2010 US Presidential Election

[disputed]

cnn.com, Monday May 11th

Franco Dismisses Skinner on “State of The Union”

Defense Secretary Mike Franco clashed with Republican Presidential candidate Matt Skinner yesterday over the involvement of the United Nations in the crisis in Kazahkstan.

Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union” Skinner said that he felt the United States should now look to the UN to take the lead in resolving the crisis. “We’ve now committed extra troops to try to get the process started but in order to drive a solution everyone can agree to we should let the United Nations take the lead.”

Skinner was followed on the show by Secretary of Defense Mike Franco who dismissed the Congressman as “naïve”. “I think it appears he misunderstands the entire situation. How does he believe the UN can take the lead in a scenario where the two powers involved are veto holding, permanent members of the Security Council? I’m not sure who is advising him but he might want to check their credentials.”

Franco went on to describe the increase of troops in the region as “vital to our objectives” and praised the President for his considered and intelligent approach to the crisis.

[disputed]

cbsnews.com, Monday May 11th

Tripplehorn To Run For Governor

Former Senator Wendell Triplehorn has announced that he is running for Governor of South Dakota.

Appearing on “This Week” on ABC Tripplehorn told presenter Calvin Christopher that he decided after much consultation with his family, friends and the South Dakota Democratic Party to run.

Tripplehorn, 60, has often been mentioned as a possible presidential candidate but it would seem that he has decided that the state house in Piere will be the target of his last run at public office.

The former Senate Minority Leader faces a fierce battle in South Dakota, polls released this morning show him in a 48%-48% tie with current Lt. Governor Tim Masters.

[Marky Bunny]

MSNBC.COM Monday May 11th 2009
White House Correspondents Dinner now this Friday
The White House Correspiondents dinner which had to moved from last Friday due to the Presidential address regarding the troop deploment to Kazahkstan.
The annual event will be held at the Washington Hilton Hotel.

[disputed]

washingtonpost.com, Tuesday May 12th

Political Blog with Dave Dernazza

2010 Senate Races To Watch

10. Missouri - Incumbent Democratic senator Ken Oliom has a 45% approval rating and is seen as a winnable seat for the GOP. Congressman David Owens and former Lt. Governor Lewis Churchfield lead the list of potential candidates.

9. Florida - With Rafe Framhagen's announcement that he will not seek re-election the race the GOP has recruited former Presidential candidate Robert Ritchie as their candidate, it seems unlikely that he will face any challenge. The Democratic front runner is former state senator Cody Maxwell.

8. Virginia - Senator Malken is retiring so we are awaiting an open primary race. Lt. Governor Troy Rivers may get into the race if he fails to win the gubernatorial nomination next month, however, the GOP is continuing to focus it's efforts on former Governor Casey Mitchell.

7. Maryland - Rumours that Dan Kalmbach would run for President skewed this race until the last week or so. Kalmbach is definitley running for re-election but faces fierce opposition from likely Democrat candidate Congresswoman Andi Wyatt.

6. Michigan - A marginal Republican seat has the DNC fairly excited about their chances. Randall Thomas was once seen as a rising star in the GOP but has been tainted by scandals over earmarks and his involvement in the motor industry. The DNC are hopeful they can convince Congresswoman Becky Reeseman to make a long rumoured run for the seat.

5. Arkansas - William Kim is the incumbent but he's struggling to raise money - just $300,000 in Q1 and looks likely to a tough challenge from former ARK CEO Thomas Jackson who appears to be unopposed for the GOP nomination.

4. Utah - Demographics don't look good for Democratic Senator John Degie in the redest of red states. Congressman Paul Dearborn has already announced but the RNC are hopeful that former Governor and Ambassador to Thailand Christopher Jones will run.

3. Minnesota - With Howard Stackhouse's long awaited retirement both sides see this as a winnable race. St. Paul mayor Jack Hunter leads the GOP field. The Democrats are spliting between former State Treasurer Peter Simms and former gubernatorial candidate Katherine Douglas.

2. New Hampshire - Incumbent Joe Gillis is currently saying that he won't run but his "never say never" response leaves him open to change his mind. If Gillis stays out it looks like a big target for the democrats who have Attorney General Dan Kimble as their leading candidate.

