2010 US Presidential Election

[Marky Bunny]

NBS.COM

Tuesday August 27th 2013

Ritchie: "No chance of me running for RNC Chair"

Former Florida Governor and the GOP'S 2002 Presidential candidate Robert Ritchie told NBS this morning that there was "no chance" of him running for RNC Chairman.

Ritchie's name had been linked to role over the weekend and admitted that he had taken several calls from party members asking to run but he said "I have retired, I enjoy my time playing golf and talking to you folks in the media". He also refused to get drawn on either who his choice was for the job and on the Presidential ambitions of his son James. "James is his own man, we don't talk about his political future, at the moment he his doing a great job as Governor of Florida".

 

[Marky Bunny]

BBC.CO.UK/News

Wednesday August 28th 2013
Arnold Vinick to be honoured at Cambridge University

Former US Secretary of State Arnold Vinick will be honoured for his work when he visits the United Kingdom next month.He will address academics and students at Cambridge University before being given an honorary degree.The visit will take place 13 and 14 September.
Mr Vinick will be honoured for his efforts in championing the causes of education, health, human rights, democracy, civil society around the world.
A statement from the University said "We are absolutely delighted that Secretary Vinick will join us. As one of the most influential men in the world, Arnold Vinick, as statesman, Senator, and policymaker, never shied away from tackling difficult questions, working to make the world a better place, inspiring others, speaking out for the voiceless and striving ever to excel."
Vinick, who lost to Matthew Santos in the contest to be US President in 2006, was US secretary of state until January this year before retiring. He has kept a low public profile since and has turned down the chance to write his memiors.

 

[Marky Bunny]

NBS.COM

Wednesday August 28th 2013

Russell admits he is "considering" Presidential run

Former Vice-President Robert Russell admitted today for the first time that he is considering running the Democratic Presidential nomination despite saying a year ago he would not run in 2014.

Speaking to the press after speaking at a party fundraising launch in Denver he said " I am currently weighing up all my options, and yes I am considering getting into the nomination race" adding that the decision will be made "sooner rather than later" and admitting that decision of former Virginia Senator Brian Cambridge to depart the race for the Pentagon had "changed his mind and opened up the chance for a second shot at the White House".

He was accompanied at the event by his 2006 Campaign Manager Will Bailey, now a Oregon Congresswomen, and Donna Moss , the wife of DNC Chairman Josh Lyman, Moss was a spokesman on the Russell 2006 campaign, before joining the Santos campaign after he won the nomination in the same role, before becoming Helen Santos Chief Staff at the White House. They are several rumors that Moss could be about to be getting the political campaign Managament game in her own right. If she does it might go some way to healing the rift between her Husband and Russell.

 

[disputed]

nbs.com, Thursday August 29th

Fitzsimmons Adds White House Veterans To Staff As Presidential Speculation Builds

Massachusetts Senator Jimmy Fitzsimmons confirmed today that he hired former White House Staffers Annabeth Schott and Otto Marellas to his staff as speculation increased over whether the former Mayor of Boston was considering a run for President.

Ms. Schott who also held the role of Press Secretary for former First Lady Helen Santos will take on the role of Press Relations Director for Fitzsimmons and will work alongside the Senator’s current Press Secretary Rudi Carello.

Marcellas, who served as Chief of Staff in the last eight weeks of the Santos Presidency will have a “wide remit focused on policy”.

The moves by Fitzsimmons seem to strength his team in the areas that would be needed for a national run and speculation will only build further when the Senator appears at a number of fundraisers for Iowa Senator Lorraine Lindsay over the weekend.

 

[Marky Bunny]

NBS.COM

Thursday August 29th 2013

Governor Hoynes has three hour meeting with former President Santos in Houston

Texas Governor and former Vice-President John Hoynes travelled to Houston today to have a private meeting with former President Matthew Santos.

The two former Presidential opponents have become closer since the 2006 Primary campaign. Sources close to the Governor say that the meeting "was on the current state of Texas", but they are those who believe that Hoynes and Santos could very well be discusing the Democratic Presidential Primary field. Hoynes had endorsed former Virgina Senator Brian Cambridge back in June, but his withdrawl has left Hoynes endorsement in the air. It is of course well known, that neither man has much time for former Vice-President Robert Russell. It is looking increasingly likely that Russell could well be getting into the race in the next week or so. The rumors are the Hoynes and Santos could be looking for another candidate to support, it is very clear that neither would want Russell as the nominee next year.

