Michael Steele

Steele Weathers Afghanistan Row... For Now

Brian Beutler | July 2, 2010, 5:32PM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

Embattled RNC chairman Michael Steele may well have been saved by the calendar. On any other day, a leaked video showing him telling funders that Afghanistan is a hopeless war, launched not by George W. Bush but by President Obama could easily have cost him his job. As luck would have it, though, the footage surfaced on a Friday before a holiday weekend with many of Washington's biggest newsmakers out of town or unavailable for comment. But with Republicans and conservative operatives calling for his head, Steele must be wondering whether he'll survive beyond the long weekend.

The news broke unexpectedly this morning. "[T]his was a war of Obama's choosing," Steele was heard saying. "This is not something the United States had actively prosecuted or wanted to engage in."

Read more »

WV-SEN

WV Sec. Of State: Change The Law So We Can Have Special Election For Byrd's Seat This Year

Eric Kleefeld | July 2, 2010, 5:32PM

The late Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV)

West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant (D), who announced earlier this year that there would not be a special election this year to fill the seat of the late Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd, is now calling upon the governor and legislature to change the law to do just that.

Tennant announced earlier this week that there would not be an election, but instead a gubernatorial appointment to last through November 2012 -- at which time there would be two elections, one being for the next regular term and the other for the remaining roughly five weeks of the current term. This result, which struck many people as quite odd, was in fact the product of the state's very confusing statute on the subject, and indeed it had a binding precedent from the 1990s.

"I understand that people can believe that the Legislature did not intend such a lengthy delay when the process was changed in 1990. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court interpreted the Legislature's intent in 1994 and the Court's decision controls the law until either the Court makes a new ruling or the law is amended by the Legislature," Tennant said in a press release. She also added: "I do not have the authority to make the law into whatever I personally prefer it to be. Therefore, I request that the Governor call a special session to address the state's succession law, not only as it relates to a U.S. Senate vacancy but a Gubernatorial one as well."

RNC

Former RNC Rival Katon Dawson: Fire Michael Steele

Eric Kleefeld | July 2, 2010, 4:57PM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele and former South Carolina GOP state Chairman Katon Dawson

Katon Dawson, the former South Carolina GOP chairman who narrowly lost the Republican National Committee chairmanship to Michael Steele in January 2009, is now calling for Steele to be fired as RNC chairman in the wake of his comments seemingly opposing the Afghanistan war.

"The RNC should do the responsible thing and show Steele the door," Dawson told CNN. "Enough is enough."

Dawson has often criticized Steele's many gaffes in the year and a half since he became chairman -- and many of Steele's critics were also former Dawson supporters. But this is the first time that Dawson is officially calling for Steele's ouster. Dawson is recommending a third person for the job, Mississippi RNC member Henry Barbour, the nephew of Gov. Haley Barbour who is currently heading up the Republican Governors Association: "Henry Barbour would be a great choice and a fine operative to run the RNC and finish the midterms in the manner required to secure the success our candidates deserve."

Late Update: This post originally mistakenly said that Dawson was recommending Haley Barbour for the RNC chairmanship, not Henry Barbour.

Sunday Shows

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | July 2, 2010, 3:50PM

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)

Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:

• ABC, This Week: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ).

• CBS, Face The Nation: Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

• CNN, State Of The Union: Afghan Ambassador to the United States Said Tayeb Jawab, Rep. John Boccieri (D-OH), Rep. Duncan D. Hunter (R-CA), Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO).

• Fox News Sunday: Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Kenneth Feinberg, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC).

• NBC, Meet The Press: Will not air, due to coverage of Wimbledon.

KY-SEN

Rand Paul Campaign: No, He Doesn't Support An Underground Electric Fence On Border

Evan McMorris-Santoro | July 2, 2010, 3:29PM

KY Sen. candidate Rand Paul (R)

Despite what his campaign website says -- and his past public statements -- Kentucky Republican Senate nominee Rand Paul does not want to install an underground electric fence on the border. That's according to Paul campaign manager Jesse Benton, who told Greg Sargent today that no matter what Paul may have said before, this is the deal: He supports an electronic fence on the border. Just not underground.

A little backstory: Last week, Sam Stein reported on Republican confusion at the plan listed on Paul's website to build "an underground electric fence, with helicopter stations to respond quickly to breaches of the border." Here's what NRSC chair John Cornyn told Stein about the proposal:

"I have not heard that," the Texas Republican said. "Underground? What would happen? How would that work?"

Today, Benton told Sargent to just ignore all that "underground" stuff.

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2010 elections

Democratic Governors Association Brings In Big Money, But Less Than GOP

Eric Kleefeld | July 2, 2010, 3:15PM

Delaware Governor and Democratic Governors Association Chair Jack Markell

The Democratic Governors Association has announced their strongest ever fundraising quarter -- though it's still not as good as their GOP counterparts at the Republican Governors Association, who have also seen a strong cash-flow.

The DGA raised $9.1 million in the second quarter, and has $22 million cash on hand. The DGA also announced that their fundraising in the first six months of this year was their strongest ever. Yesterday, the Republican Governors Association announced quarterly fundraising of $18.9 million, with $40 million cash on hand.

The gubernatorial races this year cover a huge majority of the country's population, in addition to the high-profile races for Congress. And these races are even more important than they were four years ago -- most of the governors elected this year will play a direct role in the redistricting that will come after this year's Census.

CT-SEN

McMahon Campaign On Steele's Afghanistan Comments: 'We Have One Commander-In-Chief In This Country'

Eric Kleefeld | July 2, 2010, 2:57PM

RNC Chair Michael Steele and Senate candidate Linda McMahon (R-CT)

I spoke on the phone this afternoon with Ed Patru, the spokesman for Connecticut Republican Senate candidate Linda McMahon, and asked whether McMahon had any comment on Michael Steele's remarks criticizing the war in Afghanistan.

"We have one commander-in-chief in this country, and the president made the decision to increase the troop levels in Afghanistan," said Patru. "And Linda's position from the beginning has been that once the decision has been made, it is important that we commit ourselves to success there, that the troops have what they need to be successful, and that the political will remain consistent throughout this engagement."

Does McMahon agree or disagree with Steele's statement that Afghanistan is a war of America's choosing that was not being prosecuted before, I asked? "The history on the war in Afghanistan is a matter of public record. Is that what you're asking me?" Patru responded.

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Kirsten Gillibrand

Republican Senators Chase World Cup, Praise America's Immigrant History

Megan Carpentier | July 2, 2010, 2:30PM

USA and Slovenia play in the World Cup, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) wants to bring the tournament to the States.

After the failure of Team USA to beat Ghana and advance in the World Cup tournament, most thought that Americans would wait until 2014 until they started paying attention to soccer again. But Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and a number of Republican colleagues aren't wiling to let soccer fade into obscurity!

She and a few colleagues from both sides of the aisle sent a letter to FIFA President Sepp Blatter today to try to convince him to allow America to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022. Part of their sales pitch is America's vast immigrant population, and their dedication to watching their home country teams battle it out on U.S. soil.

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Michael Steele

Steele Tries To Explain: I Support Afghanistan War -- But This Is Obama's Strategy

Eric Kleefeld | July 2, 2010, 2:29PM

RNC Chair Michale Steele

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele has a released a new statement of his position on the war in Afghanistan, in the wake of his comments yesterday that were critical of the whole venture and blaming it on President Obama. Interestingly, Steele simultaneously walks back the implication that he does not support the war -- and sticks to his message of putting the outcome of the situation on Obama's head:

"As we enter the Fourth of July weekend, I proudly remember standing with Maryland National Guardsmen on their way to the Middle East and later stood with the mothers of soldiers lost at war. There is no question that America must win the war on terror.

"During the 2008 Presidential campaign, Barack Obama made clear his belief that we should not fight in Iraq, but instead concentrate on Afghanistan. Now, as President, he has indeed shifted his focus to this region. That means this is his strategy. And, for the sake of the security of the free world, our country must give our troops the support necessary to win this war.

"As we have learned throughout history, winning a war in Afghanistan is a difficult task. We must also remember that after the tragedy of September 11, 2001, it is also a necessary one. That is why I supported the decision to increase our troop force and, like the entire United States Senate, I support General Petraeus' confirmation. The stakes are too high for us to accept anything but success in Afghanistan."

Robert Byrd

Bill Clinton: Byrd Spent 'Rest Of His Life' Making Up For KKK Association (VIDEO)

Christina Bellantoni | July 2, 2010, 2:20PM

clinton at byrd's funeral

Former President Bill Clinton referenced the late Sen. Robert Byrd's membership in the Ku Klux Klan as a young man during his eulogy for the longtime senator this afternoon in West Virginia. Clinton was the only speaker to reference this dark chapter of Byrd's history, which has been a topic of much discussion over the years.

Many of Byrd's colleagues have said that Byrd learned from the experience and that he championed civil rights later, and took pride in endorsing Barack Obama in his bid to become the nation's first black president.

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Louie Gohmert

Gohmert On Terrorist Babies Theory: 'It's Not Just A Theory' (VIDEO)

Rachel Slajda | July 2, 2010, 2:12PM

Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX)

Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) wants you to know about the national security threat written into the Constitution: Terrorist babies.

Last week, we told you that Gohmert warned America that the 14th Amendment -- which guarantees that anyone born in the U.S. is a citizen -- was allowing terrorist women to come to the U.S., have a baby, and:

Read more »

Michael Steele

Red State's Erickson: Steele Has Lost 'All Moral Authority,' 'Must Resign'

Brian Beutler | July 2, 2010, 2:04PM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

They keep rolling in. Erick Erickson, founder of the influential conservative site Red State, and sometime CNN contributor, says RNC chairman Michael Steele "must resign."

"I have heard Michael Steele's comments regarding Afghanistan and the President," Erickson writes.

I have read the RNC's statement on the matter.

The RNC statement is indecipherable in the context of what Michael Steele actually said.

The war in Afghanistan is not a war of Barack Obama's choosing. It is a war of Al Qaeda and the Taliban's choosing. We responded.

Michael Steele must resign. He has lost all moral authority to lead the GOP.

Emphasis mine. The Republican cries for Steele's ouster are growing. Though it's still unclear what the fallout of his resignation would be, or who would replace him.

2010 elections

AFL-CIO Taking It To The Streets Against Republicans During Recess

Evan McMorris-Santoro | July 2, 2010, 1:43PM

Republican members of Congress heading home to campaign during the summer recess may find themselves face to face with the frustration of organized labor. The AFL-CIO is planning to target several prominent incumbent Republicans running in high-profile races over recess, hitting them with protests outside their district offices.

"Over the past Congress there have been many issues for Representatives to show which side they were on," AFL-CIO spokesperson Eddie Vale told TPMDC today. "And now we're going to start drawing contrasts, and blasting members who haven't been on the right side of jobs."

Vale didn't say exactly how many Republican incumbents will be included in the protests, but he said top targets for the action include Reps. Thad McCotter (MI), Michele Bachmann (MN), Patrick Tiberi (OH), Jo Bonner (AL), Adam Putnam (FL), Mario Diaz-Balart (FL), Joesph Cao (LA), Dan Lungren (CA), Ken Calvert (CA), Mary Bono (CA), Charles Djou (HI), Dave Reichert (WA), Jim Gerlach (PA) and Charlie Dent (PA). Maine's GOP Senate contingent, Susan Collins and Oympia Snowe, are also targets.

