2010 US Presidential Election
- Thread starter Marky Bunny
- Start date
-
- Tags
- west wing
- Status
Can Clark Win Texas, Women?
by Kerry Hendley.
Senator Liz Clark gave a rousing acceptance speech last night, and positioned herself as an excellent Vice Presidential candidate(The upcoming debate between Clark and Vice President Wendell Tripplehorn just became must see TV).
But the question remains-Can Clark do what she was brought onto the ticket to do, which is win Texas, and bring women to vote for the Republican Party?
The first answer seems to be yes. Despite President Santos' appeal as the native son, Clark's popularity in the state, combined with the abysmal handling of the Houston Train Crash and the fact that the Republicans are holding their convention in Dallas, has tilted the state back towards it's Republican roots. In a recent poll conducted by the Dallas Morning News, asking who they would vote for if the election were held today, 52% of respondees said they would vote for the Walken-Clark ticket, over the Santos-Tripplehorn ticket. While that is in the margin of error, the fact that Santos is being led in his own state is troubling.
Second, and perhaps more importantly, Clark is meant to pull women to the Republican Party, chipping away at what has been a traditional Democratic bloc. With the upcoming demographic shift(Younger people and Hispanics voting more, two groups that have a definite Democratic lean), the Republicans are trying to shift women to their camp.
Typically, women are the reason Democrats win elections-The gender gap favors Democrats by a staggering 60% to 40% margin. However, in the last Presidential election, women only went for Santos by a 55% to 45% margin, though that was probably brought on by the fact that Arnold Vinick was a pro-choice candidate.
Clark herself is an appealing candidate for women, aside from her gender alone. She has a family(A very photogenic one, seemingly untroubled), and a career, meaning you don't have to choose the two options. She calls herself pro-choice, though she has a mostly pro-life voting record(An issue the Democratic Party will be sure to jump on). And she has a compelling story to tell, making her nearly perfect from a PR standpoint.
If Senator Clark can bring women into the GOP, she will become a major player, and give the Walken campaign a decided edge into the White House. The question will be if it will be a long-term shift, or if it will only last for this election cycle.
politico.com, Thursday July 22nd
Clark Electrifies GOP Convention
The Republican Convention has been waiting for a moment that people will look to as its defining moment and last night, the party’s Vice-Presidential nominee, Texas Senator Liz Clark delivered it.
Initially looking nervous as she took the stage, Clark launched a scathing attack on the current administration, admonishing the President for delivering nothing but “false hope”.
She also fulfilled the traditional role of building up the party’s nominee Glenn Walken who she placed in the same bracket as Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and Owen Lassiter.
The Senior Senator from Texas received multiple standing ovations most notably when she attacked “faceless” bureaucrats in Washington.
The Walken campaign will be delighted by polls after her speech suggesting that Clark currently has an approval rating above 70% (some 7 points higher than Walken’s) and that an instant poll carried out afterwards suggested that Walken now leads Santos nationally by 9 points, and crucially by 8 in Texas.
Clark was introduced by former Michigan Governor Marcus Blakemore who received a lengthy standing ovation when he took the stage. Blakemore went on to call Glenn Walken “our President in waiting” and said that Clark was an inspiration to women “but also men” everywhere.
The evening also saw a rousing speech from Georgia Governor Charlie Forrester. Well known for his rhetorical flourish Forrester laid into the President accusing the current administration of sleep walking through the last four years.
The day also saw strong appearances by Jim Hohner Jr., former Massachusetts Governor Tom Case and Florida Governor Eric Swenson but none could top the excitement caused by the performance of Clark. Anyone who doubted her ability to stand on the national stage will have had their fears and doubts well and truly extinguished.
Clark Electrifies GOP Convention
The Republican Convention has been waiting for a moment that people will look to as its defining moment and last night, the party’s Vice-Presidential nominee, Texas Senator Liz Clark delivered it.
Initially looking nervous as she took the stage, Clark launched a scathing attack on the current administration, admonishing the President for delivering nothing but “false hope”.
She also fulfilled the traditional role of building up the party’s nominee Glenn Walken who she placed in the same bracket as Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and Owen Lassiter.
The Senior Senator from Texas received multiple standing ovations most notably when she attacked “faceless” bureaucrats in Washington.
The Walken campaign will be delighted by polls after her speech suggesting that Clark currently has an approval rating above 70% (some 7 points higher than Walken’s) and that an instant poll carried out afterwards suggested that Walken now leads Santos nationally by 9 points, and crucially by 8 in Texas.
Clark was introduced by former Michigan Governor Marcus Blakemore who received a lengthy standing ovation when he took the stage. Blakemore went on to call Glenn Walken “our President in waiting” and said that Clark was an inspiration to women “but also men” everywhere.
The evening also saw a rousing speech from Georgia Governor Charlie Forrester. Well known for his rhetorical flourish Forrester laid into the President accusing the current administration of sleep walking through the last four years.
The day also saw strong appearances by Jim Hohner Jr., former Massachusetts Governor Tom Case and Florida Governor Eric Swenson but none could top the excitement caused by the performance of Clark. Anyone who doubted her ability to stand on the national stage will have had their fears and doubts well and truly extinguished.
Day 103
Where is Mike Reed?
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010
As we enter the last day of the Republican Convention, it's becoming obvious to some of the moderate Republicans, former Alexander independents, and loyal "Reed Rangers" that Mike Reed will not make an appearance afterall. It makes sense, since the RNC publicly stated that any challenge to Clark's candidacy would not be entertained.
Reed, who ran very briefly in the 2006 primary, was keynote speaker at the 2006 RNC with his well-received "Eight is Enough" speech. A well-respected Ohio Governor and former Lassiter staffer, Reed used his keynote fame and became the first entry in the 2010 Republican primary in December 2008. He withdrew last October. On April 13th, he revamped his old campaign website and announced his intention to petition Walken publicly for the VP slot.
However, when that position went to Senator Clark, Reed sent out an e-mail, threatening to disrupt the RNC and start a vote on the floor for Vice President, presumably so that he could enter and "balance the ticket." This move was decried by Republican officials, and Reed lost almost all esteem he had with the Republican Party.
In mid-June, the ACA met with Governor Reed and tried to talk him out of the move. In response, he let it publicly known that he was looking into an independent run for the White House. This was a follow-up to the well-received independent run of Nicholas Alexander, although Reed's online supporters decried the move, and his website was nearly deserted and later attacked by a group of internet trolls. It has been closed since July 3rd.
Reed never followed up on the independent campaign, possibly because he could not afford it this late in the election season, and he met briefly with Nicholas Alexander when Alexander was closing his campaign and forming the Progressive Alliance. Reed is still a registered Republican and was invited to the convention long ago as a courtesy of his position in the party.
Reed was not seen as one of the arrivals on Monday or Tuesday, and on Wednesday it was reported that he was still in his home in Harrison West. He will likely not make it today, although he has yet to release a statement. Senator Clark was approved by acclamation yesterday, and no public vote was taken. Mike Reed remains the only 2010 Republican primary candidate not to have a speech or appear at this year's convention.
Where is Mike Reed?
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010
As we enter the last day of the Republican Convention, it's becoming obvious to some of the moderate Republicans, former Alexander independents, and loyal "Reed Rangers" that Mike Reed will not make an appearance afterall. It makes sense, since the RNC publicly stated that any challenge to Clark's candidacy would not be entertained.
Reed, who ran very briefly in the 2006 primary, was keynote speaker at the 2006 RNC with his well-received "Eight is Enough" speech. A well-respected Ohio Governor and former Lassiter staffer, Reed used his keynote fame and became the first entry in the 2010 Republican primary in December 2008. He withdrew last October. On April 13th, he revamped his old campaign website and announced his intention to petition Walken publicly for the VP slot.
However, when that position went to Senator Clark, Reed sent out an e-mail, threatening to disrupt the RNC and start a vote on the floor for Vice President, presumably so that he could enter and "balance the ticket." This move was decried by Republican officials, and Reed lost almost all esteem he had with the Republican Party.