1. California - The race that has garnered the most attention of any so far in the 2010 cycle. Richard Lassiter, son of former President Lassiter, is the only declared Republican and it looks increasingly unlikely that he will face any challenge. Dawson Barker is the only currently declared Democrat but there remains much speculation about White House Deputy Chief of Staff Sam Seabourne and former Governor Gabe Tillman

[disputed]

washingtontimes.com, Wednesday May 13th

The Wright Blog – Simon Wright

Where Does Butler Stand?

There continues to be much speculation about the political leanings of ACA Chairman Reverend Don Butler. Having ruled himself out of the running sometime back Butler was not expected to play a major role in the election season, but already he’s just about the most talked about player outside of the main candidates themselves.

Firstly, he surprised many by refusing to condemn Glen Walken for his belief that gay couples should be awarded many of the same rights as straight ones. He further confounded that by saying that he couldn’t fault the credentials of openly gay candidate Congressman Matthew Skinner. He clashed with Wesley Burke, the former Governor of Alabama and a Baptist minister who said that Reverend Butler was pandering in an attempt to make him look attractive as a possible vice presidential candidate.

Butler, who won primaries in Alabama, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Arkansas in 2006, then appeared to be moving increasingly closer to the Walken campaign having held a series of meetings with Jane Braun there were even rumors that they had openly discussed Butler endorsing the former acting President.

So far however, that has not transpired and last weekend Butler threw another curve ball by spending the weekend in West Virginia attending the birthday party of Governor Ray Sullivan’s daughter. The Sullivan campaign said simply that they had been friends for a long time and pointed out that the event was attended by a number of high profile Republicans.

Hence the question remains where does Butler stand? There is no doubt that his endorsement will be a huge boost to any candidate who can secure it – he has access to a fearsome organization in a number of Southern States and could potentially legitimize the candidate with the religious right. On the negative side he is still seen by many moderates as a divisive figure and would present an attractive target to Democrats if he were to play a more high profile role in the election season.

What is clear is that one way or another we have not heard the last of Reverend Butler.

[Marky Bunny]

INFO ON BRITISH GENERAL ELECTIONS 1991-2007
1991
CON: 332
LAB: 274
LIB DEM: 21
Result: Con Majority 13
1996
LAB: 380
CON:220
LIB DEM: 30
Result: Lab Majority 101
2000
LAB: 350
CON: 241
LIB DEM: 39
Result: Lab majority 41
2004
CON: 280
LAB: 265
LIB DEM: 63
Result: Hung parliament-Conservative largest party- Con minority Government.
2007
LAB: 327
CON: 223
LIB DEM: 71
Result: Labour majority of 4 .

[disputed]

newyorktimes.com, Wednesday May 13th

Blakemore Addresses NCAAP

Governor Marcus Blakemore last night addressed the annual meeting of the NCAAP in Pittsburgh, PA.

Blakemore talked of the need for a new America saying “it’s time to end the tribalism of politics and for all people to come together and focus on the many areas that unite us rather than spending all our time on the handful of things that divide us.”

A spokesman for the NCAAP said “Governor Blakemore is a historic candidate and we are delighted to have him here with us here tonight.”

A CNN poll carried out at the meeting showed that 72% of those in attendance would be more likely to vote Republican if Blakemore was the nominee.

[Peter_Winchester]

From the Daily Telegraph
Speaker Resigns
The Speaker of the House of Commons, Richard Rider, has today announced that he intends to resign his position. Although Rider has previously stated the he would continue to serve as Speaker into, and past the next election, he stated that he feels he has lost the confidence of the House. Richard Rider was first elected in the Conservative landslide in 1979, and became a powerful backbench figure in the small Parliamentary Labour Party, identifying mainly with the hard left. After the surprise Conservative victory in 1991, Rider supported the candidature of first Michael Young, and then Jack Norris for party leader. After the 1996 election, his wide following on both the Labour and Conservative benches lead to him being appointed as Deputy Speaker under the former Conservative Speaker George Heath, a post he held for the duration of the 1996-2000 Parliament. With the resignation of Heath after eight years, Rider was the obvious candidate for the Speakership, and was duly elected following the 2000 election.

