House '10

DCCC Beating NRCC In Money Game

Eric Kleefeld | November 20, 2009, 3:00PM

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH)

Republicans may have high hopes for picking up House seats in 2010. But for now, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is easily outpacing the National Republican Congressional Committee in fundraising and cash on hand, for the filing period that ended October 31.

The DCCC raised $3.76 million, spent $3.98 million, and has $14.25 million cash on hand, with $3.3 million in debts.

The NRCC raised $3.44 million, spent $3.59 million, and has $4.17 million on hand, with $2 million in debts.

Subtracting each group's debt from its cash on hand, the DCCC has an effective net worth of $10.95 million, to only $2.17 million for the NRCC.

Both parties spent more than they took in for October, due to the NY-23 special election -- in which the Democrats picked up a Republican-held seat, and activists conservatives forced the moderate Republican nominee out of the race, in favor of a conservative third-party candidate.

Blanche Lincoln

Poll: Blanche Lincoln Could Lose In 2010 If She Supports Health Care Bill

Eric Kleefeld | November 19, 2009, 5:11PM

Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)

A new Zogby poll suggests that Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) could seriously endanger her 2010 re-election by supporting the health care bill.

In initial match-ups, Lincoln leads state Sen. Gilbert Baker by 41%-39%, within the ±4.5% margin of error, and has a healthier lead of 45%-29% over state Sen. Kim Hendren.

In a series of follow-up questions, respondents were then asked how they would feel if Lincoln supported the bill. In a new match-up with Baker, Lincoln's previous edge of 41%-39% turns into a Baker lead of 49%-37%.

Michele Bachmann

Franken Raising Money For Bachmann Opponent Clark

Eric Kleefeld | November 18, 2009, 2:42PM

Senator Al Franken (D-MN), Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Sen. Al Franken (D-MN), one of the most prominent liberals in his state, is now raising money for state Sen. Tarryl Clark, the leading Democratic candidate to challenge one of Minnesota's most prominent conservatives, Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann.

Interestingly, Franken shies away from directly attacking Bachmann in a new fundraising letter, but instead praises Clark's record in public service. The closest he gets to a direct attack on Bachmann is this:

P.S. The eyes of the nation - and Michele Bachmann's right-wing allies - will be on this race. You can make sure Tarryl gets off to a strong start by joining Franni and me in supporting her today.

Franken's wife Franni has already been involved in fundraising for Clark's campaign. Clark has an opponent for the nomination, Maureen Reed, a former state university regent and the 2006 Independence Party nominee for Lt. Governor.

Joseph Cao

Americans United To Run Another Ad Praising GOP Rep. Joseph Cao

Eric Kleefeld | November 18, 2009, 11:31AM

Rep. Joseph Cao (R-LA)

Rep. Joseph Cao (R-LA) is getting more support for his status as the only House Republican to support health care reform -- from the pro-Barack Obama, labor-backed group Americans United For Change.

Americans United has already run an ad in support of Cao, as part of their ad campaigns praising key swing members who voted in favor of the bill. And they'll be having another one soon, too, the Hotline reports.

Cao is widely seen as a vulnerable incumbent going into 2010, having been elected in an upset against an indicted (and later convicted) Democratic incumbent in a district that voted 75% for Barack Obama.

AR-02

Poll: Dem Congressman Vic Snyder In Dead Heat With GOPer Tim Griffin

Eric Kleefeld | November 16, 2009, 9:47AM

Rep. Vic Snyder (D-AR) and former U.S. Atty. Tim Griffin (R)

A new survey in Arkansas by Public Policy Polling (D) finds Democratic Rep. Vic Snyder in a dead heat with Republican challenger Tim Griffin -- a "star" of the U.S. Attorney scandal in 2007.

The numbers: Snyder 44%, Griffin 43%, within the ±4.9% margin of error. Against the other GOP candidates, Snyder leads Army veteran and Republican activist David Meeks by 45%-42%, and is ahead of restaurateur Scott Wallace by 44%-42%.