In mid-June, the ACA met with Governor Reed and tried to talk him out of the move. In response, he let it publicly known that he was looking into an independent run for the White House. This was a follow-up to the well-received independent run of Nicholas Alexander, although Reed's online supporters decried the move, and his website was nearly deserted and later attacked by a group of internet trolls. It has been closed since July 3rd.
Reed never followed up on the independent campaign, possibly because he could not afford it this late in the election season, and he met briefly with Nicholas Alexander when Alexander was closing his campaign and forming the Progressive Alliance. Reed is still a registered Republican and was invited to the convention long ago as a courtesy of his position in the party.
Reed was not seen as one of the arrivals on Monday or Tuesday, and on Wednesday it was reported that he was still in his home in Harrison West. He will likely not make it today, although he has yet to release a statement. Senator Clark was approved by acclamation yesterday, and no public vote was taken. Mike Reed remains the only 2010 Republican primary candidate not to have a speech or appear at this year's convention.
politicalimpact.com, July 22nd
Daily Poll: Walken 48, Santos 41
Walken in: Texas
Santos in: Florida
Story of the Day:
Walken Prepares For Big Moment
It’s a key moment for every Presidential nominee and former House Speaker and Acting President Glen Walken will be no different. Tonight he will address his party convention and will accept their nomination for President of the United States.
Walken’s team has been working flat out and it’s believed that the speech will be worked on and adjusted right up until the moment that the Missouri Congressman steps onto the stage tonight.
The speech writing team is being led by Daniel Kline and Simon O’Connor but the main writing has been left to Scott Garrett who has emerged as Walken’s preferred wordsmith.
The Walken team were said to be ecstatic at the response to Liz Clark’s speech last night, though some are speculating whether Clark has raised the bar on expectations for Walken – a notion dismissed by Clark’s Chief of Staff Lauren Flackberg “I think Liz showed her credentials and ability to connect both to a crowd and to voters. It has no reflection on Glen, who I have no doubt will be brilliant tonight.”
Daily Poll: Walken 48, Santos 41
Walken in: Texas
Santos in: Florida
Story of the Day:
Walken Prepares For Big Moment
It’s a key moment for every Presidential nominee and former House Speaker and Acting President Glen Walken will be no different. Tonight he will address his party convention and will accept their nomination for President of the United States.
Walken’s team has been working flat out and it’s believed that the speech will be worked on and adjusted right up until the moment that the Missouri Congressman steps onto the stage tonight.
The speech writing team is being led by Daniel Kline and Simon O’Connor but the main writing has been left to Scott Garrett who has emerged as Walken’s preferred wordsmith.
The Walken team were said to be ecstatic at the response to Liz Clark’s speech last night, though some are speculating whether Clark has raised the bar on expectations for Walken – a notion dismissed by Clark’s Chief of Staff Lauren Flackberg “I think Liz showed her credentials and ability to connect both to a crowd and to voters. It has no reflection on Glen, who I have no doubt will be brilliant tonight.”
Some Wikipedia sidebars. I didn't bother to make any DNC/RNC logos, just took the '08 ones and blotted out any date references:
With Democratic National Convention Approaching, Furious Negotiations Ongoing
by Juan Castero.
As the Republican Convention comes to a conclusion in Dallas, speculation is shifting to the Democratic Convention in Jacksonville(And, as a brief side note, who the hell had the idea to put the convention in freaking JACKSONVILLE?! That place sucks! Didn't the Democrats learn anything from the Super Bowl in 2004? The amenities are horrible, there's nothing to do, and politically, it's way conservative. If you want to have a convention in Florida, you have it in Miami, or Tampa, or Orlando, even-Places that are fun, have the amenities you need, and will show that you are trying to win the state. Okay, rant over).
Anyways, there's a lot of speculation ongoing that the DNC will not go as smoothly as the RNC. Oregon Senator Ricky Rafferty, who seems like an attention-seeker, has openly stated that she will challenge President Matt Santos on the convention floor. While this would seem stupid, it isn't in reality-There's a lot of dissatisfaction with the Santos crew, and it might boil over in the heated lights of national television.
Boston Mayor Jimmy Fitzsimmons reportedly also has problems with Santos, and as we all know, former Vice Presidents Bingo Bob Russell, and John "Loverboy" Hoynes are no fans. And with the recent rise of the "Youth in Revolt," the liberal wing of the party might be willing to rise against Santos if the circumstances are right.
While Rafferty can be easily dismissed(And it seems that she will be), Fitzsimmons is a more serious matter-While he's most famous for his 51 point victory in 2002, he's also well-connected on the national stage. Bingo Bob and Loverboy both still have connections within the party, and will be quick to wrap themselves in whatever glory they can squeeze out of the Bartlet banner. And the Youth in Revolt crowd, the future of the Democratic Party, will want to be heard, and may be turned off of politics if they are not, which could be disastrous for the Democrats in the long-term.
However, according to my sources, negotiations between the Democratic National Committee(Headed by Josh Lyman), White House(Nate Singer) and several supposedly disaffected members of the Party are ongoing. Apparently, Lyman and Singer have been burning up the phone lines, trying to convince at least Fitzsimmons to not make a fuss. They've also been talking to Senator Andrew Thorn of New York, one of the leaders of the "YiR," trying to see if he can use his influence to quiet down the growing dissent among liberals.
However the negotiations turn out(And in my opinion, Singer and Lyman will get their way), I know one thing-I will definitely be tuning in to the Convention next week.
Glen Allen Walken’s Acceptance Speech for the Republican Nomination for President
Thursday July 22nd 2010
Thank you Mr Chairman.
Mr Chairman, delegates and my fellow Americans.
With a deep awareness of the responsibility conferred by your trust, I accept your nomination for the Presidency of the United States of America.
I do so with deep gratitude. And I think also I might interject on behalf of all of us our thanks to Dallas and the people of Texas and to this city for the warm hospitality that we've enjoyed this week.
And I thank you for your whole-hearted response to my recommendation in regard to Senator Liz Clark as the candidate for Vice President.I am delighted to have her by my side. I think everyone will agree that throughout her career and especially in the last few weeks she has shown herself to be an exceptional candidate for the Vice-Presidency.
Behind us now is the most wide open race in political history. It was noisy - but our voices were heard. It was long - but our stamina was tested. It was hot - but the heat was passion, and not anger. It was a roller coaster - but it made me a better candidate, and it will make me a stronger president of the United States. It showed to me the strength of our united party and the depth of talent that our party has, one that is ready to serve the people once more.
I would be remiss not to thank my opponents especially Governor Ray Sullivan who showed himself through the race to be a talented and honourable man, to Governor Marcus Blakemore who showed amazing strength of character in light of the events in New Hampshire last December, and to Congressman Matthew Skinner who showed courage in standing for the highest office in the land, the people of Vermont need him in the Senate. I am delighted to call these three men my friends.
I stand here tonight grateful to a great many people. To my mother and father who brought me into this world and who strived to better themselves so I could have a better life than they. To my wife Mary who has been my true companion through my whole life. To my children who I get prouder of every day, watching them grow into the tremendous people that they are has been by far the most rewarding role in my life.
Over the next one and three hundred days, in every word we say, and every life we touch, we will be fighting for the future of America.
I want to say something to those of you across our country who voted for President Santos four years ago, Democrats, Independents, and yes, some Republicans: I heard you. And our party heard you.
After we lost we didn't tell the American people that they were wrong. Instead, we began asking you what our mistakes had been. And for four years, I have listened to the voices of American people.
So, tonight I come to you with a new realism: Ready for the future, and recapturing the best in our Republican tradition and strong Conservative values.
In times of prosperity it can be easy to forget what makes a country great. In times of hardship we must rediscover our core beliefs to allow us to renew our great nation. The Bartlet/Santos presidencies have squandered our prosperity, and put off the tough decisions that we must face up to.
I ask the American people to seize this moment. Seize this moment and change your country forever, for better. Tonight, I promise that if we seize this moment that my administration will take the decisions needed to fix our health care system and tackle the threats to our retirement security. The days of putting off difficult decisions are behind us, the path of least resistance is always to stand still but America’s path will always be towards a better tomorrow.
