NJ-GOV

Poll: Christie Up By Only Four -- Is There A Hidden Minority Vote, Or Not?

Eric Kleefeld | October 2, 2009, 4:49PM

Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) and Former US Attorney Chris Christie (R)

A new Daily Kos/Research 2000 poll of the New Jersey gubernatorial race provides further corroboration that the race between Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine and his Republican challenger Chris Christie is getting closer -- but another claim, that there is a potential latent minority vote for Corzine that is yet to surface, is not necessarily the case.

The top-line numbers: Christie 46%, Corzine 42%, independent Chris Daggett 7%. The margin of error is ±4%. Two months ago, Christie led by 48%-40%, and Daggett was not included in the poll. This in line with other polls that have shown Christie only leading by three or four points.

Kos makes an observation that his internals show a whopping 25% of black voters, 1% percent of Hispanics, and 13% of other groups are undecided -- meaning that those voters could potentially break big for Corzine. However, a key issue here is that racial sub-samples have a higher margin of error, and minority sub-samples in polls have a very high margin of error. Let's look at two other recent polls.

Read more »

Jim DeMint

DeMint Spokesman: He's Not Trying To Intervene In Honduras

Eric Kleefeld | October 2, 2009, 2:43PM

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC)

Wesley Denton, a spokesman for Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), just told TPM that the Senator is not attempting to intervene in support of the military coup in Honduras, as part of his trip there today -- that it is simply a fact-finding mission to find out about the events on the ground.

The New York Times had reported: "One of the de facto government's main supporters in Washington, Senator Jim DeMint, Republican of South Carolina, has announced plans to visit Tegucigalpa on Friday. One Congressional staff member said Mr. DeMint hoped to meet with members of the de facto government and other Hondurans. Other staff members said he intended to encourage Mr. Micheletti and his supporters to resist."

"Sen DeMint did not announce that to the New York Times, they did not get that from our office," said Denton. "They did not speak to staff members from our office that I know of -- they certainly did not talk to me."

DeMint and his Congressional delegation did meet today with de facto Honduran President Roberto Micheletti.

Read more »

Mark Kirk

The GOP's New Foreign Policy: Undermine American Diplomacy

Eric Kleefeld | October 2, 2009, 2:04PM

Sen. Jim Demint (R-SC) and House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA)

An interesting pattern has been emerging in the Republican Party's handling of foreign policy: Individual GOP officials are now making a regular point of not only formulating an alternative foreign policy, to be presented to the American people and debated in Congress -- they're acting on it too, and undermining the official White House policies at multiple turns:

• Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) is visiting Honduras in order to support the recent military coup against a leftist president, which has been opposed by the Obama administration and all the surrounding countries in the region. (Late Update: DeMint's office says he is not taking sides during his visit to the current Honduran leadership, denying the New York Times reports that this was his intention.)

• Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) will be going to the upcoming climate change conference in Copenhagen, bringing a "Truth Squad" to tell foreign officials there that the American government will not take any action: "Now, I want to make sure that those attending the Copenhagen conference know what is really happening in the United States Senate."

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Jim DeMint

How Did Kerry Try To Thwart DeMint's Honduras Trip -- And How Did DeMint Foil Him?

Eric Kleefeld | October 2, 2009, 1:37PM

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) and Sen. John Kerry (D-MA)

So what exactly is the deal with Sen. Jim DeMint's (R-SC) trip to Honduras -- which is being done in an effort to support the recent military coup, contrary to current U.S. foreign policy -- and the failed effort by Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) to stop it?

Frederick Jones, communications director for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a Kerry spokesman, explained the distinction to us: Kerry was not blocking DeMint from going to Honduras -- any American can legally travel there -- but the issue was over government funding and plane travel for an official fact-finding mission. "Clearly, as an American citizen, Sen. DeMint is free to travel to Honduras commercially."

Kerry, as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, blocked DeMint's funding because DeMint has been holding up key nominations for foreign policy officials in Latin America -- thus obstructing the committee's business and the U.S. government overall in working on the region. In response, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) stepped in and obtained the funding for DeMint from another source, which has not yet been identified.

Calls to the DeMint and McConnell offices were not returned. Jones' statement, firing back at DeMint for blocking the nominations, is available after the jump.

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Health Care

Will Democrats Give A Public Option Amendment an Up or Down Vote on the Senate Floor?

Brian Beutler | October 2, 2009, 1:05PM

If Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid does not ultimately decide to include a public option in Senate health care legislation before he brings a bill to the floor, it could have important consequences for the fate of the public option.

As I've noted before, the public option would then have to be added to the bill by amendment, or, failing that, in a contentious conference committee with the House of Representatives.

Neither option is particularly straightforward: The latter route would ask Democratic conservatives whether they'd support a filibuster to kill a health care bill with a public option--brave, but dangerous. The former will be a daunting climb.

Read more »

John McCain

Limbaugh Blasts Schmidt's Palin-Bashing: McCain Crowd Has 'Done Enough Damage' To GOP

Eric Kleefeld | October 2, 2009, 11:55AM

Talk show radio host Rush Limbaugh

Rush Limbaugh is definitely not happy with former McCain campaign manager Steve Schmidt, who said that a Palin campaign for president would be "catastrophic."

Limbaugh, who has been a long-time Palin fan, gave this comment to Greg Sargent:

I think it's time for the McCain crowd to acknowledge they are losers and pack it in. They've done enough damage to the Republican Party. Move aside and let a brighter, more principled, and more competent generation of people clean up the mess they helped create.

Jim DeMint

UPDATED: Obama, Kerry Put Kibosh on DeMint Trip to Honduras

Brian Beutler | October 2, 2009, 9:55AM

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC)

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) may believe health care reform will be President Obama's Waterloo. But the coup in Honduras may become DeMint's Little Bighorn.

DeMint announced earlier this week that he planned to visit the Central American nation to offer support to the illegitimate government of Roberto Micheletti, who was installed into power after the military overthrew President Manuel Zelaya on orders of the Honduran Supreme Court.

But the Obama administration, which has been unsupportive of the coup, and has begun to revoke the visas of the coup's wealthy supporters, ain't havin' none of that. Last night, the White House, with an assist from Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry deep-sixed DeMint's plans.

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Sarah Palin

Former McCain Campaign Manager: Nominating Palin In 2012 Would Be 'Catastrophic'

Eric Kleefeld | October 2, 2009, 9:25AM

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin

That famous infighting of the core McCain campaign versus Sarah Palin is still continuing, with former McCain campaign manager Steve Schmidt openly saying at the Atlantic's "First Draft of History" symposium that it would be "catastrophic" if Palin were to win the Republican nomination in 2012.

