Owner: 2008 Presidential Race Coverage URL:http://2008presidential.blogspot.com/ Join Date: Sat, 13 Jan 2007 09:54:24 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: This is a nonpartisan blog on the 2008 Presidential Elections. Since February 2006 it has been tracking all the candidates. It provides news stories, links, rankings, and poll analysis. Site statistics:Click here
Hoyer is Majority Leader, Lott Becomes Whip 1970-01-01 00:59:59 11.15.06-11.16.06Incoming Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) supported John Murtha (D-PA) for the position of MajorityLeader
, but ethical issues arising over Murtha caused the House Dem caucus to choose former minority whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) instead. Pelosi made a smart political move, getting the alliance of Murtha from gratitude, and Hoyer because she's the boss. Very clever, Pelosi. . . The Republicans chose Trent Lott (R-MS) to be their next senate minority whip. Yes, the same Trent Lott that made the racist comments at Strom Thurmond's 100th Birthday party. Yes, the same Trent Lott that was kicked out of leadership for the same. He's back with the same weird hair.EDITORIAL:YUCK!!!!!
Frist Gives Up 1970-01-01 00:59:59 11.29.06Outgoing Senator Bill Frist
(R-TN), who has been preparing for a 2008 white house run for 12 years, has decided to pass on the race. This far into the campaign season, he had expected to have support, but it appears that his lack of charisma and loyal followers was hurting him a lot. On the 29th, he pulled the plug.
Carter Obsessed With Gore 1970-01-01 00:59:59 11.29.06Former President and Nobel Laureate Jimmy Carter
(D-GA) said on Hardball with Chris Matthews that his favorite candidate is definitely Al Gore (D-TN). Supposedly Carter has been bothering Gore to run, although he has already said he will pass on the race. Editorial:Gore is the strongest Democrat. He deserves the presidency, having won it before. He comes without the negative connotation of Hillary Clinton but with presidential campaign experience before. He ran such a bungled campaign, and he still won the popular vote, that if he tries to fix his mistakes of the past, he will run the strongest campaign.
Daschle, Barely In, Is Out 1970-01-01 00:59:59 12.03.06There have been murmurs in the blogosphere of a return for former Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD), but he squashed the rumors once and for all, saying, "I've had a lot of encouragement" but "...I will not seek the Presidency of the United States." Either way, being such a nobody from such a small state, he would not last long. Read more:Barely
Mehlman Quits, Bush Picks Martinez 1970-01-01 00:59:59 11. 13.06RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman resigned his position after losing both houses of congress and being outed as gay (Melhman led the fight against gay rights). President Bush picked Florida Senator and former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Mel Martinez
. Clearly, even after Hispanic voters turned out in droves for democrats in 2006, the Republican party still thinks it can win their votes.
Giuliani Starts Exploratory Committee 1970-01-01 00:59:59 11.14.06Rudy Giuliani
, expected by many to pass on this race and accept the vice-presidential slot, filed his exploratory committee. Although many still insist he will decide against a run, a McCain-Romney-Giuliani (and possibly)-Gingrich fight would turn very nasty, as all are so vulnerable to attack by the base. Read more:Committee
, Exploratory Committee
O'Reilly Behind Romney 1970-01-01 00:59:59 In a new development, Fox News host Bill O'Reilly
said that Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney
is his favorite republican against Hillary Clinton in 2008. Although Rudy Giuliani and John McCain are winning in every poll, Romney is positioning himself as the anti-McCain, and it may well pay off. One of the interesting parts of this story is that all the republicans are acting as if Hillary Clinton is definitely going to get theGovernor Mitt Romney (R-MA)nomination. As I have pointed out in the past, she would not bethe strongest candidate. That distinction would fall to Mark Warner or John Edwards. It is quite likely that Clinton will either not run for or not win the nomination, and it is a fascinating tactic on the part of the republicans to pretend that she will definitely win. It is a strange and unusual voter intimidation tactic, because usually parties don't try to mess with the outcome of another party's primary. This suggests that they think that the only Democrat they can b
Warner Drops Out - Two Months Ago 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Hi yall. On October 12th Mark Warner