Richard Rider's Speakership, however, was marred with difficulty. Following the election of Maureen Graty, he frequently suffered accusations of bias against the Conservative government and particularly against Conservative backbenchers. In 2008, Richard Rider was overheard making disparaging comments about the former Prime Minister, which caused fresh allegations that he lacked the neutrality to be Speaker. Ultimately, it was revelations that he used part of his MP's expense allowance to seek legal representation for his daughter, Janet Collingridge, that lead to a backbench movement to remove him.

Although the Speaker insists he did nothing wrong, he accepts that the Speaker must have the confidence of the House, and therefore will resign as soon as a successor can be chosen. Current First Deputy Speaker, Conservative Henry Redwood, seems the immediate front runner to replace him.

[disputed]

foxnews.com, Wednesday May 13th

Republican Grandees About Turn Rocks Haffley

Two senior Republicans have shocked the campaign of former speaker Jeff Haffley of Washington by announcing that they were withdrawing their endorsement and now intend to support former acting President Glen Walken in the Republican race for the Presidential nomination.

Bob Harlan, who served as Owen Lassiter’s chief of staff for the final years of his presidency, and Joe Porter, the former Senator from Georgia, stated last night that they had lost faith in Haffley’s ability to lead the country.

Harlan said “When I announced I would be supporting Congressman Haffley it was because I believed he was generating an agenda to move this country forward. In the past four months I haven’t heard one new idea.”

Porter echoed his long term friend saying “We need a leader who can not only win the election but can also restore faith in America both for our own citizens and for those around the world who rely on us. That’s why I will now be supporting President Walken”

The Haffley campaign refused to comment on the announcement, amid rumors of infighting between advisors and of fundraising problems.

[disputed]

Townhall.com, Wednesday May 13th

Sullivan Attacks Haffley and Skinner over record spending

Governor Ray Sullivan yesterday attacked Congressmen Jeff Haffley and Matt Skinner saying they were complicit in the dramatic increase of Government spending over the past twelve years.

Speaking after the publication of a report stating that government spending now equated to 52% of GDP – the highest since the Second World War – Sullivan said that both sides were guilty of allowing this spending to run wild over the past twelve years.

Sullivan added “Congressman Haffley and Skinner have been guilty of allowing spending to get out of control. Jeff Haffley and Matt Skinner have voted on multiple occasions to increase the level of spending in Washington, all the while talking of fiscal discipline. Whilst he was Speaker Congressman Haffley agreed budgets that saw a dramatic increase in the role of the state and overall spending, yet he claims to be a fiscal conservative. Congressman Skinner has a dreadful record on this – he voted for every Bartlett budget and every Santos budget. I have a long list of the earmarks he’s managed to secure for Vermont, and an impressive list it is. I think we really need to count just how many bridges there are in Vermont because we seem to be spending a lot of money on them.”

He continued “As President I pledge to end this runaway Government spending, and return this country to a sane fiscal footing. I will go line by line to eliminate the pork barrel spending that continues to blight our country.”

The Haffley campaign responded saying “The Congressman has a long history of fighting against the excesses of the Democratic presidents we’ve had for the last twelve years he doesn’t need to justify his record to Governor Sullivan.”

[Marky Bunny]

UK.Politics.com Wednesday May 13th 2009
Taylor's election plan is working
Conservative Party leader James Taylor is slowly working his way into favour with the british people.
Taylor who was an outsider when he captured the leadership after the regisnation of Maurren graty in 2007, at the age of just 38, had been regarded with an almost indifferance by people. His now famous "I care" speech at the 2007 party conferance in Blackpool helped him win the leadership, but Taylor who had served as Sec of State for Adminstarive Affairs in the ill-fatted Graty minority Government has been repairing the damage both at home and aboard caused by the attuide of the previous leader.
In December 2007, when he was formally announced as leader, the first to be elected by all party members polling 145,211 votes against the final challenger Graty's Home Secretary Ken Matthews 58,458 votes, Prime-Minister Green held a 39% to 34% lead in the polls which would have been enough to have given Green a increased majority of 76 seats, but he decided that a second election under a year would not have been correct. It has been a decision that Prime-Minister Green has come to regret.
Taylor has slowly modernised his party, his appointment of the openly gay Richard Samuels as Shadow Chancellor suprised many in the party, but it laid down an early marker for his desire to change the image of the party.
Taylor has described himself "I am a Conservative, but not one that is angry with modern Britian".
With Labour having just a majority of 4 , and Taylor holding a small lead in the opinion polls, which if they happened in a general election would only result in a another hung parliament with Labour the largest party. Green faces a tough by-election in Birmingham East at the end of June following the death last week of MP Graham Turnbull. A defeat is not out of the question which Turnbull held at the 2007 election by just over 6,000 votes.
It has been said that Taylor does not favour an early election, and that he wants to build up his lead in the polls, before forcing an sort of vote of no-confidenace in the Government.

