2010 US Presidential Election

[Marky Bunny]

CNN.COM

Sunday March 25th 2012

Haffley "Robo calls are nothing to do with me" but refuses to attack them

Jeff Haffley claimed today that Robo-calls made attacking Washington Governor Sean Boone and his family where "nothing to do with me" but he refused to attack them.

Speaking on CNN today he said "The Governor has got to understand that this is a tough business, its a game for grown ups, these things happen" when asked if agreed with what was said he refused to give an answer.

[Tim Thomason]

I'm very, very, very rusty - after a month living "off the grid" (sorta) - so there are probably some mistakes here. The only change I made from consulting some old posts is Virginia.

2012 Primary Election Dates
(w/ help from The Green Papers)

Past
March
March 6th

• - Ohio Primary ("first Tuesday after the first Monday in March")
• - Texas Primary ("first Tuesday in March")

March 20th - Illinois Primary ("third Tuesday in March")
March 25th - Puerto Rico Primary ("12 days before Good Friday")

Upcoming
April
April 3rd - DC Primary ("first Tuesday in April")

May
May 8th

• - Indiana Primary ("first Tuesday after first Monday in May")
• - North Carolina Primary ("Tuesday next after the first Monday in May")
• - West Virginia Primary ("second Tuesday in May")
• - Virginia Primary ("first Tuesday after the first Monday in May")

May 15th

• - Idaho Primary ("third Tuesday of May")
• - Nebraska Primary ("first Tuesday after the second Monday in May")
• - Oregon Primary ("third Tuesday in May")
• - Pennsylvania Primary ("third Tuesday in May")

May 22nd - Kentucky Primary ("first Tuesday after third Monday in May")

June
June 5th

• - Alabama Primary ("first Tuesday in June")
• - California Primary ("first Tuesday after the first Monday in June")
• - Iowa Primary ("first Tuesday after the first Monday in June")
• - Mississippi Primary ("first Tuesday in June")
• - Montana Primary ("first Tuesday after the first Monday in June")
• - New Jersey Primary ("Tuesday next after the first Monday in June")
• - New Mexico Primary ("first Tuesday in June")
• - South Dakota Primary ("first Tuesday after the first Monday in June")

June 12th

• - Arkansas Primary ("second Tuesday in June")
• - Maine Primary ("second Tuesday of June")
• - Nevada Primary ("second Tuesday in June")
• - North Dakota Primary ("second Tuesday in June")
• - South Carolina Primary ("second Tuesday in June")

June 26th

• - Colorado Primary ("last Tuesday in June")
• - Maryland Primary ("last Tuesday in June")
• - New York Primary ("fourth Tuesday in June")
• - Oklahoma Primary ("last Tuesday in June")
• - Utah Primary ("fourth Tuesday of June")

August
August 2nd - Tennessee Primary ("first Thursday in August")
August 7th

• - Kansas Primary ("first Tuesday in August")
• - Michigan Primary ("Tuesday immediately following the first Monday in August")
• - Missouri Primary ("first Tuesday after first Monday in August")
• - Washington Primary ("first Tuesday of August")

August 11th - Hawaii Primary ("second Saturday of August")
August 14th

• - Connecticut Primary ("second Tuesday in August")
• - Florida Primary ("Tuesday 12 weeks prior to the general election")
• - Minnesota Primary ("second Tuesday in August")
• - Wisconsin Primary ("second Tuesday in August")

August 21st

• - Georgia Primary ("third Tuesday in July - except in a year immediately following the release of US Census data, in which case next-to-last Tuesday in August")
• - Wyoming Primary ("Tuesday next after third Monday in August")

August 28th

• - Alaska Primary ("fourth Tuesday in August")
• - Arizona Primary ("tenth Tuesday prior to a general election")
• - Vermont Primary ("fourth Tuesday in August")

September
September 1st - Guam Primary ("first Saturday of September")
September 6th - Massachusetts Primary (" Notwithstanding section 28 of chapter 53 of the General Laws, or any other general or special law to the contrary, the state primary for the calendar year 2012 shall be held on Tim Thomasons's Birthday")
September 8th - Virgin Islands Primary ("second Saturday of September")
September 11th

• - Delaware Primary ("second Tuesday in September")
• - New Hampshire Primary ("second Tuesday in September")
• - Rhode Island Primary ("second Tuesday after first Monday in September")

November
November 6th - Louisiana Primary and General ("first Tuesday after the first Monday in November")

[disputed]

politico.com, Tuesday March 27th

Illinois Candidates Turn Fire Towards November Battle

After straight forward primary victories the Republican and Democratic candidates for Governor of Illinois have turned their attention to poll in November with each taking an early shot at their opponent.