Read more »

AZ-SEN

Hayworth On Infomercial: The Grants I Shilled For Do Exist! (No, They Don't)

Eric Kleefeld | July 2, 2010, 1:16PM

Former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ), who is challenging Sen. John McCain in the Republican primary, just can't avoid having to talk about his involvement in a 2007 infomercial for a company offering questionable seminars on how to receive "free money" from government grants. His latest, from a Wednesday interview on local radio: The grants really do exist! (Note: They really don't.)

"Oh yeah, it's the one where the, they call it an infomercial -- a video presentation. I recorded it back in 19 -- I beg your pardon, back in 2007, three years ago. And they're using all these false attacks saying, 'free money,'" said Hayworth.

"First of all, I never ever used that term. I made it very clear that no money that comes to the government is free -- that it comes through taxation. But there are grants. And just as - well, let me use my old days at Channel 10. We wouldn't beat up Dave Munsey for telling us, 'You know, it's gonna be hot today, in the triple digits.' We might not be happy with that news. It might not comport with what we'd like to have happen. But it's reality, in terms of the weather forecast. The fact is, those grants exist."

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Michael Steele

Top Republicans Pile On Steele, Call For His Ouster

Brian Beutler | July 2, 2010, 12:38PM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

Republicans are furious with RNC Chairman Michael Steele, who was caught on camera saying that the war in Afghanistan is a doomed effort launched by President Obama. Steele has no shortage of enemies in the GOP and many of them sense an opportunity here. In fact, several, both privately and publicly, are saying this is the last straw: Steele should resign.

"Needless to say, the war in Afghanistan was not 'a war of Obama's choosing,'" reads an open letter to Steele from Weekly Standard editor and influential GOP voice Bill Kristol.

It has been prosecuted by the United States under Presidents Bush and Obama. Republicans have consistently supported the effort. Indeed, as the DNC Communications Director (of all people) has said, your statement "puts [you] at odds with about 100 percent of the Republican Party."

....There are, of course, those who think we should pull out of Afghanistan, and they're certainly entitled to make their case. But one of them shouldn't be the chairman of the Republican party.

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Michael Steele

FLASHBACK: Steele Called Afghanistan 'A War We Have To Win'

Brian Beutler | July 2, 2010, 12:30PM

RNC Chair Michael Steele

When he thinks nobody's watching, Michael Steele says "the one thing you don't do is engage in a land war in Afghanistan...everyone who has tried, over a thousand years of history, has failed" and calls Afghanistan a war of President Obama's choosing. Yet just months ago, in his official capacity as RNC Chairman, Steele had a remarkably different take.

"Although this decision took far too long and it should not have, I am glad the president will finally provide General McChrystal with the troops he needs," Steele said in December in response to President Obama's decision to greenlight a surge in Afghanistan. "However, tonight's speech must be the beginning, not the end, of the case President Obama makes to the American people as to why this is, as he said during the campaign, 'a war we have to win.' If the president remains committed to this crucial fight, Republicans - and the American people - will stand with him. But sending mixed signals by outlining the exit before these troops even get on the ground undermines their ability to succeed."

Emphasis mine. Steele is in for a rocky ride. Many Republicans are furious at Steele, who was captured on video suggesting that Afghanistan is an unwinnable war. Indeed, this comment was passed my way by a top GOP operative. More on that shortly

FL-GOV

America's Nastiest Primary? GOP's Florida Gov Race Takes It To The Next Level

Evan McMorris-Santoro | July 2, 2010, 10:58AM

FL Republican Gov. candidates Bill McCollum and Rick Scott.

You might not expect a race between the uber-boring Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum and the uber-rich former hospital exec Rick Scott to be a barn-burner. But the Florida Republican gubernatorial primary -- a race no one really expected to happen in the first place -- is making a strong claim for the title of nastiest primary race of the year.

Here's a quick overview of the past couple weeks. McCollum, trailing in the polls to the self-funded Scott, turned it up to 11 with a mailer that says Scott, who made his millions as the CEO of Columbia HCA, "profited from abortion," thanks to the fact that the procedure was performed at some Columbia-run hospitals. In response, Scott fired off a press release attacking McCollum for supporting Rudy Giuliani in the 2008 presidential race. How does a tie to America's Mayor hurt McCollum in Scott's eyes, you might ask? Like this: Scott says McCollum isn't conservative enough because he "endorsed pro-abortion and pro-homosexual rights candidate" Giuliani.

Like I said, nasty.

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Michael Steele

RNC Tries To Explain Steele's Afghanistan Comments

Eric Kleefeld | July 2, 2010, 10:49AM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

We asked Republican National Committee spokesman Doug Heye for comment on RNC Chairman Michael Steele's remarks that Afghanistan is "a war of Obama's choosing" that the United States had not actively prosecuted and did not want to be in. He sent us an answer -- though it doesn't quite get at the big issues.

For starters, we asked what Steele meant by these statements, and whether he thinks America should not be in Afghanistan at all? And besides, didn't the war begin in 2001 under George W. Bush, in response to the 9/11 attacks? Heye sent us this statement:

The Chairman clearly supports our troops but believes that success of the war effort in Afghanistan requires the ongoing support of the American people.

The responsibility for building and maintaining that strategy falls squarely on the shoulders of the President. Like so many Americans, Chairman Steele wants to hear an explanation from President Obama on what his strategy is for winning the war in Afghanistan. The Petraeus hearings were an opportunity - a missed opportunity - to do that. Instead, all we hear from the President is criticism of his predecessor for doing exactly the same thing.

At the same time, Congress must stop playing politics with the war and provide the funding our troops need to win and come home.

OH-SEN

Rasmussen Poll: GOPer Portman Narrowly Ahead In OH-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | July 2, 2010, 10:21AM

Ohio Senate candidates Rob Portman (R) and Lee Fisher (D)

The new Rasmussen poll of the Ohio Senate race gives Republican former Congressman and ex-Bush administration official Rob Portman a narrow lead over Democratic Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, in the race for the seat of retiring Republican Sen. George Voinovich.

The numbers: Portman 43%, Fisher 39%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4.5% margin of error. In the previous poll from a month ago, the two were tied at 43%-43%.

Two other polls from yesterday, one Public Policy Polling (D) and the other from Quinnipiac, gave Fisher narrow leads -- but in any case, the race is definitely too close to call. The TPM Poll Average gives Fisher an edge of 42.5%-41.4%.

Elena Kagan

Hatch Will Vote Against Kagan Nomination

Jillian Rayfield | July 2, 2010, 10:20AM

Sen Orrin Hatch (R-UT)

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) will vote against Elena Kagan's nomination to the Supreme Court, according to a statement he released today.

Read more »

David Vitter

Larry Flynt To David Vitter: Donate Your Diapers To Gulf Relief

Megan Carpentier | July 2, 2010, 10:14AM

Senator David Vitter (R-LA) and Hustler Magazine founder Larry Flynt

Political gadfly and Hustler publisher Larry Flynt has an ingenious plan for stopping the ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and it doesn't have anything to do with bombs, relief wells or devices patented by Kevin Costner. Larry Flynt thinks that BP should use diapers -- David Vitter's diapers, to be precise.

Read more »

Afghanistan

Steele Says We Shouldn't Be In Afghanistan; Calls It Obama's War Of Choice

Eric Kleefeld | July 2, 2010, 9:40AM

RNC Chair Michael Steele

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele may be misremembering exactly how and when the Afghanistan war began.

At a Republican Party fundraiser in Connecticut on Thursday, Steele declared that the war in Afghanistan "was a war of Obama's choosing" that America had not "actively prosecuted or wanted to engage in," in a response to an attendee's question about the resignation of Gen. Stanley McChrystal -- which Steele called "very comical."

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Best Boss Ever? Michael Steele & The RNC Interns]

"The McChrystal incident, to me, was very comical. And I think it's a reflection of the frustration that a lot of our military leaders have with this Administration and their prosecution of the war in Afghanistan," said Steele. "Keep in mind again, federal candidates, this was a war of Obama's choosing. This is not something the United States had actively prosecuted or wanted to engage in."

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Financial Reform

Wall Street Reform Likely To Pass With Cantwell Support

Brian Beutler | July 2, 2010, 8:50AM

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA)

Last night, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA)gave the final Wall Street reform bill the thumbs up. In May, Cantwell was one of two Democrats to oppose the Senate-passed bill from the left, and had been mostly silent about the legislation for weeks. But by announcing her intent to vote for the financial reform conference report, Cantwell all but assures the legislation will pass.

"I will vote in support of the conference report because it makes great strides toward our ultimate goal: bringing all standard derivatives onto exchanges and clearinghouses, with aggregate position limits and strong anti-manipulation tools," Cantwell said in an official statement. "...This legislation is not perfect, and I will continue to push for even bolder action - including a return to the Glass-Steagall separation of commercial and investment banking - to reign in Wall Street, put an end to the concept of 'too-big-to-fail.' But this bill makes significant strides toward preventing the kind of financial meltdown that we saw in the fall of 2008."

Read more »

2012 elections

GOP To Overhaul Election Rules To Prolong 2012 Primary Season

Eric Kleefeld | July 1, 2010, 6:00PM

GOP Logo, GOP Chairman Michael Steele

The Republican National Committee could be on the verge of seriously altering its 2012 presidential nomination process, the Hotline reports, with a special committee's draft rules introducing such changes as pushing back the key primary and caucus dates and adding in proportional representation.

The special committee's rules preserve the same four early state as last time -- Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada -- but move the contest dates into February instead of January. And for the GOP primaries to be held in March, their contests would require proportional delegate allocation, instead of the proliferation of winner-take-all contests that the Republicans used last time.

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Supreme Court vacancy

Grilling Ms. Kagan -- The 7 Toughest Questioners At SCOTUS Hearings (VIDEO)

Christina Bellantoni | July 1, 2010, 5:47PM

(Clockwise from top left) Senators Arlen Specter (D-PA), Tom Coburn (R-OK), Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) question Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan (center, inset).

It wasn't quite a supreme grilling, but some of the Judiciary Committee's members were surprisingly tough on Solicitor General Elena Kagan this week. Although at first the Republicans spent their time deriding Thurgood Marshall as a so-called "activist judge," by day three they took up all the hot button social issues they had largely ignored in the first round of questions.

Since Kagan's testimony is complete -- Chairman Pat Leahy told her it was "The last time you'll ever have to be in a public hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee." -- TPM rounded up the toughest questioners. They might just surprise you, since some Democrats gave Kagan as hard a time as their colleagues across the aisle.

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FL-SEN

Charlie Crist Picking Up Labor Support In Florida

Eric Kleefeld | July 1, 2010, 4:43PM

Gov. Charlie Crist (I-FL)

Gov. Charlie Crist (I-FL), who left the Republican Party to run for Senate as an independent, picked up the support of two labor unions on Wednesday, an interesting position to be in for someone who was a Republican until just over two months ago.

