Monday, November 12, 2007

• Weekend Recap

   There were several mildly interesting stories over the weekend, all pertaining to some facet of the 2008 election cycle.

  Clinton Campaign Plants Questions in Audience  (Synopsis: What's one way to ensure easy questions?  Plant them!  The Clinton campaign confirmed over the weekend that it planted a question on global warming in the audience in a recent Iowa town hall stop.  The campaign said it would not do so again.  Sen. Clinton denied knowing anything about it).

  NM Rep. Tom Udall to Run for Senate (Synopsis: Rep. Tom Udall (D-NM) has announced his intention to run for the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Pete Domenici (R).  Udall, who originally passed on the seat, reportedly decided to jump in after very favorable numbers against likely opponents.  Reps. Heather Wilson and Steve Pearce are running on the Republican side.  This would mean that all three New Mexico House races would be open in 2008.  In case your wondering, Tom Udall is the cousin of Rep. Mark Udall (D), who is running for Senate in Colorado).

  Fletcher-McConnell Fight Continues (Synopsis: There's not much love these days between soon-to-be former Kentucky Governor Ernier Fletcher (R) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).  Fletcher allies and McConnell allies have been fighting for some time to control the state's Republican party.  Now, if both have their way, neither will be in office beyond 2008.  The Fletcher campaign blames the McConnell people for setting up a divisive primary, where Fletcher had to fend off a serious bid by former Rep. Anne Northup.  To return the favor, Fletcher ally Larry Forgy, the GOP's 1995 candidate for Governor, is considering an independent bid against McConnell.  The Minority Leader is already the main targets by the national Democratic party in 2008 and is likely to receive a strong challenge).

  Wittman wins GOP nomination for Jo Ann Davis seat (Synopsis: Del. Rob Whittman won the GOP 1st District nomination on the sixth ballot to replace the late Rep. Jo Ann Davis (R-VA).  Whittman bested anti-tax activist Paul Jost, considered the front runner for the seat.  Jost had challenged Davis in 2000.  Whittman is considered a lock to win the December 11th special election in this conservative district).

  Two More Retirements: Rep. Cubin Won't Seek New Term, Rep. Saxton Won’t Seek Re-election Because of Cancer (Synopsis: More bad news for the GOP, as two more Representatives announce their retirement).

  A New Channel for Soft Money Starts Flowing (Synopsis: An interesting story on how 527 groups will have a greater role in the 2008 than they did in 2004).

  Posted by D. Price

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