Lieutenant Governor James Leyland, who eased past Congressman Daniel Maddox 61% - 22% last Tuesday, said that the state could not be served by following the “far right policies” promoted by “my opponent”. He pushed his military experience and presented himself subtly as the man who got things done while his current boss Andrew Cordy focused on big picture things.

Leyland’s attacks didn’t go unheard across town at the camp of Congressman Teddy Hart, the Republican nominee. Hart questioned Leyland’s presentation of himself “You can call it quiet or you can call it ineffective, I think it’s the latter.”

Initial polls taken by the Chicago Tribune give Leyland a 7 point lead with 43% - 36%. This came as Leyland confirmed that his campaign would be managed by Tom Shanley, who ran the campaigns of former Governor Byron McAlster.

[disputed]

thehill.com, Tuesday March 27th

Cassidy Tells Reid “It’s Time To Change”

Carlin Cassidy, a leading Republican contender for the Senate, used an appearance on Taylor Reid this morning to call for on his party to recognise it needs to change if it is to win across the country.

Cassidy told Reid that “electing the same old people who will pursue the same big government policies is not a path to prosperity, it’s a path to bankruptcy. My opponent in the primary has pursued big government policies all of his career and seems to have had a dramatic change of heart recently.”

Reid clashed with Cassidy over his claims that the GOP have failed to be sufficiently conservative pointing to a number of leading Republicans such as Governor James Ritchie. Cassidy however was undeterred saying “Even under President Lassiter our efforts in shrinking government were insufficient. We need to make the case to the people that government has grown far too large and that unless we reverse it we are facing lasting decline.”

The former TV star who leads Congressman Travis Hoyt in the race to be the Republican nominee came under immediate fire from Democratic candidate Jackson Kennedy who released a statement saying that Cassidy had “revealed his true colours” and that he was little more than a “right wing extremist” who believes that President Lassiter was “too moderate”.

[disputed]

nbspolitics.com, Tuesday March 27th

Fowler Rules Out Run For Senate

Jonathan Fowler Jr. the son of former New Jersey Governor Fowler last night re-iterated a previous decision that he would not seek the Republican nomination for the Senate, however, he stopped short of endorsing current Senator Mike Brace.

Fowler, who was attending a fund raiser hosted by NJ Governor Dan Pritchard told reporters that “I do not feel the time is right for me and my family to seek national office. As I’ve said before I have young children and feel my job as a father and husband is the most important one I can have for the moment.”

The announcement seemed to confirm reports at the weekend that last gasp efforts by people close to former Governor Fowler to get Brace out of the race has failed and that the incumbent Senator was not willing to stand aside for the younger Fowler despite facing a significant polling disadvantage against Democrat Cameron Callabrasse.

[disputed]

nbspolitics.com, Tuesday March 27th

Walken Urges Congress To Pass Infrastructure Bill

President Walken and his team took to the airwaves yesterday to urge congress to pass the infrastructure bill currently making it’s way through Congress.

The bill that some suggest was written in large part by the President along with Minnesota Senator Jack Hunter and Democratic Senator Damon Matteo proposes a significant public-private partnership in developing hundreds of infrastructure projects all across the country.

Walken seems to have taken this step in response to criticism on the far left and from the right of his own party, both of whom seem to be objecting to the bills passage. Sources close to the President seem to believe that he is now focused on driving the bill through his growing coalition of blue dog Democrats and ¾ of his own party.

Majority leader Robert Royce seemed to suggest that the bill would reach the floor of the Senate over the next couple of days – it seems likely that a group of around five or six rebel Republicans led by Florida Senator Seth Randall will vote against meaning it will need the support of at least eight Democrats to pass.

Shawn Gutteridge, a spokesman for Senator Matteo said they were confident that they had the support. “A good number of Democrats will support this bill. It’s right for the country and that’s what’s important.”

Not surprisingly there has been outrage on both sides of the political spectrum. Former New Jersey Governor Kate Crossley said that the public-private partnership was “muddled” adding “this is a complex accounting trick, there are far simpler ways to stimulate our economy, and using a slight of hand whilst imposing dramatic cuts in spending is not the way forward.”