My fellow Missourian President Harry Truman once said “America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.” It is that courage, that imagination and that unbeatable determination that we need in these troubled times. The tide of the future is ours. It is ours if we show ourselves worthy by tackling the problems that face our nation and face the world.
In the twenty years since the end of the Cold War we have seen unrivalled prosperity but instead of grasping the opportunity it has been squandered. We have seen a steady erosion of American power and uneven application of our influence. Our armed forces have been asked to fight wars on multiple fronts whilst they have found the equipment they need to be lacking. I promise the American people that this will end. Never again will we have entire divisions of the army who are not ready for service.
President Santos has had his moment, he has missed his chance and he has failed to lead. I will not. Four years from now, when our citizens walk along Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington D.C., or when they see a picture of the White House on television, I want them to be proud of their government; I want them to be proud of a government that sets high standards not just for the American people, but high standards for itself. No more broken promises, no more saying one thing and then going doing another. No more playing politics with our budget, and our children’s futures.
We face a budget deficit that must be tackled. That will mean difficult decisions but I refuse to foul it off and leave it to our children. President Santos has overseen an unparalleled period of generational theft and I will not allow that to continue. We will take tough decisions on the size of the federal government and seek to return it to a manageable size. I’m for all the government that we need, not a cent more. No more wasteful spending, no more pork barrel projects, I’ll go line by line and stamp out the waste that 12 years of Democratic Presidents has ingrained in Washington.
We know what our opponents are saying, that because of the economic problems we find ourselves in, because of the record deficit, somehow only the President and the Democratic Congress who have got us into the problem in the first place can get us out of it. For me it is like asking the man that has burgled your house, back to repair the window he smashed to get in.
I know that government must be as well-managed as it is well-meaning. But the federal government cannot do everything. We need the State Houses, the City Council’s and the Town Councils, and you the people be allowed to take control more of your lives. Many of you that live in a small town will know your local Councilman from what ever party Republican or Democrat; they should and will be given more power under a Walken Administration.
We must resolve the conflicts in Gaza and in Kazakhstan. That does not mean cutting and running and leaving these regions to whatever may come. We must work through the appropriate channels to ensure that we leave both regions better than when we arrived. I commend the work of Secretary of State Vinick on the work he has done in both regions.
We face an uncertain world. Our enemies have shown their confidence and attacked our allies. We must remain ever vigilante to this threat. I know first-hand how this country deals with a crisis. My great friend Jim Hohner took to referring to my time as acting President as “them three days”, well in “them three days” I have seen first-hand the strength of our nation, the strength of our constitution and the strength of the Presidency. Whatever has been said, the Democrats however we may disagree with them are still Americans, whatever may divide us, we all believe the fundamental greatness of this country. We just believe it can be achieved in different ways.
Do not think I have forgotten brought me to this point of greatness in our party's history. It is for the people of America that I stand here tonight, I represent and I graciously say thank you for their whole hearted support. And as my voice echoes into the night, as it is heard over car radios in living rooms on the west coast, and as it travels above farmland and suburb in the Midwest, deep into the heart of cities, like New York, Philadelphia and Liberty, Missouri, I can tell you that I know whose moment this is: It is yours. It is yours entirely.
America is more than just a collection of states, its more than corporations its more than families with well-known status, it's the patriotic fervour that has held us together for over 200 years and as President Kennedy once said "the glow from that fire can truly light the world”. Maintaining the status quo, running in place, and standing still, isn't good enough for America. Opportunity for some isn't good enough for America.
Working together, we're going to forge a new greatness for this nation.
A new administration, of hope and dreams, fuelled by common sense compassionate Republican beliefs. And when we leave here tonight, we will leave to build that future together.
That is my pledge to you, my fellow Republicans.
And that is my pledge to you, my fellow Americans.
Thank you all, very, very much and god bless America.
Last edited:
Battleground: Jacksonville
By Nate Bradshaw
With the Republican Convention ending tonight, many people are looking ahead to next week, and the Democratic Convention. However, while the Republican Convention is notoriously boring and somewhat meaningless to Americans, the Democratic Convention historically always has a little flare, if not a giant inferno. Look at four years ago, in San Diego, it was a brokered convention that started off between then-Vice President Bob Russell narrowly leading then-Congressman Matt Santos in the delegate count with former Vice President John Hoynes in a distant third. Then the whole thing was thrown for a loop when then-Governor Eric Baker joined the fun, throwing his hat into the ring. It was politics at its worst. But it also drew two times as many viewers as the Republican Convention did. Not to mention inspiring the speech President Santos gave reaffirming his candidacy that swung the delegates in his favor.
This year, the convention will be highlighted by the expected floor challenge by Senator Ricky Rafferty of Oregon. Rafferty, a member of the so called "Bartlet Wing" of the party, otherwise known as the liberal wing, is a known attention seeker. And she will likely get her behind handed to her on the first ballot. But she is just the opening salvo to a much bigger, potential problem. Mayor Jimmy Fitzsimmons of Boston has been a constant critic of the President, and there are plenty of old enemies the President has in the party. While it is assumed that the President will be renominated, if and when Rafferty pulls her trick, it will assuredly awaken a few sleeping giants in the democratic party. Even though Rafferty is an attention grabber, and isn't particularly popular in the liberal wing, she is a liberal. And she will inspire the younger voters. She will call out the President for his moderate policies, and his ineffectiveness as a leader these past four years. She may very well turn out to be the catalyst that sparks the democratic party's civil war.
For weeks now, we've heard about the war brewing in the Democratic Party. You have the Bartlet-era liberals squaring off against the Santos moderates. As much as Rafferty would like to tell everyone that she is the leader of the Bartlet Wing, everyone knows, including her, that Senator Andrew Thorn is the real man in power. Thorn has further cemented his position as the leader of the liberals, by recruiting and helping raise young political minds to national level. Such as Stephen Collins, David Kuhio, Jackson Kennedy, among others. Not to mention it was at his urging, that Sam Seaborne finally decided to run for the California Senate seat, which he seems poised to win. It is said that in a private meeting, while he was writing his first book, that Thorn convinced Jackson Kennedy to begin a political career. One that looks to skyrocket in the coming years. But many others have been raised under Thorn's wing, and he has quietly built up quite a liberal political machine for the years to come. He has support in the DNC from Chairman Josh Lyman, he has support in the House with Will Bailey, Mark Richardson, Claudia Greenwood, among others, and in the senate, assuming Seaborne, Collins, and Kuhio win their seats, they will join his pack that already includes George Montgomery, William Wiley, Ryan Lyndell, and Andy Ritter, among others. Others that have rallied around Thorn, include former-Governor Gabe Tillman of California, incumbent Governor Kevin Clarkson of California, Governor Janet Lorton of Vermont, among many others.
The Santos Wing, is, obviously, led by President Santos, but his political career, in this situation, is effectively over. If he wins, he won't be leading the wing anymore, and if he loses, he won't be leading the wing anymore. The automatic frontrunner people would look to, is Vice-President Wendell Tripplehorn. He'll be 64 in 2014, a good age to run. Tripplehorn will have a few friends to help him out in Governor Mark Katzenmoyer of Wisconsin, Senator Tim McCord of South Carolina, August Adair of Ohio and a few high-ranking party officials. Such as White House Chief of Staff Nate Singer, who aims to follow Josh Lyman and take a candidate to the White House on his own.
The point in all of this is that the party is already divided. And it is safe to say that if the war breaks out at the convention, it will ruin the party for this election season, and throw victory to the Walken-Clark ticket. So people on both wings of the party are attempting to solve this problem quickly. Even with Thorn's plans for higher office, he won't risk the party for himself. Neither will Tripplehorn. So the question is: Will Ricky Rafferty's ego be big enough so as to throw away any chance for the democratic party to win this year?
Derby City Politics Website
Weekly Political Blog by James Daniel Damon
July 22, 2010
Pity the Louisville Democrat. There was a time they strode like a colossus across the political scene of Kentucky. They controlled everything of political consequence that happened in the state and sent Governor after Governor to Frankfort from Louisville.