It also seems unlikely that either Hoynes or Santos would run again, Hoynes has always laughed off any notion of him running in 2014, whilst Santos ruled himself out back in January, but Seantor Cambridge's withdrawl has changed the whole dynamics of the election.

 

[Moore2012]

NBS.COM

Friday August 30th 2013

Sullivan announces for RNC Chair; calls for unity in the Grand Old Party

Former West Virginia Governor Ray Sullivan announced his candidacy for RNC Chair today in Washington.

Sullivan stated "I want to build the strongest party possible. What we seek is not a party of Rinoism or Hard-Rightism, but rather a party of Main-Streetism."

Haffley also issued a ten-point plan to grow the GOP.

Sullivan was introduced by Former Florida Governor Rob Ritchie and has been endorsed by 32 (of 85 needed to win) members of the RNC.

Sullivan's two opponents Jeff Haffley and Brad Maxwell were not available for comment.

 

[Moore2012]

politico.com

Friday August 29th 2013

Haffley closing on the finish line

Former House Speaker Jeff Haffley leads by a wide margin in a Politico survey of members of the Republican National Committee and Republican members of Congress. Haffley just needs 9 more endorsements to reach the 85 need for election.

RNC Endorsements
*Jeff Haffley - 76
*Ray Sullivan - 32
*Brad Maxwell - 12
*Uncommitted - 48

Congressional Endorsements
*Jeff Haffley - 57
*Ray Sullivan - 29
*Brad Maxwell - 8

 

[Marky Bunny]

NBS.COM

Saturday August 31st 2013

Tilman flies to Boston to meet with Fitzsimmons

Former California Governor Gabe Tilman today flew to Boston to have a meeting with Massachusetts Senator Jimmy Fitzsimmons.

Tilman has already endorsed Maine Senator Stephen Wilson for the nomination, but Tilman two weeks ago had a meeting with former Vice-Presidents Robert Russell and Wendell Tripplehorn. There is much speculation tonight on why Tilman has flown across the country to meet the former Mayor of Boston.

Some sources in the Democratic party say it is to try and prevent Fitzsimmons from getting into the race and at the beqest of John Hoynes and Matt Santos with Robert Russell likely to jump into the race very soon, many believe that if Fitzsimmons gets into the race he would spilt the north-eastern Democrats in the primary and hand the nomination to Russell. Others believe that Tilman is working as a go-between for Robert Russell and is offering Fitzsimmons a deal to stay out of the race possibly the Vice-Presidency if he wins the nomination.

No-one from the office of Senator Fitzsimmons was prepared to comment on the meeting.

 

[Marky Bunny]

NBS.COM

Monday September 2nd 2013

Russell will announce Tuesday for the Presidency

Former Vice-President Robert Russell will announce Tuesday that he is to seek the Presidency for a second time on Tuesday.

With most of the country celebrating Labor Day today, the Russell campaign team is starting to get ready for the announcment. "The Progress America" PAC's website is now closed with the message "Please await further announcements" we also know that the website address "Russell2014.com" has been registered.

The formal announcement of the time and location will be we understand be sent out via text and e-mail later on this evening, but sources believe it will take place in the City of Gunnison, Colorado, the place where thirty years ago Russell started his public service as Mayor of the City.

We also believe that Russell's Campaign Manager will be former Bartlet White House Staffer, and former Chief of Staff to Helen Santos, Donna Moss, the wife of DNC Chairman Josh Lyman. She was Press spokesman for the first Russell campiagn back in 2006. Ruth Barker another key member of his 2006 team, and now Chief of Staff to Oregon Congressman Will Bailey, will be taking on the same role for Russell this time around.

 

[disputed]

nbs.com, Monday September 2nd

Crossley Team Hits Russell Before The Starting Pistol

With news circulating that former Vice-President Bob Russell is set to perform a spectacular about face and announce his candidacy for President one of his chief rivals has made early moves to dismiss Russell’s chances.

Key advisors and surrogates to Kate Crossley, who leads in many polls of the current field, hit the airwaves this morning to suggest that Russell was not the candidate that the party needed to battle President Walken next November.

Campaign manager Dylan Clark was first on deck telling Morning Joe that “We welcome him (Russell) to the race. He brings a lot of Washington insider experience to the debate but we simply don’t think he’s the right candidate to take the fight to the President. The ideas of the last decade are not the right ones for the next.”

Former Defence Secretary Mike Franco called for Russell to avoid the “divisive” tactics he used during his last campaign “Anyone who seen candidate Russell in 2006 is unlikely to be too excited by his presence in the race. Our party needs ideas and a fresh approach, not personal attacks and rehashing of the last 15 years.”