announced that he will not be a candidate for president in 2008. In protest, (but mainly to follow the midterms) I abandoned the blog for two months. Coming back, so much has happened. The fields have shifted. I will try to recreate what has happened. I've got a lot of work. But first . . .THE DEMOCRATS RETOOK CONGRESS!6 SENATE SEATS30 HOUSE SEATS6 GOVERNORSHIPSTHE MAJORITY OF STATE LEGISLATURESSorry. I followed these for 18 months. I knew every candidate in every race, their bios, issue positions, and poll showings in every poll you can think of and a bunch you can't. We did it.I am not usually partisan like this, but once every ten years or so I have a right to brag. Read more:Drops
, Months
Feingold Drops Out 1970-01-01 00:59:59 To the dismay of many liberal bloggers, Senator Russ Feingold
(D-WI) announced that he will not seek the presidency. An outspoken liberal voice in the senate, Feingold wanted to be a part of the new democratic majority. It would always have been an uphill battle, and his entry would have set the blogosphere on fire: right underneath Hillary Rodham Clinton. Read more:Drops
Vilsack Announces 1970-01-01 00:59:59 11.8.06The almost completely unknown Governor Tom Vilsack
(D-IA) announced the day after the midterm elections that he will be a candidate for president in 2008. Although he may seem to be a major contender as Iowa has the first caucuses, he scores a meager 10% in most polls. For now, assume he does okay in Iowa and then disappears completely in New Hampshire.
Tancredo Embarrasses Himself in Florida 1970-01-01 00:59:59 11.29.06Congressman Tom Tancredo
(R-CO) made some very foolish comments in the battleground state of Florida
on the 29th. He compared Miami to a "Third-world country" and the people went berserk. Governor Jeb Bush demanded Tancredo apologize. Instead, Tancredo wrote a fiery response, defending his comments and criticized the governor for being "naive". He may have guts, but he doesn't have brains, this Tancredo.
Thompson Starts Exploratory Committee 1970-01-01 00:59:59 11.15.06Way back in February when I started the blog, I singled out Tommy Thompson
as the dark horse to watch. He's got a lot of experience and he's from a good state. I put him at 4th. Now things are different. Romney is serious, and so is Giuliani. Gingrich came out of no where. Two weeks after this Frist will drop out. However, I'd still put him at fifth or sixth. I'll put up full rankings a little later, as well as a poll. Ron Gunzberger of Politics1.com isn't nuts about his chances, but ovaloffice2008.com ranks him at 6. Gingrich is #4, so he comes in at 5 or 6. Overall chances of getting the nomination: maybe 4 or 5 %, but that's better than a bunch of others: Tancredo, Hunter, and Pataki to name a few, and arguably Sam Brownback. It doesn't really matter. Read more:Committee
, Exploratory Committee
Bayh Starts Exploratory Committee 1970-01-01 00:59:59 12.03.06Evan Bayh, preparing to position himself as the best alternative to Hillary Clinton, defended his position, saying, "As the people get to know me, I think we'll do very well ... Is this a little bit like David and Goliath? A little bit, but as I recall, David did OK." Bayh would later drop out after it appeared that Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) would run. Obama has yet to announce as of 12/28/06. Read more:Committee
, Exploratory Committee
Senator Johnson Has Stroke 1970-01-01 00:59:59 12.14.06Senator
Tim Johnson
(D-SD) suffered what looked like a stroke while giving an interview. He was taken to the hospital, where he was placed under intensive care. He had emergency brain surgery that night. If he is unable to serve, the governor of South Dakota, Republican Mike Rounds, will appoint the next senator. If Rounds was to appoint a republican, it would tie the senate and (because of vice president Cheney) effectively hand it back to the republicans. Read more:Stroke
New Jersey Passes Gay Rights Law 1970-01-01 00:59:59 12.14.06The New Jersey
State legislature passed a bill that would grant gay couples equal rights. It was passed overwhelmingly in both houses, and Governor Jon Corzine (D-NJ) announced he would sign it. Prediction: When Massachusetts did something similar, people wrote it off. With another state following suit, expect a few more states to legalize gay marriage and grant them rights within the next few years. It will be an issue in 2008. Read more:Passes
, Rights
, New Jersey
Gilmore Files 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Former Governor Jim Gilmore (R-VA) announced that he will run for president in 2008. The move caught everyone off guard, as most were expecting he would reseek the governorship in 2009. Expect him to do well in the South, and make a minor impact. He comes in behind Sam Brownback in the rankings.
