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Ronnie Earle files for statewide run in TX (Texas Nate)

No office specified, but it opens the possibility of a run for Gov or AG.

Posted at 07/02/2009 04:20:11 PM EST - #

IA-Sen: Get to know Bob Krause (desmoinesdem)

Although five-term incumbent Chuck Grassley looks like a safe bet for re-election next year, at least we have a Democratic challenger ready to make a real case against him. Those who want to learn more about Bob Krause, chairman of the Iowa Democratic Veterans' Caucus, can check out his website and read Blog for Iowa's three-part interview with him. Here are the links: part 1 (a bit of personal history, Iowa Democratic Veterans' Caucus, plus views on gay rights and progressivism) part 2 (about Krause's campaign strategy and views on the environment and Judge Sonia Sotomayor) part 3 (about health care reform, media reform and RAGBRAI)

Posted at 07/01/2009 10:47:31 PM EST - #

Sunlight Foundation launches "Transparency Corps" (desmoinesdem)

Link:

Transparency Corps is the Sunlight Foundation's answer to the question, "How can I help?" There are many big problems that we can solve with technology, but we can't solve them all. For many of the projects that make government transparency a reality, human eyes and analysis are required. With Transparency Corps, we break those tasks down into short, small actions that make a BIG difference.

A sample action is reading through a long list of earmarks secured by a member of Congress. There are other ways to help too, so go here to sign up.

Posted at 06/30/2009 12:34:41 PM EST - #

Tom Perriello: "I can deal with losing reelection. I can’t deal with being a coward." (lowkell)

Why can't we have a few dozen more Democrats like Tom Perriello?

Posted at 06/30/2009 12:33:10 PM EST - #

How wisely is your state spending stimulus road money? (desmoinesdem)

120 days after the federal government released stimulus transportation funds to the states, Smart Growth America released a review of how wisely the states have been spending the money. Some states have made much better investments than others. Smart Growth America summarized the conclusions on their blog, but you really should download the whole report (pdf file) to see how your state measures up.

Posted at 06/30/2009 12:29:33 PM EST - #

IA-Gov: An early look at the Republican field (desmoinesdem)

Iowa Republicans believe Governor Chet Culver is vulnerable next year, with budget shortfalls looming and Culver's approval below 50 percent. Bleeding Heartland user American007 handicapped the prospects for various Republicans who may run for governor. (Read the comment thread for further discussion and analysis.)

Posted at 06/29/2009 01:19:11 AM EST - #

Status of Jim Webb, Bobby Scott Crime Bills (lowkell)

Two important criminal justice reform bills are moving through Congress right now, one by Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) and one by Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA). For more information on the status of these bills and their prospects for passage, please click here. Thanks.

Posted at 06/28/2009 06:47:42 PM EST - #

LA-Sen: Vitter's Already Scared of Charlie! (DailyKingFish)

The Sinning Senator David Vitter doesn't even have an announced Democratic candidate. While Rep. Charlie Melancon (meh-lan-saw) has reportedly been looking into a potential Senate campaign next year, he has yet to make a decision.

Even so, the Sinning Senator is already sending out attack emails disguised as fundraising pitches.

Posted at 06/26/2009 04:12:30 PM EST - #

National Review Online Lies, Smears Tom Perriello (lowkell)

I've always known that National Review was a right-wing piece of garbage, but this is bad even by their low standards.

Posted at 06/26/2009 02:45:53 PM EST - #

Senator Dorgan supports public option, Senator Conrad dodges questino (desmoinesdem)

The North Dakota blog North Decoder has been pressing the state's two Democratic senators on whether they support a real public option as part of health care reform. Senator Byron Dorgan's answers are encouraging, while Senator Kent Conrad dodged the questions. Looks like he is still stuck on his "regional co-ops" idea.

State bloggers, keep after your senators, especially if they are Democrats who haven't taken a position on the public option.

Posted at 06/26/2009 01:16:22 PM EST - #

LA-Sen: Melancon's Chances Look Good (DailyKingFish)

The Daily Kingfish analyzes the most recent polling data on Louisiana, and concludes that Rep. Charlie Melancon has a good chance of defeating Senator Vitter.

