Associated Press
Today's installment of campaign-related news items that won't necessarily generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers:
* Though Rep. Paul Broun's (R) wife indicated yesterday her husband will launch a U.S. Senate campaign in Georgia, the right-wing congressman's office said Broun will "make a formal announcement within the next week" about his plans.
* In Massachusetts, with six months to go before the Senate special election, Public Policy Polling shows a very tight race between Rep. Ed Markey (D) and former Sen. Scott Brown (R), with the latter enjoying a three point lead, 48% to 45%.
* In Pennsylvania, a Quinnipiac poll this week found that a majority of the state's voters believe Gov. Tom Corbett (R) does not deserve re-election, while only 31% believe he does. Unfortunately for Democrats, however, a top-tier candidate has not yet entered the race.
* On a related note, recent polling shows Gov. Rick Snyder (R) is vulnerable in Michigan, but Democrats don't have a high-profile challenger now that state Sen. Gretchen Whitmer (D), widely considered a rising star in the state party, has decided not to run.
* In Colorado, Republicans believe they might be able to launch a credible challenge to Sen. Mark Udall (D) next year, but they can't find a strong candidate, either.
* New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) remains popular in his state, but after a major initiative on gun violence, his Republican constituents have soured on the governor, dropping his approval rating from 74% to 59%.
* In Iowa, Rep. Bruce Braley (D) is gearing up for the race to replace retiring Sen. Tom Harkin (D), with a formal announcement likely to come tomorrow. He will reportedly enjoy significant party support, with the DSCC letting other potential candidates know that Braley will enjoy the Democratic establishment's backing.
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I can't prove it but I am sure that the people who announce that they are going to make an announcement about the thing they just said they were going make an announcement about...are the same people who drive around with their left blinker on...
No excuse if Pennsylvania Democrats do not find a STRONG candidate to run against Corbett. Gov. "you just have to close your eyes" needs to go!
Word is Scott Brown may prefer to run for Governor, where he'd find a weaker Democratic field of opponents. Although he leads Markey now, Markey still has a primary to get through. He's highly favored to win that. Once he's THE nominee, expect his numbers to improve.
I, like many others, will consider this Mass Senate race a national election, just as E. Warren's was. National attention will mean national bucks.
Hey, Scott, see that dustbin over there?
If Brown loses a second election, he is finished in politics. Once he starts opening his mouth, his approval ratings will drop. It is just a question of the speed.
http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/02/01/16809260-scott-brown-skips-senate-race-in-massachusetts
Bada-bing bada boom!
Democrats in states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin need to wake up. Republican governors--and often other state officeholders--elected in 2010 are extremely vulnerable. Dem challengers should be flocking to these races. They can all run on the same basic message: Voters, let's not make the same mistake twice.
Come on, rust belt Dems. Get a move on it.
On a related note, recent polling shows Gov. Rick Snyder (R) is vulnerable in Michigan, but Democrats don't have a high-profile challenger now that state Sen. Gretchen Whitmer (D), widely considered a rising star in the state party, has decided not to run.
Keep your eye on Mark Schauer. He's been making noises that he's considering it, and he'd be a very good candidate. In 2008 he beat the conservative wingnut Tim Wahlberg in a very conservatie district. He lost the seat back to Wahlberg in 2010 in the Teabagger Luau but made it close despite the wave. During the 2010 election I saw him in a public forum about the ACA respond calmly and in detail to Teabaggers shouting at him "What about page XYZ where it says..." What was remarkable was that he never lost his cool and always knew what was on page XYZ.
The same thing happened to Iowa, Rep. Bruce Braley (D) , mentioned in the op MichMan , Braley completely trashed the gop t bagger by quoting straight from the aca on many occasions , and telling him it was his JOB to know what was in the legislation at very debate they had , the t bagger was left dumb founded.... lmao
Then the t bagger tried to claim the aca was RUSHED THRU , to which Braley pointed out it was debated for over a year , and he held 13 town meetings on it specifically , any dem that did not run on the aca was a fool
I want to know why the Democrats are being so short sighted with the talks of the next presidential election being either Hillary OR Biden. Why not Biden take the next 8 years, he's popular with middle class workers and blue collar folks, and he's been an incredible asset in this administration. Then Hillary takes the next 8! That's 20 years of democratic rule....SNAP! Biden 2016, Hillary 2020 or 2024! Woohooo!
It's a matter of age, not competence or electability. I would like to see Hillary Clinton on the Supreme Court.
We are lucky to have Iowa, Rep. Bruce Braley (D) as a pick to replace Sen Harkin ...He is sharp , rather liberal , will fight the gop , but can also work with the sane gop
Crazy man Ia rep King , who might run for Harkins sentate seat also , can actually sound sane when campaigning , he can articulate his crazy and make sense of it (??well , u know) , when EVERYONE is watching him any way
To All Democrats who are holding SEATS in the Senate and Congress, I just want you all to know make sure you dot you i's and cross your t's. Make sure that everything is correct with your PAPERWORK, PRIVATE AFFAIRS, FOLLOW THE CODE OF ETHICS and you must with a capital M, follow the RULES to a tee and please no incorrect EMAILS or PICTURES. The Republicans (GOP) are digging into your affairs because they want to run this COUNTRY for the RICH. They do not care about the middle class or the poor. Whoever thinks differently is DREAMING. God bless this America of the United States. Remember, it is WE THE PEOPLE not just the RICH alone.