TPMDC Ann Kirkpatrick
AZ-SEN
AZ Dem: Giffords Should Have 'Right Of First Refusal' On 2012 Senate Race
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ)
There could be a significant delay before any Democratic candidates declare for the Senate seat of Republican Whip Jon Kyl, who has announced his retirement. As TPMDC has learned, for some time one of the top possible Dem candidates for the seat has been Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who is in physical therapy after she was shot in the head during a constituent event last month.
A Democratic source in Arizona told us that possible candidates for the seat include Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, former Reps. Harry Mitchell and Ann Kirkpatrick (who were defeated in the 2010 Republican wave), and 2010 candidate for attorney general Felecia Rotellini. Interestingly, the source said there had not been indications that Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, who was previously the state's two-term governor, might run.
However, the source said, Giffords had long been viewed as a top-tier candidate to either challenge Kyl or run for an open seat, before the events in January. "In our view, she ought to have the right of first refusal," the source said, "and hopefully others will allow her the space and time to recover and make that decision."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: 2012 elections, AZ-SEN, Ann Kirkpatrick, Gabrielle Giffords, Harry Mitchell, Janet Napolitano, Jon Kyl, Phil Gordon, Senate '12
Democrats
Dead Dems Walking: TPM's List Of Candidates Who've Been Written Off By Their Party
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer with other House Democrats
Returns for 435 House elections will start rolling in a few hours from now. Well before they do, though, most Dems had long conceded that more than a handful of races are already lost. With these seats for all intents and purposes off the table before the polls opened, the number of truly contested seats the GOP needs to win control of the House is effectively much smaller than the magic 39.
Assuming the House does change hands, then, the big open question is how big the swing will be. There are scores of seats in play, but the battle lines have already moved past over a dozen House members who, in most cases, have already been written off by their own party.
If you're keeping score tonight, don't hold your breath for any of these Democrats.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: 2010 elections, Alan Grayson, Allen Boyd, Ann Kirkpatrick, Bart Gordon, Betsy Markey, Brad Ellsworth, Carol Shea-Porter, Charlie Melancon, Chet Edwards, Democrats, Dennis Moore, Dina Titus, Glenn Nye, Harry Teague, Jerry McNerney, Jim Marshall, John Boccieri, John Spratt, John Tanner, Kathy Dahlkemper, Mary Jo Kilroy, Paul Kanjorski, Scott Murphy, Steve Driehaus, Steve Kagen, Suzanne Kosmas, Vic Snyder
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
House To Vote On Jobs Bill
The House is set to vote today on a $15 billion jobs bill, which was passed last week in the Senate. Due to modifications made in the House, the Senate will have to vote on the measure again before President Obama can sign it.
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama and Vice President Biden will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET, and the economic daily briefing at 10 a.m. ET. Obama will meet with senior advisers at 10:30 a.m. ET. Obama will sign the Travel Promotion Act at 11:35 a.m. ET. Obama and Biden will meet with Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner at 3 p.m. ET.
Topics: Ann Kirkpatrick, Barack Obama, Bob Corker, Brazil, Financial Crisis, Gerry Connolly, Health Care, Hillary Clinton, Iran, Jobs, Roundup
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