2010 US Presidential Election

[disputed]

nbs.com/politics Friday May 18th

Boone “Used Drugs Liberally” in College

A college class mate of Governor Sean Boone drew further fire onto the Washington Chief Executive last night when he gave an interview to a fledgling news site alleging that Boone had “frequently” used illegal drugs whilst in college.

Marc Tomei, who was Boone’s room mate in his first year at Oregon University told Politantics.com that “Sean was more than willing to take all sorts of things, if I started a list we’d be here for a while.”

The comments were quickly picked up by The Drudge Report and spread to the wider media quickly thereafter.

The Boone campaign moved quickly to deny any knowledge of the allegations. “Governor Boone is aware of the comments, and whilst Mr Tomei was indeed his roommate early in his time at college he completely refutes the claims of drug use. We are unclear on Mr Tomei’s motivations, but can only speculate what he has received for these unsubstantiated claims.”

Boone’s primary opponent Jeff Haffley was cautious in his response. “The people of Washington have the right to wonder exactly what they are getting with Governor Boone. Stories like this circulating are entirely the result of the fact that he has yet to be properly vetted – that will be a major weakness in the fall.”

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santafenewmexican.com, Friday May 18th

Rojas Emerging As Serious Threat to Russell

With the June 5th primary looming in New Mexico, most Democrats in the state are confident that Senator Lloyd Russell has successfully held off the challenge of insurgent Liam Dickson and should clinch the nomination in a fairly comfortable manner. However, the more observant Democrats are focusing on a far more series threat on the horizon.

The Republican race has moved seriously in the direction of Michael Rojas, a charismatic and dynamic CEO who was co-opted into politics by the now independent (and very popular) Governor Rudi Vansen. Rojas was State Treasurer during Vansen’s first term and previously was CEO of National PC.

He has easily brushed aside a fairly weak field of opponents and appears on track to secure the parties nomination.

He’s already been endorsed by former Lt. Governor Henry Gomez and many expect his close friend Vansen to follow suit at some point in the future. Polls already suggest that Rojas is tied with Russell ahead of November’s likely face off.

[disputed]

baltimoresun.com, Friday May 18th

Maryland Race Wide Open As Hagen Backs State Senator

In a major surprise the head of Democratic PAC “A Fair Future” Bob Hagen waded into the Maryland Senate race endorsing State Senator Cain McClelland, bucking the state party’s support of Congresswoman Andi Wyatt.

Hagen appeared at a rally with Lang saying “we are giving this race away and I won’t stand by and let that happen. In Cain McClelland we have an outstanding progressive candidate – the party should unite behind him and let secure this seat for the party, instead of backing a failed candidate who will hand it over to the Republicans and allow them to push further and faster with their damaging austerity plan.”

The former Chairman of the AFL-CIO said that his group were prepared to back McClelland heavily ahead of the November election.

The coverage of Lang increased exponentially overnight with his mentions on Twitter increasing from 231 to over 2000.

[Marky Bunny]

AustinTimes.com

Friday May 18th 2012

President Santos has "no intention" of endorsing John Hoynes in Governor's race

A statement from the office of Former President Matt Santos today said he had "no intention" of endorsing John Hoynes in his race to be Texas Governor against GOP incumbent Phil Prior.

"The President will be staying out of all races this year. He will be endorsing no candidates in any races. He is taking time out from politics and enjoying his time with his family".

Its understood that many people close to the Hoynes Campaign had been in touch with those close to the former President in hope of an endorsement, Santos remains popular in his home state despite losing it at the 2010 Presidential election, which did cost him the Presidency in the end.

[Marky Bunny]

Seattle Times.com

Saturday May 19th 2012

Boone " I had a normal College experience"

Governor Boone has hit back at claims that he used drugs whilst at college in the late 1990's.

"I had a normal college experience, I got drunk, yes I had sex with girls, and I am human enough to have done things I probably should not have done, but that's my private past. It does not in anyway impact on my ability to do my job as Governor of Washington".

At a packed early morning press conference he was asked why his former college roomate had decided to say that he "taken drugs" during college "You will need to ask him (Marc Tomei) that, although I am guessing that money may have been a part of it".

It was also asked that there where "several whispers and strong rumours" that many in the Governors inner-circle were "regular drug users" Boone replied "no".

"I wanted this race to be about the future of this great state, now it has entered the gutter. I want to talk about things that matter to the people in this state" and he added with a laugh " like the price of milk and bread in the stores" in a dig at Speaker Haffley who was unable to say the price of milk and bread when asked this week.

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nbs.com/politics, Monday May 21st

Crossley “Cuts are Killing The Middle Class”

Governor Kate Crossley yesterday launched a broadside at President Walken claiming that the cuts in public expenditure were “killing the middle class”.