The endorsements by the Florida Pipe Trades Council and Corrections USA provide another data point is Crist's apparent effort to overtake Democratic Rep. Kendrick Meek among Dem voters, donors and interest groups. Granted, these are relatively smaller unions compared to Meek's labor haul -- he has the AFL-CIO endorsement, and the state teacher's union gave a dual endorsement for each of them. But it does provide further evidence of Crist's gains.

John Lindstrom, international representative for the Pipe Trades union in Florida and the Carolinas, told TPMDC that Crist's record on key issues for the construction business, such as a recent jobs bill, made him the best way to go. However, he also confirmed to us that the state of the race, with Crist appearing to be the stronger candidate to defeat Republican Marco Rubio, was a factor: "We looked at the entire race, we looked at the dynamics, we talked to our members, we talked to the leaders of different unions, and it was unanimous that Crist was the way to go."

Read more »

Elena Kagan

Young Conservatives Rage Against The D.C. Machine At Anti-Kagan Rally

Evan McMorris-Santoro | July 1, 2010, 4:31PM

Youth protest against Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan.

About 50 young conservatives gathered outside the Supreme Court today to protest what they say will be one of the defining political moments of their generation -- the nomination of Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court. The only truly organized "national" protest of the Kagan nomination in D.C. this week, the event was put together by a of coalition of groups representing the right-wing youth of America -- Young Americans for Freedom, the Young Conservatives Coalition and the GOP Youth Convention.

For about an hour, they raged against the machinery that most political watchers agree will confirm Kagan's appointment to the Court by the end of the summer. And they took time to throw a few punches at Republicans and other conservatives they say aren't fired up enough by the Kagan proceedings.

"The fact of the matter is, years and years of college indoctrination and high school indoctrination has made Americans impartial," the 16-year-old YAF high school coordinator, Naphtali Rivkin, told me. "It's a real problem."

Rivkin was referring to the millions of conservatives he and others said should be upset by the Kagan nomination, but didn't bother to show up and make their anger known.

Read more »

MN-GOV

Tea Party-Friendly GOPer Emmer To Take Public Financing In MN-GOV Race

Eric Kleefeld | July 1, 2010, 2:47PM

MN-GOV candidate Tom Emmer (R)

Minnesota state Rep. Tom Emmer, who is running on a Tea Party-friendly platform of cutting government spending, has announced that he expects to take public financing for his campaign.

Emmer said Wednesday that he will sign the necessary paperwork before the late July deadline, barring a last-minute reversal. Under Minnesota's public finance system, Emmer's campaign would have access to more than $400,000 in subsidies, while committing to limit his total spending to about $2.8 million. The cap would be lifted however, if another candidate were to go over it -- and Emmer would still keep the public money. The three-way Democratic primary currently features two self-financing candidates, former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton and former state Rep. Matt Entenza, who would likely spend beyond the cap.

Emmer had previously criticized his former rival for the GOP nomination, state Rep. Marty Seifert, for signing up for the subsidy, on the grounds that the party shouldn't limit its spending against a candidate like Dayton. Now, Emmer tells the Associated Press that at the time he had been "under the false impression" that signing up would have limited him financially.

This post has been edited from the original.

Gulf Coast Oil Spill

Whodunit! Anonymous Republicans Object To Subpoena Power For Oil Spill Commission

Brian Beutler | July 1, 2010, 2:20PM

Senators James Inhofe (R-OK) and Jim DeMint (R-SC)

The idea of granting supboena power to President Obama's oil spill inquiry commission has overwhelming support in the Congress. Just last week, the House voted 420 to 1 to do just that. The lone Republican to object was Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX). But just yesterday, when Senate Democrats tried to make it official by unanimous consent, they hit a brick wall in the form of Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC).

DeMint objected, likely delaying the subpoena power for weeks. But he did so not because of his own objections, but was acting on behalf of "members of the Republican conference."

Read more »

Barack Obama

Boehner: Obama Spends A Lot Of Time 'Whining' (VIDEO)

Jillian Rayfield | July 1, 2010, 1:59PM

boehner on Obama whining

Here's the latest in the ongoing back-and-forth over John Boehner's comparison of financial reform to "killing an ant with a nuclear weapon": The House Minority Leader said today that President Obama spends a lot of time "whining."

Read more »

AZ-SEN

Graham: McCain Veering Right So He Can Get Re-Elected

Eric Kleefeld | July 1, 2010, 1:46PM

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Senator John McCain (R-AZ)

In his new profile piece in the New York Times, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said something very interesting about one of his top allies, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ): McCain is moving right because of the challenge against him in the Republican primary from former Rep. J.D. Hayworth.

As we noted, Graham predicted that the Tea Party movement will die out, saying it has no actual vision for governing the country. But that's not all Graham had to say. Here's the exchange about McCain:

I observed that if this conversation about how to resolve tough issues were taking place in 2006, I would likely be having it not with Graham but with his friend and legislative mentor, John McCain. "Totally agree," he responded. "I mean, I was the wingman, O.K.?" But, he acknowledged, things are different now: "John's got a primary. He's got to focus on getting re-elected. I don't want my friend to get beat."

I asked whether he was giving McCain a pass on anything risky this year.

"Yeah," he said. Graham added that he was thinking about a question I recently asked him: would he be so out there, in a bipartisan way, if he were facing re-election this year rather than four years from now? "The answer's probably no."

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Lindsey Graham

Lindsey Graham: The Tea Party Movement 'Will Die Out'

Eric Kleefeld | July 1, 2010, 12:38PM

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC)

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has some tough words for the Tea Party movement in a new profile in the New York Times: You have no vision, and you'll die out.

"The problem with the Tea Party, I think it's just unsustainable because they can never come up with a coherent vision for governing the country. It will die out," said Graham, who has come under fire from the right for being excessively moderate and compromising with Democrats.

Graham also said he challenged a group of Tea Partiers in a meeting: "'What do you want to do? You take back your country -- and do what with it?'...Everybody went from being kind of hostile to just dead silent."

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KY-SEN

Is Rand Paul's Fundraising Slowing Down?

Eric Kleefeld | July 1, 2010, 11:14AM

Kentucky Senate Candidate Rand Paul (R)

Kentucky Republican Senate nominee Rand Paul, who has been pilloried in the press in the weeks since he won the Republican primary, has long benefited from the kind of energetic online donor base that his father, Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), helped pioneer in 2007 and 2008. But could it be that things are starting to slow down for Rand?

Paul's campaign announced earlier this week that an online moneybomb fundraiser campaign had brought in $172,000 in 24 hours. "Rand Paul continues to set online fundraising records in Kentucky," said campaign manager Jesse Benton. Of course, the catch here is that the $172,000 is not a record for online fundraising in Kentucky -- as the Associated Press noted, Paul himself had previously raised $400,000 in a one-day moneybomb last August, when his insurgent campaign in the Republican primary was starting to pick up.

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American Crossroads

Fundraising Group Led By GOP All-Stars Raises Big Money In June

Eric Lach | July 1, 2010, 10:56AM

Karl Rove

Turns out that American Crossroads, the group backed by Karl Rove and Ed Gillespie, among others, to raise money for Republican candidates, is pulling in the dough after all: The group says it raised $8.5 million in June, according to Politico.

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LA-SEN

Melancon Hits Vitter Hard Over Ex-Staffer Accused Of Assaulting Girlfriend With Knife (VIDEO)

Evan McMorris-Santoro | July 1, 2010, 9:58AM

Sen. David Vitter (R-LA)

Rep. Charle Melancon (D-LA) is stepping up his attacks on Sen. David Vitter (R) in the Louisiana Senate race this week, using the recent revelations about a Vitter staffer allegedly assaulting his girlfriend with a knife to slam the incumbent Senator on women's issues.

"What does he have on you?" a new web ad asks Vitter, referring to Brent Furer, a legislative aide Vitter continued to employ to work on women's issues after he was arrested and charged with assaulting his girlfriend while drunk. (Vitter has said he wasn't aware of the assault charges, just the DUIs.) Furer resigned last week after the assault allegations came to light in an ABC News report. But if Vitter hoped that getting rid of Furer would make the story go away, it's clear the Democrats aren't going to oblige him.

Melancon, trailing Vitter badly in polls, is clearly trying to connect this new flap to Vitter's scandalous past when it comes to women.

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Republican Governors Association

Republican Governors Association Has Biggest Fundraising Quarter Ever

Eric Kleefeld | July 1, 2010, 9:47AM

Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS)

The Republican Governors Association has announced a very strong fundraising quarter, taking in $19 million from April through June -- their largest fundraising quarter ever -- with $40 million in cash on hand for this year's statehouse races.

From the RGA's press release: "The RGA's previous largest fundraising quarter occurred in the 4th quarter of 2009, when it raised $11.9 million. This quarter RGA raised $18.9 million. The RGA's former mid-year fundraising record was $15.1 million. RGA is at $28 million this year - almost double the earlier record. In 2006, the last comparable election year, the RGA raised $28 million for the entire year." (Emphasis in the original.)

Keep in mind that governorships covering a huge majority of the country's population are up for election this year, in addition to the high-profile races for Congress. And this year's gubernatorial races are even more important than they were four years ago, for a simple reason -- the governors elected this year will play a direct role in the redistricting that will come after this year's Census.

Elena Kagan

Right-Wing Youth Group Rallying Against Kagan Today

Evan McMorris-Santoro | July 1, 2010, 9:27AM

Protesters outside the US Supreme Court building.

Right-wing youth will gather in D.C. at 12:30 today to call on the Senate not to confirm Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. The event, hosted by the conservative Young Americans for Freedom, will include speeches by leaders from the libertarian CATO Institute, the Heritage Foundation and the tea party movement.

The event, coming four days into the Kagan hearings and after the end of Kagan's public testimony before Congress, is the first organized demonstration for or against Kagan this week. So far, the hearings have been relatively controversy-free (outside the hearing room that is), with only Capitol Hill mainstay Randall Terry and his followers showing up each day to attack Kagan over abortion rights.

Today's protest also includes talk of abortion, but will focus on other conservative attacks on Kagan as well.

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Ben Nelson

With Millions Losing Benefits, Ben Nelson Blocks Extension Of Unemployment Insurance

Brian Beutler | July 1, 2010, 9:18AM

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE).

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) last night prevented his fellow Democrats from finally passing legislation to extend needed unemployment insurance benefits to out of work Americans. It was the third time the legislation, which has been repeatedly pared down and reshaped in the hunt for votes, has failed to overcome a filibuster. But it was the first time that success or failure rested on a single deciding vote. And because Nelson, the most conservative Democrat in the Senate, joined Republicans and blocked the bill, it will likely not pass until mid-July, after the Senate returns from Independence Day recess. By then Robert Byrd's replacement will be seated, and Dems will have the votes they need to pass their jobs bill.

Here's what happened.

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NY-23

Could Doug Hoffman Still Make Trouble For The GOP In NY-23?

Eric Kleefeld | July 1, 2010, 8:45AM

Doug Hoffman

Could the NY-23 district, which saw a wild special election last year, see a repeat this year -- a tough three-way race pitting Democratic Rep. Bill Owens against a Republican candidate and Conservative Doug Hoffman?

Owens narrowly defeated Hoffman in last year's special election, after Hoffman's Conservative Party candidacy attracted the support of national right-wingers and successfully forced the official GOP nominee, state Rep. Dede Scozzafava, out of the race due to her socially liberal positions.