The Republican candidates are essentially unknowns, but Snyder's job approval is only 42%, with a 46% plurality disapproval. In addition, President Obama's approval rating in the district is only 41%-52%.

Alan Grayson

Why Does The GOP Not Want Their Current Candidate Against Grayson?

Eric Kleefeld | November 12, 2009, 6:12PM

FL-08 Candidate Armando Gutierrez (R) and Rep. Alan Grayson (D)

The Republican efforts to find a candidate against the fiery liberal Democrat Alan Grayson continue -- with a focus on finding someone else besides the current de facto frontrunner, 28-year old real estate developer Armando Gutierrez. So what exactly is their problem with him?

Gutierrez, who comes from a politically well-connected family in the Miami Cuban community, has picked up some decent endorsements so far, including Rep. Tom Rooney (R-FL), several state legislators, and George P. Bush, the son of former Gov. Jeb Bush. However, other candidates could still get in -- state Rep. Kurt Kelly says he might get in if nobody better opts for it, and Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty, who previously shied away from the race, now says he's staying out "for now."

A Republican source told us that local GOPers aren't accepting Gutierrez, due to youth and inexperience, and the fact that he is seen as having moved into the Orlando district from Miami to buy the nomination. "A lot of people think you need an adult to contrast with Alan Grayson's childish behavior," the source said. "So let's be honest, Armando Gutierrez is 28 years old, and doesn't have much of a résumé in terms of creating jobs or influencing public policy or anything like that."

Read more »

Alan Grayson

Report: GOP Candidate Against Grayson Alienating Local Republicans

Eric Kleefeld | November 11, 2009, 12:57PM

FL-08 Candidate Armando Gutierrez (R) and Rep. Alan Grayson (D)

Republicans could still be having trouble with candidate recruitment against Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL), The Hill reports -- specifically, from local Republicans who are unhappy with the current de facto frontrunner for the nomination.

Grayson, of course, is the fiery liberal best known for saying the GOP's health care plan is for sick people to "die quickly," and who also called former Vice President Dick Cheney a vampire, and referred to a female lobbyist as a "K Street whore." Although Grayson represents a swing seat, Republicans have had trouble recruiting a top-tier challenger, with many potential recruits shying away.

Into the void has stepped Armando Gutierrez, a 28-year-old real estate developer who has moved to Orlando from Miami, in order to run for the seat. "He's pissing people off a lot," said an anonymous local GOP operative. "He's very pushy and is an unknown commodity, and people are jealously guarding their prerogatives."

Gutierrez brushed off the criticism. "As long as I keep getting calls and people want to meet me in Central Florida, I'm happy," said Gutierrez. "As long as that continues to happen, the momentum and the will of the people is going our way."

Franni Franken

Franni Franken Working To Defeat Bachmann -- And Becoming Friends With Bachmann, Too!

Eric Kleefeld | November 10, 2009, 4:00PM

Franni Franken, Rep. Michele Bachman (R-MN)

Sen. Al Franken's (D-MN) wife Franni has been taking an active role in his Senate office and in Minnesota politics, the Star-Tribune reports in a new profile of her -- and could be making some very unlikely friends along the way:

Franni Franken has also begun to explore the political side as well as the policy and will co-host a fundraiser this month for Tarryl Clark, a state senator seeking the DFL endorsement in a race to unseat Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann.

But when Franken found herself this summer sitting on an airplane next to Bachmann, the two bonded unexpectedly over a love of good deals and spent the plane ride swapping local bargain spots.

Health Care

MoveOn Starts TV Campaign Against Democrats Who Opposed Health Care, Planning More

Christina Bellantoni | November 9, 2009, 5:19PM

Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC)

MoveOn is targeting Blue Dog Democrats and one Republican who voted against the House health care bill Saturday night with tough TV ads suggesting they are supportive of a "broken" status quo.