Edwards Announces 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Finally! Something more exciting than endless lists of Exploratory Committees. Today, December 28, John Edwards
announced he is running for president. He did it in an unusual place, New Orleans' Ninth Ward, which was completely destroyed during Hurricane Katrina. Edwards pledged to do five things:Guarantee everyone health care End PovertyLead the Fight Against Global WarmingBreaking the American and World Addiction to OilProviding Moral Leadership: Starting with getting out of IraqThese will work very well in Iowa, where Edwards is loved and "Oil addiction" is code for "ethanol production". Iowa is made of corn, so naturally he does well there.
Romney Nailed on Gay Marriage 1970-01-01 00:59:59 12.10.06In 1994 Governor Mitt Romney
(R-MA) wrote a letter to the log cabin republicans. In it, he makes several statements that imply his support in gay marriage, especially the federal "don't ask, don't tell" policy when he wrote it, "will ultimately lead to gays and lesbians being able to serve openly and honestly in our nation's military". Conservative leaders immediately began to express doubts. However, he did get the endorsements of Missouri Governor Matt Blunt and Florida State House Speaker Allan Bense. Read more:Nailed
, Gay Marriage
Duncan Hunter Announces. Nobody Cares. 1970-01-01 00:59:59 10.29.06DuncanHunter
announced he was running for president. He was then the House Armed Services Committee Chair. Now he is the Ranking Minority member. It doesn't matter. After serving 14 terms in congress, nobody has ever heard of him. Expect him to have an impact of exactly zero on the primary: assuming he doesn't do the smart thing and just pull the plug. Read more:Nobody
, Cares
, Duncan Hunter
Warner Talks Homeland Security in Las Vegas 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Wednesday, Former Governor Mark Warner
, Democrat of Virginia, campaigned in Nevada, giving a speech in Las Vegas
where he said that the cuts in the city's homeland security funding was result of, "Misplaced priorities" He also campaigned for the democratic nominee for governor, Dina Titus. Nevada will have the second caucuses in 2008. Interested? Find out more here. Read more:Homeland
, Homeland Security
, Las Vegas
Dems Preparing For Romney 1970-01-01 00:59:59 With Romney
taking a surge, the democrats are gearing up for a Romney nomination. The Democratic National Committee has acquired all of the public material on Mitt Romney's record from the state government. This shows that they think Romney has a serious chance, as it is very time consuming to go over such a large record.
Brownback Starts Exploratory Committee 1970-01-01 00:59:59 12.04.06Jeez, I'm getting really tired of all these exploratory committees. At least this one is kind of interesting: on Brownback
's steering committee are Former Major League Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, Domino's (pizza chain) founder Tom Monaghan, and the Reverened Frank Pavone, head of Priests for Life. Daniel Owen of ovaloffice2008.com pointed out that it sounds like a fun-filled weekend. Brilliant Observation. Read more:Committee
, Exploratory Committee
Early Iowa Poll Shows Surprising Results 1970-01-01 00:59:59 KCCI-TV/Research 2000 has conducted a poll of Iowans asking them for whom they will vote in the 2008 caucuses. The Democratic voters chose this:Barack Obama.................22%John Edwards..................23%Hillary Clinton................10%Al Gore.............................7%John Kerry.......................5%Dennis Kucinich..............4%Wesley Clark...................4%A bunch of people with less than 1%.Prediction: Vilsack gets 10%. Gore doesn't run: Hillary gets 5% and Obama gets 2%. Kerry doesn't run and Hillary gets his 5%. Edwards loses 8%: 6% goes to Hillary and 2% goes to Obama. Obama loses 5-7% to Hillary. Undecideds move to Hillary and Obama. Final Result:Hillary Clinton...............38%Barack Obama...............25%John Edwards................15%Tom Vilsack...................10%Dennis Kucinich..............4%Wesley Clark...................3%Joe Biden.........................3%Others with less than 1%.Republicans chose:John McCain...................27%Rudy Giuliani. Read more:Early