Appearing on Taylor Reid Sunday, Crossley clashed with the eponymous host who said that “it was clear that the President’s economic policies were working” and that “the actions he has taken have avoided the need for more drastic action.” The former New Jersey Governor took great exceptions to this saying “President Walken is declaring success in a battle that’s not even nearly complete – and whilst I welcome the improvements in the unemployment rate the facts are clear, his plan and his budget is ideologically driven and is hugely damaging to the middle class.”

Reid questioned Crossley’s motives saying that she was “clearly staking out ground for a Presidential run in 2014” to which the Governor scoffed “Taylor, this isn’t about 2014, it’s about the people who are hurting now – President Walken wants to continue to practice the same trickle down economics that have led to the current situation, we’ve got to change course.”

Governor Crossley is continuing to emerge as a leading player in Democratic politics, surprising many by backing Democratic fundraiser Bob Hagen in endorsing State Senator Cain McClelland in the Maryland Senate race over the weekend.

[disputed]

thehill.com, Monday May 21st

Boone Struggling To Get Past Drugs Story

Washington Governor Sean Boone is continuing to take heavy fire from his right flank over stories that he used illegal drugs at college.

Boone responded to the allegations over the weekend but seemed to back track on a previous statement that he had never used illegal drugs, saying only that he had enjoyed a “normal college experience”. This change in position drew fire from conservatives over the weekend. State Representative Drew Tougher, who has endorsed Speaker Jeff Haffley said “Honestly I’ve lost track of his position, this latest statement wants to refute these allegations but seems to be accepting them.”

The Governor received a further blow over the weekend when his former advisor Linus Cockley joined Haffley’s team with a statement saying “Jeff Haffley represents the kind of common sense conservatism that this state needs, I’m afraid Governor Boone has been a disappointment in this regard.”

For his part Haffley stayed clear of the more contentious elements of the campaign during his weekend appearances. When questioned about Boone’s past he said only “I’m not getting into that, but I’ve said all along Governor Boone has not received a thorough vetting – that will be a huge weakness in November.”

A poll for the Seattle Times over the weekend gave Haffley a 5 point lead over Boone. Both candidates trail the Democratic front runner William Wiley, though Haffley is more competivie.

[Marky Bunny]

CNN.COM/News

Monday May 21st 2012

Jeff Haffley was present at an "anti-american rally" in 1977

CNN has tonight been e-mailed a picture of former House Speaker Jeff Haffley and the man running to be the GOP nominee for Governor of Washington at what is discribed as an "anti-american" rally.

The picture is believed to have been taken in 1977 in Idaho where Haffley studied to be a teacher. The then 20 year old Haffley can be seen alongside fellow teachers carrying banners saying "No to US Imperialism" and "Troops out of Germany".

Text sent with the e-mail says also that an american flag was burnt during the rally, and that Haffley atteneded several such events during his time training to be a tecaher.

No-one from the Haffley camp as yet to respond to this picture.

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nbs.com/politics, Tuesday May 22nd

Haffley Dismisses “Old News”

Former House Speaker Jeff Haffley dismissed photographs released by CNN last night as “old news” as key figures from his campaign turned their fire on incumbent Governor Sean Boone and allegations about his alleged drug use in college.

Haffley spoke to reporters at a campaign rally saying “these photographs aren’t new, they are the same ones that Democrats tried to smear me with in 2006. I’ve explained in detail that I was there with a friend and we were caught up in the protest – this is old news and suggests a level of desperation from my opponent.”

Some senior figures close to Haffley took shots at Governor Boone in what appeared to be a co-ordinated retaliation for the use of the photographs.

Long time Haffley ally Dan Faulconbridge said “The Governors team have tried to dig up an old story to deflect from the revelations about his drug use. He and his team need to focus on explaining to the people of Washington why he lied when he was asked about this – not on smearing others with unfounded allegations.”

Washington political analyst Lori Leonard said that Boone was beginning to look guiltier by the minute. “He’s playing into Haffley’s hands and I think what we are seeing is an experienced and clever politician outmanoeuvring a rookie – Boone needs some kind of game changers – and 30 year photos that everyone’s already seen won’t get it done.

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realclearpolitics.com, Tuesday May 22nd

Styles And Butler Endorse Prior In Texas Race

Two prominent Republicans have moved to endorse Texas Governor Phil Prior hot on the heels of the revelation that former President Santos had refused to back his former rival for the Democratic Presidential nomination John Hoynes ahead of November’s election.

Dalton Styles, the State Senator who very nearly upset Prior in the March primary said that “after extensive talks” with Governor Prior he believed that “whilst they have differences, they agree on the vast majority of issues” adding that “He (Governor Prior) is head and shoulders above his opponent on every key issue facing the state of Texas.”