The "first round" of 30-second ads go after Reps. Mike Ross (D-AR), Jason Altmire (D-PA), Glenn Nye (D-VA), Rick Boucher (D-VA), Larry Kissell (D-NC), Heath Shuler (D-NC) and Lee Terry (R-NE).

(For more on these Dems check out Eric's smart post on their districts.)

"The health care bill that passed the House this weekend was a historic opportunity to fix our broken health care system," said MoveOn executive director Justin Ruben.

"MoveOn members will make sure that Representatives who did the right thing know they can count on the support of their base, and that those who stuck with the insurance companies and voted for the status quo will face real political consequences," he added.

They also are planning thank-you events and print ad campaigns in the home districts of members who voted for the plan.

Read more »

Joseph Cao

Club For Growth: Challenging Cao In GOP Primary 'Would Be A Waste Of Money' For His District

Eric Kleefeld | November 9, 2009, 1:21PM

Rep. Joseph Cao (R-LA)

Rep. Joseph Cao (R-LA) may have an interesting built-in line of defense against Republicans who would want to seek retribution over his vote for the health care bill: His overwhelmingly Democratic district.

I asked Club For Growth executive director David Keating, whose group has often supported insurgent conservatives -- Marco Rubio, Pat Toomey, Stephen Laffey and Doug Hoffman, just to name a few -- whether the group might support a primary against Cao. "Our PAC doesn't plan on backing any primary challengers to him," said Keating, "because it would be a waste of money, probably, for the general election."

Cao's district, centered around New Orleans, voted 75%-23% for Barack Obama in November 2008, by far the most Democratic district to be currently represented by a Republican. Cao won a shocking 50%-47% victory in a specially scheduled December election (due to hurricane damage) against Democratic Rep. William Jefferson, who was then under indictment and was later convicted on corruption charges.

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Joseph Cao

Who Is Joseph Cao?

Eric Kleefeld | November 8, 2009, 12:01AM

Rep. Joseph Cao (R-LA)

So who is Rep. Joseph Cao (R-LA), the one Republican who voted yes on the House Democrats' health care bill?

Cao was first elected to Congress in 2008 from the solidly-Democratic New Orleans district, winning a shocking victory against Democratic Rep. William Jefferson, who was then under indictment (and was later convicted) on corruption charges. Over the course of his life, he was a child refugee from Vietnam, a former Jesuit seminarian, and an attorney.

Cao's district voted 75%-23% for Barack Obama in 2008, but Cao was able to beat Jefferson in a December election (held at that time because of the rescheduling of some Louisiana Congressional elections, due to a hurricane). Cao had held out on voting for this bill -- he is strongly pro-life and wanted full assurances that abortion would not be funded -- but his vote for final passage, after the passage of the Stupak Amendment, could give him a positive card to play with his Democratic constituents.

Ironically, right after Cao was elected, the House GOP boasted of his upset win as a sign of the GOP's comeback, and that he presented a path to future victories. House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) declared: "The Future Is Cao."

Tea Party

GOP Could Face More Challenges From Right, After NY-23

Eric Kleefeld | November 6, 2009, 5:06PM

Capitol Hill, Tea-Party Rally

In the wake of the NY-23 right-wing revolt, could the GOP be on the verge of seeing even more challenges from the activist right? Some recent developments suggest that the natives are getting restless.

• NRCC chairman Pete Sessions is being challenged in the Republican primary by David Smith, a corporate financial analyst. Smith told us that the NY-23 mess was not a factor in his decision -- but it should help him in attacking Sessions: "It's nice to have my opponent in the national news for a bad reason at the same time I'm announcing my candidacy."

• Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL) is facing a Republican primary challenge from Jason Sager, a currently unemployed audio-visual engineer. Sager specifically cited Brown-Waite's having campaigned for Dede Scozzafava, the moderate Republican nominee in NY-23 who ultimately dropped out of the race and endorsed Democrat Bill Owens, as a reason for his challenge.