[Marky Bunny]

CNN.COM

Wednesday March 28th 2012

Senator Riley endorses Washington Governor Boone

Seantor Cody Riley of Albama today became the second Senator to endorse the Governor of Washington Sean Boone in his race against former Speaker of the House Jeff Haffley, it follows that of Vermont Senator Matt Skinner.

"I am here today to endorse Governor Boone, now some may say we have little in common, but we have lots in common. The party must look to the future, Conservative but also an understanding of our country today, and Sean understands this".

Asked about Speaker Haffley and his alleged involvement to the series of robocalls against Governor Boone "Only Speaker Haffley knows what went on, but frankly I was disgusted by his comments in not condeming them".

[Marky Bunny]

BBC.CO.UK/London

Friday March 30th 2012

Former Battersea MP Malcolm Sinton "I am going to run for Labour nomination for Mayor"

Former Battersea MP, Malcolm Sinton has announced that he intends to seek the Labour nomination for London Mayor in 2014.

Only one other candidate the former Chancellor Daniel Lamont has confirmed his intention to stand, after the expected front-runner Jack Norris decided to return to the House of Commons instead.

Mr Sinton who was MP for Battersea from 1996 to 2007, retired at the 2007 General Election, and has since worked in Media relations for various companies. Mr Sinton who is 54, said "I am ready to return the poltical fray, I am ready to serve my party and the people of London" he added that he was "the only Labour candidate that could defeat Henry Reed".

The only other candidate who had been mentioned is the former Leader of Lambeth Council, Margo Lynn, but she has so far refused to declare any intention to run.

The result will be announced at the Labour Party Conference in October.

Former Battersea MP, Malcolm Sinton

(photo by Hugh Bonneville)

[Jay Cruger]

Hey Guys! Man it's been a while! so busy with work etc.

I just popped in to say we did it again! The West Wing Universe has predicted another primary cycle! from our 2010 Presidential Election

Glen Allen Walken (Mitt Romney)- Third Place finisher last primary cycle. Been touted as a frontrunner early on, establishment lining up heavily behind him as well. Winning big across the nation and almost defeatable

Ray Sullivan (Rick Santorum)- Conservative pro-lifer, who ties it up with Glen Allen Walken across the country winning states in the South and West to keep him on the boards. Sullivan is slightly more reasonable than Santorum OTL

George "Hawk" Fuller- (Rick Perry)- Very "hawkish" (no pun) southerner on domestic and foreign issues and struggling to keep head of the GOP field

Nicholas Alexander- (Ron Paul)- Anti-establishment, military endorsed candidate, who threatens a third party candidacy and is encouraged by many in his sect to do so. I still think Nick Alexander had less screws loose than Paul though.

Jeff Haffley- (Newt Gingrich)- Former Speaker of the House running a floundering campaign, when many saw hope at one point

Matthew Skinner- (Jon Huntsman)- moderate, sensible candidate, who ran conservatively, but could not seem to place in the field itself sufficiently, also having moderate views on gay marriage.

Marcus Blakemore- (Herman Cain) - Prominent African American candidate unexpectedly forced from the race (albeit for different and more honorable reason).

I'm not sure if I could find a Bachmann, McCotter or Pawlenty, etc. but this is what I got for now.

Great to talk to you guys again!

[Marky Bunny]

Hi Jay
Great to have you back, here are two other candidate comparisons


Matt Skinner (Fred Karger)- The first openly gay man to run for the GOP nomination for President.

Mike Reed (Tim Pawlenty)- Two term Governor who great things where expected from, but failed to make any impact in the race and dropped out way before the primary campaign started.

[Marky Bunny]

Been thinking about this that is a similarity to OTL GOP 2012 nomination race to the shows 2006 Dem race, espically if it is a brokered convention.

Robert Russell (Mitt Romney) Seen as the front-runner for the past year, but struggling to make an impact with the party base, says he is the only candidate that can win the General Election.

Matthew Santos (Rick Santorum) Belived to have had little chance at the start of the primary campaign picked up steam after suprise good results as won in the south and west.

John Hoynes (Newt Gingrich) Former party big player, tainted by broken marriages, and his record in top place in the party (Hoynes-VP-Gingrich-SOH).

I guess on this basis Santorum is the nominee!!!!

[NickCT]

Originally Posted by Marky Bunny

Been thinking about this that is a similarity to OTL GOP 2012 nomination race to the shows 2006 Dem race, espically if it is a brokered convention.