Roll Call now reports that some people think a Republican split might happen yet again. Hoffman is seeking a rematch with Owens, simultaneously seeking the Conservative and Republican nominations. However, the state GOP establishment is backing businessman Matt Doheny for the nomination. And for his part, Doheny's campaign is assuming that Hoffman would keep on running as a Conservative if he were to lose the primary -- something Hoffman has not fully ruled out.

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Repealing health care

Republican Leadership Jumps On Health Care Repeal Bill After Conservative Pressure

Christina Bellantoni | July 1, 2010, 8:30AM

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and other GOP leaders.

Key members of the House Republican leadership this week finally signed on to a measure that would repeal health care reform -- after pressure from the ultra-conservative Club for Growth.

We've written thousands of words about Republicans' on-again, off-again desire to repeal the health care reform law passed this spring. There are plenty of bills out there that would repeal the measure, and the official GOP platform as they attempt to win back power in Congress during this fall's elections is that they would "repeal and replace" reform with their own version. This strategy comes as the Republican base is pushing them more and more to fight what critics call "ObamaCare," while the general public is warming to the law. Another new poll yesterday adds to the trend that health care reform's popularity is on the rise.

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Financial Reform

One Down, One To Go: House Passes Historic Wall Street Reform Bill

Brian Beutler | June 30, 2010, 7:00PM

Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) and House Democratic Leadership.

By a vote of 237-192, the House of Representatives this afternoon voted to pass final legislation dramatically changing the rules that govern the financial industry. Nineteen Democrats joined 173 Republicans in opposing the legislation, which, in addition to limiting the risky practices that lead to the 2008 collapse, will create a new federal agency dedicated to protecting consumers from predatory financial products, and bring to a close the Troubled Asset Relief Plan -- the bailout program created by the Congress in the midst of the financial crisis. Three Republicans voted for the bill, and four members (two Democrats, two Republicans) did not vote.

The Senate is set to take up identical legislation shortly after they return from next week's Independence Day recess. Democrats had hoped to send the Wall Street reform bill to President Obama by weeks end, but last minute hiccups in the Senate -- objections of key Republicans and the death of Robert Byrd -- ultimately made that impossible.

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Barack Obama

Boehner To White House: Nuh-Uh, You're The Ones Who Are 'Out Of Touch'

Jillian Rayfield | June 30, 2010, 4:53PM

House Minority Leader John L. Boehner (R-OH)

House Minority Leader John Boehner has a response for those who have criticized him for comparing the financial crisis to an ant: "They're the ones who are out of touch with what the American people expect."

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Elena Kagan

Lindsey Graham Goes After Kagan On Abortion Rights (VIDEO)

Megan Carpentier | June 30, 2010, 4:33PM

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) grills Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan

Lindsey Graham, a self-described supporter of the rights of the unborn, went after Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan today over her views on abortion rights and, more importantly, her understanding of Roe v. Wade and how medical advancements might change the historic Supreme Court decision.

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IL-SEN

Giannoulias Ad Rips Kirk For War Record 'Lie' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | June 30, 2010, 3:50PM

IL Senate candidates Alexi Giannoulias (D) and Mark Kirk (R)

Illinois state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, the Democratic nominee for President Obama's former Senate seat, has a new TV ad brutally taking down his Republican rival, Rep. Mark Kirk, over Kirk's various misstatements about his military record.

The ad is a montage of news clips and headlines about Kirk's false claims: That he won a prestigious officer's award, that he was shot at in Iraq, and that he has commanded the Pentagon War Room. In each case, video of Kirk making the claim is accompanied by the date, so the viewer gets to see him telling tall tales throughout the past decade in 2002, 2003, 2009 and 2010. And the on-screen text at the end of the ad provides the most damaging label of all, in this election year: "Typical Washington Politician."

The Giannoulias camp tells us that the ad will be on TV, but is not up as of yet while they are working out the details of the buy. The TPM Poll Average gives Kirk a lead of 43.1%-38.4%. Giannoulias was having a rough time in the last few months due to his own problem, the failure of his family's bank -- which Kirk is going after in his own attack ads. But now that the press has done a lot of work digging up Kirk's scandals, Giannoulias is clearly going back on offense.

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Supreme Court vacancy

Kagan Dodges Gay Marriage Question (VIDEO)

Christina Bellantoni | June 30, 2010, 2:52PM

kagan confirmation hearing with Grassley

Social issues were noticeably absent from the first round of questions at the confirmation hearings, but it's been abortion and gay marriage hour so far in round two. A telling exchange came between Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Elena Kagan as he asked her if states can decide marriage issues.

Kagan said she didn't want to talk about something that may very well appear before the Supreme Court. "I want to be extremely careful about this question and -- and not to in any way prejudge any case that might come before me," she said.

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OH-SEN

PPP Poll: Dem Fisher Leads GOPer Portman By Two Points In OH-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | June 30, 2010, 1:31PM

OH Senate candidates Lee Fisher (D) and Rob Portman (R)

The new survey of the Ohio Senate race from Public Policy Polling (D) gives Democratic Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher a narrow edge against Republican Rob Portman, a former Congressman and Bush administration official. The key takeaway: Even though Obama's popularity has gone downhill in this perennial swing state, Portman's ties to Washington are tripping him up.

The numbers: Fisher 40%, Portman 38%. The survey of registered voters has a ±4.5% margin of error. In the previous general election poll from March, during the Democratic primary between Fisher and Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, Portman led Fisher by 41%-36%.

These numbers come on the same day as a Quinnipiac poll, which gave Fisher a similar lead of 42%-40%. The TPM Poll Average has Fisher ahead by 43.3%-41.0%.

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KY-SEN

Rasmussen Poll: Rand Paul Leads Conway By 7 Points

Eric Kleefeld | June 30, 2010, 1:16PM

KY Sen. candidates Rand Paul (R) and Jack Conway (D)

The new Rasmussen poll of the Kentucky Senate race gives Republican nominee Rand Paul a stable lead of seven points over Democrat Jack Conway in the race for the seat of retiring GOP Sen. Jim Bunning.

The numbers: Paul 49%, Conway 42%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4.5% margin of error. A month ago, Paul led by a similar 49%-41%. The TPM Poll Average gives Paul a lead of 50.7%-41.3%.

The pollster's analysis finds a stability to the race, with the exception of an immediate post-primary bump for Paul: "Support for both nominees is virtually identical to results found earlier this month. Just after Paul's big primary win in May, he bounced to a short-lived 25-point lead over Conway. With the exception of immediately after his primary win, Paul has received between 46% and 50% support in match-ups with Conway since January. During the same period, Conway has earned between 34% and 41% of the vote. The Democrat has never led in matchups between the two candidates."

Financial Reform

Collins 'Inclined' To Support Wall Street Reform

Brian Beutler | June 30, 2010, 1:02PM

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)

Scott Brown's playing cute, but his fellow moderate Republican Susan Collins says she's basically ready to vote for Wall Street reform.

"Based on my initial review of the conference review, I'm inclined to support it," Collins told reporters this afternoon after a Senate vote. "I believe that it will improve the regulation of financial institutions and much needed transparency to the process, and that it will help prevent the kinds of risky practices that triggered this recession.

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2012 elections

Bennett: The GOP Is A Party Of Slogans, Not Ideas (VIDEO)

Eric Lach | June 30, 2010, 12:49PM

Sen. Bob Bennett (R-UT)

Sen. Bob Bennett (R-UT) has some tough words for his party. Bennett became the first incumbent senator to lose his re-election bid in 2010 after his defeat at Utah's Republican convention in May. Speaking yesterday to The Ripon Society, Bennett predicted Republicans will win the House -- and maybe even the Senate -- this fall, but he expressed doubts that the party has the ideas needed to govern successfully.

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WI-GOV

Poll: GOPers Lead For WI-GOV

Eric Kleefeld | June 30, 2010, 12:40PM

WI Gov candidates Scott Walker (R) and Tom Barrett (D)

The new survey of the Wisconsin gubernatorial race by Public Policy Polling (D) finds the Republican candidates ahead of Democratic Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett in the open-seat race to succeed retiring Gov. Jim Doyle. The key here is that Democratic voters remain soft and uncommitted to the presumptive nominee -- which could potentially change as the race gets into crunch-time.

The numbers: Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker leads Barrett by 45%-38%. Former Rep. Mark Neumann, who left Congress in 1998 and lost a close Senate race that year against Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold, leads Barrett by 41%-36%. The survey of registered voters has a ±3.9% margin of error.

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Financial Reform

Senate Will Vote On Financial Reform After The July 4 Recess

Jillian Rayfield | June 30, 2010, 12:35PM

Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV)

According to a tweet by the Senate Banking Committee, Harry Reid says the Senate will vote on the financial reform bill after the July 4th recess.

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Barack Obama

Obama On Boehner's 'Ant' Remark: I'm 'Stunned' He's That 'Out Of Touch'

Jillian Rayfield | June 30, 2010, 12:24PM

President Barack Obama

President Obama will say that he "was stunned to hear the leader of the Republicans in the House say that financial reform was like using a nuclear weapon to target an ant," according to his prepared remarks for a Town Hall event today.

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Financial Reform

GOPers So Opposed To Wall Street Regulation That They Voted For Bailout Continuation

Brian Beutler | June 30, 2010, 12:15PM

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) speaks with Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) on Capitol Hill.

Republicans have spent the better part of two years distancing themselves from bailouts and hitting Democrats for supporting them. But given a choice between continuing the 2008 bank bailout and regulating Wall Street, several Republicans voted last night (and almost all of them will ultimately vote) to keep the bailout alive.

Last night, in a scramble to save the bill in the wake of Sen. Scott Brown's (R-MA) objections to the conference report, Democrats worked with moderate Republicans to figure out a new way to pay for Wall Street reform. What they came up with was pretty simple: end the TARP legislation (i.e., the much-maligned bank bailout) early. Every Republican negotiator on the conference committee objected, some vociferously.

Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) called it "fraud on the American people."

Not to be outdone, Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) called it "smoke and mirrors."

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Supreme Court vacancy

What Culture Wars? Five Hot-Button Topics Lacking At Kagan Hearings

Christina Bellantoni | June 30, 2010, 11:51AM

Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan and an anti-abortion protester.

Close watchers of Elena Kagan's confirmation hearings will notice that the Citizens United campaign finance decision and gun rights issues have been among the most frequent lines of discussion. But anyone familiar with earlier epic Supreme Court confirmation battles and the culture wars that groups claim they are fighting through the nomination process are probably left feeling a bit lacking this week.

TPM has been keeping track, and it's a little surprising how few times the Judiciary Committee has talked about major issues. The first questioning just wrapped up and it's on to round two. But here's a summary of what hasn't been discussed after three days and nearly 15 hours of testimony.

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Elena Kagan

Twilight Fan Amy Klobuchar Grills Elena Kagan on Edward v. Jacob (VIDEO)

Megan Carpentier | June 30, 2010, 11:24AM

(Clockwise, from top left) Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan, Jacob Clark of Twilight (played by Taylor Lautner), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Edward Cullen of Twilight (played by Robert Pattinson).