How to Win the White House in 2008 - An Open Letter to the Democratic Party 1970-01-01 00:59:59 To Whom It May Concern: 2/4/07 I am a political activist, expert, and enthusiast. I closely followed every senate and gubernatorial race in 2006, run a blog on the 2008 elections, check all the polls daily, and crunch data for fun. I was recently examining some charts on www.uselectionatlas.org, an incredible database of election history, and realized something crucial. I have known for years about the embarrassingly low turnout in elections, but I had not realized how much this could be used to the Democrats' advantage. It is a rule of thumb in American politics that the higher the turnout, the more likely the democrats are to win. This comes from one undisputed fact: There are many more Democrats than Republicans, but many Democrats do not vote. This is not a fresh observation; I myself phone-banked for the MoveOn.org's Call for Change in 2006, but get-out-the-vote op Read more:White
, House
, Letter
, Democratic
, Party
, White House
How to Win the White House in 2008 - An Open Letter to the Democratic Party 2007-02-09 19:08:00 Dear Chairman Dean: I am a political activist, expert, and enthusiast. I closely followed every senate and gubernatorial race in 2006, run a blog on the 2008 elections, check all the polls daily, and crunch data for fun. I was recently examining some charts on www.uselectionatlas.org, an incredible database of election history, and realized something crucial. I have known for years about the embarrassingly low turnout in elections, but I had not realized how much this could be used to the Democrats' advantage. It is a rule of thumb in American politics that the higher the turnout, the more likely the democrats are to win. This comes from one undisputed fact: There are many more Democrats than Republicans, but many Democrats do not vote. This is not a fresh observation; I myself phone-banked for the MoveOn.org's Call for Change in 2006, but get-out-the-vote operations are not what we need now. Many states such as Texas, Arizona, Nevada, and even Tennessee have upwards of 20% of Read more:House
, Party
, White
, Letter
, Democratic
, White House
Edwards Announces 2006-12-28 10:08:00 Finally! Something more exciting than endless lists of Exploratory Committees. Today, December 28, John Edwards
announced he is running for president. He did it in an unusual place, New Orleans' Ninth Ward, which was completely destroyed during Hurricane Katrina. Edwards pledged to do five things:Guarantee everyone health care End PovertyLead the Fight Against Global WarmingBreaking the American and World Addiction to OilProviding Moral Leadership: Starting with getting out of IraqThese will work very well in Iowa, where Edwards is loved and "Oil addiction" is code for "ethanol production". Iowa is made of corn, so naturally he does well there.
Early Iowa Poll Shows Surprising Results 2006-12-28 09:40:00 KCCI-TV/Research 2000 has conducted a poll of Iowans asking them for whom they will vote in the 2008 caucuses. The Democratic voters chose this:Barack Obama.................22%John Edwards..................23%Hillary Clinton................10%Al Gore.............................7%John Kerry.......................5%Dennis Kucinich..............4%Wesley Clark...................4%A bunch of people with less than 1%.Prediction: Vilsack gets 10%. Gore doesn't run: Hillary gets 5% and Obama gets 2%. Kerry doesn't run and Hillary gets his 5%. Edwards loses 8%: 6% goes to Hillary and 2% goes to Obama. Obama loses 5-7% to Hillary. Undecideds move to Hillary and Obama. Final Result:Hillary Clinton...............38%Barack Obama...............25%John Edwards................15%Tom Vilsack...................10%Dennis Kucinich..............4%Wesley Clark...................3%Joe Biden.........................3%Others with less than 1%.Republicans chose:John McCain...................27%Rudy Giuliani. Read more:Early
Gilmore Files 2006-12-28 09:36:00 Former Governor Jim Gilmore (R-VA) announced that he will run for president in 2008. The move caught everyone off guard, as most were expecting he would reseek the governorship in 2009. Expect him to do well in the South, and make a minor impact. He comes in behind Sam Brownback in the rankings.
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