Robert Russell (Mitt Romney) Seen as the front-runner for the past year, but struggling to make an impact with the party base, says he is the only candidate that can win the General Election.

Matthew Santos (Rick Santorum) Belived to have had little chance at the start of the primary campaign picked up steam after suprise good results as won in the south and west.

John Hoynes (Newt Gingrich) Former party big player, tainted by broken marriages, and his record in top place in the party (Hoynes-VP-Gingrich-SOH).

sooo funny!! I made this exact comparison on my radio show a few weeks ago. i went further by suggesting gingrich was remaining in in hopes of a divided convention turning to the party old hand.

[Marky Bunny]

I was going to add that about Hoynes/Gingrich actually.
It is very spooky how the shows fictional 2006 election mirrored what happended in real life two years later, followed by our 2010 GOP race matching closely to what is happening now, and also the clear comparrisons between the real 2012 GOP nomination battle and the shows 2006 Democratic noomination.
Also in the british story, I was going to have two candidates arrested for fighting, but decided against it, then days later a Labour MP was arrested for fightning in the House of Commons bar.
In my fictional St Helens North by-election, right up until that day I was un-decided who was going to win, the Labour candidate or the larger than life, ex-Labour Party man, who had formed his own left wing party. I went with Labour and then what happens in a similar by-election a few days ago, George Galloway who is very similar to Ben Stantey (I have written Stanley as a combination of Ken Livingstone and George Galloway) won an upset by-election victory.
Sometimes you couldn't make it up!!!

[disputed]

nbs.com, Thursday April 4th

Walken Budget In Trouble As Senior Dem Accuses Backtrack on Bartlet/Vinick Deal

After last years relatively quiet budget battle the attempts of President Walken to get his budget through Congress this year are shaping up to be more difficult.

A number of Democrats including former Vice-President Bob Russell and former New Jersey Governor Kate Crossley line up to criticise the “draconian cuts” that Walken was proposing, but the critique that has drawn the most attention has come from Senator Tim McCord. The moderate South Carolina native accused Walken of attempting to revere the bi-partisan agreement between former President Bartlet and then Senator Vinick from 2006 – a plan that many believe to be fundamentally flawed.

McCord, speaking on Morning Joe said “It’s disappointing that the President and his advisors feel they can rail road through a plan that will have a devastating effect on many of the most vulnerable people in our society.”

Senator McCord’s claims were disputed by Matt McConnell, the former Lassiter Deputy Chief of Staff who said “This is pretty dismal scaremongering Senator – it’s been 6 years since the Bartlet/Vinick agreement and still nobody can tell you what it means or how much it’ll cost, President Walken’s budget is attempting to address that hole in a way that protects Social Security for future generations.

Democratic analyst Kelly Low appearing later on MSNBC suggesting that this was likely and attempt by McCord to appeal to the party’s base who seem to be very distrustful of a Southern Senator and are moving towards more liberal candidates such as Governor Crossley.

[disputed]

politicsonline.com, Thursday April 4th

Buckland Campaign “Worried” As Campaign Enters Final Month

A new poll in the Indiana Democratic nomination race for the Senate will make for dismal reading for the campaign of former Governor Jack Buckland. The poll for PPP gives former Indiana Pacer and State Representative Rudi Robinson a 7 point lead with many suggesting that the former Bartlet Labour Secretary faces an uphill battle to win the nomination.

Robinson spent yesterday touring cafes in rural Indiana saying only that “the only poll that makes any difference to me will be cast by the people of Indiana in May – until then we’ll keep meeting voters and presenting our agenda for change.”

The former NBA star received a further boost last night after prominent State Senator Joel Astles refused to endorse Governor Buckland saying “the race is very close – I don’t think voters need me interjecting myself into it.” The snub is seen as a hammer blow to Buckland who has long enjoyed the establishment support of the party.

The picture is no more clear on the Republican side as a poll for the Indianapolis Star showed Indianapolis Mayor Jacob Laramaki and Congressman Mitchell Harris in a statistical tie. Both sides continued to talk up their chances with Laramaki accusing Harris of being “a so called conservative wolf with a sheeps clothing voting record”

[disputed]

timesdespatch.com, Thursday April 4th

Renton Attempts to Regain Composure After “Flexible” Remark

Mark Renton, the former Governor and front runner for the Democratic nomination for the Senate in Virginia, was taking heavy fire from his opponent Brandon Jeffries last night after comments made in a nationally televised interview.