Schmidt said: "I think that she has talents, but you know, my honest view is that she would not be a winning candidate for the Republican Party in 2012, and in fact, were she to be the nominee, we could have a catastrophic election result."

It's sure been a long journey for Schmidt, as far as his attitudes on Palin are concerned. The Los Angeles Times reported in October 2008 that Schmidt himself pushed McCain into picking her. After Karl Rove said the pick was a campaign decision, and not a governing decision, Schmidt fired back: "Karl's wrong. She's an exceptional governor, a reform governor in Alaska."

But with the campaign long over -- and Palin's performance regarded as disastrous by everyone except her core fan-base -- Schmidt is sure singing a different tune.

Late Update: The transcription of Schmidt has been corrected slightly, based on the video.

Health Care

Finance Committee Wraps Up Hearing on Health Care Bill--Vote Next Week

Brian Beutler | October 2, 2009, 8:43AM

The Senate Finance Committee worked until the wee hours of Friday morning to vote on amendments to its health care bill before adjourning until Tuesday when, after the Congressional Budget Office weighs in on the spending implications of the package, it will hold a final vote.

The delay was baked into the cake several days ago when the committee agreed not to hold a vote on a bill that hadn't received a preliminary analysis from the CBO.

The progress prompted a statement from the White House, which you can read here.

If the panel advances the legislation, Senate health care leaders, White House officials, and Majority Leader Harry Reid will meet to merge it with the more liberal HELP Committee bill, and introduced on the Senate floor later this fall.

Health Care

UPDATED Reid: Health Care Bill Will Have a Public Option...of One Kind or Another

Brian Beutler | October 1, 2009, 6:23PM

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)

This article from the Las Vegas Review-Journal is making the rounds, and it seems at a glance like great news for reformers.

"We are going to have a public option before this bill goes to the president's desk," Reid said in a conference call with constituents, referring to some kind of government plan.

"I believe the public option is so vitally important to create a level playing field and prevent the insurance companies from taking advantage of us," he said.

True enough, he did say that. But speaking to reporters today, he also said, "Remember, a public option is a relative term. There's a public option, there's a public option, and there's a public option, and we're going to look at each of them."

Things aren't always what they seem.

Late update: A Reid aid says, "Sen. Reid believes that health insurance reform must include a mechanism to keep insurers honest, create competition and keep costs down. He feels that the public option is the best way to do that. While we don't know exactly what that option will look like, Sen. Reid, working with President Obama, will ensure that whatever is included in the final bill does just that."

So there you have it.

Health Care

Carper Amendment Allows for State-Based and Regional Public Plans

Brian Beutler | October 1, 2009, 5:55PM

Sen. Thomas Carper (D-DE)

One of the nice peculiarities of the Senate Finance Committee is that they base all of their deliberations on bills and amendments written in plain English. So if you want to see a version of Sen. Tom Carper's public option alternative, here it is.

It would allow states to pick one of the following three options:

1. Participate as grantees in the CO-OP program and apply for seed funding.

2. Open up that state's employee benefits plan.

3. Create a state administered health insurance plan with the option of banding together
with other states to create a regional insurance compact.

And provide any seed money needed to accomplish the chosen goal, so long as it's deficit neutral. Wonder how the administration feels about this? So do I, and I'm trying to find out.

I'm also still unsure if and when this will be introduced, but I'll keep you posted.

MA-SEN

Senate Candidates In Massachusetts Announce Fundraising Hauls

Eric Kleefeld | October 1, 2009, 3:30PM

Massachusetts Atty. Gen. Martha Coakley (D)

Candidates in the Massachusetts Senate special election have announced their fundraising totals, in a race that will quickly come down to a December 8 Democratic primary.

• State Attorney General Martha Coakley, the current frontrunner in the available polls, has announced that she raised $2.1 million for her campaign in September. The campaign's press release said that this was double her original goal of $1 million.

• Rep. Mike Capuano has raised $300,000. Federal records show he also had $1.2 million on hand in his Congressional account, as of June 30.

Read more »

Health Care

OFA: Those Public Option Talking Points Were a Goof...But They're Not Wrong

Brian Beutler | October 1, 2009, 3:12PM

President Barack Obama

We noted earlier that President Obama's political arm Organizing for America had distributed internal talking points urging organizers to describe the public option as a "small part" of health care reform.

Apparently, though, that was a bit of a snafu--the talking points emerged at the state level, were not approved from up on high--and the group doesn't stand by them. Instead, they're sticking with the bullet points on OFA's website, which describes Obama's plan as one that includes a public option.

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Alan Grayson

Grayson Campaign: We've Raised Between $125k-$150k Since Yesterday

Eric Kleefeld | October 1, 2009, 2:32PM

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL)

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) has sure become a hit with the liberal netroots base since his vociferous public attacks on the Republicans -- and the money is coming in for this scourge of the "foot-dragging, knuckle-dragging neanderthals."

"I can tell you that it really started to explode, I would say last night about five o'clock," said Julie Tagen, the Congressman's chief of staff and a senior adviser to his campaign. "And since that time, we have probably raised anywhere between $125,000 and $150,000 online."

Tagen said that it's not immediately clear how much of this money will be reflected in the upcoming third-quarter financial reporters, because the donations have been coming in continuously during a period when one quarter officially ended and another began.

NV-SEN

GOPer Sue Lowden Declares For 2010 Senate Race Against Reid

Eric Kleefeld | October 1, 2009, 2:21PM

Fmr. Nevada GOP Chair Sue Lowden and Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV)

Yet another Republican is officially challenging Harry Reid, with former state GOP chair Sue Lowden announcing her bid to bring down the Democrats' Senate Majority Leader.

"I think there is a big fear here in Nevada, across the country, but clearly here in Nevada, of a big government takeover of our lives, of our businesses," said Lowden. "I think that is going to resonate in Nevada and I think throughout the country."

Recent polls have shown Lowden ahead of Reid -- a good place to be, starting out. But as the Las Vegas Review-Journal points out, it's not going to be so simple for her. She or any other Republican must first get through a very crowded Republican primary, with nine other candidates ranging from major names to underdogs. After that, Reid, could spend as much as $25 million.

