (Libertarian)
North Carolina:
-Christopher Cole (Libertarian)
Oregon:
-Dave Brownlow (Constitution)
South Carolina:
-Former Myrtle Beach Mayor Mark McBride (independent)
Tennessee:
-Daniel Lewis (Libertarian)
Texas:
-Alfred Adask (Constitution)
-Yvonne Adams Schick (Libertarian)
Virginia:
-Financial analyst William Redpath (Libertarian)

Links
-Democratic National Committee
-Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
-Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
-Roadblock Republicans
-DSCC's YouTube Page

-Real Clear Politics' 2008 Senate Latest Polls
-Pollster.com 2008 Senate Elections
-Rasmussen Reports 2008 Senate Election Polls
-CQPolitics Balance of Power Scorecard (regularly updated)
-Rothenberg Political Report 2008 Senate Ratings (7/30/08)
-National Journal 2008 Senate Race Rankings (7/23/08)
-Cook Political Report Senate Race Ratings (7/17/08)
-Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball: Senate Sensibilities (6/19/08)
-Real Clear Politics' The Exchange (4/2/08)
-Survey USA Senator Approval Ratings (11/22/06)

-The Hill
-Politico
-Roll Call

-2008 Senate Race Tracker Wiki
-2008 Senate Elections Wikipedia Page
-U.S. Senate Seat-Holders Chart, 1978-present
-Pollster.com
-Project Vote Smart
-An Inconvenient Truth
-Senator Chuck Schumer's Positively American
-Americans United for Change
-Empowering Veterans
-Vote Vets
-Electoral-Vote.com

Blog Roll
Senate 2008 Guru

-All Spin Zone
-All Things Democrat
-AmericaBlog
-Atrios
-Blue Sunbelt
-Bob Geiger
-Booman Tribune
-Campaign Diaries
-The Carpetbagger Report
-Cliff Schecter
-CQPolitics
-Crooks and Liars
-Daily Kos
-The Democratic Daily
-Digby
-Down with Tyranny!
-EENR Progressive Blog
-Firedoglake
-FiveThirtyEight.com
-The Fix (Washington Post)
-From the Roots (DSCC)
-The Gavel (Speaker Pelosi)
-The Group News Blog
-Gun Toting Liberal
-Hotline Blogometer
-Hotline On Call
-The Huffington Post
-Kicking Ass (DNC)
-Left in the West
-Liberal Values
-MaxSpeak
-MyDD
-The Next Hurrah
-NJDC Blog
-Open Left
-The Political Carnival
-Political Wire
-Politics1
-Progressive Blog Digest
-Rising Hegemon
-The Rothenberg Political Report
-Scholars & Rogues
-The Stakeholder (DCCC)
-Swing State Project
-Talking Points Memo
-Think Progress
-VetVoice
-Wonkette

-43rd State Blues (ID)
-Alaska Pride (AK)
-Badlands Blue (SD)
-Barefoot and Progressive (KY)
-Birmingham Blues (AL)
-Bleeding Heartland (IA)
-Bluegrass Report (KY)
-BlueGrass Roots (KY)
-Blue Hampshire (NH)
-Blue Jersey (NJ)
-Blue Mass Group (MA)
-Blue NC (NC)
-Blue Oklahoma (OK)
-Blue Oregon (OR)
-Blue Tide Rising (KS)
-The Bridge (KY)
-Burnt Orange Report (TX)
-Capitol Annex (TX)
-Colorado Pols (CO)
-Cotton Mouth (MS)
-Delaware Liberal (DE)
-Daily Kingfish (LA)
-Democracy for New Mexico (NM)
-Ditch Mitch KY (KY)
-Doc's Political Parlor (AL)
-Heath Haussamen (NM)
-Iowa Progress (IA)
-Joe Monahan (NM)
-KnoxViews (TN)
-Left in Alabama (AL)
-Loaded Orygun (OR)
-Michigan Liberal (MI)
-Minnesota Campaign Report (MN)
-MN Blue (MN)
-MN Publius (MN)
-The MountainGoat Report (ID)
-New Mexico FBIHOP (NM)
-New Nebraska Network (NE)
-North Texas Liberal (TX)
-Not Larry Sabato (VA)
-Prarie State Blue (IL)
-Public Policy Polling (NC)
-Raising Kaine (VA)
-Red State Rebels (ID)
-Rhode Island's Future (RI)
-Square State (CO)
-TennViews (TN)
-Texas Kaos (TX)
-Tondee's Tavern (GA)
-Turn Maine Blue (ME)
-UNO Dems (NE)
-West Virginia Blue (WV)
-Witigonen (OR)