Well that was more the fantasy than reality, I mean how many Governors have we had that came from Louisville? None, that’s how many. The Louisville Democrats have always been just a faction among the various factions of the Kentucky Democratic party. They weren’t even the First among Equals, that was the faction based out of Lexington and Central Kentucky. Still the Louisville always felt secure in their world view.
Not so much anymore.
The events of the last week or so surely must have disabused any rational observer of such a exalted world view. The semi-public meltdown of the Lamons campaign is just the most public example. Since the youtube clip came out last week, there has been recriminations flying like crazy around Jefferson County. The Democrats seem to be in a circular firing squad with submachine guns.
The semi-public shouting match between Lamons campaign manager Joseph Harville and Metro Council Chairman James Prince at Vincezzo’s restaurant is still denied by all parties involved, however I am told reliably that at least more than one cell phone camera caught portions of the exchange. It’s clear that the bridges there were burned, nuked and the remains sold for scrap iron to Costa Rica.
No doubt the tempers of the party over the political environment contributed to the mayhem.
Prince is angry over his loss in the Mayoral primary and worries over decline of his power. His daughter District Judge Vikki Prince is facing a stiff challenge to her reelection and she seems oblivious to her problems. He spent an ungodly amount of money to get her elected and it seems she is determined to waste all that money and effort. After all, when you become known as the "other woman" on the Soap Opera Channel’s reality show "Dixie Belles" you can’t be thinking to clearly as to your public reputation. Daddy’s faction took a beating in the mayoral and Metro council primary election and looks suffer worse losses come November.
Of course the opposing faction, call it the Lamons faction for convenience sake, isn’t necessarily that strong, just not as weak as Prince’s. Their candidate Wendy Nealling did win the Mayoral primary, but the first polls out show her trailing Republican nominee Benjamin Riker by double digits. For Nealling, a long time fixture on the Metro Council, to be trailing to the political newcomer Riker has frustrated the Democrats to no end. They were used to City Hall being a Democrat castle, after all Jeremiah Greisman was called Mayor for life for a reason. Even though he was finally term limited and running for Governor now, they expected to hold on to the Mayor’s office.
The thought of them losing the Mayorship and a large number of seats on the Metro Council is infuriating to them.
Don’t even get them started on the situation in Frankfort. They had been able to rationalize that due to the dumb voters in the sticks, although they never said that out loud they certainly believed it in their heart. Now it has started hitting too close to home.
Then, there’s Lamons race. It was something of a surprise when he initially ran for the House in 2000. Before then he had been known as a political gadfly who edited the alternative newspaper JCEO. His campaign to replace the retiring Congressman Runion was initially dismissed by the Democratic powers that be. They thought that either Stevenson or Vaughn would get the nomination. However the two engaged in a mutually destructive campaign and Lamons snuck to victory over the ruins. He buried the Republican candidate that year in a blizzard of money and advertising. He used his resources to win or strongly contest the South End while racking strong margins in the West and East Ends. It was a formula he repeated every election since then.
This year, the formula seems to be falling apart. He’s facing Townsend, who has a campaign that can go toe to toe when it comes to resources. Townsend also has run county wide before in contested races and survived the best the Democratic party could throw against him in 2000 and 2006.
Townsend also is a very attractive and effective candidate, he cuts into the various bases of the Democratic party. He’s from the West End, African-American and the South End likes him for his tough on law and order stance.
He has not stumbled during this campaign, more than one person who saw his speech at the GOP convention this week came away with the feeling that he will wind up as a national candidate some day. Those of us here in Louisville have heard the "patronizing pat on the child’s head" speech before, but it was new to most of the country and it played really well.
In the best of years, Lamons would be in for a tough race. Santos is not popular in Kentucky at all and the region has been trending Republican since the Bartlett years. However, the youtube scandal (we need a new name for it, maybe I’ll do a competition) has dug Lamons into a large hole. In the space of two minutes, he managed to alienate the West End, the South End and make the East End afraid of being too closely associated with him.
National Democrats can’t be pleased and I would be interested in the reception he gets when he goes to Jacksonville for the Democratic convention next week. He’s going to need their help in the coming race and it remains to see if they want to be associated with him if the scandal doesn’t clear soon. Without their help, the odds are stacked against him.
Pity the poor Louisville Democrats, a short awhile they rules all they surveyed, come November their holdings may very well be invisible.
Weekly Political Blog by James Daniel Damon
July 22, 2010
Pity the Louisville Democrat. There was a time they strode like a colossus across the political scene of Kentucky. They controlled everything of political consequence that happened in the state and sent Governor after Governor to Frankfort from Louisville.
Well that was more the fantasy than reality, I mean how many Governors have we had that came from Louisville? None, that’s how many. The Louisville Democrats have always been just a faction among the various factions of the Kentucky Democratic party. They weren’t even the First among Equals, that was the faction based out of Lexington and Central Kentucky. Still the Louisville always felt secure in their world view.
Not so much anymore.
The events of the last week or so surely must have disabused any rational observer of such a exalted world view. The semi-public meltdown of the Lamons campaign is just the most public example. Since the youtube clip came out last week, there has been recriminations flying like crazy around Jefferson County. The Democrats seem to be in a circular firing squad with submachine guns.
The semi-public shouting match between Lamons campaign manager Joseph Harville and Metro Council Chairman James Prince at Vincezzo’s restaurant is still denied by all parties involved, however I am told reliably that at least more than one cell phone camera caught portions of the exchange. It’s clear that the bridges there were burned, nuked and the remains sold for scrap iron to Costa Rica.
No doubt the tempers of the party over the political environment contributed to the mayhem.
Prince is angry over his loss in the Mayoral primary and worries over decline of his power. His daughter District Judge Vikki Prince is facing a stiff challenge to her reelection and she seems oblivious to her problems. He spent an ungodly amount of money to get her elected and it seems she is determined to waste all that money and effort. After all, when you become known as the "other woman" on the Soap Opera Channel’s reality show "Dixie Belles" you can’t be thinking to clearly as to your public reputation. Daddy’s faction took a beating in the mayoral and Metro council primary election and looks suffer worse losses come November.
Of course the opposing faction, call it the Lamons faction for convenience sake, isn’t necessarily that strong, just not as weak as Prince’s. Their candidate Wendy Nealling did win the Mayoral primary, but the first polls out show her trailing Republican nominee Benjamin Riker by double digits. For Nealling, a long time fixture on the Metro Council, to be trailing to the political newcomer Riker has frustrated the Democrats to no end. They were used to City Hall being a Democrat castle, after all Jeremiah Greisman was called Mayor for life for a reason. Even though he was finally term limited and running for Governor now, they expected to hold on to the Mayor’s office.
The thought of them losing the Mayorship and a large number of seats on the Metro Council is infuriating to them.
Don’t even get them started on the situation in Frankfort. They had been able to rationalize that due to the dumb voters in the sticks, although they never said that out loud they certainly believed it in their heart. Now it has started hitting too close to home.
Then, there’s Lamons race. It was something of a surprise when he initially ran for the House in 2000. Before then he had been known as a political gadfly who edited the alternative newspaper JCEO. His campaign to replace the retiring Congressman Runion was initially dismissed by the Democratic powers that be. They thought that either Stevenson or Vaughn would get the nomination. However the two engaged in a mutually destructive campaign and Lamons snuck to victory over the ruins. He buried the Republican candidate that year in a blizzard of money and advertising. He used his resources to win or strongly contest the South End while racking strong margins in the West and East Ends. It was a formula he repeated every election since then.
This year, the formula seems to be falling apart. He’s facing Townsend, who has a campaign that can go toe to toe when it comes to resources. Townsend also has run county wide before in contested races and survived the best the Democratic party could throw against him in 2000 and 2006.
Townsend also is a very attractive and effective candidate, he cuts into the various bases of the Democratic party. He’s from the West End, African-American and the South End likes him for his tough on law and order stance.