Although Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan doesn't need anyone else to help provide moments of levity in the otherwise interminable confirmation process, Twiharder Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) did her darndest to keep up and be culturally relevant at the same time. Klobuchar asked Kagan the ultimate question of our time: Edward or Jacob?

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IL-SEN

New Kirk Ads Slam Giannoulias (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | June 30, 2010, 11:15AM

IL-SEN candidates Alexi Giannoulias (D) and Rep. Mark Kirk (R)

Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL), who has been weathering controversy in the Illinois Senate race over his misstatements about his military record, is going back on offense with a new pair of ads against his Democratic opponent, state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias -- who has had his own political problems from the failure of his family's bank.

"Alexi Giannoulias is only 34 years old -- oh, but what a 34 years it's been," the announcer says. "At his father's bank, Alexi made tens of millions in risky loans to convicted mobsters. Then the bank collapsed."

The other ad focuses on the BP oil spill, depicting Kirk as an environmental hero who has stood up to BP against their activities in Lake Michigan. "In contrast, Alexi Giannoulias's top aide was a longtime BP lobbyist," the announcer says. "And now Alexi says higher energy taxes are on the table."

The TPM Poll Average gives Kirk a lead of 43.1%-38.4%. Neither candidate is particularly popular right now, so this election could potentially come down to who the voters dislike the least -- and who knows, perhaps even the issues could matter.

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DNC

DNC: Boehner's Critique Of Financial Reform Turns 'A Mountain Into An Ant-Hill'

Jillian Rayfield | June 30, 2010, 11:03AM

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) and Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA)

The DNC is hitting back at House Minority Leader John Boehner for comparing financial reform to "killing an ant with a nuclear weapon," saying Boehner is turning "a mountain into an ant-hill by diminishing the need for reform."

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NV-SEN

Sharron Angle Meets The Nevada Press In Raucous Interview (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | June 30, 2010, 10:46AM

NV-SEN candidate Sharron Angle (R)

Former Nevada state Rep. Sharron Angle, the Republican nominee going up against Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, had a raucous interview last night with Jon Ralston, one of the top political reporters in the state. As we previously reported, Angle backed away from her controversial comments about "Second Amendment remedies" to government overreach -- but there were plenty of fun exchanges on other issues, too.

Overall, besides her very awkward backdown on having possibly encouraged violent revolution, Angle put in a competent performance. Ralston approached the job in the classic form of a Tim Russert-style interview, seeking to nail the candidate down on a lot of her statements that could get her in hot water. But Angle never broke down or admitted any kind of defeat or even contradiction, presenting a kind and gentle face for the voters.

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Scott Brown

Brown Still Undecided On Wall Street Bill

Brian Beutler | June 30, 2010, 10:39AM

Senators Scott Brown (R-MA) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT)

After all of yesterday's high drama, Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) continues to drag his feet on Wall Street reform legislation.

After Democrats took the extraordinary step of reconvening the financial reform conference committee to make changes he and other moderate Republicans demanded to the bill, Brown's now saying he won't announce his final vote until after the Independence Day recess next week.

"I appreciate the conference committee revisiting the Wall Street reform bill and removing the $19 billion bank tax," Brown says in a new statement this morning. "Over the July recess, I will continue to review this important bill. I remain committed to putting in place safeguards to prevent another financial meltdown, ensure that consumers are protected, and that this bill is paid for without new taxes."

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CA-GOV

Poll: Brown Leads Whitman 45-39 In CA-GOV Race

Eric Lach | June 30, 2010, 10:34AM

CA Gov candidates Jerry Brown (D) and Meg Whitman (R)

A new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Democrat Jerry Brown leading Republican Meg Whitman 45%-39% in California's gubernatorial race.

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OH-SEN

Poll: Fisher Leading Portman By Two Points In OH-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | June 30, 2010, 9:21AM

Ohio Senate candidates Rob Portman (R) and Lee Fisher (D)

The new Quinnipiac poll of the Ohio Senate race gives Democratic Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher a narrow lead over Republican former Rep. Rob Portman, in the race for the open GOP-held seat of retiring Sen. George Voinovich. And in a key internal figure, both candidates remain virtual unknowns with the wider electorate.

The numbers: Fisher 42%, Portman 40%. The survey of registered voters has a ±3% margin of error. In the previous poll from late April, Fisher led by a similar figure of 40%-37%. The TPM Poll Average has Fisher leading Portman by 44.3%-41.9%. This race is one of the major toss-ups of the cycle, with Vice President Joe Biden in Cleveland today to raise money for Fisher.

From the pollster's analysis: "The Senate race remains far, far from any kind of clear picture, mostly because neither candidate is well known to Ohioans. Even though Fisher has been a figure in Ohio politics for two decades, 54 percent of voters say they don't know enough about him to form an opinion. For Portman, 66 percent can't rate him. With four months until Election Day the Senate race is wide, wide open."

Elena Kagan

Last Justice Standing: Kagan's Five Funniest Moments On Tuesday

Evan McMorris-Santoro | June 30, 2010, 9:16AM

Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan

Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan is a funny lady. Facing a somewhat skeptical Republican contingent on the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday, Kagan slayed 'em in the aisles with a nearly nonstop stream of sarcasm and wit.

There were a lot of important issues discussed yesterday, and a lot of digging into Kagan's legal philosophy. But the main takeaway from the first day of questions and answers for Kagan was the nominee's ability to knock 'em dead.

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CA-SEN

Poll: Boxer Leads Fiorina 45-41 In CA Senate Race

Ben Frumin | June 30, 2010, 8:49AM

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Republican Senate nominee Carly Fiorina

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D) leads Republican nominee Carly Fiorina 45%-41% in the California Senate race, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.

The poll was conducted from June 25-27 and has a margin of error of 4%.

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Immigration

Graham To Obama: Give It Up On Energy And Immigration, Already!

Christina Bellantoni | June 30, 2010, 8:27AM

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC)

As President Obama mounts a new effort to simultaneously push two major domestic policy initiatives -- immigration reform and energy legislation -- that seem politically impossible before the fall elections, one Republican has a bit of advice: Go small.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said Tuesday that Obama should do a "smaller version" of the energy measure that he worked on with Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and John Kerry (D-MA) and return to the issue next year. (Graham bailed on that working group in April.) As for immigration, Graham thinks securing the border first is the only option for beginning a productive debate, and suggested that a post-election measure doing that will set up Congress to consider a comprehensive bill with a pathway to citizenship next year.

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NV-SEN

Angle: 'I Was Speaking Broadly' About Second Amendment Remedies

Eric Kleefeld | June 29, 2010, 10:16PM

NV Senate candidate Sharron Angle (R)

Nevada Republican Senate nominee Sharron Angle just sat down for an interview with Jon Ralston, one of the top political reporters in the state, on the NBC station in Reno. And a big question that Ralston had for her was just what she meant by people having "Second Amendment remedies."

Ralston played back the audio, with accompanying on-screen text, from an interview that Angle gave with a conservative talk radio host back in January. "You know, our Founding Fathers, they put that Second Amendment in there for a good reason, and that was for the people to protect themselves against a tyrannical government. And in fact Thomas Jefferson said, it's good for a country to have a revolution every 20 years," Angle said. "I hope that's not where we're going, but, you know, if this Congress keeps going the way it is, people are really looking toward those Second Amendment remedies and saying, my goodness, what can we do to turn this country around? I'll tell you, the first thing we need to do is take Harry Reid out."

"A lot of people think that's pretty outrageous rhetoric," Ralston said, referring to the language about "take Harry Reid out," and asked Angle whether she thought President Obama was a tyrant comparable to King George III.

"Well, I was speaking broadly, as you saw, about the Constitution, and that was the context of that rhetoric," Angle responded. "I admit that was a little strong to say 'take him out,' but you know what I meant. I meant take him out of office, and taking him out of office is a little different. I changed my rhetoric, to 'defeat Harry Reid.'"

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World Net Daily

Bachmann To Speak At Birther Website's Conference

Eric Kleefeld | June 29, 2010, 6:16PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), who has hit the road to speak to all sorts of conservative audiences, will put in an appearance before a very illustrious crowd this fall: A conference organized by the Birther website World Net Daily.

WND's "Taking America Back" conference will be held in Miami on September 16-18, and will feature such avowed Birther activists as WND head Joseph Farah, perennial candidate Alan Keyes, and author Jerome Corsi. Also on the list are Bachmann, Ann Coulter and former Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO).

Bachmann campaign manager Gina Countryman told the Star Tribune that the event is not a Birther conference, and that Bachmann "has absolutely no reason to question the president's citizenship, as much as her detractors wish was the case." Countryman explained: "She's attending so she can share her passion for our nation's founding and belief in fiscally responsible, limited government with those in attendance."

Financial Reform

Dems and Republicans Clash Over Wall Street Reform Fix

Brian Beutler | June 29, 2010, 5:51PM

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA)

Late update: Financial reform negotiators agreed tonight on a party line vote to make fixes sought by Sens. Scott Brown, Susan Collins, and Olympia Snowe, changing the way the legislation will be paid for. Speaking to reporters after the impromptu conference committee session, House Financial Services Committee Chair Barney Frank implied strongly that he'd received assurances that the Senate now has 60 votes to pass Wall Street reform. The House will likely take the bill up tomorrow, while the Senate may have to wait until after the July 4 recess to hold its final vote.

Here's how Democrats propose to placate moderate Republicans, who've been threatening to renege on their previous support for Wall Street reform. Instead of paying for the $19 billion cost of financial regulation bill by taxing big banks, the legislation will now raise money in two ways: Ending TARP, and raising the minimum target for FDIC's Deposit Insurance Fund.

Democrats took the extraordinary step this evening of reconvening the financial reform conference committee and making the switch in order to secure 60 votes for the legislation in the Senate. Brown said he'd bolt from the bill without a new pay-for, and Maine Republicans Collins and Snowe made similar threats, leaving Democrats likely vulnerable to a Republican financial reform filibuster.

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Elena Kagan

Lindsay Graham Asks Elena Kagan If He Sucks (VIDEO)

Evan McMorris-Santoro | June 29, 2010, 5:43PM

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC)

Today's Senate does not suck as much as the Senate of old. That's something on which Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC) and Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan can apparently agree.

In one of the many lighter moments in today's confirmation hearings, Graham asked Kagan what she thought of the hearings so far, making reference to her widely-cited 1995 book review calling the modern confirmation process "a vapid and hollow charade."

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Elena Kagan

Grassley Asks Kagan: Didn't God Give Us The Right To Bear Arms? (VIDEO)

Megan Carpentier | June 29, 2010, 5:42PM

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)

Usually, in a confirmation hearing for a Supreme Court nominee, the discussion of the Second Amendment comes down to a debate over whether the amendment guarantees an individual or collective the right to bear arms. One might think the matter was settled in Congress since Supreme Court rulings in Heller and McDonald leave the individual right to bear arms, as Elena Kagan said earlier today, "settled law." However, having a settled constitutional question left Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) with an opening to question whether the right to bear arms come from more than just the constitution. He wanted to know, in fact, whether it came straight from God.