Posted at 06/22/2009 01:35:56 PM EST - #

Swing State Project updates "Open Seat Watch" (desmoinesdem)

Congress-watchers need to check out Swing State Project's comprehensive Open Seat Watch, updated on June 19 to include the latest news on confirmed and potential retirements/vacancies in the House of Representatives.

Posted at 06/21/2009 07:33:41 PM EST - #

NE-02: Top Democratic Recruit Preparing To Face Endangered Republican (Skylewalker)

Both the local press and Congressional Quarterly have turned their attention to the increasingly likely bid by State Senator Tom White against endangered GOP incumbent Lee Terry. White says Terry has "morphed from George Bush's rubberstamp into a proud, card-carrying member of the Party of No." Read more at New Nebraska Network.

Posted at 06/21/2009 03:57:02 PM EST - #

VA: Dem. Club President Leaving Liberty U. (lowkell)

Smart move by Brian Diaz; Liberty University is obviously not an institution that "fosters diversity within its student body."

Posted at 06/20/2009 06:11:43 AM EST - #

LA-Sen: Congressman Melancon Planning To Run (DailyKingFish)

It appears that the Sinning Senator David Vitter may have a Democratic challenger ... in Congressman Charlie Melancon.

Posted at 06/19/2009 02:18:48 AM EST - #

VA-Gov Poll: Deeds 42%-McDonnell 38% (lowkell)

Good news for the "blue team" in Virginia. Despite a vigorous primary, our gubernatorial nominee enters the general election 4 points ahead of the Republican nominee, Bob McDonnell. I'll take it.

Posted at 06/16/2009 12:48:31 PM EST - #

Tell Senator Landrieu To Support The Public Option! (DailyKingFish)

Folks, if you have family and friends in Louisiana, please encourage them to sign DFA's and Change Congress' petition to Senator Landrieu to support the public option. We need every single Louisianan voice we can get!

Posted at 06/15/2009 12:35:31 PM EST - #

Iowa House 2010: Some incumbent Democrats will face primaries (desmoinesdem)

Ed Fallon's group I'M for Iowa is recruiting progressive challengers to some Iowa House Democratic incumbents who have blocked good legislation. Democrats hold a 56-44 majority in the lower chamber but were unable to find 51 votes for any of organized labor's legislative priorities during the 2009 legislative session. More details at Bleeding Heartland.

Posted at 06/12/2009 03:49:27 PM EST - #

Introducing the 2010 RaceTracker Wiki (HellofaSandwich)

The Swing State Project and the OpenCongress.org team are pleased to announce the official launch of the new and improved 2010 RaceTracker wiki. We'll be using this wiki to track the various comings and goings of candidates and incumbents in every House, Senate, and Governor's race in the country, so please update your bookmarks!

Posted at 06/11/2009 04:36:29 PM EST - #

NY-Sen: Jonathan Tasini is running against Gillibrand (desmoinesdem)

Progressive labor activist Jonathan Tasini announced this morning that he will run for the U.S. Senate from New York in 2010. His campaign website is here. He posted a diary at Daily Kos explaining his decision to run.

Posted at 06/11/2009 11:37:50 AM EST - #

Blue Dogs Cooper and Boswell support public option w/o trigger (desmoinesdem)

Ryan Grim has the story on Cooper at HuffPo. I wrote about Boswell's stand at Bleeding Heartland.

Posted at 06/09/2009 04:24:58 PM EST - #

IA-03: Boswell's 1996 opponent considering rematch (desmoinesdem)

Former Iowa GOP chairman Mike Mahaffey told CQ Politics that he is thinking about running against Representative Leonard Boswell in Iowa's third Congressional district next year. (Hat tip to WHO-TV's Dave Price.) Boswell barely defeated Mahaffey in his first bid for Congress in 1996. It will take a lot to convince me that Mahaffey, a small-town lawyer and part-time Poweshiek County attorney, poses a serious threat to Boswell in a district dominated by Polk County. So far IA-03 doesn't seem to be on anyone's list of competitive U.S. House districts.

