Midterm Roundup
The Midterm Roundup can admit when it’s confused, and it kind of is after reading this article regarding Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s (R) rapport with gays in California. In September of 2005, he vetoed a bill that would have allowed same-sex marriage in California, but he has signed bills adding rights for domestic partners, strengthening hate-crimes statutes protecting gays and lesbians, as well as other anti-discrimination statutes.
So what do California gays think of him? The governor appeared before a gay rights group, Log Cabin Republicans, on Thursday, and apparently wowed the crowd. This in spite of the 2005 veto, which earned him the dubious “pink brick” award, bestowed by the organizers of the San Francisco gay pride parade upon the public figure that most hurts the gay rights cause. But then Thursday night Schwarzenegger received the Log Cabin’s Ronald Reagan Award, a prestigious commendation named after the former California governor who helped defeat a 1978 initiative that would have banned openly gay public school teachers.
However, according to the LA Times, most mainstream gay rights groups in California are expected to endorse state Treasurer Phil Angelides (D) for governor, since Angelides has been unequivocal in his support for a bill legalizing marriage between same-sex couples. Schwarzenegger clearly has not and does not endorse such a bill, telling the crowd Thursday, “I can’t promise we will always be of the same mind, but I can promise you I will always have an open mind.” Got it? Good.
MO-SEN: Bush Raises Mad Dough, Mad Row
President Bush spoke at a fundraising dinner Wednesday night for Senator Jim Talent (R), raising a cool $1 million for the senator’s campaign, according to a Talent spokesman. About 200 people protested outside the fundraiser, focusing on issues such as the minimum wage and the war in Iraq. Supporters of challenger Claire McCaskill (D) chose the night of the president’s visit to hold a fundraiser of their own, a spaghetti dinner to raise money for National Guardsmen and their families. McCaskill herself did not attend, as she spent her Wednesday night appearing on Hardball, saying of Talent, “You've got a senator who pretty much does whatever the president tells him to do.” The Midterm Roundup admits that it too would probably do anything someone that gives it $1 million tells it to do.
OH-18: Ney Aides: Good Luck with that Investigation Thing
Roll Call reports: “The top three aides for Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio) are leaving, or already have left, the Ohio Republican’s office, the latest sign that Ney’s legal and ethical troubles stemming from the Jack Abramoff scandal are growing worse with each passing day.”
VA-SEN: Webb Nerved for the Contest
A Daily Press op-ed argues that Senate challenger Jim Webb (D) looks confident and strong on the heels of this week’s dust-up with Senator George Allen (R) over the flag burning amendment.
PA-13: Ridiculous Apprentice Contestant in ’06!
This is a man that asked out Anna Kournikova and then ran around Arthur Ashe Stadium in his underwear on national television. What makes you think he can’t win a seat in congress? U.S. House candidate Raj Bhakta (R) is more serious than you might think.
IYI (If You’re Interested)
MN-05: Muslim Keith Ellison seeks House seat (AP)
OK-05: OK 5: Big Names Make Finding a GOP Frontrunner Difficult (CQ)
Reuters has an interesting piece that looks at congressional rematches in 2006, all with Republican incumbents. The list includes: CA-11 incumbent Richard Pombo (R) vs. Jerry McNerney (D), CT-02 incumbent Rob Simmons (R) vs. Joe Courtney (D), CT-04 incumbent Chris Shays (R) vs. Diane Farrell (D), IN-02 incumbent Chris Chocola (R) vs. Joe Donnelly (D), KY-04 incumbent Geoff Davis (R) vs. Ken Lucas (D), NH-02 incumbent Charles Bass (R) vs. Paul Hodes (D), PA-06 incumbent Jim Gerlach (R) vs. Lois Murphy (D), and IN-09 where incumbent Mike Sodrel (R) is facing Baron Hill (D) for the 3rd straight time.
Plus: “Not so fast, Democrats,” soothsays that election Nostradamus Larry Sabato in his most recent crystal ball reading.
And like Hotline, the Midterm Roundup hesitates to refer folks to places like The Colbert Report and The Onion, just for the perpetual ease of doing so, but this sent serious tears rolling down its cheeks.
Announcements:
MD-GOV: Governor Bob Ehrlich (R) has named Kristen Cox, Secretary of the Department of Disabilities, as his Lieutenant Governor. Cox is legally blind. She will replace Lt. Governor Michael Steele on the ticket; Steele is running for the U.S. Senate.
MD-SEN: Said Senate candidate, Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele (R) has named former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and former pro football quarterback Jack Kemp as the national chairman of his campaign for Maryland’s open seat in the Senate.
In Polling News…
FL-GOV: Crist Cruising, Yup, Crist Definitely Cruising
WA-SEN: Cantwell Squeaking By
WV-SEN: Byrd Flying Higher than an Eagle
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