Nobody close to Vice-President Russell has been available for comment on the rumours or the comments made by Crossley’s team.

 

[disputed]

Politico.com, Monday September 2nd

Rust Confirms Run For Governor

Highly regarded State Senator Sam Rust this morning confirmed that he is jumping into the race to replace retiring Massachusetts Governor Isaac Sidley. Rust, who represents Hampden County in the State Senate is a favourite son of many Democrats and the DGA have been pushing for some time for Rust to get involved.

It’s believed that Rust finally agreed to get into the race following a meeting last month with the Chairman of the Democratic Governors association Mark Katzenmoyer. The Wisconsin Governor who is himself retiring at the end of his term has been extremely keen to strength the stable of Democratic Governors – a group that has been severely weakened over the past ten years.

Rust made the announcement outside of West Springfield High School where he graduated in 1991 saying that he thought “the future of this state can only be bright if everyone works together to make it bright. Today I am asking for your support in my attempt to ensure we keep this state on the right path.”

The entry of Rust makes for a potentially explosive primary as Lt. Governor Sarah Fearfield has already declared her candidacy. Fearfield is seen as a weak candidate and state Democrats are extremely concerned about her chances against Republican Casey Ruiz.

 

[Marky Bunny]

BBC.CO.UK/News

Monday September 2nd 2013

Labour reshuffle expected Wednesday

Labour Leader Ed Miller is expected to reshuffle his Shadow Cabinet on Wednesday.

Sources close to the Labour leader say that he is preparing to clear the decks, with several members of the Shadow Cabinet leaving.

Gerald Fox, Keith Baker, Nicholas Renard are certain to depart from the Labour front bench. There are rumors that former Chancellor Daniel Lamont could be returning.

 

[Marky Bunny]

NBS.COM

Tuesday September 3rd 2013

Robert Russell Presidential Announcement Speech​

Tuesday September 3rd 2013, Gunnison, Colorado​

Thank You all for coming.
Well, I think you all know who I am, but just in case you don’t my name is Bob Russell and I'm here to announce that I intend to seek the Presidency of the United States of America.

We live in the most powerful nation that ever existed. And it all goes back to a few men and women who had the courage to stand - and even die - for their belief in liberty and equality. Because of their vision, the United States of America is not ruled by a monarchy or controlled by an aristocracy. Every four years you, the people, decide who will be their Commander in Chief.

What's true right here in this Gunnison, Colorado has always been true in America. Though each of us is different, though each of us will choose to walk a different path in life, we are united by one great, overwhelming passion: We love America. We believe in America.

Today we are united not only by our faith in America. We are united also by our concern for America. It was the concern that I have over our future that made me change my mind over entering this election.

Concern that 47 million of fellow citizens don’t health care, concern that Educational standards are dropping, concern that those at the top are not paying their fair share, concern over the number of gun crimes in our cities, concern for poverty in our poorest neighbourhoods, concern over the future of our environment, concern for our place in an ever dangerous world.

These are my concerns, now many people watching this speech, will be saying he had his chance, he ran for the nomination in 2006 and lost, why can he win now. Well I am hear to say to those people, to show can I can win and change the path that President Walken has put us on. During this campaign I’m not going to be attacking my fellow Democratic opponents, I have learned from 2006 and the mistakes I made; my campaign was at times to negative. All my opponents are decent public servants and members of our party, but I can you now what I will be attacking, those concerns and problems I just outlined, and I will be turning up the heat on this President. If we as a party are really serious about beating President Walken next November, we need a serious nominee. Have no doubt he is going to be one tough customer to beat, and we need to nominate a candidate that has the experience to go head to head with him on the issues and take him on over his failed record in office.

So I intend to hold this President and his administration to account for its failures, but we should remember the results of these failures and what on we must build a new path for our country and in this campaign I will show my plan to restore our hope and faith once more. I can assure you all that I have no intention of re-fighting the last Presidential election or the 2006 campaign. I know as always we have as a nation moved on, but one thing stays the same we need proven experience but also coupled with a new vision for America and solutions to our problems.

Let's recognize who we are. We are Americans and we have extraordinary promise and live in a time of extraordinary promise. We're the strongest nation in the world. We don't have to fear. We're the leading economy in the world. We can create more and better paid jobs. We're a military without peer, and we're proud of our Armed Forces and our Veterans.

We've got a heritage of democracy, the rule of law, the respect for the rights and dignity of each and every individual that makes America the envy of the world; we're diverse, energetic, practical and innovative.Together, we're going to march forward. Forward with a new vision. Forward to bring our children and grandchildren into a future, brightened by hope, courage, and our determination that we can do better and we will do it together.

