Midterm Roundup
How about a little midterm election news with your Sunday morning coffee and biscotti?
CT-SEN: Shock and Awe
Shock: “When Alan Schlesinger gave a fake name while playing blackjack at Foxwoods in the early 1990s, he had already been sued over a gambling debt by one Atlantic City casino and was on the way to racking up an even bigger debt that led to a second lawsuit.” Kevin Rennie reports further for Political Wire.
Awe: Advisors to Senate challenger Ned Lamont (D) estimate his wealth “at around $200 million.” Lamont finally released his 2005 tax return on Friday after repeated requests from Lieberman. And of course that reporting hussy Kevin Rennie dishes some details on the tax return to Hotline. (Kevin, while the Midterm Roundup disapproves highly of your musical beds, “reporter-of-the-night” style, it would like to inform you that the Roundup’s offer is still on the table, only without the Jovi tickets (the date has passed, you fool). In lieu of the tickets the Roundup is prepared to offer you a used VHS copy of the 1986 New York Giants video yearbook, “Giants Among Men: The Challenge. The Chase. The Championship.” The liaison will be waiting, same time, same place, etc.)
And also in case you missed it, Senator Lieberman has received a campaign donation from that darling of liberal Democrats everywhere, Weekly Standard editor and professed non-spousal-abuser Bill Kristol. Lieberman should be happy – not only is he 500 bucks richer, but it could at least be argued that an endorsement from Bill Kristol is less damning than one from Ann Coulter.
Lieberman will probably accept help wherever he can get it at this point. Right on the heels of Quinnipiac’s latest poll, a new Rasmussen poll shows Lamont up by 10 points on Lieberman, and perhaps even more notably, tied with him in the general election.
MD-04: In Other War-Based Primary Challenge News…
CQ reports on the Democratic primary race in Maryland’s 4th district, which has some distinct similarities to the Senate race in Connecticut, save the level of media attention it is receiving.
RI-SEN: And for an Even More Intriguingly-Similar-to-CT-SEN-Race Race…
Jay Stevens at American Prospect’s Midterm Madness blog made a mighty good point this past week about the attention that the Rhode Island Senate race deserves but is not getting thanks to the far more sensational race going on in its neighbor to the west. In both states incumbents face very tight primaries. In CT: if incumbent Lieberman (D) wins his primary over Lamont (D), he should cruise to reelection. If Lamont wins the primary, the general is up for grabs. In RI: if incumbent Lincoln Chafee (R) wins his primary, the general is up for grabs between him and Sheldon Whitehouse (D). If more conservative challenger Steve Laffey (R) wins the primary, Whitehouse should cruise to election. NRO’s Sixers blog has further insight into the RI-SEN race.
Senator George Allen (R) and challenger Jim Webb (D) went head-to-head in their first debate on Saturday. The debate wasn’t televised live but, according to Hotline, local TV stations in Richmond and Roanoke plan to rebroadcast it at a later date. The Webb campaign has already saucily claimed victory. WaPo Metro Political Editor Robert Barnes will be online Monday, July 24, at noon ET to discuss the debate.
“Six-term Democratic Rep. Cynthia A. McKinney may be able to round up the votes she needs to win her Aug. 8 runoff in Georgia’s 4th District — and avoid being ousted from Congress by Democratic primary voters for the second time in her stormy career. But history does not appear to be on McKinney’s side, according to extensive research on runoff elections.” (CQ)
TX-22: Democrats: We Want DeLay
The AP reports: “Texas Democrats on Friday urged a federal appeals court to uphold a judges’ ruling that former Representative Tom DeLay (R) must remain on the fall election ballot in the race for his suburban Houston congressional seat.” The case is now before the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and will be taken up July 31. The Stakeholder runs down some of DeLay’s options.
Apparently Democrats didn’t get the memo: their court-supported bid to prevent the state GOP from replacing DeLay on the ballot (what the WashTimes describes as “Democrats’ latest legal ploy”) could backfire on them when a wrathful, undead DeLay rises from the grave to fight for his seat. Sounds like this one could be a midterm… thriller?
The California State Democratic Party is launching a new ad campaign this weekend to reintroduce [gubernatorial challenger Phil] Angelides to voters.” Hotline’s take: “Sure, it's still July, but there's a sense of urgency with Phil Angelides’ campaign, and it's not the good kind.” The SacBee’s California Insider blog says Angelides “needs a Democratic tsunami or a shock to the political equation to shake things up and turn the dynamic in his favor again.”
The Midterm Roundup feels compelled to note an absence of a more literal variety, of someone with a similar name. Chris Angell, a one-time member of the esteemed Election Central staff, has gone missing lo these past several weeks. If anyone knows of Chris’s whereabouts please alert us here at Election Central posthaste. And Chris, if you’re reading this, come home soon buddy, we’re worried sick over here.
VA-05: On the Goode Ship Corruption
The AP reports, as Justin Rood noted over at TPMm, “An ex-employee at a defense contractor pleaded guilty Friday to making illegal donations to the campaign of Rep. Virgil Goode, R-Va., marking the latest chapter in a congressional bribery probe.” Goode has given his MZM-related campaign donations to charity and still looks safe for reelection against Army veteran and winegrower Al Weed (D), whom he defeated in 2004 with 64% of the vote. But if this legal story picks up steam things could get interesting.
LA-02: The Jefferson Soap Opera
Speaking of legal stories picking up steam… already noted by TPM Reader DK, it’s worth a read to get the big picture, or, if your name is John Grisham, to get inspiration for your next novel.
TN-GOV: Albertini a Possible Boozer, Almost Sure Loser
The AP reports, “A Republican running for governor was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication following a GOP rally in Knoxville, sheriff's officials said.” Attorney and building contractor Mark Albertini (R) spent the night in jail, and the police report said that a search of Albertini’s car turned up a bottle of wine and a pistol. Albertini’s most recent campaign finance report says he has raised only $500. State Senator Jim Bryson (R) is the most likely candidate to emerge from a crowded August 3 GOP primary and face Governor Phil Bredesen (D) in November.
IYI (If You’re Interested)
CA-GOV: Schwarzenegger's Star Falls With Hispanics (AP)
FL-GOV: Democrats, GOP Both Face Contentious Primaries (CQ)
NATIONWIDE: Opposition research aids political wars (AP)
NATIONWIDE: The Friday Line: Dems Firm Up House Target List (The Fix)
NATIONWIDE: In G.O.P. Fund-Raising, Dole’s Star Power Dims (NYT)
NATIONWIDE: Plus, the New York Times has their 2006 election guide up and running. This thing is freakin’ sweet.
And don’t forget to catch your favorite pundits and politicians on the Sunday talk shows, conveniently listed by Reed Forbush here.
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