Cheering Them On
-Draft Tom Udall (NM)
-NoriegaBlog (TX)
-Tom Allen for Senate (ME)

Revealing Their Record
-40 Years is Long Enough (KS)
-"Big Oil" Bob Schaffer (CO)
-Bob Schaffer on the Issues (CO)
-BushColeman08 (MN)
-The Coleman Files (MN)
-Collins Watch (ME)
-John F. Crowley - The NJ GOP Cure? (NJ)
-Defeat Lindsey Graham (SC)
-Dump Lindsey Blog (SC)
-Fingerprint Bob (CO)
-Kennedy for Whatever (LA)
-Lamar Facts (TN)
-Norm Coleman Weasel Meter (MN)
-One Confused Politician (LA)
-The Real Wicker (MS)
-Retire Ted (AK)
-Saxby Shameless (GA)
-Schaffer Facts (CO)
-Shifty Schaffer (CO)
-Stop Gordon Smith (OR)
-Stop Sununu (NH)
-Sununu Dirty Tricks (NH)
-Sununu Hampshire (NH)
-Toast Graham! (SC)
-What's McConnell Hiding? (KY)
-Where is Liddy?! (NC)

YouTube Video Library

Republican Scandals of 2007


On Republican Obstructionism


NE-Sen: Mike Johanns is a Quitter


MT-Sen: Mike Lange's Obscene Tirade


KY-Sen: DSCC on Mitch McConnell and Iraq


ME-Sen: Americans United for Change on Susan Collins and Iraq


NH-Sen: Americans United for Change on John Sununu and Iraq


MN-Sen: The Difference Between Norm Coleman & Al Franken


VA-Sen: Mark Warner Announces


The Hall of Fame YouTube Political Video: George Allen and "Macaca"



Cost of the War in Iraq
(JavaScript Error)

The National Debt:




Senate Guru

Exclusive Interview with 2008 Senate Nominee and Former Congressman Jim Slattery of Kansas

by: Senate Guru

Thu Aug 07, 2008 at 12:15 PM EDT

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.

[Much more below the fold.]

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Big Wednesday Night Rundown

by: Senate Guru

Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 23:53 PM EDT

  • Big thanks to State Senator Andrew Rice, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate from Oklahoma in 2008, for taking the time to liveblog with the Senate Guru community this afternoon.  If you couldn't join us, but would like to show your support for Rice's campaign to oust Jim "In Denial" Inhofe, consider a contribution to him via the Expand the Map! ActBlue page.

  • 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!

  • That vulnerable Republican Senators are ditching the Republican National Convention is not escaping the notice of some in the traditional media.

  • Registered voters prefer that Democrats rather than Republicans control Congress by a whopping 53-35 margin.

  • The internet strategists and communications analysts at The Bivings Group rank the five best websites by U.S. Senate candidates, four of which belong to Democrats (Mark Warner in fifth, Rick Noriega in fourth, Al Franken in second, and Scott Kleeb in first).

  • Stephen Colbert says:

    Democrats are poised to pick up as many as thirty seats in the House in November and could win a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.

    Don't get cocky, but, if Stephen said it...