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Pete Sessions

Tea Party Activist Challenging NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions In GOP Primary

Eric Kleefeld | November 6, 2009, 3:23PM

Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX)

Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX), the chairman of the NRCC, may have another problem on his hands in addition to the House GOP's recent woes in the NY-23 race: A primary challenge from a conservative activist back home.

David Smith, a corporate financial analyst, has declared his candidacy against Sessions in the Republican primary, citing the budget deficit, federal spending, and Sessions' votes for the Wall Street bailout as his main issues.

In an interview with TPM, Smith said that he has participated in Tea Parties as an activist, though he has not been an organizer, and explained that those events are motivated by the same issues of spending in Washington that he's long been concerned about. "And that begun under Republican control of the House and Senate and Republican control of the White House," said Smith. "I know it didn't boil over into marches in the streets and to the White House until a Democrat got elected, but that happened because Republicans weren't doing what people wanted, and Pete was a part of that."

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Michele Bachmann

Bachmann Celebrates Capitol Hill Tea Party In Fundraising E-Mail

Eric Kleefeld | November 5, 2009, 6:03PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) sent out this fundraising e-mail, celebrating the Capitol Hill Tea Party that she had taken a key role in organizing and promoting:

Dear Patriot,

As I write this note, thousands of everyday Americans have come to Washington to speak their mind about the misguided health care bill that Speaker Pelosi and President Obama are pushing through Congress.

What an awe-inspiring sight! These people came by plane, by train, by car and by bus. They drove overnight and they gave up their precious free time to share one message with this Congress: Keep your hands off my health care!

Less than one week from when I put out the call to the American people to come to Washington and pay this emergency house call on Congress, they're here and they're ready to stand up for their freedoms.

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Sarah Palin

Palin: NY-23 Race Isn't Over, 'Just Postponed Until 2010'

Eric Kleefeld | November 4, 2009, 12:57PM

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin

Former Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK), whose endorsement of Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman in the NY-23 special election helped to give him a huge boost against moderate Republican nominee Dede Scozzafava, posted this note last night on her Facebook account, commenting on Hoffman's defeat by Democrat Bill Owens:

The race for New York's 23rd District is not over, just postponed until 2010. The issues of this election have always centered on the economy - on the need for fiscal restraint, smaller government, and policies that encourage jobs. In 2010, these issues will be even more crucial to the electorate. I commend Doug Hoffman and all the other under-dog candidates who have the courage to put themselves out there and run against the odds.

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Alan Grayson

Grayson Raises Half-Million In 'Money-Bomb' Fundraiser

Eric Kleefeld | November 3, 2009, 10:52AM

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL)

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) was able to raise a half-million dollars in his "money-bomb" fundraiser -- a single day of massive online donations -- a solid amount that ought to go a long way towards him fighting out his 2010 campaign, in which the Republicans have had trouble recruiting a big-name candidate to oppose the fiery left-winger.

According to Grayson's official page for the fundraiser, he has taken in $507,125.

Let's compare that to another recent money-bomb, by Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), who urged her supporters to "send the left a message." In her case, Bachmann only took in about $100,000.

Grayson had a definite public-relations strategy for his money drive, having spent about two weeks promoting the scheduled fundraiser in his TV appearances and other venues, and he built up pledges that could be quickly collected in the morning. Bachmann did not have any similar pledge operation, and as a result Grayson outdid her by a five-to-one ratio.

Alan Grayson

Grayson Conducting Money-Bomb Fundraiser, To Reward 'Congressman With Guts'

Eric Kleefeld | November 2, 2009, 11:50AM

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL)

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) is conducting a "money-bomb" fundraiser today -- a single day of big fundraising -- in an effort to show that Americans support him as a self-proclaimed "Congressman With Guts."