He has not stumbled during this campaign, more than one person who saw his speech at the GOP convention this week came away with the feeling that he will wind up as a national candidate some day. Those of us here in Louisville have heard the "patronizing pat on the child’s head" speech before, but it was new to most of the country and it played really well.
In the best of years, Lamons would be in for a tough race. Santos is not popular in Kentucky at all and the region has been trending Republican since the Bartlett years. However, the youtube scandal (we need a new name for it, maybe I’ll do a competition) has dug Lamons into a large hole. In the space of two minutes, he managed to alienate the West End, the South End and make the East End afraid of being too closely associated with him.
National Democrats can’t be pleased and I would be interested in the reception he gets when he goes to Jacksonville for the Democratic convention next week. He’s going to need their help in the coming race and it remains to see if they want to be associated with him if the scandal doesn’t clear soon. Without their help, the odds are stacked against him.
Pity the poor Louisville Democrats, a short awhile they rules all they surveyed, come November their holdings may very well be invisible.
politico.com, Friday July 23rd
Walken Tells America “Seize This Moment”
The Republican Convention ended last night in a hail of tickertape and balloon and a barnstorming performance from the man who we can now officially call their nominee Glen Walken.
61 year old Walken took the stage to a booming reception from the delegates who gave the distinct impression of a united party that is confident it can return to the White House for the first time since January 1999.
Walken showed every bid of folksy charm and easy charisma that has made him such a hero to many in the Republican base. He began with a lengthy group of platitudes to the delegates, his family, a number of veterans in the crowd and his Vice-Presidential running mate Liz Clark whom he said was an “exceptional candidate for Vice-President”.
He also praised his opponents in the primary singling out Ray Sullivan, who introduced him, and Marcus Blakemore whose name drew a lengthy standing ovation.
The general theme of the former Acting President’s speech from then on was clear – 12 years of Democratic Presidents have squandered the legacy left to them and the prosperity it brought, now if time for a change.
The Missouri Congressman made a surprising reach to moderates and independents saying that he had spent the last four years listening to their concerns and promised them a party that was in touch with the middle class and that would make the tough decisions that were ahead. “No more broken promises, no more saying one thing and doing another” the former Speaker promised as his name echoed round the hall.
He attacked Santos claiming he had “failed to lead” and asked the American people to join with him to improve their country quoting his fellow Missourian Harry Truman saying “America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.”
Walken finished on a high promising an administration fit to deliver the nations “hope and dreams”. He ended to a lengthy standing ovation and was joined on stage by his wife Mary and their children who were followed by Liz Clark and her family.
It was impossible to leave the hall with anything but a feeling of excitement from the delegates. They backed Robert Ritchie in 2002 believing that “Anyone But Bartlet” would do, they reluctantly backed Arnold Vinick in 2006 thinking he was imperfect but a sure thing – it was fairly clear last night that the Republicans have found their man and they headed off into the warm Dallas night thinking they must “seize this moment”.
Walken Tells America “Seize This Moment”
The Republican Convention ended last night in a hail of tickertape and balloon and a barnstorming performance from the man who we can now officially call their nominee Glen Walken.
61 year old Walken took the stage to a booming reception from the delegates who gave the distinct impression of a united party that is confident it can return to the White House for the first time since January 1999.
Walken showed every bid of folksy charm and easy charisma that has made him such a hero to many in the Republican base. He began with a lengthy group of platitudes to the delegates, his family, a number of veterans in the crowd and his Vice-Presidential running mate Liz Clark whom he said was an “exceptional candidate for Vice-President”.
He also praised his opponents in the primary singling out Ray Sullivan, who introduced him, and Marcus Blakemore whose name drew a lengthy standing ovation.
The general theme of the former Acting President’s speech from then on was clear – 12 years of Democratic Presidents have squandered the legacy left to them and the prosperity it brought, now if time for a change.
The Missouri Congressman made a surprising reach to moderates and independents saying that he had spent the last four years listening to their concerns and promised them a party that was in touch with the middle class and that would make the tough decisions that were ahead. “No more broken promises, no more saying one thing and doing another” the former Speaker promised as his name echoed round the hall.
He attacked Santos claiming he had “failed to lead” and asked the American people to join with him to improve their country quoting his fellow Missourian Harry Truman saying “America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.”
Walken finished on a high promising an administration fit to deliver the nations “hope and dreams”. He ended to a lengthy standing ovation and was joined on stage by his wife Mary and their children who were followed by Liz Clark and her family.
It was impossible to leave the hall with anything but a feeling of excitement from the delegates. They backed Robert Ritchie in 2002 believing that “Anyone But Bartlet” would do, they reluctantly backed Arnold Vinick in 2006 thinking he was imperfect but a sure thing – it was fairly clear last night that the Republicans have found their man and they headed off into the warm Dallas night thinking they must “seize this moment”.
msnbc.com, Friday July 23rd
President Expecting Third Child
It has been officially confirmed by the White House that the first lady Helen Santos is pregnant with her third child.
The news was officially broken by White House Communication Director Noah Crichton who was filling in for Maria Lopez at this morning’s press briefing.
Crichton confirmed that Santos was three months pregnant and expected to give birth in January next year.
This will be the Santos’ third child. They currently have a boy Peter, 14 and a girl Miranda, 13. Crichton said “The President and First Lady are delighted with this news and are of course hopeful of having the first child while still residing in the White House.”
President Expecting Third Child
It has been officially confirmed by the White House that the first lady Helen Santos is pregnant with her third child.
The news was officially broken by White House Communication Director Noah Crichton who was filling in for Maria Lopez at this morning’s press briefing.
Crichton confirmed that Santos was three months pregnant and expected to give birth in January next year.
This will be the Santos’ third child. They currently have a boy Peter, 14 and a girl Miranda, 13. Crichton said “The President and First Lady are delighted with this news and are of course hopeful of having the first child while still residing in the White House.”
Last edited:
Friday July 23rd
LASTEST ELECTION MAP
Solid Walken=200NO CHANGE
Lean Walken=83+15
Total Walken=283+15
Solid Santos=130-10
Lean Santos=44-5
Total Santos=174-15
Toss-up=81 NO CHANGE
NATIONAL POLL
- Walken 52%
- Santos 44%
- Hall 4%
Day 102
disputed, I think your ages for Peter and Miranda are off. I have them at 14 and 13 currently (10 and 9 on the show), and I don't think they were 6 and 4 during the series. Actress Ashlyn Sanchez is almost 14 now (Joshua Cabrera's age is unknown).
Special Report
Part 6 of 50
Previous entries
April 10th - Indiana
April 12th - Oregon
May 4th - South Carolina
June 2nd - Maine
July 13th - Maryland
In our sixth installment of our popular series, we're going to try something different. In honor of the just-finished Republican National Convention, we're going to cover this year's setting for the RNC, the home state of our current President, and the home state of the Republican vice presidential candidate. That's right, Texas.
But I said there was something different. That something is thanks to Dallas reporter Buck Reynolds. He suggested, and we agreed, to forgo the usual commentary and ask the Representatives and Senators themselves about their summary and electoral prospects.
Here are the Senators, in their own words (additional commentary by Buck Reynolds):
Some select Congressmen and Senators:
disputed, I think your ages for Peter and Miranda are off. I have them at 14 and 13 currently (10 and 9 on the show), and I don't think they were 6 and 4 during the series. Actress Ashlyn Sanchez is almost 14 now (Joshua Cabrera's age is unknown).
Special Report
Part 6 of 50
Previous entries
April 10th - Indiana
April 12th - Oregon
May 4th - South Carolina
June 2nd - Maine
July 13th - Maryland
In our sixth installment of our popular series, we're going to try something different. In honor of the just-finished Republican National Convention, we're going to cover this year's setting for the RNC, the home state of our current President, and the home state of the Republican vice presidential candidate. That's right, Texas.
But I said there was something different. That something is thanks to Dallas reporter Buck Reynolds. He suggested, and we agreed, to forgo the usual commentary and ask the Representatives and Senators themselves about their summary and electoral prospects.