  • New Jersey: New Rasmussen Reports poll: Senator Frank Lautenberg continues to enjoy a double-digit lead over Newt-Gingrich-bootlick Dick Zimmer, 51-33.  When leaners are included, it's 53-38.

  • 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.

  • Alabama: New Rasmussen Reports poll: Things continue to look tough for State Senator Vivian Figures as she trails Jeff Sessions 58-31.

  • Colorado: Backwards Bob Schaffer is everywhere and nowhere on immigration reform.  Meanwhile, the National Education Association is putting on $400,000 worth of ads in support of Democratic Congressman Mark Udall.  Very nice.

  • Mississippi: Ethically questionable Roger Wicker and his partisan surrogates don't let the facts get in the way of their dishonest attacks on former Governor Ronnie Musgrove.

  • 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.

  • Alaska: SSP moves AK-Sen from "Tossup" to "Lean Democratic."  I wouldn't be surprised if Ted Stevens lawyers felt the same way.

  • Minnesota: If Farm Fest is any indication, Smilin' Norm Coleman will get his clock cleaned by Al Franken in their eventual 2008 Senate debates.

  • 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.

  • Wyoming: The Democrats campaigning to take on Senate-appointee John Barrasso, former State Senator Keith Goodenough and attorney Nick Carter, recently held a primary debate that focused largely on energy policy.

  • Florida: Public Policy Polling finds that former Senator Bob Graham would crush Republican Mel Martinez 51-31 if Graham wanted to come out of retirement.  Last month, PPP found Martinez vulnerable to challenges from CFO Alex Sink or Congressman Robert Wexler.

  • Just for funsies, DKos diarist jaf49 replies to the NRSC's issues survey.
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    Live Blog with State Sen. Andrew Rice [OK-Sen]

    by: Andrew for Oklahoma

    Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 14:06 PM EDT

    I never thought I'd be doing what I am today.

    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.

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    Early Wednesday Morning Briefs

    by: Senate Guru

    Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 00:53 AM EDT

  • 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.

  • Georgia: With a strong 60-40 showing in the Democratic primary run-off, the 2008 Democratic Senate nomination goes to Jim Martin.  Martin starts the race down only 11 points against Spineless Saxby Chambliss.  And the DSCC is paying close attention.  Expect this race to increase in profile as the election season proceeds.  And see Senate Guru's 8 reasons why Chambliss is beatable this year.

  • Kansas: In a primary election landslide, former Congressman Jim Slattery officially secured the 2008 Democratic nomination for Senate.  Senate Guru first profiled Slattery almost a year ago.

  • 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.

  • Louisiana: Recent-Republican John Neely Kennedy is One Confused Politician.

  • Nebraska: Kleeb defeats Johanns!
  • New Hampshire: VECO Corporation, the corrupt company that did, um, business with indicted Ted Stevens, apparently has a big crush on Sprintin' John Sununu.

  • Oregon: Continuing his effort to hide his Party label from Oregonians, Republican Gordon Smith now says he won't show his face at the Republican National Convention.  I'm not surprised.

  • 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.

  • The Next Cheney.com, disturbingly informative.
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    Huge Early Tuesday Morning Rundown

    by: Senate Guru

    Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 02:05 AM EDT

  • 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.

    Elsewhere, Republican Jim Risch's campaign manager (who is also his son) has some choice words for the progressive blogosphere:

    "(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.

    Take that, Risch family!  Speaking of Risch's debate-ducking, more Idaho news outlets are highlighting Risch's cowardice.  Coverage like this will only further tighten the already-tight ID-Sen race.

  • Tennessee: Former TN-Dems Chair Bob Tuke completes the sweep and earns the endorsment of the newspapers from each of Tennessee's four largest cities: the Memphis Commercial Appeal, the Knoxville News Sentinel, the Nashville City Paper, and the Chattanooga Times.