Posted at 06/08/2009 01:35:35 PM EST - #

Danish study: children of lesbians less likely to develop mental illness (desmoinesdem)

Interesting diary at Daily Kos about a multi-year Danish study, which concluded that children of lesbian couples are less likely to develop mental illness than children of heterosexuals. (Children raised by gay male couples were not studied.)

Posted at 06/07/2009 06:36:43 PM EST - #

Michelle Obama replaces chief of staff (desmoinesdem)

The White House announced on Thursday that Susan Sher will replace Jackie Norris as First Lady Michelle Obama's chief of staff. Sher is a White House attorney and longtime friend of Obama's from Chicago. Radio Iowa posted a press release containing statements from Michelle Obama, Sher and Norris. Norris will head the Corporation for National and Community Service, which oversees AmeriCorps and other programs. She and her husband, John Norris, were among Barack Obama's key early supporters in Iowa. Jackie Norris also directed Obama's Iowa campaign during the general election. John Norris is now chief of staff for Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

Posted at 06/05/2009 11:49:13 AM EST - #

Max on the streets of Jerusalem with drunk punks (Jerome Armstrong)

Posted at 06/05/2009 01:03:44 AM EST - #

3 Polls now have the race very close (Jerome Armstrong)

here.

Posted at 06/04/2009 11:36:01 PM EST - #

LA-Sen: The Sinning Senator Running Scared (DailyKingFish)

Sinning Senator David Vitter (R, LA) is taking the challenge presented by adult film star and businesswoman Stormy Daniels far more seriously than he is letting on ...

Posted at 06/04/2009 04:23:10 PM EST - #

MN-Gov - who loses now that Pawlenty is out? (MN Campaign Report)

Who among the Amazing Shrinking Minnesota Republican Party loses now that Gov. Tim Pawlenty is not seeking a third term? Pretty much everyone.

Posted at 06/03/2009 09:12:35 AM EST - #

Who runs for McHugh's seat in NY-23? (lipris)

Let the speculation begin.

Posted at 06/02/2009 11:43:36 AM EST - #

An early look at the 2010 Iowa State Senate races (desmoinesdem)

The state legislative races in Iowa will be particularly important in 2010, not only because we're losing one of our 5 CDs after the next census, but also because of marriage equality. Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal has made clear on many occasions that he is committed to blocking any constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. Fortunately, there is almost no conceivable way that Republicans could retake the Iowa Senate in 2010. Democrats currently hold 32 of the 50 seats. This week at Bleeding Heartland I previewed the potentially competitive Iowa Senate races. I would be surprised if Republicans ended up with a net gain of more than three seats.

Posted at 05/30/2009 05:26:32 PM EST - #

Howard Dean returns to health care debate (Texas Nate)

With a new book: HOWARD DEAN’S PRESCRIPTION FOR REAL HEALTHCARE REFORM: How We Can Achieve Affordable Medical Care for Every American and Make Our Jobs Safer.

Posted at 05/29/2009 01:14:19 PM EST - #

Brian Moran Strategist Steve Jarding: What's at stake in 2009 (Jerome Armstrong)

Posted at 05/29/2009 01:05:28 PM EST - #

LA-Sen: The Democrats (DailyKingFish)

The Daily Kingfish breaks down the latest rumors as to which candidates are considering running in the Democratic Primary next year for the right to face (and hopefully knock off) the Sinning Senator David Vitter.

Posted at 05/29/2009 10:56:59 AM EST - #

OH-Sen: Rob Portman Admits GOP Has No Ideas on Health Care (NickD)

Click here for this stunning admission from the GOP's presumed 2010 U.S. Senate nominee in Ohio.

Posted at 05/28/2009 08:33:08 PM EST - #

Powerful Grassroots Indictment of the Netroots Leaders in Virginia (Texas Nate)

This post hit home with me, from Blueweeds, clarifying the difference between the ordinary grassroots and the more ambitious netroots leadership:

But I find myself deeply disquieted by the political tactics used by a small but important group of "progressive netroots" bloggers who endorsed and/or work for the McAuliffe campaign. Look. No virgins here. But I saw what you did, and I believe it has done real damage to the Democratic Party of Virginia.