Alan Grayson

GOP Looking To Take On Grayson -- Even Without A Candidate Yet

Eric Kleefeld | October 1, 2009, 2:02PM

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL)

Republicans fully intend to mobilize against Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL), the freshman Congressman who accused Republicans of wanting sick people to "die quickly," then apologized to the dead of the "holocaust" that is the health care crisis, and called the GOP "foot-dragging, knuckle-dragging neanderthals."

However, the GOP doesn't actually have a candidate yet -- but they're getting ready for it. The NRCC has set up a fund to contribute to the yet-to-be-determined GOP nominee, and have set up a new anti-Grayson site, AlanDisgrayson, to rile up their base.

Grayson was just elected in 2008, defeating incumbent GOP Rep. Ric Keller in a district that had previously been voting Republican. The district voted twice for George W. Bush, by 53%-45% in 2000 and 55%-44% in 2004, but then swung in 2008, voting for Barack Obama by 52%-47%. Grayson, who self-financed with over $2.6 million, won by an almost-identical 52%-48%.

The Republicans think they can win this district back. "We've always viewed Grayson as one of the most vulnerable incumbents in the country, probably top five," a national Republican source told us. "Nationally that is starting to become, now everyone realizes why."

Read more »

DE-SEN

Poll: GOPer Mike Castle Leads Beau Biden For Delaware Senate Seat

Eric Kleefeld | October 1, 2009, 1:00PM

Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE) and state Atty. Gen. Beau Biden (D-DE)

A new Rasmussen poll in Delaware finds that Republican Congressman Mike Castle could potentially beat state Attorney General Beau Biden -- a son of Vice President Joe Biden -- in the 2010 special election for the VP's Senate seat.

The numbers: Castle 47%, Beau Biden 42%. In addition, Beau leads 2008 GOP Senate nominee Christine O'Donnell, a marketing consultant who lost by 65%-35%, by a smaller but still significant margin of 49%-40%. The margin of error is ±4.5%.

As of right now, neither Castle nor Beau are officially in the race, but they are widely viewed as potential candidates. O'Donnell is the only declared contender for the seat.

Health Care

Progressives Prepare to Pressure Reid to Include Public Option in Senate Health Care Bill

Brian Beutler | October 1, 2009, 12:59PM

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)

Major progressive organizations see a golden opportunity to resurrect the public option, and are preparing a campaign, which will include television ads in Nevada, to pressure Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to get on board.

As I've noted a number of times, the public option will not be in the Senate Finance Committee's health care bill, but it can re-emerge at three key points in the legislative process. Among those, one of the most important is the next step, when Reid merges the Finance bill with a more liberal proposal from the Senate HELP Committee. If he adopts the latter panel's public option, it would dramatically alter the nature of the legislative battle, shifting the onus from liberals, who have been doggedly fighting to include the public option in the Senate bill, on to conservative Democrats, who would have to decide whether their opposition to the popular measure is so strong that they'd be willing to join the GOP in a health care filibuster and tank the entire reform effort.

Such a move would likely alienate Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME), the only Republican working with Democrats on health care reform, and require Democratic leaders, including Reid and President Obama to make sure all 60 Democrats stand united when Republicans try to block the bill--a tall order, and one Reid doesn't seem prepared to meet.

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Tim Pawlenty

Pawlenty Hires Sara Taylor, Ex-Rove Aide And Featured Player In U.S. Attorney Scandal

Eric Kleefeld | October 1, 2009, 12:32PM

Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) and Former WH Aide Sara Taylor

A very interesting name pops up on the management and strategy team for Gov. Tim Pawlenty's (R-MN) new political action committee, which is widely seen as a preliminary step for a presidential campaign: Sara Taylor, a former top aide to Karl Rove, who resigned her position during the U.S. Attorney scandal.

Taylor's testimony during the U.S. Attorney hearings sure was interesting. When confronted with the fact that she'd conducted official government business through a private RNC e-mail account, she explained that it was more "efficient" than using both the RNC e-mail and the government e-mail. In addition, Taylor refused to answer many questions, citing executive privilege, and for other questions said she couldn't recall the answers:"I can't remember what I had for breakfast last week."

But her single most famous moment was when Sen. Pat Leahy (D-VT) caught Taylor saying she made an oath to the President -- as opposed to saying she made an oath to the Constitution:

NJ-GOV

Poll: Christie's Lead Slipping, As Indy Daggett Gains Support

Eric Kleefeld | October 1, 2009, 11:20AM

Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) and Former US Attorney Chris Christie (R)

A new Monmouth poll in the New Jersey gubernatorial race finds the gap shrinking between Republican former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie and incumbent Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine. Independent Chris Daggett could be playing spoiler against Christie -- and Corzine's recent attacks are working, too.

The numbers: Christie 43%, Corzine 40%, Daggett 8%, with a ±4.3% margin of error. Three weeks ago, Christie had led by 47%-39%-5%. The numbers point to a potential flow directly from Christie to Daggett, as the attacks against Christie keep on coming. A Quinnipiac poll yesterday showed the same possible trend, as well.

The pollster's analysis also says that Corzine's attacks against Christie's advocacy of mandate-free insurance policies -- which the Corzine camp says would enable insurance companies to take away women's mammogram coverage -- is helping him tear down Christie among independent women: "While these voters had been giving their soft support to Christie based on discontent with the Corzine economic record, they appear to have beaten a hasty retreat when threats to their health care access were raised."

Michele Bachmann

Bachmann Warns Against "Sex Clinics" In Schools, Providing Abortions For Teenage Girls

Eric Kleefeld | October 1, 2009, 10:52AM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) took to the House floor last night to warn against a provision of the House health care bill, which would authorize non-profit entities to operate health clinics in schools -- which she said would lead to Planned Parenthood "sex clinics" giving abortions to 13-year old girls without the parents knowing about it.

Bachmann said that the bill required the protection of privacy for patient and student records, and asked: "Does that mean that someone's 13 year-old daughter could walk into a sex clinic, have a pregnancy test done, be taken away to the local Planned Parenthood abortion clinic, have their abortion, be back and go home on the school bus that night? Mom and dad are never the wiser, they don't know any different."

It probably does not mean that. As The Hill points out, the bill specifically states that any medical services provided by a school-based health clinic must be in accordance with federal, state and local laws regarding parental consent, along with the privacy protections that Bachmann cited.