Grayson had promoted this fundraiser for the last two weeks, and was building up pledges that could then be quickly collected in the morning.

So far, he's at $354,307, closing in on his official goal of $400,000. Let's see how he does for the whole day.

NRCC

GOP: Pelosi Driving Dem House Members Off A Cliff

Eric Kleefeld | October 29, 2009, 11:27AM

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

NRCC communications director Ken Spain released this statement on the House Democrats' unveiling of their health care bill, making it clear that the GOP will try to keep on using this issue as a cudgel against Democrats in swing districts:

"The lasting image coming out of today's press conference is one of dozens of House Democrats standing proudly behind an incredibly unpopular Nancy Pelosi as she prepares to lead them off a political cliff. Not only will the Democrats' government takeover of healthcare lead to increased costs, higher taxes, and cuts to Medicare, it also feeds into the emerging narrative that Nancy Pelosi and her puppets are more interested in creating government even if it comes at the expense of creating jobs."

Alan Grayson

Grayson's Office: Let's Be Clear About Context of 'K Street Whore' Comment

Eric Kleefeld | October 27, 2009, 1:10PM

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL)

Rep. Alan Grayson's (D-FL) office is making clear that when he referred to a female lobbyist a "K Street whore" during a radio interview, he was only referring to her professional career, not her personal life.

CBS News reports that Grayson spokesman Todd Jurkowski told them:

"Let's be clear about the context," he said. "The attack was on her professional career, not her personal life."

"She attacked the Congressman and his efforts to promote a Republican bill to audit the Federal Reserve," Jurkowski said. "She actually questioned his understanding of the difference between fiscal and monetary policy. She had the audacity to attack a Congressman who used to be an economist. She's a career lobbyist who used to work for Enron and advocates for whatever she gets paid to promote."

Alan Grayson

Grayson Opponent Attacks 'K Street Whore' Comment

Eric Kleefeld | October 27, 2009, 12:46PM

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL)

One of Rep. Alan Grayson's (D-FL) Republican opponents is seizing on his newly-unearthed comment, in which he called a female lobbyist a "K Street whore."

Armando Gutierrez, a real estate developer who moved from Miami to Orlando in order to run against Grayson, has a new press release:

The tragedy of this is that the gross recklessness of statements such as this seems to be lost on Grayson.

From accusing Republicans of murder on the scale of Holocaust to labeling an honorable public servant a "whore," Grayson has once again shown America that he is, to borrow the words of his fellow Democrat, Rep. Anthony Weiner of New York, "one fry short of a happy meal."

Grayson seems to be giving Republicans no shortage of opposition-research material against him for 2010, and this latest episode is no exception. The full press release is available after the jump.

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Alan Grayson

Grayson Calls Lobbyist 'K Street Whore'

Eric Kleefeld | October 27, 2009, 9:49AM

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL)

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) -- the man best known for saying that the Republican health care plan is for Americans who get to "die quickly," and for calling former Vice President Dick Cheney a vampire with blood dripping from his teeth -- may have gone a bit too far in one of his latest rhetorical excesses, calling lobbyist Linda Robertson, who used to advise Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, a "K Street whore."

The comments were made a month ago, when Grayson appeared on the radio show of right-wing talker Alex Jones, and was just discovered and circulated by the NRCC. "Here I am, the only Member of Congress who actually worked as an economist. And she's, this lobbyist, this K Street whore, is trying to teach me about economics," said Grayson.

Grayson spokesman Todd Jurkowski stood by the Congressman's comments, telling the Orlando Sentinel in an e-mail: "She attacked the Congressman and his efforts to promote a Republican bill to audit the Federal Reserve. She actually questioned his understanding of the difference between fiscal and monetary policy. This is [a] person who used to be the chief lobbyist for Enron attacking the intelligence and motives of a Congressman who used to be an economist."