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OH-Gov

Poll Gives GOPer Kasich Slight Edge In OH-GOV

Eric Kleefeld | June 29, 2010, 4:58PM

Governor Ted Strickland (D-OH) and Gubernatorial candidate John Kasich (R-OH)

The new survey of the Ohio gubernatorial race by Public Policy Polling (D) shows Republican former Rep. John Kasich edging Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland. Other polling shows Strickland ahead, though -- and in either case, this race is definitely one of the big toss-ups of the year.

The numbers: Kasich 43%, Strickland 41%. The survey of registered voters has a ±4.5% margin of error. The previous PPP numbers from March showed Kasich ahead by 42%-37%.

Interestingly, this Dem firm's poll showing the Republican ahead is being released on the same day as a non-partisan Quinnipiac poll, which showed Strickland ahead by by 43%-38%. That said, these results aren't all that far apart in statistical terms, so these divergent results in a way just further show the closeness of the race. The TPM Poll Average has Strickland ahead by 44.3%-41.8%.

AZ-SEN

McCain Campaign Releases 'Second J.D. Hayworth Infomercial' Parody (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | June 29, 2010, 4:12PM

New John McCain web ad attacking J.D. Hayworth in the Arizona GOP Senate primary.

The campaign of Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) is continuing to have a lot of fun with their primary challenger, former Rep. J.D. Hayworth, over the infomercial he did in 2007 for a company offering questionable seminars on how to receive "free money" from government grants. Their latest: a web video showing a satirical "second J.D. Hayworth infomercial."

A not-very-good voice impersonator, pretending to be Hayworth, comes in as the announcer. "I'm J.D. Hayworth, and I'm speaking to you at 3:47 in the morning, to tell you this important announcement," the announcer says, with the screen then cutting to a section of footage from the king of free government money commercials, pitchman Matthew Lesko in his Riddler suit-jacket: "Free money from the government!"

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Elena Kagan

Jeff Sessions Uses Camera Time To Call Elena Kagan A Liar

Evan McMorris-Santoro | June 29, 2010, 3:57PM

Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan and Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL)

Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) spent the second morning of Elena Kagan's Supreme Court nomination hearing showcasing all the ways a person can call someone else a liar without actually saying the word. It was a tour de force in Washington-speak, but it also showed Sessions' -- the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee -- Wilsonian plan of attack when it comes to Kagan: she lies.

Sessions' claims center around Kagan's time as Dean of Harvard law school and the access military recruiters had on campus during part of her time there. Republicans allege that Kagan denied those recruiters any access to the law school campus or her students. Kagan has said -- and said again today -- that she was balancing Harvard's strict anti-discrimination policy and the law regarding recruiting access as it was understood at the time.

Session's response, essentially? You're a liar.

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Scott Brown

Dems Continue To Pursue Brown On Wall Street Bill

Brian Beutler | June 29, 2010, 3:40PM

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)

Democrats are hoping to reopen the Wall Street reform conference committee today, after a series of GOP objections (and Robert Byrd's death) put the vote count for the legislation in serious doubt in the Senate. (Late update: The conference committee will reconvene today at 5 p.m.)

Currently, according to multiple aides, House and Senate negotiators are trying to come up with a new way to pay for the legislation. Republican Sens. Scott Brown and Susan Collins have objected to a plan to raise $19 billion over 10 years by imposing a fee on major financial firms. Paygo rules require the bill to be paid for, though, and that means raising money from...somewhere. Ideas being kicked around include dipping into unused TARP funds, and forcing banks to pay higher premiums for FDIC insurance.

That latter option would force even small depository institutions to pay for the cost of regulatory reform. The previous tax would have impacted major institutions only.

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2010 elections

Hayworth: McCain Tells People How To Get Government Grants, Too! (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | June 29, 2010, 3:24PM

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ).

Former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ), the challenger to Sen. John McCain in the Republican primary who has come under fire for his participation in a 2007 infomercial for a company's questionable seminars promoting "free money" in government grants, has put up a web video telling his side of the story. In it, he declares that McCain is a hypocrite on this subject. And in response, the McCain campaign is calling Hayworth a very dumb man for making the comparison.

"Three years ago I appeared in a video presentation about government grants, for which I was compensated. In retrospect, it was a mistake. I should have never appeared in the ad, and I apologize for my involvement," Hayworth says. He then lays out all the problems with this company: the consumer complaints, its own financial troubles -- and the fact that they later went on to continue to use his name and likeness past the agreed upon expiration date, necessitating a cease-and-desist letter from himself and his attorneys. "So I had my own difficulties with that entity."

However, he calls out McCain: "It is worth noting, as well, that Sen. McCain, on his official website, has an entire section devoted to government grants. So obviously, he believes in the merits of government grants -- though he tries to attack me for being less than fiscally conservative."

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CO-SEN

Bill Clinton Breaks With Obama In Colorado Senate Race

Christina Bellantoni | June 29, 2010, 3:19PM

Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) and former President Bill Clinton

Former President Bill Clinton today took sides in Colorado's Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate, endorsing Andrew Romanoff's challenge to Sen. Michael Bennet. It's one of the hottest primary races left this year, and is especially notable given President Obama's prominent backing of Bennet, who was appointed to the seat in 2009.

Romanoff claimed the Obama administration offered him a job to stay out of the Aug. 10 primary, and the Republicans think they have a prime pickup opportunity thanks to the Democratic intraparty warfare.

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Supreme Court vacancy

Kagan Sounds More And More Like Safe Vote For Gun Rights

Christina Bellantoni | June 29, 2010, 2:46PM

Handguns and Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan

The first questions about gun rights during Elena Kagan's confirmation hearings today came not from Republicans -- who always attempt to make the Second Amendment an issue -- but from Democrats. Kagan quickly ended the line of inquiry by declaring citizens' rights to own guns as "settled law."

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Oil Spill

Dems Object To Latest GOP Plan To Increase Oil Spill Liability

Brian Beutler | June 29, 2010, 1:25PM

Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK)

Democrats are preparing to oppose the latest GOP plan to hold oil companies accountable for spill damages in the future.

A new plan, authored by Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK), and passed my way by a source, would give the President the authority to set liability caps, based on congressionally approved guidelines, on a spill-by-spill basis. The idea is that this legislation would replace the Democrats' bid to simply lift the liability cap, exposing companies to the full cost of their spills. An Inhofe spokesman says they want to work with Democrats on the GOP proposal and use it as a substitute when the Environment and Public Works committee meets to consider the Democratic plan tomorrow.

Democrats who support lifting the cap altogether say no way. They're preparing a list of objections to Inhofe's plan, highlighting the fact that it leaves the President -- and future, more oil-friendly Presidents -- tremendous discretion to set low liability caps, and that spill damages can not be predicted ahead of time.

We'll see how this pans out tomorrow when EPW meets to mark up the Democrats' bill. Dems seem to be trying to get out in front of this one, worried perhaps that some of their members might get thrown for a loop by the Inhofe plan.

Financial Reform

Could Congress Change The Wall Street Bill Again?

Brian Beutler | June 29, 2010, 1:11PM

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD)

With the Wall Street reform legislation agreed to by House and Senate negotiators now in serious doubt in the Senate, what happens if the final bill can't muster the votes? At his weekly press availability this morning, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer hinted that they may have to make some changes.

"We're trying to work with the Senate to ensure that we both take up a version that does in fact have 60 votes," Hoyer said.

But the conference report, passed late last week, can not be amended on the House or Senate floors. It's an up-or-down, yes-or-no proposition. If they need a new 'version' that has 60 votes to overcome a filibuster, they'd have to reconvene the conference committee, strip the language that offends Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and try again.

Hoyer declined a followup question this morning. Neither his office, nor the office of conference committee chairman Barney Frank were immediately available for comment. But keep an eye on this as an increasingly likely option for Democrats, as they try to save the financial reform bill.

IL-SEN

Mark Kirk On Misstated Military Record: 'I Was Not Thinking'

Eric Kleefeld | June 29, 2010, 12:57PM

Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL)

Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL), whose Senate campaign has run into trouble due to his past misstatements about his military record, bluntly admitted at a press conference today that his words had been "careless."

The Chicago ABC station reports that Kirk was asked by reporters what he was thinking when he made the misstatements. His response: "I was not thinking."

Kirk had previously claimed to have served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and also that he had received the Navy's Intelligence Officer of the Year award. Neither of these statements were quite true -- Kirk's unit had received a different award, the Rufus L. Taylor Intelligence Award, and Kirk had served in the Navy during Operation Iraqi Freedom, but not in Iraq itself.

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Barack Obama

Obama: 'I'm Confident' We'll Still Pass Financial Reform -- Even Without Byrd's Vote

Eric Lach | June 29, 2010, 12:46PM

President Barack Obama

President Obama said today that he's "confident" about financial reform's prospects, even after the death of Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV), a key vote for reform that Democrats are now hard pressed to replace.

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Financial Reform

He's Out! Brown Says He's A No On Financial Reform

Brian Beutler | June 29, 2010, 12:16PM

Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA)

Sen. Scott Brown is no longer undecided. He says he'll certainly vote against the Wall Street reform conference report unless it is changed to remove a fee on big banks added during final negotiations.

"I am writing you to express my strong opposition to the $19 billion bank tax that was included in the financial reform bill during the conference committee," Brown wrote today in a letter to Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd, and House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank. "This tax was not in the Senate version of the bill, which I supported. If the final version of this bill contains these higher taxes, I will not support it.

Here's the thing, though: They can't change the conference report. It's unamendable. To accommodate Brown, the House and Senate would have to reconvene the conference committee, which could easily imperil their plan to get the bill to President Obama by the end of the week, ahead of the July 4 recess.

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NV-SEN

Conservative Group's Attack Ad: Harry Reid Thinks Job Losses Are 'Really Good' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | June 29, 2010, 12:15PM

New American Crossroads ad attacking Senator Harry Reid (D-NV)

The conservative group American Crossroads is using Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's words against him -- out of their key context, but still a serious gaffe in that it set Reid up for this sort of thing -- when he said that the loss of 36,000 jobs was "really good."

The group, headed up by former Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan, is using video of that gaffe in a new attack ad in the Nevada Senate race, with a statewide buy of $120,000.

Video of Reid on the Senate floor is shown: "Today is a big day in America. Only 36,000 people lost their jobs today, which is really good."

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OH-Gov

Poll: Dem Gov. Strickland Leads GOP Challenger In Ohio

Eric Lach | June 29, 2010, 11:53AM

Governor Ted Strickland (D-OH) and Gubernatorial candidate John Kasich (R-OH)

The new Quinnipiac poll of the Ohio governor's race shows incumbent Gov. Ted Strickland with a 43%-38% lead over Republican challenger John Kasich.

Quinnipiac found that Kasich remains unknown to half of Ohio voters.

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WI-SEN

Poll: Dem Sen. Feingold Barely Ahead Of GOP Rivals

Eric Kleefeld | June 29, 2010, 11:07AM

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI)

The new survey of Wisconsin by Public Policy Polling (D) shows Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold in a tight race for re-election, just narrowly leading his Republican opponents.

Feingold edges businessman Ron Johnson, the state GOP's endorsed candidate, by just 45%-43%. Against another GOP candidates, businessman Dave Westlake, Feingold leads 45%-38%. The survey of registered voters has a ±3.9% margin of error. The TPM Poll Average has Feingold ahead of Johnson by 45.7%-44.0%, and ahead of Westlake by 45.7%-39.7%.