PA-SEN

Poll: Toomey Narrowly Leading Specter And Sestak

Eric Kleefeld | October 1, 2009, 9:49AM

Former Rep. Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA)

The new Quinnipiac poll of Pennsylvania has some good news for Republican former Rep. Pat Toomey, with him edging out both Democratic Sen. Arlen Specter and Dem primary challenger Rep. Joe Sestak.

In a match-up with Specter, Toomey has 43% support to Specter's 42%. These two guys have been enemies for years, since Toomey narrowly lost in his 2004 Republican primary challenge to the then-GOPer Specter -- and his primary challenge this time around spurred Specter into switching to the Democrats.

Against Sestak, Toomey has 38% to Sestak's 35%. Both results are within the ±3% margin of error.

Also, Specter leads Sestak in the Democratic primary, but is below the crucial 50% mark: Specter 44%, Sestak 25%.

NY-23

Poll: A Three-Way Race In NY-23

Eric Kleefeld | October 1, 2009, 9:41AM

NY-23 candidates Dede Scozzafava (R) and Bill Owens (D)

The first poll is out in the NY-23 special election, a vacancy created by the appointment of former Republican Congressman John McHugh to be President Obama's Secretary of the Army -- and it shows a wide open three-way race.

The numbers from Siena: Republican Dede Scozzafava 35%, Democrat Bill Owens 28%, and Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman 16%, with a ±3.9% margin of error.

Read more »

Health Care

Carper Floats Public Option Alternative Viewed Skeptically By Conservatives and Liberals

Brian Beutler | October 1, 2009, 9:29AM

Sen. Thomas Carper (D-DE)

Senate Finance Committee member Tom Carper (D-DE)--who voted against a robust public option amendment but for a more modest public option amendment Tuesday--is quietly circulating a public option alternative that doesn't involve triggers but also wouldn't create a national public option.

Carper's proposal, according to Politico, would allow individual states to decide whether to create their own public options, or co-ops, or other alternative to private insurance. That's a plan that sounds intriguing to public option skeptics and even some more liberal Democrats, but it's also a significant departure from the public plan envisioned by reformers, which would be available nationwide without delay.

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Health Care

Snowe May Withhold Trigger Amendment Until Full Senate Debates Health Care

Brian Beutler | September 30, 2009, 5:10PM

One of the most anticipated amendments to the Senate Finance Committee's health care bill was introduced by Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME). If adopted, it would create triggered public options at the state level if private insurance companies didn't make insurance affordable and available everywhere. But yesterday, when the Committee considered a separate pair of public option amendments, Snowe's proposal wasn't on the agenda.

Senate sources suggest Snowe may withhold the amendment until health care legislation hits the floor next month. And a Snowe spokesperson confirms that, though the situation is very fluid right now, that is a possibility.

Read more »

VA-GOV

VA-GOV Race All About Likely Voters -- And GOTV

Eric Kleefeld | September 30, 2009, 4:36PM

VA-GOV Candidates Creigh Deeds (D) and Bob McDonnell (R)

The latest polls from the Virginia gubernatorial race all show Republican candidate Bob McDonnell leading Democratic candidate Creigh Deeds -- but by different margins, and with wildly different makeups of the electorate under their different likely voter screens.

What this tells us is that get-out-the-vote efforts could be crucial in this race, as the parties work to get out their base supporters. Barack Obama carried the state by 53%-47%, but the polls show likely voter pools that either voted for John McCain or only narrowly for Obama -- a sign that the likely voter models are showing Republican voters to be relatively more motivated than Democrats this time.

Check out the different results, after the jump.

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Michael Steele

RNC Raising Money Off Of Schoolchildren Singing About Obama, Comparing It To Stalin And Kim Jong Il

Eric Kleefeld | September 30, 2009, 4:14PM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

In a new fundraising e-mail sent out by the RNC, chairman Michael Steele attacks the Democrats over the video that has circulated of a small group of schoolchildren singing about President Obama:

In the video, impressionable youngsters at a public school in New Jersey, most of whom are no more than six or seven years old, have been instructed to sing the praises of "Barack Hussein Obama." One song is even set to the tune of The Battle Hymn of the Republic.

This is the type of propaganda you would see in Stalin's Russia or Kim Jong Il's North Korea. I never thought the day would come when I'd see it here in America.

This is the type of fanaticism Republicans are up against as we fight to stop the Obama Democrats' radical leftist transformation of America.

Check out the full e-mail after the jump.

Read more »

NJ-GOV

Chris Christie: Republican Politician, Springsteen Fan

Eric Kleefeld | September 30, 2009, 2:55PM

Bruce Springsten and former U.S. Atty. Chris Christie (R-NJ)

Former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie, the Republican nominee for Governor of New Jersey, showed his Jersey cred in a story in the New York Times -- he's a huge Bruce Springsteen fan.

Christie has been a fan ever since he was a kid, and has a huge collection of ticket stubs. He'll even be going to a concert tonight, even though he has to prepare for a debate tomorrow.

Of course, Springsteen himself is a left-winger, and Christie is aware that he won't be getting the Boss' endorsement. It would also be hard for him if Springsteen were to endorse Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine.

Read more »

Meg Whitman

Meg Whitman: I Didn't Vote Because I Was Focused On My Family

Eric Kleefeld | September 30, 2009, 1:44PM

Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman (R-CA)

Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, a candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor of California in 2010, has an interesting explanation for the fact that she's hardly ever voted, and didn't even register until seven years ago, when she was 46: She was too dedicated to her family to vote.

"I was focused on raising a family, on my husband's career, and we moved many, many times," she told reporters. "It is no excuse. My voting record, my registration record, is unacceptable."

As the Sacramento Bee reported, no record exists of Whitman registering to vote until she was 46, and had already had a very active career in business.

Read more »

Barack Obama

Why Is Obama Still Smiling? Look at the Polls

Eric Kleefeld | September 30, 2009, 12:50PM

President Barack Obama

A slew of recent polling data points to a conclusion that might have seemed hard to believe amidst the town hall craziness in the dog days of August and early September: President Obama's numbers have not only stabilized but actually seem to be showing a modest uptick. And by several other measures the political landscape for Democrats isn't nearly as bleak as it was being portrayed just a few weeks ago.

To be sure, the evidence is insufficient to point to any dramatic, long-run Obama resurgence -- at least for now. But there's enough data to conclude that August, rather than being a public support train-wreck for the president was actually an inflection point, when the downward trend flattened out, and
in some cases began crawling back upward.