Here are the Senators, in their own words (additional commentary by Buck Reynolds):
- Senior Senator: Elizabeth Clark, Republican
Clark was one of the few candidates who were unavailable for an interview, for obvious reasons. If you don't know who she is, then pick up any newspaper anywhere (or click "I'm Feeling Lucky" on a Google search for "News"). Before she was Senator she was the top aide to Senator Joseph Furman, although we can only hope she doesn't follow his example on the election trail.
Electoral Prospects: Not running. A Class II Senator, Clark was re-elected in 2008 and won't be up for re-election until 2014, assuming the worst.
- Junior Senator: Barton Hopkins, Republican
Accoring to Senator Hopkins: I'm a well-known former Governor of the Grand State of Texas, a Senator in the same tradition as my predecessor, the late Joe Furman, and a native-born Austinite with a mean-streak against the Santos Democrats.
Electoral Prospects: I was overwhelmingly approved in a special election last July. I thank the Lord Almighty that I won't have to reconsider running again until 2012 [note - Hopkins is 64, and will be 66 during his re-election. It's likely that he will not run again, as he already retired from politics once (in 2008).]
- 1st: Charles Miner, Republican
My name's Charles Miner and I'm a United States Representative out of Tyler and East Texas. You may remember me from my support of 2005's Social Security Reform Act or my complete disapproval of CAFTA.
Electoral Prospects: I doubt I'll have any problem getting elected to my sixth term, but if you want to send money, I won't deny it. [Note- Miner is from a heavily Republican district, and won't face any viable competition this year.] - 2nd: Barry Strickman, Republican
Barry Strickman here. I'm the Congressman from Northern Houston, near the Louisiana border. I've written the Patient's Bill of Rights and have worked across party lines to better this nation. That being said, I strongly support real change in this country, only possible with the Walken-Clark ticket.
Electoral Prospects: I'm confident that I will win against my Democratic opponent, although any help is a godsend. I am in the most competitive race of my career, and it'll only make me stronger. [Note- Strickman is up against Louis Pierot, a popular Democratic Judge. The 2nd has a long history of Democratic congressmen before Strickman, and his prospects of re-election are low.] - 3rd: Michelle Rodriguez, Republican
I'm proud to say I'm the first female and Hispanic to represent in the Dallas area. I support a wide array of causes to help my fellow Texans and specifically Dallasites. I'm pro-gun, pro-life, anti-corruption and anti-power.
Electoral Prospects: Congressman Rodriguez declined to provide her electoral prospects, but she is favored to win in November, against State Senator Po Jansen. - 4th: John Hancock, Republican
I'm Representative John Hancock, and yes, that's my real name. While I haven't signed anything as important as the Declaration of Independence, I have been involved in negotiations with Kazakhstan and Qumar in a minimal capacity.
Electoral Prospects: Oh, I'm supremely electable. I don't think I've ever lost a race in my life, and certainly won't this year, since the Democrats haven't nominated a candidate. [Note - the Democrats have actually nominated former Republican State Congressman Shirley Maxwell, and the race is about even.] - 5th: Rep Omundson, Republican
I'm known as "Rep Rep" and I "rep" in the southern Dallas area. In fact, I live not far from the Convention Center, so it's fun catering to all you out-of-towners. [Note - The reporter (me) lives in Dallas, as well.] I'm still learning the ropes, but I have helped write legislation that was bashed by the leftist Santos administration.
Electoral Prospects: I had a bit of trouble early on, but I knocked out my Primary competition and am confident going in to November. [Note - Omundson is favored to win his heavy Republican district.] - 6th: Patrick Quinton, Republican
I've been in Congress since before you were born, son. I think people know who I am. [Note - Congressman Quinton has been in Congress since 1975 (after I was born), and switched parties in 1980. He's held the same seat, despite minor redistricting, and at one point, moving his home to stay in the district.]
Electoral Prospects: Quinton declined to comment, but he is facing no competition in November, the Democrats not able to pit anyone against him. - 7th: Mark Cumberland, Republican
Hi. I'm Mark Cumberland, and I serve this great state, and specifically the 7th district out of Houston, in the United States Congress. I was a frontrunner for the Senate appointment given to the great former Governor Barry Hopkins, and I have several close ties to our current Governor, my friend Phil Prior.
Electoral Prospects: Haha. I don't know if any Democrats even exist in Houston. [Note - Cumberland is one of the highest respected Republicans in Congress. He faces no opposition from the Democrats, even in the Houston area, possibly because of his moderate stance on some key issues.] - 8th: Rosemary Barton, Republican
I'm Congressman Rose Barton and I represent the 8th District out of Orange, Texas. I succeeded my late husband, Congressman Robert Barton, after his death in the 2008 campaign.
Electoral Prospects: I'm not running, dear, but my son is, and he'll do great. [Note - Congressman Barton's seat will be contested by her son, Republican Robert Barton, Jr. (formerly a University student) and Democrat Caroline Chenowith. Chenowith is favored to win, due to statements by Barton Jr. that he supports pro-choice ideals.] - 9th: Patsy Burns, Democrat
As a Democrat, Burns was not at the Convention, and I have failed to contact her. An African-American woman, she is currently in her first term, but comes from a very Democratic district. She previously served in the State Senate, where she attempted to run in the primary for Governor of Texas, losing out to Tim Fields.
Electoral Prospects: She faced no competition in the primary, and her Republican opponent, the Mayor of Missouri City, has been hit with controversy (and would be unlikely to win anyway). - 10th: C.C. Robertson, Republican
Congressman Robertson, at your service. I work out of Austin, but my district extends into Houston, so I have the best of both worlds. If you recall, I was in the primary for governor in 2008, but remained in Congress instead, and I never looked back.
Electoral Prospects: I'm cautiously optimistic about my chances. [Note - Congressman Robertson is going through a messy public divorce, and details that have been released about his "lifestyle" have hurt his campaign to the point that he will almost certainly lose in November. Brenham City Councilman Pedro Gonzalez, an unknown in Texas politics, is heavily favored to win as a Democrat. - 11th: Ronald Gennings, Republican
I'm Congressman Gennings, that's with a G not a J, because my great-grandfather couldn't spell. Obviously, I'm the son of former Governor Michael Gennings he preced Barry Hopkins. I'm the Baby of the House, but don't let my age fool ya, I can politic it up with the rest of 'em.
Electoral Prospects: I'm going to get through this like I did last time. Handshaking and bravado. [Note - Congressman Gennings is 27 years old, and was elected in 2008 at 25. He's been accused of lame duck status in his first term, only voting with the Republican caucus and even then, only voting half the time. He's been viciously attacked in ads by the Democratic party, but it remains to be seen if his father's popularity can help him this time.] - 12th: John Peters, Republican
This is my first RNC, so be easy on me. I'm Congressman John Peters, and you may have heard of me on the news. I'm from Fort Worth and represent the 12th district. I was a strong supporter of President Santos when he ran in '06, but as you all know, have since switched parties and feel that Walken is the best choice for our country.
Electoral Prospects: Not talking about it. [Note - Congressman Peters was the Democratic candidate until February 2010, when he switched parties. The Democrats scrambled to replace him with someone he could face, but they may have failed with former State Representative Michael Mathers.] - 13th: Gary Oliver, Republican
I represent North Texas, mostly the panhandle and areas bordering Oklahoma. I was an Okie by birth, but am proud to have Amarillo as a home. I previously served as a top aide to Governor Hopkins and have eyes on a future role in the State House or as Senator.
Electoral Prospects: My only major candidate has marked herself an "Alexander Independent." I'd say I'm enthusiastically optimistic. - 14th: Ron Paul, Republican
I'm Ron Paul and I'm a conservative, a constitutionalist, and a libertarian. I've represented Texas in the Galveston Bay area, either in the 22nd or 14th, since 1976, and I am wholeheartedly against all foreign intervention that the Bartlet and Santos presidencies keep getting us into.