[Peter_Winchester]

From The Spectator
Birmingham East By-Election Spells Trouble For Green, But Taylor Needs to Tread Carefully
If James Taylor's advisors are any good at all (and say what you will about the man himself, past experience indicates that they are), they'll be telling him not to play this by-election as a glorified opinion poll on the Green government. Last spring, the House of Commons was positively awash with rumours that Green was to go, voluntarilly or not, with talk of characters as far fetched as Jack Norris, Rudolf James and even a returned Richard Meyer being talked about to replace him. But Green soldiered through, the way he always does. He may not be much of a leader, but he is considerably more politically astute than most realise, and he's probably worked out the ramifications of Birmingham East.
By spinning it as a refendum on his government, he can't lose. If the seat falls, he's stuffed anyway; a majority of three will not stand for long. I'm sure the Member for Oldham East can find a few friends to rebel when she needs to. The government will be in dire straits anyway, so why worry? And if he wins? If he wins it may reinvigorate the party, and force Taylor back on the defensive. Taylor has survived so far by attacking the government as often as possible, but a defeat would put the ball firmly in his court, at a time when there isn't a whole lot left in it. Like it or not, Taylor's Shadow Cabinet is one of the most empty to be found; telegenic, yes, but not particuarly suited to government.
With a larger majority, playing this an opinion poll might be sensible. But with the majority so thin, it could backfire horribly.

[Marky Bunny]

CNN.COM Thursday May 14th 2009
Bartlet's autobiography to be published in November
Former President Josiah Bartlet much awaited autobiography which is to be entitled "What's next" is to be released in November.
Bartlet has worked with with jouranlist Danny Concannon who is now the husband of his former Chief of Staff and Press Secetary CJ Craig on the book.
It was also announced that all profits from the book would be given to Childrenspovety.com which fights to help living in the United States.

[Marky Bunny]

FOX.News.com Thursday May 14th 2009
Royce: Haffley went too far in 2003
Senate Majority leader Robert Royce launched an attack on Former Speaker and presidential candidate Jeff Haffley today on his handling of both of the 2003 VP nomination and the federal government shut down.
Royce who decided in January not to run for the nomination and until this point had remained netural said "Speaker Haffley talks now of bringing the country togther, but twice in 2003, he played polictics and in my opinion went to far".
He said "In the senate we where prepared to accept Lewis Beryhill as VP, but Haffley said no. The breakdown over the federal budget in November 2003 was all down to Jeff. I cannot blaime President Bartlet, Haffley tried to bring down the Presidency, which was wrong".
Asked if he was going to endorse another candidate he refused "All the major candidates would make excellent Presidents, it shows I think the strength and quaility the party has".
A spokesman for the Haffley campaign said "The Senate Majority Leader is entitled to his opinion, but Speaker Haffley does not agree with his version of events. Anyway our campaign is based on looking forward for the best future for the country not what happeneded six years ago".

[Marky Bunny]

MSNBC.COM Thursday May 14th 2009
Skinner goes on the attack in New Hampshire
Congressman Matt Skinner made his first campaign appearance in Concord New Hampshire today, his first since the change in his campaign team and was straight on the offensive.
"Despite what some of my fellow candidates say, I have said sorry for those e-mails" going further he said "The American people I think what to hear about are policies, not gossip". He also responded to Ray Sullivan's attack about his record on spending "Actullay I would like to say Governor Sullivan, Vermont has 227 bridges, 224 of which where described by federal officials as "un-safe". Yes I voted to support Bartlet and Santos budgets, because I do not believe in oppostion for opposition's sack as I think the Governor does". He also had words for Former Michigan Governor and President Lassiter's Former National Secruity adviser Marcus Blakemore "I like Marus, but I think he is re-writing history regards to his record. Public spending in Michigan trebled during his two terms as Governor. He also sacked twenty members of the Governors Office who where Democracts.End the tribalism he says , well he didn't in Michigan".
He also responded to comments made by Secetary of Defense, Mike Franco, about Kazahkstan "I thought this adminstration loved the UN and supported it. Has Secetary Franco told UN Ambassdor McNally about his change in policy, I don't think so. I think we must be working to bring in more NATO troops and UN forces".
Skinner's performance and impressive, and despite his opponents denying it, he still has a real chance of winning the nomination.