Read more »

Health Care

Reid Cancels Columbus Day Recess to Focus on Health Care

Brian Beutler | September 30, 2009, 12:42PM

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has made good on a threat to cancel a week-long October recess to continue work on health care.

"I talked to the Republican leader about this last week," Reid said on the Senate floor this morning. "But the Columbus day is fast approaching. It's the week after next. And with all the things going on here, it just would not be right for us to take that week off. So what we're going to do, as I explained to the Republican leader last week, we'll be off that Monday, which is the holiday, Columbus day, and the following Friday."

Once the Finance Committee finishes work on its health care legislation, Reid will merge it with a different bill, and then bring it to the Senate floor. The week of October 12 seems a bit early for the floor debate to have kicked off, but this could at least prevent any further delays.

Barbara Boxer

Kerry, Boxer Unveil Climate Bill Draft...So What's Next?

Brian Beutler | September 30, 2009, 11:57AM

Senator John Kerry (D-MA), Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA)

Sens. John Kerry (D-MA) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA)--chairs of the Foreign Relations Committee, and Environment and Public Works Committee respectively--have unveiled a draft of a climate change bill calling for significant reductions in U.S. carbon dioxide emissions in both the near and short term. The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act.

Though the draft will change considerably over the coming weeks, it is the basis for the upper chamber's coming legislative push, which, if successful, will, when combined with an already-completed House climate bill, become the most significant piece of energy legislation in the nation's history.

But between now and then, it will meet the many machetes of the Senate--an institution that hasn't been too kind to previous, failed climate change bills.

Read more »

Health Care

Progressive Groups Turn Up Heat on Baucus, Snowe in Wake of Public Option Votes

Brian Beutler | September 30, 2009, 10:11AM

Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME)

Moments after the Senate Finance Committee rejected two public option amendments yesterday, two groups that have been targeting the panel's chairman Max Baucus, and key Republican Olympia Snowe latched on to their votes in a fundraising bid to turn up the heat on both senators.

The Progressive Change Campaign Committee and Democracy for America have been running hard hitting ads in Montana, Maine, and Washington, DC, targeting Baucus and Snowe for failing to support a public option. With their votes registered, the groups are now seeking to extend the ad buys:

"Today, we are raising our fundraising goal to $200,000 to PUMMEL Baucus and Snowe with ads in their home states featuring the voices of their constituents," reads an email from PCCC to members.

You can see the ads here and here. And you can read the entire letter below the fold.

Read more »

NJ-GOV

Poll: Corzine Narrowing Race In New Jersey, As Independent Candidate Surges

Eric Kleefeld | September 30, 2009, 9:52AM

Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) and Former US Attorney Chris Christie (R)

The new Quinnipiac poll in New Jersey finds that Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine has narrowed the gap against Republican former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie -- and that independent candidate Chris Daggett could be playing a key spoiler role in this.

The numbers: Christie 43%, Corzine 39%, Daggett 12%, with a ±2.8% margin of error. A month ago, Christie led by 47%-37%-9%. The poll also finds that Christie favorable-unfavorable rating is now split at 38%-38%, compared to 41%-33% a month ago.

From the pollster's analysis: "This race looks as if it will go down to the wire. Does Christopher Daggett's impressive climb measure a swing to him or simply a distaste for the two guys hollering at each other? Will Daggett fade on Election Day? At this stage, his numbers matter."

Health Care

Lincoln: We Can Accomplish Health Care Reform Without A Public Option

Brian Beutler | September 29, 2009, 7:22PM

Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)

Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) wasn't on hand in the Finance Committee hearing room to oppose against the public option in person. But below is her official statement with respect to the "no" vote she issued by proxy.

Arkansans have told me they support health care reform that forces insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions and prevents them from dropping coverage when you become seriously ill. We can achieve these goals, stabilize the cost of coverage for Arkansans who have health insurance, and expand coverage to the uninsured and underinsured without creating a purely public, new government program, which most Arkansans do not support. I have promised my constituents that I will fight for health insurance reform that is deficit neutral, now and in the future, and that creates more choices for small businesses and their workers and the self-employed. These are important priorities that I believe we can achieve.

In addition, I am working to ensure that requiring Americans to purchase health insurance does not result in a personal windfall for health insurance company executives. My amendment would cut the tax shelter, from $1 million to $500,000, of what businesses are able to deduct for executive compensation. This is a fair policy change aimed at lowering insurance costs to consumers and reassuring them that insurance companies are not receiving excessive tax breaks while at the same time profiting from a government mandate.

Not very good news for reformers. The key questions down the line will be whether she's willing to filibuster a public option amendment or an entire health care reform bill on the grounds that it contains a public option.

AR-SEN

Poll: Blanche Lincoln Trails Republican Challengers

Eric Kleefeld | September 29, 2009, 6:11PM

Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)

A new Rasmussen poll has some bad news for Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), who is up for re-election in 2010: She's trailing all four of her Republican challengers in a state that has been trending more to the GOP.

Republican state Sen. Kim Hendren leads Lincoln by 44%-41%. State Senate Minority Leader Gilbert Baker is ahead of her by 47%-39%. Businessman Curtis Coleman edges her out by 43%-41%. And finally, businessman Tom Cox leads her by 43%-40%.

In a further bad sign, Lincoln's favorable rating is only 45%, with 52% unfavorable. The Republican candidates are all hardly known, with undecided numbers of 34%-40% for their own personal ratings -- meaning this is basically Lincoln against generic Republicans. And for now at least, she's losing.

Health Care

The Public Option Lost Today, But Future Fights Could Be Less Daunting

Brian Beutler | September 29, 2009, 6:06PM

Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY)

The spin war is on to frame today's losing public option votes in the Senate Finance Committee. And though no reformer can honestly say today's news was good news, they're also on perfectly safe ground saying that today's news was expected, and that the public option is in no worse shape today than it was yesterday.

Read more »

Rick Perry

Perry Campaign Accuses Opponents: Someone Sabotaged Our Web Site!

Eric Kleefeld | September 29, 2009, 6:01PM

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX)

The campaign of Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX) is now accusing its political opponents -- and he has many, considering he has to deal with not only Democrats but also a Republican primary challenge from U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison -- of sabotaging his Web site and causing it to break down!

The Austin-American Statesman reports that the Perry campaign was hosting a live video Webcast, which crashed. "This planned and coordinated attack was political sabotage, and we are working to identify those responsible for this illegal activity," said campaign spokesman Mark Miner.