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Fundraising

VP Biden Raises Cash In Ohio For Rep. Kilroy And Lauds Stimulus

Christina Bellantoni | October 26, 2009, 12:53PM

Vice President Biden is on a fundraising blitz helping Democratic candidate in Ohio today, and offered a defense of the economic stimulus.

Per a pool report, Biden spoke for 30 minutes at the $1,000-per-plate fundraiser for freshman Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy (D-OH) and also posted for photos with donors for $2,400 each.

Biden touted Ohio-specfic stimulus jobs and benefits but went after the Bush administration as leaving President Obama an economy in peril.

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Alan Grayson

GOP Candidate Filing Ethics Complaint Against Grayson

Eric Kleefeld | October 22, 2009, 10:54AM

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL)

Patricia Sullivan, a Tea Party organizer seeking the Republican nomination against Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL), is filing a complaint with the Office of Congressional Ethics over Grayson's use of the House floor to promote his "Names of the Dead" Web site:

As a Mom, Patricia has learned to apply swift correction to bad behavior. She will be filing a complaint with the Office of Congressional Ethics later today. It is her hope and desire that the OCE will forward the complaint to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.

If the committee sees fit to censure the violations of Representative Grayson, perhaps the residents of the 8th Congressional District will no longer be subject to the constant embarrassment they have endured over the last few months.

Grayson's office did not have any comment on Sullivan's press release. A source in the office said that they've reached out to the Ethics Committee and the House Administration Committee for their opinion, and are also speaking to their FEC attorney.

Check out the full Sullivan statement after the jump.

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Alan Grayson

GOP Candidate Switches Districts, To Run Against Grayson

Eric Kleefeld | October 19, 2009, 6:14PM

FL-08 Candidate Ken Miller (R)

Ken Miller, a Republican House candidate who had been running against freshman Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D-FL), has announced that he's switching out of that race -- and will instead be seeking the GOP nomination in an adjacent district, to go up against none other than Rep. Alan Grayson.

Miller said that he made his decision after the previous top GOP prospect for the Grayson race, former state Sen. Dan Webster, opted against running. "I have tremendous respect for Dan Webster and when he announced that he would not run against Alan Grayson, I decided that I could not let Grayson go without a credible challenge," Miller said in a statement, also adding: "My decision was influenced by Grayson's incendiary and disingenuous comments relative to Republican plans for healthcare reform."

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Michele Bachmann

Bachmann In Solid Financial Condition For 2010 Campaign

Eric Kleefeld | October 16, 2009, 5:24PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) had a strong third fundraising quarter, taking in about $345,000.

Bachmann also spent $118,000 and has a total of just under $617,000 in cash on hand.

Bachmann's two Democratic opponents, state Sen. Tarryl Clark and former state university regent Maureen Reed, both had a solid fundraising quarter, too -- but they'll first have to spend much of that money against one another.

Bachmann's district voted 53%-45% for John McCain in 2008, though Bachmann herself barely won re-election by a margin of 46%-43%, due to her controversial public statements. Will her continued media presence be enough to mobilize support against her in 2010 -- or will she win again in this conservative district?

Steve Rothman

Congressman Blasts Rumors Of Retirement As 'Creative Writing Assignment'

Eric Kleefeld | October 16, 2009, 3:53PM

Rep. Steve Rothman (D-NJ)

Rep. Steve Rothman (D-NJ) was quick to respond, and to do so in some pretty strong terms, after PolitickerNJ speculated that the Congressman might retire in light of his low fundraising this past quarter:

I wonder who gave out the creative writing assignment to suggest that I was retiring from Congress? After all, I love helping my constituents, bringing an unprecedented amount of federal dollars back to many regions in New Jersey (as our only Democratic Appropriations Committee member); and working with my House colleagues and the Obama White House in matters of our national security and foreign affairs. And I'm running for reelection in 2010, and for many years more.

Rothman also said that his political standing in New Jersey "is as good as anyone's, maybe better," and that he has more total campaign funds on hand than all but one other member of the state's congressional delegation, and he is 10th highest overall among the House Democrats.