Electoral Prospects: I was unopposed in 2008 and I'm unopposed now. - 15th: Maria Consuelo, Democrat
Congressman Consuelo, as a Democrat, was unavailable at the Convention. She is known for her passionate support of Hispanic ideals, supporting amnesty and even, controversially "opening the border."
Electoral Prospects: Her recent statements may have cost her the race. She faces a tough race in November against Republican Gabriel Mencia, who would be the first Republican to represent the district, if elected. - 16th: Oscar Huerra, Democrat
Congressman Huerra represents another heavy Hispanic district, out of El Paso. He was originally a Republican, but switched parties in 2006 to support Congressman Santos in his Presidential run, and has been an unapologetic Democrat ever since, representing the huge party shift that several Hispanic-Americans went through during and after the '06 election.
Electoral Prospects: Congressman Huerra is up against Republican Jesus Quintero, although a recent appearance by President Santos supporting Huerra has all but assurred Quintero's defeat. Quintero did not attend the RNC in hopes of showing himself as a pro-Santos Republican in his district. - 17th: Charlene Andrews, Democrat
I'm only here because of my husband. Thankfully they didn't throw stones at me at the door. I represent the area around Waco, Texas, and previously served as a District Attorney. My husband, Frank, is of course, the Republican State Comptroller.
Electoral Prospects: My opponent, John Collington, is here somewhere, but I'm trying to aviod him. [Note - that sums up her campaign strategy quite likely. Collington has been pulling ahead in recent polls, and the race is described as an open one, with a possibility for Collington to unseat Andrews.] - 18th: Ana Flores, Democrat
Congressman Flores was President Santos' hand-picked successor to his old congressional seat, having previously replaced him as Mayor of Houston when he was elected to Congress. They are well-respected in their district.
Electoral Prospects: The unopposed Republican candidate, Bill Saenz, was recently hospitalized after attempting suicide. It is unlikely that the Republicans can find a suitable replacement in time for the next election. - 19th: John Connally, Republican
I'm John Connally, and me and President Walken go way back. I'm one of the top-tiered Republican congressmen today.
Electoral Prospects: Congressman Connally, described as a member of the "unholy trinity" by DNC Chair Josh Lyman, is one of the more conservative members of Congress. He was first elected on name recognition alone, unrelated to former Governor John Connally (he originally spelled his name "Connelly"). - 20th: Cal Tillinghouse, Democrat
Tillinghouse is a long-term member of Congress, representing the San Antonio area. In recent years he has been fighting back against primary challenges from some Hispanic politicians, but has survived all elections.
Electoral Prospects: With the administrations delayed response to the Houston train crash, Tillinghouse is believed to have stated that it "cost him the election." He is up against Republican Jose Carrerra, and Carrerra has surged in polls since the crash. If unseated, it would be after thirty-three years in Congress (Tillinghouse is Dean of the House). - 21st: Benedicto Romero, Republican
I'm Congressman Romero and I represent the 21st out of northern San Antonio.
Electoral Prospects: Congressman Romero, who was a supporter of Santos in 2006 and was believed to consider party-switching, faces no Democratic opposition this year, perhaps because of his ties to the administration. He was nearly unseated in the primary, however, by Maria Zapata, who has since accepted a position in the Federal Department of Education. - 22nd: Peter Lien, Republican
I'm Peter Lien. I'm a life-long Republican, but I'm more of a freethinker than a blind party-follower. I'm a huge fan of former President Bartlet, believing he did what was necessary to modernize our country throughout the 2000s. Regardless, I supported the Vinick campaign and am here to support President Walken.
Electoral Prospects: Lien's close ties to the Bartlet administration have hurt him in the past, but as time goes, the memory passes, and he faced no primary opposition and minimal Democratic opposition this year. He has a notable history, being a child refugee from the Vietnamese War. - 23rd: Angelo Valencia, Democrat
Valencia is notable for being a native Spanish speaker in Congress, and for struggling with English, something he has been ridiculed for on late night comedy shows. Despite his bumbling appearance, he is an apt politician behind-the-scenes.
Electoral Prospects: Valencia won with a less than 1,000-vote margin in 2008 and 2010 is looking to be similar. He is a dead heat against Republican candidate Luis Lamberto. - 24th: Merchant Tanner, Republican
Congressman Tanner here. You may remember back in '02 when I became the first modern Congressman to win by write-in votes. Well I've won every race since...
Electoral Prospects: ...and am confident to win this time. [Note - Congressman Tanner's write-in vote in '02 was due to an electoral misstep that removed his name from the ballot in most of his district's precincts. Pamphlets were given out by election officials on how to write-in a candidate to stifle the idea that it was an intentional mistake. In response, it is believed that voters voted for Tanner simply following the pamphlet, an allegation raised by the Democratic Party of Texas. Tanner is up against State Senator Anna Jenkins.] - 25th: William Mulder, Democrat
Mulder is an old-school Texas Democrat who has been involved in politics since 1985. His father was Lieutenant Governor in the '70s. He has been considered one of the more conservative Democrats. His current district has been considered fairly liberal, but it has suffered from a lot of redistricting over the last ten years.
Electoral Prospects: Despite his conservative nature, Mulder was a shoo-in for the Democratic nomination, facing minimal and financially burdened competition. He has attacked his Republican opponent, Ralph Ellis, for being an unapologetic liberal, in one of the most laughably switched around races in the nation. - 26th: Uriah Rathburn, Republican
Rathburn was unavailable on Thursday, when we had scheduled to meet, being under the weather. He is a Congressman out of the 26th District, a well-Republican district centered on Denton County. And is notable for more than just his first name, as he was a scientist for years in Los Alamos before moving back to his native Gainesville and entering politics fifteen years ago.
Electoral Prospects: Rathburn is a moderate Republican, facing a moderate Democrat. Whoever wins, they'll have moderate policies. - 27th: Rick Pintero, Republican
I'm Rick Pintero, a Congressman, and head of the Hispanics For Walken Coalition. I'm not against President Santos, and I supported him in '06, but President Walken has a clear strategy and is better versed in Hispanic issues than Santos, who has barely even acknowledged them.
Electoral Prospects: Pintero's heavy support of Walken has helped him in the Republican Primary, facing little-to-no competition. It has harmed him with other Hispanics, however, and a credible Democratic threat in former Congressman Charles Coronado is seeking his old seat back. Coronado is currently ahead in polls, in the heavily Santos-favored district. - 28th: Francis Suarez, Democrat
Congressman Suarez is one of the prominent members of the Blue Dog coalition, rising up in stature after Nate Singer's exit from the House. Suarez is well-respected in the district, and has been in Congress since 1997.
Electoral Prospects: Since the '98 election, Suarez has soared past any challenger, even in a split Democrat-Republican district. Her current challenger, once a serious threat, is in the midst of a sex-scandal that will surely cause her to win once more. - 29th: Tim Fields, Democrat
Tim Fields is best remembered for his bribery scandal in 2008, his Gubernatorial run, and his friendship with President Santos (who he later decried for costing him the Speakership). Due to Texas law, he was able to run for Congress and Governor at the same time, and luckily won at one of those races (guess which one?).
Electoral Prospects: The bribery scandal was later deemed as a non-credible mistake on Fields' part, but it still cost him vicious attacks by his Democratic primary opponents and Republican opponent. The 29th is heavy Democratic-leaning, but with the public weary of Fields (who comes from a political family), it's possible that he'll lose the upcoming election. - 30th: Eddie Cullen, Democrat
Cullen, a Congressman out of Dallas, has been in the seat since it was formed in 1993. He had no political experience, but was a wealthy young Dallas businessman when elected. Since then he has mostly laid low in Congress, not seeking any high-profile positions, but more working behind-the-scenes. Jim Hohner's 2005 memoirs called Cullen "one of the more devious Congressmen today."
Electoral Prospects: Cullen hasn't faced any opposition since 1998. His district is heavily leaning Democrat, and the DNC seems to be alright with keeping Cullen in his current position. - 31st: Christopher Finn, Republican
I'm Christopher Finn, Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee, and Congressman out of the 31st since its formation in '03. I was born and raised in Temple, Texas, and I work well across party lines.