The thing is, it appears quite possible that there might not have been any malicious attack at all. The Statesman's reporter notes: "I logged in about 10 minutes before the Webcast and was able to see it, but another Statesman staffer who attempted to log in after it started got an error message that said: 'Unable to connect to database server ... This could mean your hosting provider's database server is down.'"

Read more »

Michele Bachmann

Norm Coleman Authors Fundraising Letter For Michele Bachmann

Eric Kleefeld | September 29, 2009, 4:18PM

Fmr. Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) and Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Former Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN), who lost by a very narrow margin to Democrat Al Franken in the heavily-litigated 2008 Minnesota Senate race, doesn't appear to be done with politics just yet.

In a possible sign that Coleman could still be trying to maintain his profile among the Minnesota GOP grassroots, he has reportedly authored a fundraising letter for a real hero of the GOP base, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN):

Make no mistake about it -- this opposition isn't coming from the Minnesotans she represents in Washington. It's coming from the liberal netroots in places like San Francisco, Manhattan and Vermont. It's coming from the same people who bankrolled Al Franken's race against me and his legal battle to deny honest Minnesotans a fair vote last November.

(Emphasis in the original.)

The Bachmann campaign did not return our requests for comment.

(Via Dump Bachmann and Checks and Balances.)

NY-23

Pro-Life Activist: "It's A Shame" That The GOP Has Picked A Pro-Choicer In NY-23

Eric Kleefeld | September 29, 2009, 4:06PM

NY-23 candidates Dede Scozzafava (R) and Bill Owens (D)

I just spoke to Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the pro-life conservative organization the Susan B. Anthony List, and she indicated to me that the national Republican Party will be facing a backlash for supporting a pro-choice Republican candidate in the upcoming NY-23 special election, a swing seat formerly held by Republican Rep. John McHugh, who is now President Obama's Secretary of the Army.

I started off by asking Dannenfelser, whose organization has endorsed Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman, whether she's worried about splitting the conservative vote and handing the election to the Democrat.

"Normally in many situations that certainly can be the case, and we wouldn't want to have somebody that will end up voting for Nancy Pelosi as Speaker, that's for sure," said Dannenfelser. "But in this case it's just such a different district, and their self-identification is so in line with Hoffman. It's a shame he didn't get the Republican nomination, because he actually seems like a Republican, and the Republican nominee doesn't seem like a Republican."

Read more »

Health Care

Schumer Public Option Amendment Fails in Finance Committee

Brian Beutler | September 29, 2009, 3:42PM

The Senate Finance Committee can't even endorse a modest public option like Chuck Schumer's. Citing his belief that a public option can't pass on the Senate floor "at this time," Finance chairman Max Baucus joined two Democrats and all Republicans in voting down the amendment, which failed 10 to 13.

Joining Baucus on the Democrats' side of the dais were Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) and, by proxy, Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) who wasn't present for the vote.

There will be no public option in the Finance Committee's health care bill.

Health Care

Senate Finance Commitee Debates Schumer's "Level Playing Field" Public Option

Brian Beutler | September 29, 2009, 3:00PM

Introducing his public option amendment, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) cited many of the differences between his proposal and the more robust public option offered unsuccessfully by Jay Rockefeller: No providers would be forced to take public option insurance, and the government would not be allowed to set prices. These differences are crucial, and reformers don't like them, but they do mean less government involvement and undermine the criticism of a number of conservative Senate Democrats. So let's see how they vote.

3:06 p.m.: Bill Nelson, who voted against the Rockefeller public option, says "I will vote for the Schumer amendment." Well, that clears that up.

3:16 p.m.: Kent Conrad says the fact that the Schumer amendment is an improvement over Rockefeller's because it's not tied to Medicare. But he says he worries that the House's bill will be tied to Medicare, and now he's saying he doesn't like that it's government run. He also continues to misconstrue the French health care system.

3:20 p.m.: Conrad didn't ultimately say whether he'd vote yes or no--he seems like a no, he's probably a no, but let's keep an eye out. He opposed the Rockefeller amendment on the grounds that it was tied to Medicare, but Schumer's plan is specifically not designed that way. That dramatically undercuts his argument. What will he do?

Read more »

Health Care

Rockefeller's Public Option Amendment Fails; Schumer's Public Option Up Next

Brian Beutler | September 29, 2009, 2:43PM

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV)

After debating all morning and well into the afternoon, the Senate Finance Committee voted against an amendment, written by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) that would have added a public option to the panel's health care reform bill.

The final vote was 8-15 with 5 Democrats--Sens. Kent Conrad (D-ND), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Tom Carper (D-DE), Bill Nelson (D-FL), and Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT)--voting with all Republicans to kill the proposal.

Next up, Chuck Schumer's more modest public option proposal.

Trent Franks

Trent Franks Clarifies Remarks About Obama Being "Enemy of Humanity"

Eric Kleefeld | September 29, 2009, 2:29PM

Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ)

Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) has clarified his comments from the How to Take Back America conference, where he called President Obama an "enemy of humanity" -- with his spokesperson saying that he should have made it clear that he was referring to Obama's abortion policies.

As the Associated Press reports:

Trent Franks of Arizona said in a speech to conservatives Saturday in St. Louis that Obama's decision to fund international family planning organizations that support legal abortion shows "he has no place in any station of government and we need to realize that he is an enemy of humanity."

Bethany Haley, spokeswoman for Franks, said the congressman was referring to "unborn humanity" and should have clarified his statement.

Health Care

Finance Committee Continues Consideration of Rockefeller's Public Option Amendment

Brian Beutler | September 29, 2009, 1:50PM

Sen. Rockefeller, Sen. Schumer, and Sen. Baucus

The Senate Finance Committee is back from lunch and picking up where it left off--debating an amendment by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) that would add a public option to Max Baucus' health care proposal.

1:55 p.m.: Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) doesn't like the public option...but he thinks all government officials and their staffs should be on it if the Democrats create one. A lot of Democrats oppose this ("it's a public option, including for us). But for what it's worth, the Senate HELP committee adopted an amendment that institutes this requirement, but only to members of Congress and their staffs.

2:03 p.m. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) notes smartly that any public option tied to Medicare will be tied to a newer, better Medicare that will correct for rural disparities, and reward providers that provide cost-effective care, and move away from fee for service. That undermines Kent Conrad's objection to a pretty significant extent. More on this soon.

2:09 p.m.Cantwell also says she'll be offering an amendment that will allow private insurers to team with the government to negotiate lower rates. Your move, Kent!