Styles was quickly joined by Reverend Ethan Butler, the prominent conservative who’s endorsement led to Styles’ surge in primary support. Butler said that he felt “of the two men running, only one is fit to serve the state of Texas as Governor.”

The move by two previously outspoken opponents of Prior looks like a co-ordinated effort to draw a comparison with former Vice-President John Hoynes, who has been unable to secure the endorsement of fellow Texan Santos. A spokesman for the former President appeared to walk back his comments somewhat saying “what the President said was that he wasn’t endorsing at this time.”

[Marky Bunny]

NBS.COM

Tuesday May 22nd 2012

All three former Democratic Vice-Presidents are not "endorsing" John Hoynes


After former President Matthew Santos team said he would not be endorsing his fellow Texan John Hoynes in the race to unseat GOP incumbent Phil Prior, the press have been asking the other three former Vice-Presidents if they would endorse him, the answer so far has been "no".

Eric Baker's office on behalf of the former V-P who rarely makes public appearances after illiness forced him to resign the Vice-Presidency back in 2009 said "The Vice-President takes one day at time now, he will not be taking an active part in the mid-term elections for any candidate".

Vice-President Wendell Tripplehorn who has followed Hoynes into the media business, as a TV presenter here on NBS said "John is good man, but an endorsement I am not getting involved, I am enjoying being away from politics".

Then there was Robert "Bingo Bob" Russell, there is no love lost between the two men after the bitter struggle for the Democratic nomination back in 2006. Many close to Russell believe that Hoynes staying in the race after "Super-Tuesday" despite the sexual mis-conduct allegations cost Russell the nomination. Russell has been endorsing candidates and supporting them via his PAC, but a statement from the Russell team today said "The Vice-President has no plans what so ever to endorse John Hoynes".

With the last opinion poll showing the race to be a dead heat between Hoynes and Prior, these none endorsements from his fellow Democrats are bound to be used by the Prior campaign in the coming days.

[Marky Bunny]

CNN.COM/News

Wednesday May 23rd 2012

Boone "One rule for Haffley and one for me" as he attacks Haffley's record

In what is becoming the most bitter and dirty race of this election cycle, Washington Governor Sean Boone hit back again at claims that he was a regular drug user whilst at College, and delivered another bitter attack on his opponent for the GOP nomination Jeff Haffley.

"The Haffley camp say "I took drugs" I said I didn't, then there is a picture of him (Haffley) at a left-wing anti-american rally and suddenly "thats old news" and "got caught up by accident" well it doesn't look like an accident to me, we all know his views on foreign policy, if we had listened to him in 2005 we would not have peace in the middle-east he was against the Camp David accords, and even in 2010 he was saying US troops should withdraw,and a two state solution would not work, that shows both a serious lack of political judgement and leadership".

Boone also claimed that Haffley had "no policies" he keeps taking about "Conservative values and solutions" where did those get our party at the 2006 election, we lost the House thanks to him, and where did they get him when he ran for the Presidential nomination in January 2010, he got just 2977 votes in Iowa, a mere 2% of the votes cast, why should Washington Republicans vote for him."

[Marky Bunny]

CNN.COM/News

Wednesday May 23rd 2012

Breaking News Breaking News

Haffley's friend "Jeff was at that rally by choice, it was no accident"

Martin Hurst, a former college friend of Jeff Haffley has told CNN in the last few minutes that the former House Speaker was at an "anti-american"rally in 1977 was "no accident" which had been claimed by Haffley yesterday after pictures where sent to CNN on Monday.

"I like Jeff he was my friend, but I can ensure everyone that me and Jeff where at that rally by choice, he was against US troops in Germany at the time, he was against NATO,and believed we should leave the UN and thought that we should leave the Soviets to it in Europe"

Asked if he saw Haffley at any flag burnings "no I didn't" I would not say he or me where "anti-american" we just didn't think we should get involved in other nations affairs".

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politico.com, Thursday May 24th

Hurst Paid By Democratic Group For Article

The row involving the candidates for Washington Governor took yet another twist last night after revelations that the source close to Jeff Haffley was paid by a Democratic group for his contribution on the former House Speaker’s involvement in alleged “anti-American” rallies.

Hurst admitted that he had been contacted by Progressive America, and paid as part of an article they were writing as part of a piece looking at key elections in November. He stressed that this was unrelated to his reasons for coming forward in an attempt to rebuke Speaker Haffley’s own version of events.

The news was pounced on by Haffley’s supporters. Dan Smiley, a TV talk show host who has donated to Haffley said “It’s pretty clear that there is a concerted effort to smear him (Haffley) to ensure an easy ride against the dismal Governor Boone. Nobody should be fooled by this.”