PPP's Tom Jensen writes: "The potential competitiveness of this race may have more to do with Barack Obama's declining popularity in the state than anything Feingold himself has done. Obama won Wisconsin easily in 2008 but now has just a 45% approval rating with 50% of voters unhappy with his performance. 51% of voters are opposed to the health care bill to just 38% in support. In the places where Obama's fortunes are falling he's bringing the electoral prospects of Democratic candidates down with him."

Idaho

Idaho GOP Approves Far-Right Platform: Repeal 17th Amendment, Buy Gold And Silver

Eric Kleefeld | June 29, 2010, 10:50AM

The logo of the Idaho Republican Party and gold coins.

Idaho Republicans held their convention over the past weekend, approving a platform containing some mighty interesting parts of the Tea Party platform -- from state nullification of federal laws, to protecting the institution of marriage from transgendered people, to to a Glenn-Beckesque embrace of gold and silver money.

State Rep. Marv Hagedorn (R) told the Associated Press that the push to go further right was a product of disgust with the current status quo from the Obama administration. "It does reflect a change," said Hagedorn. "But it's not a change in our party, it's a change in the White House."

The convention's platform calls for a radical overhaul of the federal government. One proposal is a Tea Party favorite, calling for the repeal the 17th Amendment, which provides for the direct election of Senators instead of the original system of them being selected by state legislatures. The platform also calls for the state legislature and governor to "nullify any and all existing and future unconstitutional Federal mandates and laws, funded or unfunded, that infringe on Idaho's Tenth Amendment sovereignty." In addition, the GOP calls for the state of Idaho to take back federally controlled lands.

Then there is the hard-money plank, which might have come right out of a Goldline ad on talk radio: "We believe Idahoans need to protect their savings from the ravages of inflation, which is hidden taxation, and encourage citizens to participate in a systematic acquisition of precious metals which represent real value as opposed to paper currencies."

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Citizens United

Sessions Compares Citizens United To Landmark Civil Rights Case

Brian Beutler | June 29, 2010, 10:50AM

Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL)

With all the discussion at Elena Kagan's confirmation hearing of the recent Supreme Court ruling in the Citizens United case, many Americans are probably in need of an easy primer to understand the decision, which holds that corporations, like individual citizens, can make unlimited political contributions. According to Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), the top Republican on the Judiciary committee, it's just like the time the Supreme Court desegregated public schools!

Last night, elaborating on his criticisms of former Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, Sessions made the unusual comparison of Citizens United v. FEC to Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka.

"[Marshall] was right on Brown v. Board of Education. It's akin in my view to the Citizen's United case. The court sat down and we went back to first principles--What does the Constitution say? Everybody should be equal protection of the laws," Sessions told me after a Senate vote last night.

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Supreme Court

GOPers Who Slammed Marshall's Activism Can't Name A Case Typifying It

Brian Beutler | June 29, 2010, 10:26AM

Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Jeff Sessions (R-AL)

Republicans raised eyebrows yesterday when they criticized the first African-American Supreme Court justice, Thurgood Marshall, as a way to attack nominee Elena Kagan, his former clerk. One would think that, to avoid any appearance of racial dog-whistling, the senators attacking Marshall's record would be able to name the decisions or opinions with which they so vociferously disagreed.

After the hearing broke last night, TPMDC asked three of the top Republicans on the Judiciary Committee which of Marshall's opinions best exemplified his activism. And while two of the three were careful to praise Marshall the man, none of them could name a single case.

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LA-SEN

Rasmussen Poll: Vitter Still Crushing Democratic Opposition In LA-SEN

Evan McMorris-Santoro | June 29, 2010, 9:11AM

Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) and Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA)

Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) continues to look like a shoo-in for reelection, according to a new poll from Rasmussen out this morning. The poll shows Vitter leading likely Democratic nominee Rep. Charlie Melancon 53%-35%, with a 4.5% margin of error.

The new numbers follow the storyline of the race laid down in previous polling. The TPM Poll Average for the contest shows Vitter leading 49.6%-34.0%.

The Rasmussen survey of 500 likely voters was conducted June 24.

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2010 elections

DNC Invites Voters To Capture The 'Macaca Moment' Of 2010

Christina Bellantoni | June 29, 2010, 6:00AM

DNC Chairman Tim Kaine

The Democratic National Committee today is launching a new effort to allow citizens on their side "keep track" of Republican candidates on every ballot nationwide, in hopes of a voter capturing a so-called "macaca moment." The DNC's latest effort to influence the midterm elections, called the Accountability Project, will act as a database of campaign events and, Democrats hope, every gaffe, goof and outlandish policy position.

The task: take a camera to a political event and "hold Republicans accountable for misleading claims, lies, and unseemly behavior," the DNC says. The site will allow for uploads but also provide clips for download so voters can make their own mashups or ads.

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Robert Byrd

Collins Pulls Back Support For Wall Street Bill Over Bank Tax

Brian Beutler | June 28, 2010, 9:00PM

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) joined Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) this evening, putting herself back into the undecided column on Wall Street reform legislation, after House and Senate negotiators added new fees on banks to the final bill late last week.

"It was not part of either the House or Senate bill and was added in the wee hours of the morning. So I'm taking a look at the specifics of that and other provisions as well," Collins told reporters this evening outside the Senate chamber.

If both she and Brown oppose financial reform over bank fees, it could stall or even kill the legislation. Democrats would have to sweep the remaining swing votes--Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA)--to pass the legislation. They want to pass the bill this week, but the death of Sen. Robert Byrd has thrown into doubt whether they'll have the votes lined up before the fourth of July recess.

Randall Terry

Randall Terry Asks: Where Have All The Protests Gone?

Evan McMorris-Santoro | June 28, 2010, 6:31PM

Conservative activist Randall Terry.

Infamous anti-abortion advocate Randall Terry says he's the only conservative brave enough to protest the Elena Kagan confirmation hearings.

Terry was essentially alone today when he showed up on Capitol Hill to call for the Senate not to confirm Kagan, whom he called the "most maniac pro-death nominee to be named to the Supreme Court ever." Other than his small band of baby-doll-wielding protesters, there were few, if any, demonstrations for or against Kagan outside the first day of Senate confirmation hearings.

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WV-SEN

West Virginia GOPers Unlikely To Sue To Force Special Senate Election -- At Least For Now

Eric Kleefeld | June 28, 2010, 6:25PM

Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV)

Will Republicans challenge West Virginia's Secretary of State in court, and demand that a special election for the late Sen. Robert Byrd's seat be held before 2012? So far, it doesn't look like it.

A Republican source in West Virginia told us that West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant's (D) interpretation of the law was "on point," though they don't like the law itself. "In other words, we don't think that the Secretary of State is politicizing her role here, but we do think the code itself has been politicized in the legislative sessions."

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Supreme Court vacancy

Coburn Asks Kagan To 'Set A New Standard': Answer Questions! (VIDEO)

Christina Bellantoni | June 28, 2010, 5:54PM

Coburn at Kagan confirmation hearing

Sen. Tom Coburn didn't mince words today when he acknowledged that Supreme Court confirmation hearings are often newsless snoozefests. Coburn (R-OK) said today during the Senate Judiciary Committee's opening session for Elena Kagan's Supreme Court nomination that the hearings can be a disservice to the nation since nominees just "dance" around their beliefs.

Coburn framed his request to Kagan that she "set a new standard where you really answer questions" around an appeal to her patriotism and a desire to change what many say is a broken process. "Why should we have this dance if we're not going to find out real answers about real issues about what you really believe?"

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Afghanistan

McChrystal Tells Army He'll Retire

Ben Frumin | June 28, 2010, 5:42PM

General Stanley McChrystal

Now it looks like General Stanley McChrystal is really out. After being relieved of his command in Afghanistan last week by President Barack Obama, McChrystal has informed the army that he's retiring, the Associated Press reports.

Army spokesman Col. Tom Collins said McChrystal notified the service of his plans on Monday, but he has not yet submitted formal retirement papers. It is not clear when he will leave the service, but the process usually take a few months.

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WV-SEN

West Virginia Sec. of State: No Election For Byrd's Seat Until 2012

Eric Kleefeld | June 28, 2010, 5:24PM

The Late Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV)

West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant (D) has announced that there will not be an election for the Senate seat formerly held by the late Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd until 2012 -- with Gov. Joe Manchin (D) set to make an appointment to serve until that time.

West Virginia's state law was ambiguous, even confusing, on this whole subject. In her remarks, Tennant even referred to it as "an interesting document." If the vacancy occurs with less than two years and six months in the term (the key date being this coming July 3), then the law doesn't require any further special election until Byrd's term would have come up anyway, at the regular election in 2012. So it might seem as if there should be a special election this year.

But here's the catch: The filing period and primaries already passed us by this year. With the state apparently not required to set up a new special election filing, that means there will not be another election until the next filing period in 2012. And when that election does get held, there will in fact be two elections -- one for the regular term that would have come up in 2012, and another for the final five weeks of Byrd's term, with the winner replacing the appointed Senator.

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Financial Reform

Feingold Will Vote To Block Wall Street Bill

Brian Beutler | June 28, 2010, 5:09PM

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI)

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) is officially out. Feingold insists he will vote to block the final Wall Street reform legislation, after the end-stage negotiations failed to strengthen the bill.

"As I have indicated for some time now, my test for the financial regulatory reform bill is whether it will prevent another crisis," reads a statement from Feingold's office. "The conference committee's proposal fails that test and for that reason I will not vote to advance it. During debate on the bill, I supported several efforts to break up 'too big to fail' Wall Street banks and restore the proven safeguards established after the Great Depression separating Main Street banks from big Wall Street firms, among other issues. Unfortunately, these crucial reforms were rejected. While there are some positive provisions in the final measure, the lack of strong reforms is clear confirmation that Wall Street lobbyists and their allies in Washington continue to wield significant influence on the process."

Still no word from Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the other Democrat who opposed the legislation from the left. If she doesn't change her vote, the Wall Street bill will be in limbo. On Friday, Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) threatened to retract his support for the bill. Between that and Robert Byrd's death this morning, the Wall Street bill will not have enough votes to pass, at least until Byrd's successor is seated.

Financial Reform

Obama Administration Sided With Scott Brown On Wall Street Bill Loophole

Brian Beutler | June 28, 2010, 4:46PM

President Obama and State Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA)

As the final Wall Street negotiations came to a close last week, the Obama administration quietly sided with Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) against most Democrats in support of a loophole in one of the key provisions of the financial reform bill.

Several Democratic Hill aides tell TPMDC that the Treasury Department, which wielded tremendous influence over the shape of the legislation, changed its position on the Volcker rule during the final deliberations, endorsing an exemption that will allow banks to invest in outside hedge funds.

"Treasury's official position went from opposed to [the loophole] to supportive," one aide says. "They may have [even] overshot Brown's desires by a bit."

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Supreme Court vacancy

Thurgood Marshall Takes Center Stage At Kagan Hearings (VIDEO)

Christina Bellantoni | June 28, 2010, 4:27PM

The late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.