Electoral Prospects: I only have some write-ins as a challenger, and since none of them are Merchant Tanner, I'm not worried. [Note - Finn was standing next to Tanner when he said this.] - 32nd: Jake Blackman, Republican
My name's Congressman Blackman, but you can call me Jake. I'm a father of four, a husband of one, a son of two, and a Representative of 650 thousand Dallasites.
Electoral Prospects: My electoral strategy is this: Be yourself. Congressman Blackman has been accused of committing perjury and is currently under investigation by the House Ethics Committee. It is unlikely he'll be re-elected.
Some select Congressmen and Senators:
Ron Paul-So powerful, he can be in two universes at once.
Ron Paul is.....THE CONSTITUTIONALIST!!!
Ron Paul is.....THE CONSTITUTIONALIST!!!
Ashlyn Sanchez as First Daughter Miranda Santos with her Secret Service protection
Day 101
I was imagining a scene in the fantasy 2010 West Wing series where Ron Paul just shows up in a cameo. A fictionalized character slightly based on Ron Paul would be too unrealistic and improbable.
Well he is doing all the things I think a Vampire would do if elected to Congress (Yes, I have thought about that...), but I believe the other Mr. Cullen is from Michigan and far too young(-looking) to be elected to Congress. The name is a "coincidence," just like William Mulder, Charlene Andrews, Charles Miner, Michelle Rodriguez, John Connally, Jake Blackman, and John Hancock. I get bored easily with naming characters.
I told myself I wouldn't mess with Illinois, but I'm about to break my own rule:
Hohner, Jr. Yucks It Up
Sunday, July 25, 2010
On a night overshadowed by VP candidate Liz Clark's acceptance speech, Jim Hohner, Jr. called on some of his father's humor Wednesday when he presented a speech that was half-serious, half-funny, with some humorous punchlines and self-deprecating jokes. He called his own Senate race (against Democratic Senator George Montgomery) the "eternal struggle between incumbency and nepotism" and made light of Montgomery's and Santos' beards as a sign that the Democratic Party was taken over by evil opposites (a reference to the Star Trek "mirror universe"). The jokes remind one of the Speakership of Hohner's father, Jim Hohner, Sr., who, during the occassional press conferences, would joke about his ex-wives or his drinking problem (we would later learn that he was an avowed teatotaller). Hohner, Sr. passed away in February of last year and his passing is said to have prompted Acting President Walken's entry into the presidential primary race.
Hohner, Jr. is currently dead-even with Senator Montgomery. Hohner, Jr. is from downstate, and Montgomery from the Chicago suburbs, and the line seems to be drawn between Chicagoland (where Montgomery is extremely popular) and the rest of Illinois (a very conservative region). Hohner has made some progress with his successful appearance at the Taste of Chicago earlier this month. Should Hohner lose his Senate race, it's been rumored that a high-ranking position is waiting for him in a potential Walken administration.
Ron Paul-So powerful, he can be in two universes at once.
Ron Paul is.....THE CONSTITUTIONALIST!!!
I was imagining a scene in the fantasy 2010 West Wing series where Ron Paul just shows up in a cameo. A fictionalized character slightly based on Ron Paul would be too unrealistic and improbable.
OOC: Oh dear God please don't be who I think it is...
Well he is doing all the things I think a Vampire would do if elected to Congress (Yes, I have thought about that...), but I believe the other Mr. Cullen is from Michigan and far too young(-looking) to be elected to Congress. The name is a "coincidence," just like William Mulder, Charlene Andrews, Charles Miner, Michelle Rodriguez, John Connally, Jake Blackman, and John Hancock. I get bored easily with naming characters.
I told myself I wouldn't mess with Illinois, but I'm about to break my own rule:
Hohner, Jr. Yucks It Up
Sunday, July 25, 2010
On a night overshadowed by VP candidate Liz Clark's acceptance speech, Jim Hohner, Jr. called on some of his father's humor Wednesday when he presented a speech that was half-serious, half-funny, with some humorous punchlines and self-deprecating jokes. He called his own Senate race (against Democratic Senator George Montgomery) the "eternal struggle between incumbency and nepotism" and made light of Montgomery's and Santos' beards as a sign that the Democratic Party was taken over by evil opposites (a reference to the Star Trek "mirror universe"). The jokes remind one of the Speakership of Hohner's father, Jim Hohner, Sr., who, during the occassional press conferences, would joke about his ex-wives or his drinking problem (we would later learn that he was an avowed teatotaller). Hohner, Sr. passed away in February of last year and his passing is said to have prompted Acting President Walken's entry into the presidential primary race.
Hohner, Jr. is currently dead-even with Senator Montgomery. Hohner, Jr. is from downstate, and Montgomery from the Chicago suburbs, and the line seems to be drawn between Chicagoland (where Montgomery is extremely popular) and the rest of Illinois (a very conservative region). Hohner has made some progress with his successful appearance at the Taste of Chicago earlier this month. Should Hohner lose his Senate race, it's been rumored that a high-ranking position is waiting for him in a potential Walken administration.
Last edited:
Who's to blame?
By Parker LaRouche
With the potential of a gigantic floor fight at the Democratic National Convention, led by Ricky Rafferty, one might ask, who is to blame? Conservatives say that the younger voters who have begun to identify themselves as the "Youth in Revolt," are to blame. Saying that they should wait till its their turn to run the country. Ricky Rafferty claims to represent the views of the YIR, however, many have pushed her aside, calling her for what she is, an attention-seeking, power hungry, career politician. The question of "Who is to blame for..." is a question that could have many different endings. Who is to blame for the coming fight at the Democratic Convention? Who is to blame for the rise of the Youth in Revolt? Who is to blame for the lagging numbers of President Santos?
The answer to question one, is quite simple. Ricky Rafferty and her ego are to blame for the coming floor fight. She will get brushed aside after the first ballot, but there is speculation that other prominent democrats may consider throwing their names into the hat. It is very likely she will be the spark to ignite the fires of war between the warring factions of the democratic party. All because of her need for attention. Democrats are quite worried that she will throw the election to Walken. She claims to represent the Youth in Revolt, and claims to have been a supporter of theirs before their rise to prominence on a national level. So is she to blame for their rise? One of the more outspoken leaders of the YiR is Nicole Kershaw, the mayor of this very city (San Francisco). And she is staunchly anti-Rafferty. She was quoted saying:
"Ricky Rafferty likes to pretend she has our support, and that we support her, that couldn't be more false. There is no one to blame for the fact that we are getting more attention. It's a good thing. It's a good thing because now the people of the country see what we, the young people want for this country. They can see what the future entails, and that is wonderful for the country."
The last question is, "Who is to blame for President Santos's lagging numbers?" The answer simply is, his own. But not for the simple reasons you would think. While many pundits would say it was his ineffectiveness as a leader, his inexperience, etc... The Youth in Revolt has a different take. When Kershaw was asked in an interview why she thought the President was lagging behind, she answered:
"He alienated the liberal base of the party. He ran on a platform of change and as a liberal. We helped him get to where he is. And as soon as he took office, he fell back to the center. When he had a choice of his Vice-President, he chose the moderate, albeit left-leaning views, Eric Baker over the liberal Carol Gelsey. He wasn't able to get anything done with healthcare or education, two of the biggest things he campaigned on. Then, when he had a chance to replace Eric Baker, his shortlist came down to two names. The moderate, former Senate Minority Leader Wendell Tripplehorn, or the liberal former Governor of California Gabe Tillman. If it weren't for Tillman's endorsement of Santos in the primaries, he wouldn't even be our President right now. He has left those who were his strongest supporters four years ago in the dust. Now he'll have to live with the repercussions of that. Which likely means he will be out of work come January 20th, 2011."
While the Mayor is definitely correct in stating that he has alienated the left, everyone knows the battle is won and lost in the middle. What the President has seemingly forgotten, is that without the left-flank, you'll never get onto the battlefield. Right now, over 8 points down in most polls, one has to wonder if he's thinking about covering his flank. He'll certainly need it come November 2nd.
- Status