Joe Wilson

Joe Wilson Out-Raises Rob Miller By $1 Million

Eric Kleefeld | October 16, 2009, 9:43AM

SC-02 Candidate Rob Miller (D) and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

And the winner of the money race in the wake of Rep. Joe Wilson's (R-SC) infamous "You lie!" outburst during President Obama's speech to Congress is...Joe Wilson.

Wilson raised $2.7 million in the third quarter, while his Democratic opponent Rob Miller -- who had initially enjoyed a big fundraising surge in the immediate aftermath of "You lie!" -- got $1.7 million. While Miller's total is certainly very impressive by all normal standards of House races, and especially for a race that had not been on anybody's radar before this controversy, Wilson's supporters clearly out-hustled the Dems on this one.

Miller, an Iraq war veteran, previously ran against Wilson in 2008. Wilson won that race by 54%-46%, after having previously won overwhelming landslide victories in his previous campaigns. Heading into 2010, voters will probably be seeing and hearing a lot from these two.

Joseph Cao

Cao Raises Big Money -- And Spends Almost All Of It

Eric Kleefeld | October 15, 2009, 4:42PM

Rep. Joseph Cao (R-LA)

Rep. Joseph Cao (R-LA), a freshman from the heavily Democratic New Orleans-based district, had a solid fundraising quarter of $384,113.67 -- and spent nearly all of it.

Cao spent $376,536.64 in the quarter, about 98% of his receipts, leaving him with $351,134.43 cash on hand -- practically the same as he had at the start of the quarter.

Cao's itemized disbursements show that much of the money was spent on direct mail and fundraising fees.

Cao was elected in a huge upset over the then-indicted (later convicted) Democratic Rep. Bill Jefferson, and is certain to the Democrats' top target in 2010.

Michele Bachmann

Michele Bachmann Fundraising Sends A Message To The Left --Sort Of

Eric Kleefeld | October 15, 2009, 1:58PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

As we reported yesterday, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) yesterday launched a fundraising drive, with the intention of sending a message to the left about how Americans are fed up with the "gangster government" and "Big Sister Pelosi & Big Brother Reid," by donating a lot of money to her in one day. So how did it go?

When I checked last night at about 11 p.m. ET, Bachmann was at $83,751.38 Although it's been more than one day, the fundraising drive's Web page is still up, and as of right now shows $105,648.74.

Overall, it's not bad at all for a second-term back bencher who didn't have an immediate occasion for raising money -- as opposed to the rush of donations that accompanied Joe Wilson's "You lie!" moment or Alan Grayson's "Die quickly."

But in terms of sending a message to the left, it's probably not something that Big Sister Pelosi will be losing much sleep over.

Alan Grayson

Will Grayson Get Away Without A Real Opponent In 2010?

Eric Kleefeld | October 14, 2009, 12:53PM

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL)

Could it be that Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) -- the freshman Congressman who has become a celebrity for calling Republicans "knuckle-dragging neanderthals" who want people who get sick to "die quickly" -- could end up with only a bottom-tier Republican opponent for his swing district in 2010?

As the Orlando Sentinel reports, top potential Republican candidates have been opting out of the race: Former state Sen. Daniel Webster, Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty, state Rep. Steve Precourt, and businessman Jerry Pierce.

"That leaves a pair of Tea Party activists -- Patricia Sullivan from Eustis and Dan Fanelli of Orlando -- and transplanted Miami developer Armando Gutierrez Jr., as likely Grayson foes," the paper says. "Others are considering bids, but it seems unlikely the GOP will get someone with elected experience."

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Michele Bachmann

Bachmann: Send A Message To Left -- Donate To Me Today

Eric Kleefeld | October 14, 2009, 10:52AM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) is hoping to make today a special message to the left -- especially "Big Sister Pelosi and Big Brother Reid" -- through a mega-fundraising drive for her campaign.