  • Louisiana: Gambit Weekly puts a spotlight on the dishonesty and absurdity of the political attacks recent-Republican John Neely Kennedy is lobbing at Senator Mary Landrieu.  In related news, a document from the Landrieu campaign lists six pages of baseless political attacks levied against Senator Landrieu by John Neely Kennedy and his supporters, and the Landrieu camp refutes every single one of them (in PDF).

  • Mississippi: Kudos to The Clarion-Ledger's Sid Salter for getting it:

    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.

  • Kansas: Former Congressman Jim Slattery has crossed the million-dollar-raised mark in just twenty weeks.

  • 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.

  • Nebraska: In case you're studying for the SATs, here's an analogy: Scott Kleeb:Mike Johanns::regular people:big business.

  • 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.

  • The answer to the Friday Senate Trivia Open Thread question, "Who was the very first Democratic Leader in the Senate?" is Oscar Underwood.
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    Weekend Tidbits

    by: Senate Guru

    Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 00:30 AM EDT

  • 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.

  • New Hampshire: In a New York Times profile of NH-Sen, statistical reasoning is offered to back up Democrats' optimism:

    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.

  • Oregon: Someone should ask Republican Gordon Smith why he gave Ted Stevens $10,000 three weeks after it became public that Stevens was under investigation by the FBI.

  • Nebraska: Scott Kleeb's first ads of the general election will run in several Nebraska markets during the opening ceremonies of the Olympics.

  • Virginia: Jim Gilmore 2008: Feel the excitement!
  • Texas: Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison hasn't even resigned her Senate seat to run for Governor of Texas, but the Republican primary to replace her in a special election is already getting crowded as Railroad Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones joins state sen. Florence Shapiro.  Expect the race to get even more crowded as 2010 nears.

  • 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.
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    Friday Night Round-Up

    by: Senate Guru

    Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 23:34 PM EDT

  • 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?

  • Oregon: Remember how Republican Gordon Smith is doing everything he can to convince Oregonians that he's not really a Republican, including mentioning John Kerry in his latest campaign ad?  Well, it's a far cry from what Republican Gordon Smith said about John Kerry during the 2004 Presidential race:

    "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:

  • Colorado: There is not one single passage in the entire attack ad against Congressman Mark Udall that is considered a true fact when reviewed.

  • Kentucky: Media Czech at B&P is absolutely right: 2008 Democratic Senate nominee Bruce Lunsford needs to get much more aggressive in proactively criticizing Mitch McConnell's atrocious record.

  • 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?

  • Because Democratic victories would make it easier for American workers to unionize (the horror!), Wal-Mart is taking pre-emptive measures to undermine unionizing in their stores.  Think Progress has further background on the situation.
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    Friday Senate Trivia Open Thread

    by: Senate Guru

    Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 12:00 PM EDT

    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?

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    Thursday Night Items

    by: Senate Guru

    Thu Jul 31, 2008 at 22:43 PM EDT

  • On the Expand the Map! ActBlue page, Scott Kleeb is only a mere $61 away from the $2,000 mark.  Help him over this hump?

  • 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.

  • Kansas: Former Congressman Jim Slattery has put up a new website breaking down the myths versus the facts regarding the record of Bush-cover-up-artist Pat Roberts.  An enlightening read.
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    Thursday Briefs

    by: Senate Guru

    Thu Jul 31, 2008 at 16:12 PM EDT

  • 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.

  • Senate Republicans are such haphazard obstructionists that they may block troop funding legislation!

  • MyDD is tracking which Republican Senators and Senate candidates are going to or avoiding the Republican National Convention.  Oh, that toxic GOP brand!

  • 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.

  • Louisiana: Oh.  My.  God.  Recent-Republican John Neely Kennedy is apparently plagiarizing his statements on energy policy off of Wikipedia!  Too funny.

  • 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.)

  • Minnesota: Smilin' Norm Coleman has a lousy record on veterans issues.

  • 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:

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    Early Thursday Morning Rundown

    by: Senate Guru

    Thu Jul 31, 2008 at 00:32 AM EDT

  • 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