Read more »

VA-GOV

Poll: McDonnell Still Ahead In Virginia, But Dem Voters Could Surge For Deeds

Eric Kleefeld | September 29, 2009, 12:42PM

VA-GOV Candidates Creigh Deeds (D) and Bob McDonnell (R)

The latest poll of Virginia by Public Policy Polling (D) has Republican gubernatorial nominee Bob McDonnell continuing to lead Democrat Creigh Deeds -- but there is a potential for a Deeds surge, as Democrats become more motivated and tuned into the race.

The numbers: McDonnell 48%, Deeds 43%, with a ±4.1% margin of error. On the surface this doesn't seem to different from PPP's number from a month ago, which was a 49%-42% lead for McDonnell.

Underneath the surface, Democratic voters are starting to get more motivated. A month ago, the likely voter pool had gone 49%-45% for McCain in 2008 (plus respondents who didn't divulge their vote), in a state that actually voted 53%-47% for Obama last year. The new poll shows a voter pool that went 48%-45% for Obama, a step in the right direction. McDonnell has maintained his lead by locking down a greater percentage of self-identified Republicans, with 96% support, while Deeds is still at only an 82%-5% lead with Democrats, plus 12% of Democrats who are undecided.

Read more »

CA-GOV

California's Colorful Ex-Governor Jerry Brown Emerges As New Frontrunner For 2010

Eric Kleefeld | September 29, 2009, 12:25PM

California Attorney General Jerry Brown (D-CA)

A strange thing seems to be happening in California. State Attorney General Jerry Brown, the former governor from 1975-1983, recent mayor of Oakland from 1999-2007, and three-time presidential candidate, appears to actually be the favorite to be the next governor -- making for a whole new act for one of the most colorful political personalities that state has had in the last 50 years.

As a new profile in the American Prospect explains, Brown has been known for his eccentric mix of progressive cultural values and fiscally conservative governance. When he was governor, he was strongly supportive of civil rights, the environment and labor unions, but was also very tight with money. He once famously declared: "I am going to starve the schools financially until I get some educational reforms." And when he ran for president in 1992, he supported the traditionally right-wing flat tax.

Beyond that, Brown is best known for his colorful personal life when he was governor -- he picked up the nickname "Governor Moonbeam" for his practice of Zen meditation, and he dated singer Linda Ronstadt while he was in office. There also the matter of his rather unconventional official state portrait, shown above. This all contributed to a somewhat inaccurate caricature of him as a left-winger. But now, he's been emerging as the well-known, safe choice for governor, to succeed the term-limited Republican Arnold Schwarzengger -- himself a colorful personality for obvious reasons.

Read more »

VA-GOV

Jindal and Gingrich Raise $350K For McDonnell

Rachel Slajda | September 29, 2009, 11:46AM

VA gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell

In a pair of fundraisers yesterday, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Newt Gingrich raised $250,000 and $100,000, respectively, for Virginia gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell.

The pair are the latest stars of the GOP to raise cash for McDonnell, who is running against Democrat Creigh Deeds in this year's race. Last week, an event with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney added $100,000 to McDonnell's campaign chest.

And it looks like he's gonna need it: Some of the latest polls have shown Deeds tightening the gap, catching up to within four points or so of McDonnell.

Health Care

Rockefeller Says His Public Option Would Save $50 Billion Over 10 Years

Brian Beutler | September 29, 2009, 10:25AM

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT)

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) has introduced his public option amendment before the Senate Finance Committee. In making the pitch to the panel's skeptics, he's noted that it will save the federal government about $50 billion over 10 years, and would be, as its name implies optional--i.e. it's not a "government takeover" of health care.

Late update: To the chagrin of chairman Max Baucus, Rockefeller is lambasting the insurance industry, and citing a number of ways other health care reform bills do a better job at reining in their excesses. He cited insurance industry whistleblower Wendell Potter, who said that, without a public option, health care reform legislation might as well be named the "Insurance Industry Profit Protection Act."

The House bill, Rockefeller noted, would place strict limits on the so-called medical-loss ratio (i.e. percentage of each premium dollar that can go to profits, administrative costs, and other non-health care related activities.)

Late, late update: It's worth mentioning that you can follow the hearing at this link.

Read more »

Health Care

Nelson: Health Care Reform Needs 65 Votes To Be Legitimate

Brian Beutler | September 29, 2009, 10:05AM

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE)

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) continues to be a scold to the liberals in his party. Before a crowd of over 200 gathered at a senior center in Nebraska, Nelson said health care reform ought to pass with 65 votes--a feat which would require at least five Republicans to break with their party.

"I think anything less than that would challenge its legitimacy," he said.

Nelson didn't go so far as to say that he'd oppose a bill that had less than 64 other votes. But he did say he disagreed with the party's legislative approach to the issue.

Read more »

Health Care

Today's the Day: Public Option Votes in the Senate Finance Committee

Brian Beutler | September 29, 2009, 9:20AM

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) and Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV)

As I laid out moments after the proposed amendments to the Baucus bill were announced, the public option will have its day on the Senate Finance Committee.

That day is today. The 23-member panel will consider amendments sponsored by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) that, if adopted, would add a public option into the panel's health care reform bill.

Two things to keep in mind if you're watching the hearing or reading news accounts about the developments: the two proposals are very different, and neither is expected to pass. The Rockefeller amendment is a version of what we've come to know as the "robust" public option. It would, for a time, be tied to Medicare, and, thereafter, be able to use the government's considerable leverage to bargain down payment rates with providers.

Read more »

Health Care

Kennedy's Successor Confirms His Support for Public Option

Brian Beutler | September 28, 2009, 5:48PM

Interim Senate appointee Paul Kirk (D-MA)

There was never much doubt about this, but just to make it official, Sen. Paul Kirk (D-MA) does indeed support a public option.

"Senator Kirk believes there should be a public option to keep costs down and keep insurance companies honest," says his spokesman, Keith Maley. "[D]uring his short service in the United States Senate, he looks forward to seeing what can be done to reach that goal."

It comes as no surprise, of course, that a Massachusetts Democrat replacing Ted Kennedy supports a public option. But this demonstrates that, with Kennedy's seat filled, the 60th vote for health care reform won't necessarily belong to public option skeptic Olympia Snowe--and the question of a public option is technically one for Democrats to answer alone.