Looks like Senate Judiciary Republicans have at least one unified talking point today: Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American to ever serve on the Supreme Court, was an "activist judge." As Elena Kagan kept on her listening face, multiple senators slammed both Marshall's judicial philosophy and her service as his clerk in the late 1980s.

Ranking member Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) criticized Kagan for having "associated herself with well-known activist judges who have used their power to redefine the meaning of our constitution and have the result of advancing that judge's preferred social policies," citing Marshall as his son, Thurgood Marshall Jr., sat in the audience of the Judiciary Committee hearings.

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Elena Kagan

Leahy: Conservative Judges Are The True Activists On Today's Court (VIDEO)

Megan Carpentier | June 28, 2010, 3:42PM

leahy, kagan confirmation hearing

In his opening statement in Elena Kagan's confirmation hearing today, Sen. Pat Leahy (D-VT) took a moment to reflect on who he believes are the real activist judges on the Supreme Court. And his determination was, as one would expect, rather different than what Republicans would have Americans believe.

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2012 elections

Poll: Texas GOPers Don't Want GOP Gov. Rick Perry To Run For President

Eric Kleefeld | June 28, 2010, 3:39PM

Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX)

A new survey of Texas by Public Policy Polling (D) finds that even though Gov. Rick Perry has mobilized his Republican base on a Tea Party platform, there is nevertheless no appetite for their favorite son to seek the presidency. In a Republican presidential primary, Perry is way at the back of the pack.

The numbers: Newt Gingrich 23%, Mike Huckabee 18%, Palin 17%, Romney 14%, and finally Rick Perry and fellow Texan Ron Paul at 8% each. The survey of GOP primary voters has a ±4.38% margin of error. Furthermore only 14% of GOP primary voters think Perry should run for president, with 63% saying he should not.

"We still are very far away from the primary election. However it is interesting that Texas Republicans prefer leading national Republicans over their own Governor," writes PPP president Dean Debnam "especially when they chose Governor Perry over Senator Hutchinson, who many considered a Washington insider." (Referring to Perry's landslide win in his Republican primary this past March, when he was challenged by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.)

Late Update: Perry really was dead last. When asked for comment, PPP told us that Ron Paul received exactly one more respondent than Perry did, with both rounding to 8%. Keep in mind that this difference has absolutely no statistical value, of course -- but it sure is entertaining.

SC-GOV

Poll: Haley Leads Dem Sheheen In SC-GOV -- But Margin Narrows

Eric Kleefeld | June 28, 2010, 1:10PM

SC Gov. candidates Nikki Haley (R) and Vincent Sheheen (D)

The new Rasmussen poll of the South Carolina gubernatorial race gives Republican state Rep. Nikki Haley a double-digit lead over her Democratic opponent, state Sen. Vincent Sheheen. Interestingly, though, this poll suggests that Haley may have gotten the opposite of a bump from her landslide win in last week's GOP primary runoff -- with her lead against Sheheen narrowing.

The numbers: Haley 52%, Sheheen 40%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4.5% margin of error. In the previous poll from two weeks ago, during the runoff campaign, Haley led Sheheen by 55%-34%, a greater margin than her opponent Gresham Barrett's 46%-38% lead over Sheheen.

The TPM Poll Average gives Haley a lead of 50.3%-36.0%.

Supreme Court vacancy

Kagan Will Promise To Keep An 'Open Mind'

Christina Bellantoni | June 28, 2010, 12:12PM

Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan.

Solicitor General Elena Kagan today will introduce herself to the Senate Judiciary Committee by promising she would adhere to the law, respect the "choices made by the American people," and keep an "open mind" while serving on the nation's highest bench. Kagan will talk about deference to politicians and the democratic process.

"The Supreme Court, of course, has the responsibility of ensuring that our government never oversteps its proper bounds or violates the rights of individuals. But the Court must also recognize the limits on itself and respect the choices made by the American people," she will say today, according to excerpts distributed by the White House. Kagan planned to talk about the phrase engraved on the Supreme Court building just down the street from the hearing room: "Equal Justice Under Law."

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2012 elections

Santorum Backs McChrystal, Says Obama Should 'Bear Some Of The Responsibility'

Eric Kleefeld | June 28, 2010, 12:10PM

Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA)

At least one potential Republican presidential candidate is squarely taking Gen. Stanley McChrystal's side, saying that President Obama should not have sacked the general and should have instead taken responsibility for the insults coming from the general and his top aides.

Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) told the Quad-City Times in Iowa that McChrystal's comments did not merit replacing him. Santorum said that if he had been president in that situation, he would have felt "chastened" that his hand-picked general had said such things. "I would think, you know, I bear some of the responsibility and I would act differently," said Santorum.

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Barack Obama

Obama On Byrd: 'The People Of West Virginia Have Lost A True Champion'

Eric Lach | June 28, 2010, 12:05PM

President Barack Obama

President Barack Obama has issued a statement to mark the passing of Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV), the longest serving senator in U.S. history.

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Stanley McChrystal

Poll: Americans Approve Of Obama's Decision To Remove McChrystal

Eric Lach | June 28, 2010, 11:35AM

President Obama and former Afghanistan top commander General Stanley McChrystal.

A new USA Today/Gallup poll finds that a majority of Americans support the President's decision to relieve Gen. Stanley McChrystal of his duty in Afghanistan.

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WV-SEN

Legal Situation Unclear On Possible Special Election For Byrd's Seat

Eric Kleefeld | June 28, 2010, 11:01AM

The late Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) and Governor Joe Manchin (D-WV)

The legal and political situation surrounding the Senate seat formerly held by the late Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) remains murky for now. West Virginia's governor will undoubtedly appoint Byrd's replacement. But it remains unclear whether that successor will serve the full remainder of Byrd's term through 2012, or whether a special election will also be held this year.

State law provides for an appointment in any case. If the vacancy occurs with less than two years and six months in the term (the key date being this coming July 3), then the law doesn't require any further special election until Byrd's term would have come up anyway, at the regular election in 2012. With a vacancy of more than two years and six months, the law calls for a special election, with a temporary appointment.

But when does a vacancy officially occur? Is it when Byrd died last night? Upon the state officially declaring a vacancy? Or the Senate officially declaring a vacancy? So far, no definite answers have been revealed.

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Al Gore

DCCC Uses Al Gore To Raise Money, Despite Assault Allegation

Brian Beutler | June 28, 2010, 10:57AM

Former Vice President Al Gore

In a bid to keep pace with House Republicans, Democrats are sending supporters a fundraising letter from former Vice President Al Gore, who's been under media scrutiny for several days after the National Enquirer brought to light an allegation, first raised last year, that Gore sexually assaulted a hotel masseuse in 2006.

"After eight years of the Bush-Cheney administration, America is now beset with major challenges: A massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, an economic downturn that has put good people out of work, and a crisis that I have dedicated my life to solving -- global warming," the DCCC letter reads. "And yet, Republicans are asking for another turn at the wheel."

I've confirmed the authenticity of the letter, and am told that Gore signed off on it, making it in essence his first public statement since the allegations were disclosed. Of course, it's common for both Democrats and Republicans to use surrogates in fundraising pitches, and Gore no doubt still enjoys a great deal of support among Democratic voters. And obviously Gore hasn't been charged with, tried for, or convicted of anything. But it's hard to deny that the recent news makes him a lightning rod.

You can read the entire email below the fold.

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AL-02

Rick Barber's New Ad Features 'Lincoln' Condemning 'Slavery' Of Taxes And Welfare (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | June 28, 2010, 10:00AM

A new ad from AL-02 candidate Rick Barber (R).

The Tea Party-backed candidate for the Republican nomination in the Dem-held AL-02 district is up with a new ad in which he declares that the modern system of taxation and social safety nets is a form of "slavery" -- and he is using an Abraham Lincoln impersonator to back him up.

Rick Barber's new ad follows up from his previous spot, in which Barber promised to seek President Obama's impeachment, and a George Washington impersonator told viewers to "gather your armies" against the tyranny of the Obama administration.

"Hey Abe," Barber asks. "If someone is forced to work for months to pay taxes so that a total stranger can get a free meal, medical procedure or a bailout, what's that called? What's it called when one man is forced to work for another?"

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Robert Byrd

In Passing, Byrd Leaves Dems One Vote Shy Of Wall Street Reform

Brian Beutler | June 28, 2010, 9:50AM

The late Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV)

Today the Senate will mourn the passing of its longest serving member in history, Robert Byrd (D-WV). But by week's end, Democrats want to pass final -- and unamendable -- legislation, rewriting the rules that govern Wall Street. And they have no margin for error -- or for losing a colleague.

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Supreme Court vacancy

Supreme Snooze Or Surprising Sass? TPM's Guide To The Kagan Hearings

Christina Bellantoni | June 28, 2010, 9:10AM

Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan

Solicitor General Elena Kagan this afternoon will sit down before nineteen senators, dozens of snapping cameras and the entire political world, prepared to dodge questions rather than reveal any personal leanings and charm the Senate Judiciary Committee with her knowledge of Supreme Court precedent. Senators will talk (and talk), make political points about their own pet issues and milk their moments on a national stage.

There will be plenty of discussion of precedents, but if precedent is any indicator, Kagan's confirmation hearings will either be supremely boring or extremely interesting. We handicap the possibility of either, after the jump.

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2010 elections

Tea Party Convention Postponed -- Vegas In July Is Too Hot!

Christina Bellantoni | June 28, 2010, 8:30AM

A planned "unity" convention for tea partiers is being pushed to the fall, with organizers scrapping a major gathering with just 19 days before it was scheduled to go off. They cited heat and not being professional event planners, but the abrupt change in plans without a new date firmed up doesn't bode well for the fledgling group.

Tea Party Nation announced in an email to members this weekend that their "unity" convention, planned for July 15-17 in Las Vegas, would be delayed. Organizers didn't give a new date, but said in an email obtained by TPM they think holding it closer to the midterm elections would help the movement's "momentum." It's not clear yet if keynote speaker Senate nominee Sharron Angle (R-NV) will still be attending or if anyone who already booked rooms at the ritzy Palazzo where the convention was to be held or who paid the $399 registration fee will get refunds.

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Robert Byrd

Flashback: Sen. Byrd's Speech on Eve of Iraq War (VIDEO)

Josh Marshall | June 28, 2010, 8:30AM

Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) died overnight in a Washington area hospital. He was 92. In recent years he was perhaps best known for his fervent opposition to the Iraq War. After the jump see video and transcript of his speech delivered the day before the Iraq War began, March 19th, 2003 ...

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FL-SEN

Are Democrats Abandoning Kendrick Meek In Florida?

Evan McMorris-Santoro | June 28, 2010, 8:29AM

Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-FL)

Gov. Charlie Crist is becoming the de facto Democratic nominee in the Florida Senate race, and there's evidence that Democratic donors are starting to line up behind him. That's not good news for the party's actual choice in the race, Rep. Kendrick Meek.

Since abandoning the Republican Party in the face of a challenge from Marco Rubio, Crist has pulled left on issues near and dear to organized labor and other classically Democratic constituency groups. So far, most of the groups that endorsed Meek early have praised Crist's moves but have stayed with Meek.

In Friday's St. Petersburg Times, however, there's evidence Democratic fundraising machinery is leaving Meek behind.

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