Posted at 05/28/2009 05:39:04 PM EST - #

James Bond Fundraising on ActBlue (KTatActBlue)

But you'll have to click here to find out which one. See if you can spot all 4 movie title references he starred in.

Posted at 05/27/2009 04:42:09 PM EST - #

TX-10: Limbaugh Hosting Fundraising for Mike McCaul at Undisclosed Location (KTinTX)

Shades of Dick Cheney, the de-facto head of the Republican Party Rush Limbaugh is headlining a fundraising in Houston for Texas' Mike McCaul. Burnt Orange Report lays out the tight ties and big money that places Limbaugh, Clear Channel Communications, and McCaul for the fundraiser that even the invited have no idea where to show up.

Posted at 05/27/2009 02:38:21 PM EST - #

IA-Gov: Sec of Ag Northey hires major-league staffers (desmoinesdem)

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey said recently he's leaning toward running for re-election next year rather than challenging Governor Chet Culver (D). However, Northey has hired a couple of well-regarded Republican staffers, leading to speculation that he's still thinking about the gubernatorial race.

Posted at 05/23/2009 01:51:28 AM EST - #

John Boehner Teeing it Up (Jonathan Singer)

Spending $10k in PAC money to play golf at a Ritz Carlton.

Posted at 05/21/2009 11:30:25 PM EST - #

LA-Sen: It's ALMOST Official ... (DailyKingFish)

Stormy creates an exploratory committee to look into challenging the Sinning Senator of Louisiana!

Posted at 05/21/2009 02:07:30 PM EST - #

Another One Down: Stringer Will Not Challenge Gillibrand (lipris)

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer has been making noises about a primary challenge to Kirsten Gillibrand for weeks. No longer. He's out.

Posted at 05/19/2009 05:54:47 PM EST - #

Steele: "Change is being delivered in a teabag" (Josh Orton)

Yes. Yes it is.

Posted at 05/19/2009 01:56:52 PM EST - #

WVa Republican bloggers launch West Virginia Red (WVaBlue)

Outside of the electoral college, WVa is a strong Democratic Party stronghold. A group of WVa Republicans hopes to change that through improved use of Web 2.0 technology. The Charleston, WVa paper reports: "The site launched Sunday and takes its name from West Virginia Blue, a site that features pieces on Democratic politics and progressive issues."

Posted at 05/19/2009 07:38:26 AM EST - #

IA-Gov: State auditor rules out gubernatorial bid (desmoinesdem)

Iowa State Auditor David Vaudt announced on Monday that he will not run for governor in 2010. Bleeding Heartland looks at how the Republican field is shaping up for next year's race against Governor Chet Culver, whose approval numbers have declined since the start of the year.

Posted at 05/18/2009 08:09:52 PM EST - #

CT-Sen: Dodd to get primary challenger (desmoinesdem)

My Left Nutmeg reports that "lawyer & CEO Merrick Alpert intends to announce on Monday that he'll seek the Democratic nomination for Senate in the 2010 election."

Posted at 05/18/2009 01:16:16 AM EST - #

FBI infiltrated anti-war group in Iowa City before RNC (desmoinesdem)

I wonder how many other places this was going on last summer. The Des Moines Register reported on Sunday, "An FBI informant and an undercover Minnesota sheriff's deputy spied on political activists in Iowa City last year before the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn." Click the link for more details.

Posted at 05/17/2009 06:31:12 PM EST - #

AR-Sen GOP Recruit Calls Schumer "That Jew" (Jonathan Singer)

Oy.

"At the meeting I was attempting to explain that unlike Sen. Schumer, I believe in traditional values, like we used to see on The Andy Griffith Show. I made the mistake of referring to Sen. Schumer as ‘that Jew’ and I should not have put it that way as this took away from what I was trying to say,” [State Senator Kim] Hendren said.

Posted at 05/14/2009 12:00:08 PM EST - #