Thank you and god bless America.

 

[Marky Bunny]

NBS.COM

Tuesday September 3rd 2013

Russell announces 2014 Presidential bid

Former Vice-President Robert Russell stepped into the 2014 Presidential race today by casting himself as the one Democrat with the experience and vision to "go head to head" with President Walken in the General Election.

The former Vice-President, betting that a pitch focused tightly on his experience will resonate with a broad swath of voters, kicked off his second presidential campaign by saying that he changed his mind on entering the race because of his "concern over the future of America".

He added that he intended to hold President Walken to "account for his failures".

In the wide-open battle for the Democratic nomination, Russell now must be regarded as the nominal front-runner, but he has weaknesses that his rivals are aiming to exploit.

Of those former New Jersey Governor Kate Crossley campaign team had already turned attack on him prior to his announcement painting him as a "Washington insider", the candidate of the past and one that would try and re-fight the 2006 campaign and who would be the "divisive" candidate.

Russell, 60, is trying to demonstrate he has learned the tough lessons from his failed 2006 bid. After being lampooned as too stiff, Russell sought to use today's kickoff to show he has become a more easy-going candidate and to admit that he had made "mistakes" during his last bid.

The no-nonsense fifteen minute speech glossed over his vulnerabilities and signaled that he hopes to campaign on his own terms, taking his message past his Democratic rivals and to Republicans and Independents. He made the argument that he is electable — calculating that by tapping into Democratic fears about four more years of a Walken Presidency he can persuade primary voters to overlook his flaws.

 

[Marky Bunny]

BBC.CO.UK/Politics

Wednesday September 4th 2013

Breaking News Breaking News

Ed Miller reshuffles Shadow Cabinet with six leaving as Lamont returns & Coll & Benn swap jobs

Labour leader Ed Miller has tonight made his first major reshuffle of Shadow Cabinet since becoming leader in January 2012.

Gerald Fox, the former Mayor of London has retired to the back benchers his old job as Shadow Justice Secretary has gone to Shadow Home Secretary Hannah Martin. Nicholas Renard has been replaced as Shadow Leader of the House by the Shadow Chief Whip Tim McIntrye. Richard McMartin has lost his Shadow brief on Culture, Media and Sport to Martina Gregory who moves from Shdaow Equalty & Minorties Secretary. Keith Baker has also been sacked from Transport to be replaced by Claire Coleman.

The other two sackings are the most suprising former Home Secretary Jonathan Moseley under John Green has lost his job as Shadow Work & Pensions Secretary to Patrick Brazil who has only been in the Shadow Cabinet since March as Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury. The other major casulaty is Rudi James who has been sacked from Education to be replaced by Bryan Atkinson.

Daniel Lamont the former Chancellor has returned to the Shadow Cabinet from the back benchers and is the new Shadow Home Secretary. Jack Coll and Andrea Benn have swapped jobs as Shadow Foreign Secreary and Shadow Chancellor. Peter Fairchild, the MP for Holborn and St Pancras is the new Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

We understand that there will be further appointment's later tonight.

 

[Moore2012]

NBS.COM

Wednesday September 4th 2013

Walkens leads all Democrats; Russell the new "frontrunner" for the nomination.

President Walken enjoys a 4-15% lead over his possible Democrat rivals according to a new poll from Rasmussen Reports.

Walken wins 50% or more against every potential rival except Russell

Among Democrats Russell has taken the lead with Fisk in second place followed closely by Wilson and Bail.

Hypothetical 2014 Presidential Election Polls
Source: Rasmussenreports.com

GENERAL ELECTION

President Glen Allen Walken 53%
Governor Kate Crossley 38%

President Glen Allen Walken 51%
Governor Ben Newell 42%

President Glen Allen Walken 50%
Attorney General Alan Fisk 43%

President Glen Allen Walken 50%
Congresswoman Josie Bail 44%

President Glen Allen Walken 50%
Senator Stephen Wilson 45%

President Glen Allen Walken 49%
Vice President Bob Russell 45%

DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

Vice President Bob Russell 22%
Attorney Genral Alan Fisk 17%
Senator Stephen Wilson 16%
Congresswoman Josie Bail 15%
Governor Kate Crossley 13%
Governor Ben Newell 3%
Undecided/Other 14%

 

[Marky Bunny]

BBC.CO.UK/Politics

Wednesday September 4th 2013

Miller completes Shadow Cabinet reshuffle

Labour leader Ed Miller has tonight completed his first major reshuffle of his Shadow Cabinet.