[Marky Bunny]

CNN.COM Thursday May 14th 2009
Governor Pratt opens womens refudge centre in Iowa
Former Tennesee Governor Edward Pratt was in Council Bluffs Iowa today opening a women's refudge centre.
The centre which was has been funded jointly by the state government, the federal government and private money.
Governor Pratt had a made centre's like these in his own state a top priority during his eight years as Governor.
Asked why he was interested in these projects he replied with emotion "My mother, I was a the only child of a single mother when I was three years old she could involved with a man that used to beat her, she and I managed to flee him, and we lived in centre in Memphis for six months. It was a haven, and why I supported them as Governor, and why I support this one, and why as the next President of the United States, I will do everything I can do build more centres like these".

[Peter_Winchester]

Speaker Selection Scheduled For Monday
A debate to select a new Speaker of the House of Commons has been hastilly arranged for Monday, following the announcment that Richard Rider is to resign. Although the resignation has forced time to be allocated to purely parliamentary matters rather than national ones, it could prove to be a blessing for John Green. If the MP chosen sits as a Conservative or Liberal Democrat currently, the opposition benches would lose an MP, and Green would gain back Rider as a Labour backbencher, increasing his majority to six. This would come as a relief to the Prime Minister, who is already facing an uncertain by-election that could renew rumours of a leadership plot.

[disputed]

foxnews.com, Thursday May 14th

GOP Candidates Unite In Anger Over Skinner Comments

Two of the leading Republican candidates have responded angrily to comments made today by Congressman Matthew Skinner today in New Hampshire.

Firstly, former Michigan Governor responded on Fox News saying "I'm really disappointed in Matt, I thought he was bigger than this to be honest. He's basically completely misrepresented my record - to say that spending went up during my term is ridiculous, which I think I should remind him ran from 1999 to 2003, is quite simply not true. In 1999 it was $36.4 billion and in 2003 it was $36.4 billion in spite of the impact of Proposal A (on school funding). He then suggested I fired twenty democrats, again both untrue and misleading. Twenty members of staff who were part of the previous adminstration left over a period of two years. Twelve resigned, three were fired for disciplinary reasons, two left to work in Washington, one left for health reasons, one retired and one went to jail. I think it's unfortunate that he's followed up the Hampton emails with this."

Governor Ray Sullivan followed up Blakemore's comments saying "I think it's remarkable, that he can talk for what an hour and only mention the word policy once and that being in a claim that other people don't talk about them. I find it worrying that he's running such a negative campaign, I would have hoped that after the disgraceful situation with Mandy Hampton that he would be a little more focused on talking about what he actually stands for and believes in, rather than trying to attack myself and Governor Blakemore and continuing to make a fool of himself in an arguement with the Secretary of Defense."

The comments of all three came amid new polling in New Hampshire suggesting that Sullivan's recent media blitz may be helping as he's opened up a three point lead on Blakemore.

[disputed]

The Economist, Friday May 15th

The Elephant(s) in the room

With a little over six months to the first caucus and primary elections to determine the Republican nomination, the field of candidates seems finally to have settled in and we are beginning to see the makings of a fascinating race.

Of the current nine declared candidates things seem to be working out best for Glen Walken. Having announced that he intended to sit the race out he performed a sensational u-turn in March following the death of his long time friend and mentor Jim Hoehner who died only hours after announcing his own candidacy for President. Since then Walken’s campaign has sailed a steady course in complete contrast to the lethargy of his previous run for the White House. His common sense approach to same-sex marriage impressed many and he’s been the most detailed about his plans for his presidency. He’s also been able to flex his foreign policy muscles by working with Secretary Vinick and President Santos on the crisis in Kazahkstan. The big question will be whether he can hold his weight down and continue to show the same combination of intelligence and discipline throughout the campaign.