Renton, who was being interviewed by Lucy Jong said that it was important for Democrats to be “flexible” when working with President Walken over his recently muted education plan. The Governor used the same phrase again when asked whether he considered himself a liberal saying “I don’t like labels, I know from my time in office that you need to be flexible and be prepared to give and take.”

The comments were seized upon by Jeffries surrogate Alex Minolli who said “once again we can see that Governor Renton wants the people of Virginia to think he is a Democrat when in fact his views are all over the grid – if we are to drive change in Washington we need people who want to remake a fairer and stronger America.”

The race for the nomination is turning increasing bitter after Jeffries was endorsed by prominent Youth In Revolt members and moved to a more aggressive attack on Renton. Polling has the race shifting in Jeffries favour but with Governor Renton still enjoying a small lead.

The winner looks increasingly likely to face a Republican former Governor as Casey Mitchell’s massive cash advantage appears to be taking it’s toll on his opponent Brian Brooks, a darling of Conservatives. Brooks is reportedly wooing prominent Reverend Ethan Butler and his father Don in an attempt to secure their nomination.

[disputed]

townhall.com, Thursday April 4th

Haffley Hammers “Useless” Boone

In an unprecedented attack former House Speaker Jeff Haffley launch a wide ranging frontal assault on incumbent Washington Governor Sean Boone who accused of being “further to the left than any of the potential General Election opponents” and added that “his tenure has been dismal. He’s been pretty useless.”

With Haffley gaining ground on Boone with every passing day and a number of prominent, national conservatives rallying to the Speaker’s side the race for the Republican nomination is getting increasingly fractious.

Haffley has had success attacking Boone for his position on gay marriage and this week took a different tact saying that the Governor has completely failed to get control of the state budget.

Latest polling suggested that Haffley now had a slightly superior approval rating than Boone who has thus far resisted making any negative attacks on the former Speaker received another blow as two polls showed Haffley as more competitive against either William Wiley Jr. or Dick Rand, one of whom will be the Democratic nominee. Haffley trailed Wiley by 9 and Rand by 7 while Boone trailed both by 11 points.

[MasterSanders]

Sorry, I realize I haven't updated the "Lobell Saga" in weeks...

Here's the rundown...

Forrester initially lead, even attracting several Democrats. However, he seems to lack that prior attraction for conservatives that he once had as governor. Dark Horse candidate, businessman Nick Cameron is able to pull enough votes away from Forrester to deny him +50% of the vote, and thus force a run-off. Key endorsements from Eldridge and several national conservative figures, as well as Cameron's considerable wealth are able to propel him to the Senate seat in the April 3 election...

Cameron will be portrayed by Gary Sinise.

[Marky Bunny]

Townhall.com

Friday April 6th 2012

Boone strikes back at Haffley as "yesterdays man"

Washington Governor Sean Boone had been coming under pressure from supporters to hit back at his GOP opponent in the Washington Republican Primary, Jeff Haffley and today he did.

In a speech today he called the former House Speaker "Yesterdays man" and said that if his opponent won the Governorship that he would "cause gridlock" in the state, "if you look at his record he will try and pick fights with the Democrats in the State House, he will not get anything done, look at his record as House Speaker, name anything he managed to get done as Speaker in his three years".

"Speaker Haffley seems to think that working with Democrats is wrong, I say it is not where you can get things done for the people in the state, that is what I will do in another four years as your Governor".

[Marky Bunny]

NBS.COM

Sunday April 8th 2012

Tripplehorn "very unlikely" that he will seek 2014 Democratic Nomination

Former Vice-President Wendell Tripplehorn said today that it was "very unlikely" that he would seek the Democratic Presidential Nomination in 2014.

Tripplehorn was talking ahead of the first showing of his TV show "Wendell's American-From sea to shinning sea" in which he travels across the country in a car with a just a camera and sound man. "It was a great show, I enjoyed doing, meeting american people as they got on with their lives". The idea he said was his, but it only became possible after the former VP lost his Secret Service detail in July last year. "I had my Secret Service protection withdrawn after six months after leaving office, and I was like I can do this now".

Much of the show was unscripted, although some people to meet in each city and town had been pre-agreed, much wasn't, he said the "fun part" was booking into a motel in Texas and the two booking clerks got him mixed up with John Hoynes "Hey that was very funny".

Asked about President Walken "I don't want to really talk about the current administration, he is the President, he is a decent man, but I will leave policy to others".