For his part Haffley was sticking strongly to his version of events. “The friend I was referring to was not Mr Hurst. I am not sure where his version of events comes from but it is simply not true.”

Haffley’s primary opponent, Governor Sean Boone, was struggling with his own past last night after a town hall event had to be cut short due to the number of questions over whether or not he had taken illegal drugs in college. The story threatens to roll on after an independent group launched an ad questioning whether Boone could be trusted to be straight with the people of Washington.

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washingtonpost.com, Thursday May 24th

Democrats Attack Kendrick “Welfare” Remarks

Leading Democrats last night rushed to condemn comments made by Treasury Secretary Stephen Kendrick who dismissed a Democratic jobs plans as “thinly disguised welfare.”

The plan which called for billions in stimulous spending to fund a variety of projects and state spending was attacked yesterday by Republicans before Kendrick made his comments on Capitol Beat.

The remarks drew fire from a number of prominent Democrats. Senator Tim McCord called them “insensitive” and former New Jersey Governor Kate Crossley said it added to the clear indication that the administration was “totally out of touch with the middle class”. Former Vice-President Bob Russell, a likely contender for President in 2014 called for Kendrick to resign saying “these comments are not becoming of a member of the President’s cabinet – he should resign.”

Kendrick this morning refused to back away from his comments saying “We’ve seen the results of the Democratic policy of tax and spend for the past twelve years – we intend to get out the country’s finances back on track, not keep spending and hoping for a miracle.”

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nbs.com/politics, Thursday May 24th

Kennedy Team Furious Over Anti-Depressant Question

The campaign of Pittsburgh Mayor Jackson Kennedy reacted furiously last night to questions asked by talk show host Ted Jorgenson during an interview on his show last night.

Kennedy was making his first high profile appearance since an illness has laid him low for the past few weeks.

After the standard platitudes, the interview deteriorated after Jorgenson asked Kennedy to comment on reports that he had been taking anti-depressants following the death of his close friend Sam Timpson in a car crash in February. Kennedy was a passenger in Timpson’s car when it swerved into oncoming traffic.

Kennedy looked shocked by the question, said he wasn’t comfortable discussing this and attempted to move on, when Jorgenson pressed him asking whether Timpson’s death had resulted in him suffering from depression, the Mayor said that he was not prepared to answer personal questions.

The rest of the interview was strained and Kennedy seem increasingly aggressive with Jorgenson.

After the interview, advisors close to Kennedy reacted angrily saying that Jorgenson has intentionally broached subjects that were designed to embarrass Kennedy and to question his mental health.

The Kennedy team released a statement afterwards saying that “The Mayor has been dealing with a very emotional period following the death of Councilman Timpson. He has done so with as much dignity as the press has allowed – he is extremely disappointed by the questioning in last nights interview.”

[Marky Bunny]

NBS.COM

Thursday May 24th 2012

Cassidy defends Kennedy as he calls Jorgenson interview a "disgrace" and pledges a "clean campaign"

The GOP nominee for the Pennsylvania Senate seat Carlin Cassidy has tonight defended his opponent Pittsburgh Mayor Jackson Kennedy over an interview broadcast on NBS last night with Ted Jorgenson.

"I like Ted, but he was out of order asking questions about his (Kennedy's) health. It was a disgrace. The man is lucky to be alive, and he lost a close friend. I and my campaign team will not under any circumstances be bringing up this issue during the campaign".

"I have my differances with the Mayor, his polices are out of step with the voters of this state, but I pledge it will be a clean campaign about policy, ideas and it will be honest from my point of view" Cassidy told a press conference this afternoon.

[Marky Bunny]

CNN.COM

Saturday May 26th 2012

New Texas Poll puts Prior ahead as Democrats look for Hoynes to shake up campaign team

A new poll for CNN today of 5,000 voters shows incumbent GOP Governor Phil Prior with a 4 point lead over Former Vice-President John Hoynes.

The boost for Prior seems to have been helped by the lack of endorsements from fellow high profile Democrats for John Hoynes. The poll shows Prior on 52 % & Hoynes on 48%.

There are increasing rumors that many in the Democratic party want a change in the Hoynes campaign team, including the sacking of campaign manager Dylan Clark. An insider from the DNC told CNN "Clark was out of his depth when he ran the Hoynes Presidential campaign six years ago, now he is sinking without trace".

[Marky Bunny]

How the Presidential Electoral College looks with the new totals for 2014
Rep 312 (up 2)
Dem 226 (down 2)

[WhiteRussian]

Is this still open? I'd like to help if I can. I can provide better looking projections and such.

I've also got a good understanding of local politics for federal offices (Congress, Senate) so I could be a help there too.