Walken’s re-emergence has had a major effect on the campaign of Governor Ray Sullivan of West Virgina, the front runner for almost three years. This newspaper speculated just months ago that he appeared to be destined for an easy ride and a coronation. These comments seem a million miles away now as he has lost the lead in most polls. On the plus side this seems to have relit a fire in Sullivan and he’s responded by returning to the aggressive approach that made him seem such a formidable candidate in the first place. He came off extremely strongly from an exchange with Congressman Skinner in New Hampshire, which is quickly emerging as his must win state showing many of the skills from 2006 that saw him praised as a VP candidate who was able to charm people even whilst attacking his opponent.

The campaign also skillfully side stepped the possible disaster of his 17 year old being arrested under the influence, helped immeasurably by the increasingly off beat comments of former First Lady Libby Lassiter.

Jeff Haffley doesn’t have his trouble to seek. In February he was polling consistently in the 20s but some polls are now showing him as low as 7%. This has led to much speculation as to why the former speaker is struggling to capitalize on his profile and his popularity with the base. The main reason appears to be that he’s never totally found the direction he needs. He’s been squeezed out by Sullivan and Walken and has never really regained his footing, in spite of a well received debate performance. His campaign is rumored to have major fund raising problems and there are constant rumors regarding his advisors.

There has been much dispute over exactly which candidate can lay claim to the legacy of Arnie Vinick but increasingly it appears that the baton has been seized by former Michigan Governor Marcus Blakemore. He’s pro-choice, he’s pretty liberal on same sex marriage and almost sounds libertarian on a range of other issues. Not to mention the fact that he’s the first serious African American contender for the Presidency. He’s polling extremely well and few can dispute his undoubted charisma. He has been denounced by former Alabama Governor Wesley Burke as “pretty much another four years of liberal Government” and attacked my Congressman Matthew Skinner over his time as Governor, but he has a sound fiscal conservative background from his time as a Governor (in spite of Skinner’s claims) and his military and national security experience continue to attract many from that wing of the party.

Not content with the possibility of nominating their first African American candidate for President the race contains an even bigger potential surprise if the GOP were to nominate an openly gay candidate. Congressman Skinner has achieved a lot just to have gotten as far as he has but the range of attacks he’s facing are starting to seem insurmountable. Whilst his ability to secure funding for Vermont bridges is creating mountains of material for satirists it’s not going to help him with fiscal conservatives. He’s undoubtedly been damaged by the “Hampton-gate” scandal, though he should be praised for his swift action in removing Mandy Hampton he’s been less forthcoming on whether Daniel Cranford is still on the pay-roll. Some commentators still see Skinner as a genuine contender, but it’s a struggle not to wonder exactly how the Vermont Representative can convince an already skeptical GOP that he's capable of winning a general election.

The campaign of former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Nicholas Alexander appears to have hit the skids. This week General Alexander had to cancel a rally in Michigan after it emerged that the expected venue held 15,000 people but only around 500 were expected to attend. This seems a long way from the enthusiastic – mainly military – crowds that he spoke to in the early days of his campaign. The revelation that he voted for Jed Bartlett, still a boogeyman figure to many in the GOP, done him few favors and his uneven debate performance reassured very few. A number of talking heads have speculated that he may only still be in the race because his real goal was to become Defense Secretary or even Vice-President.

Of the rest is seems unlikely that either Mike Reed or Darren Gibson will gain sufficient traction to make a great impact, and former Tennessee Governor Edward Pratt seems to have abandoned all of the good sense that made him such an effective Governor.

This paper is in no position as of yet to endorse any candidate for either the Republican nomination or the Presidency, but we are certainly encouraged by the strength in the field.

[disputed]

Bloomberg.com, Friday May 15th

Haffley Advisors In Airport Brawl

Some of the often rumored tensions in the Haffley campaign appeared to have boiled to the surface last night. It’s being reported that two of his most senior advisors John Townsend and Marshall Harris were arrested at Charleston Metropolitan Airport in South Carolina.

Local news outlets are running the story saying that Mr. Townsend and Mr. Harris had arrived on a flight from Orlando Sanford but whilst waiting in the baggage hall, the pair had a heated discussion that became physical.

Both men were restrained by security before local police arrived on the scene. The local police department confirmed that both men were later released without charge.