Six experienced members have all left the Cabinet, other than Gerald Fox who asked to move to the back benchers, have been sacked, including Jonathan Moseley and Rudi James.

Returning to front-line politics is the former Chancellor Daniel Lamont who is the new Shadow Home Secretary.

The major changes include Jack Coll and Andrea Benn swaping jobs as Shadow Foreign Secretary and Shadow Chancellor. Patrick Brazil who has only been in the Shadow Cabinet since March replaces Moseley at Shadow Work & Pensions. Hannah Martin is moved once again and now is Shadow Justice Secretary after making way for Lamont's return. Bryan Atkinson will now Shadow Education Secretary to replace the sacked Rudi James.

There are six newcomers Peter Fairchild MP for Holborn & St Pancras is the new Shadow Chief Secretary, Peter Hooper MP for Redcar is at Energy & Climate Change, Sean Harvey MP for Makerfield is given International Development, Ruth Butler, the openly gay MP for Leigh is to cover Equalitiy and Minorties, Lee Reynolds MP for Great Grimsby is given what is considered the "graveyard" job to shadow Administrative Affairs whilst Simon Wilcox, MP for Warley, the former Deputy Shadow Chief Whip is the new Shadow Chief Whip.

 

[Marky Bunny]

BBC.CO.UK/Politics

Thursday September 5th 2013

Fall out from Shadow Cabinet reshuffle

Labour Leader Ed Miller's first major reshuffle has not gone as smoothly as he would have hoped.

Having sacked five of his most senior members, along with Gerald Fox retiring from the front bench, the briefing has started on both sides. It appears Jonathan Moseley was asked to stay on as Policy Review Co-ordinator but lose the Work & Pensions part of his role, and take on Culture, Media, and Sport he refused, so was sacked. It also emerges that Rudi James who decided not to challenge Ed Miller for the leadership following the death of Malcolm Cutter last year had a massive argument with Miller after being told of his sacking.

One Labour MP, close to the Labour Miller said "Frankly Mosley and James have not been pulling there weight, so they were sacked" whilst sources close to both Mosley and James hit back saying "He (Miller) has made a serious mistake in sacking Moseley and James".

Some of the dissent against Miller might have been stopped due to the return of former Chancellor Daniel Lamont as Shadow Home Secretary, but no one even his greatest supporters can no deny that he eneters the most important and texting part of his leadership so far.

 

[disputed]

nbs.com, Thursday September 6th

Russell Campaign Launches Amid Lobbying Questions

The launch of Vice-President Bob Russell’s second Presidential run hit early problems amid furore regarding his recent lobbying work – particularly for a number of energy companies.

Russell’s work for Core Tech – a Colorado based mining company and Nuclear Waste Management business has sparked a furious response amongst the environmental wing of the party. Congressman Kellen Cahill who briefly ran for President himself drew attention to payments that Russell had received from both companies suggesting that they created “a major conflict of interest” and made it clear that he “couldn’t possibly support a candidate who back such companies”.

Early attempts by the Russell campaign to put out the fire don’t appear to have been successful with a number of prominent news outlets and environmentalists picking up the fight.

Former Colorado Governor Ben Newell, another Democratic candidate for the Presidency, took aim at Russell saying “He (Russell) needs to be entirely transparent about how he has used his influence over the past eight years – who has he lobbied for and how much he received. Some of these reports are definitely concerning.”

 

[disputed]

politico.com, Thursday September 6th

Cassidy: Democratic Field “Full of rehashes and Pygmies”

Pennsylvania Senator Carlin Cassidy scoffed at the Democratic field for President this morning describing the field as being “full of rehashes and pygmies”.

Cassidy who was elected in 2012 and has emerged as a leading voice in the conservative wing of the party was appearing on Capitol Beat and said that he felt “very good” about President Walken’s chances of re-election next year.

The former actor took aim at the leading contenders for the Democratic nomination saying “I see a group of life long politicians, who all believe the answer to all of life’s problems lies in a bigger government. More interference, more snooping, more taking not in people standing on their own two feet. We’ve seen 12 years of what happens when you do that and the American people know it doesn’t work.”

Asked specifically about former Vice-President Bob Russell the Senator was equally dismissive. “I don’t see him as a serious candidate. His party would support him in 2006 against an unknown Congressman and ex-Vice President tainted by multiple scandals – does he really think they’ll rally behind him now?”

The Senator was full of praise for the current President saying that “President Walken’s had to take a whole host of decisions, but what we see is an economy moving forward, a reducing tax burden and significant progress on infrastructure and social security – that’s progress.”