The intention is send a message from the American people: "You're saying that you don't want this Gangster Government supersized!"

"We can show them that we mean business by raising money from patriots like you across the nation in a one-day fundraising blitz," said an e-mail from Bachmann's campaign. "There will be no dismissing our efforts as Astroturf -- this is the power of the People taking back their government!"

So far, she's not exactly in Ron Paul money-bomb territory, with only about $22,000 to show for it so far. But hey, the day is young, so let's see what happens. Check out the full-email after the jump.

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Alan Grayson

Top GOP Prospect Dan Webster Not Running Against Grayson

Eric Kleefeld | October 13, 2009, 5:52PM

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL)

Republicans just lost their top prospect to run against Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL), with former state Sen. Dan Webster announcing that he won't make the race.

"This has been a very difficult decision for me personally, especially because of the tremendous outpouring of support that has flooded me from all sides," said Webster, a big name among the state's religious conservatives. "However, in spite of this incredible encouragement, I still have a certain check in my spirit, prompting me to follow a principle that has always served me well: 'When in doubt, don't.'"

Grayson, of course, is the Democratic Congressman who has attacked the Republicans as having a health care plan for Americans to "die quickly," called them "knuckle-dragging neanderthals," and even borrowed the late GOP Vice President Spiro Agnew's words and called the GOP "nattering nabobs of negativism." The national GOP does not have a candidate yet, but has set up a special fund to raise money for the eventual opponent.

Florida's 8th District historically voted Republican, but went 52%-47% for Barack Obama in 2008, and elected the now-famous Grayson by 52%-48% over a Republican incumbent.

Alan Grayson

Grayson Plays It Low-Key At Town Hall

Eric Kleefeld | October 13, 2009, 12:41PM

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL)

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) held a town hall meeting on health care in his district last night -- and seemed to be doing his best to avoid controversy.

Grayson stuck to policy specifics -- though at one point he was confronted by a man who tried to turn Grayson's "die quickly" attack on the Republicans right back at him. "I'd like to know if he's aware that it was actually Richard Lamm, Democratic Governor of Colorado, in 1984, who said it's your duty to die if you get sick," the man said. "And I think that that's a hypocritical statement of yours, to tar other people with something that the Democrats said."

"You have mischaracterized what I said, you've mischaracterized what Gov. Lamm said," Grayson replied. "Our time is limited tonight, and I'm not gonna debate politics, I'm gonna debate health care. So we're gonna go on to the next question." He then proceeded to talk about the need for a public option to create health care competition:

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FL-20

GOP Candidate Shoots At Target With Wasserman Schultz's Initials

Eric Kleefeld | October 9, 2009, 2:09PM

FL-20 Candidate Robert Lowry (R)

Here's a sign that some conservative activism really has gotten out of hand: A Republican candidate for Congress went campaigning by shooting a gun at a target with the incumbent Dem Congresswoman's initials written next to it.

Robert Lowry, a businessman running against Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), stopped by a local Republican event that was held at a shooting range. Lowry stepped up to show his marksmanship, and fired at a human silhouette target -- with the letters "DWS" written next to the head.

Lowry later told the Sun-Sentinel that he did not know who wrote the letters next to the target, but that he did know they were there when he started shooting. After further questioning, he admitted it "was a mistake" to shoot at the target.

Florida's 20th District is a safe Democratic seat, which voted for Barack Obama by a margin of 63%-36%, and re-elected Wasserman Schultz by 76%-23% in 2008.

Late Update: It should also be noted that human-style targets were common at this event: "Though most of the targets of gunfire were standard gun-range fare -- large silhouettes of a human figure -- a few shooters used large color posters instead. They depicted a menacing figure, adorned in a kaffiyeh, the kind of headdress worn by the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. The person in the picture was holding a rocket-propelled grenade."

(Via Political Wire.)