Health Care

HCAN: Snowe Still Important, But in the End the Public Option's Up to Democrats

Brian Beutler | September 28, 2009, 5:26PM

Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME)

A lot of the most pressing political questions about health care reform will soon be answered, and reformers and pols alike are grappling with the fact that Democrats now have enough votes to pass a public option without any Republican votes.

"Hopefully when push comes to shove, Democrats will support a strong public option, and do the right thing," said Jacki Schechner of the reform campaign Health Care for America Now.

"We're in a good spot right now," added Schechner. "We'll see where we are after tomorrow.

Read more »

CA-GOV

Poll: Jerry Brown Beating Republicans For CA-GOV, Newsom Trailing GOPers

Eric Kleefeld | September 28, 2009, 4:52PM

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom (D) and CA Attorney General Jerry Brown (D)

A new Rasmussen poll of California finds that of the two Democratic candidates for governor, state Attorney General Jerry Brown and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Brown is currently much more electable than Newsom.

The poll tested Brown, who was himself governor in the 1970's and early 1980's, leads all three Republicans: Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, and former Rep. Tom Campbell. Newsom, on the other hand, trails all three Republicans -- though the pollster's analysis suggests that this could change if Newsom were to actually win the nomination, given the state's Democratic leanings.

Read more »

Health Care

Grijalva Hits Baucus and Obama, Remains Firm on Public Option

Brian Beutler | September 28, 2009, 2:59PM

Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ)

The public option-stakes will continue this week, with most eyes on the developments in the Finance Committee. But on the other side of the Hill, progressives continue to insist that, whatever happens in the Senate, one chamber still insists that health care legislation include a public option.

In a new op-ed, Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus blasts the proposal written by Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) saying it's "all about the insurance industry's bottom line: no teeth in enforcements and regulations, endless patent hoarding for the pharmaceutical industry and laws that rein in citizens to pay these industries the largest transfer of wealth in history," and adding that a bill without a public option would be "unacceptable".

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NY-23

Club For Growth Endorses Third-Party Conservative In NY-23 Special Election

Eric Kleefeld | September 28, 2009, 2:57PM

NY-23 candidates Dede Scozzafava (R) and Bill Owens (D)

The Club For Growth is now officially throwing a monkey wrench into Republican efforts to hold on in the NY-23 special election, endorsing Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman and denouncing the regular GOP nominee.

The Club's press release presents Hoffman as the real conservative in the race -- and says that Republican nominee Dede Scozzafava is no different from the Democratic candidate:

Hoffman, a certified public accountant and managing partner at a Lake Placid accounting firm, has sworn-off Congressional earmarks and pledged to oppose all tax increases if elected - a clear distinction among the candidates in this three-way contest. In fact, Scozzafava and Democrat Bill Owens both favor higher taxes, bigger government, and more spending, including President Obama's failed "stimulus" package and big labor's odious "Card Check" bill.

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Joe Wilson

Joe Wilson Wants To Put Controversy Behind Him -- And Enjoys Activists' Support

Eric Kleefeld | September 28, 2009, 1:15PM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) seems to be taking an interesting approach in the aftermath of his "You lie!" outburst during President Obama's speech to Congress: On the one hand he wants to put it all behind him -- and on the other hand, he does seem to be enjoying the limelight and the support of Republican activists.

Here's a report from the Beauford Gazette, of a Wilson visit to a local Republican event:

U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson told members of the Hilton Head Island Republican Club on Sunday that he wants to "close the book on things that have happened in the past" -- hinting at his outburst during President Barack Obama's speech to Congress on health care reform -- and instead focus on health care and other issues facing the nation.

...

Wilson handed out "Let's Go Joe" stickers, while club members circled around and showered him with support. Many noted the array of signs for him at recent rallies and at the TEA Party March on Washington on Sept. 12.

He said that among his personal favorites were signs that said, "Joe Wilson, the Truth Tzar."

Health Care

Reid Supports a Public Option, But Will He Include One in the Senate Health Care Bill?

Brian Beutler | September 28, 2009, 1:06PM

Two telling indicators suggest that, despite a true 60 vote majority, the public option may nonetheless face an uphill climb in the Senate. On Friday, during a tele-townhall, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told an audience of constituents that he thinks a "triggered" public option is a "pretty doggone good idea"--not as good as a robust public option, but better than the private co-op proposal that for a time was regarded as a likely compromise between Democrats, who support a public option, and Republicans, who do not support health care reform.

Today, citing anonymous Democratic sources, the New York Times reports that Reid will likely not include a public option in a final legislative proposal when he merges the Finance and HELP committee bills.

Officially, Reid says it's too early to have decided what will and will not be included in the package he introduces on the Senate floor--the public option will get more than one vote in the Finance Committee this week, and only if it fails (as is expected) will Reid have to decide whether to incorporate it from the HELP bill, or to drop it.

Read more »

Martha Coakley

Coakley Rolling Out Support From Women In Massachusetts Senate Special Election

Eric Kleefeld | September 28, 2009, 12:49PM

Massachusetts Atty. Gen. Martha Coakley (D)

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley, the early frontrunner in the special election for Ted Kennedy's Senate seat, is set to roll out support from prominent women political activists this week.

Coakley has scheduled a press conference for this Wednesday at 10 a.m. ET, accompanied by: EMILY's List president Ellen Malcolm, state Senate President Therese Murray, Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus executive director Sheila Capone-Wulsin, and female elected officials from across Massachusetts.

The other candidates in the December 8 Democratic primary are Rep. Mike Capuano, businessman Steve Pagliuca, and community activist Alan Khazei. Coakley is the only woman in the race.

FL-GOV

Rubio: "Let's Get A New Establishment"

Eric Kleefeld | September 28, 2009, 11:14AM

Gov. Charlie Crist (R-FL) and former state House Speaker Marco Rubio (R)

Former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio, the insurgent conservative candidate in the Republican primary for Senate in 2010, is finding his voice as an anti-establishment candidate.

Rubio spoke to a local Republican audience in Panama City, and talked about his uphill fight against moderate Gov. Charlie Crist, who has the support of the GOP establishment. "If you are unhappy with the Republican establishment, then let's get a new establishment," he said.

Rubio also discussed why he's running, saying that the only good reason to run for office is "something wrong in the world that you want to fix or something right in the world that you want to protect."

Of course, Rubio's chance to "get a new establishment" is still pretty low -- a Quinnipiac poll from last month gave Crist a lead of 55%-26%. But for now, Rubio's language reflects an awareness of the situation -- and the sort of things that die-hard party activists like to hear.