Western Democrat

If you don’t want to see it in print

The Aspen Times has on its masthead:

If you don’t want to see it in print, don’t let it happen.

The sad stories of Republican Senator Stevens of Alaska and Democratic presidential aspirant and former Senator John Edwards are recent reminders the wisdom of that warning.

These two scandals are neither identical nor equivalent. Each is bad in its own way. Senator Stevens maintains his innocence. Senator Edwards no longer does. Senator Stevens is under indictment. Senator Edwards is not. But what they have in common are highly embarrassing reports of activities that would normally be considered mortal wounds to a political career. Senator Stevens will certainly have a tough challenge to retain his Senate seat. Senator Edwards will not be the Democratic Vice-Presidential nominee. The tree of trust and credibility, once felled, can only be re-grown slowly, if at all.

The scandals also have in common a warning about the temptations of high office. By historical standards, these scandals are not the most shocking cases. Given human frailties, they will not be the last. Against scandalous behavior there is the power of self control, the power of the law (when it applies), and the power of the press. When the first two fail, the third is there to remind us that “If you don’t want to see it in print, don’t let it happen.”

Leo Brown | August 15, 2008 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: If you don’t want to see it in print | TrackBack (0) Alaska, Media Coverage, Presidential Politics, Republicans, Senators

Jeff Bingaman Endorses Barack Obama

New Mexico Senator Jeff Bingaman has endorsed Senator Barack Obama. In his endorsement, Senator Bingaman said:

Our nation faces a daunting number of critical challenges: reasserting America’s leadership in the world, meeting our needs for energy independence, addressing global warming, making healthcare accessible and affordable, positioning our economy to effectively compete globally, and extricating ourselves from the war in Iraq, to name a few.

To make progress, we must rise above the partisanship and the issues that divide us to find common ground. We must move the country in a dramatically new direction.

I strongly believe Barack Obama is best positioned to lead the nation in that new direction.

With this endorsement, Senator Obama is now a more popular choice among his Democratic Senate colleagues than Senator Clinton by the narrow margin of 14 to 13.

Leo Brown | April 28, 2008 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: Jeff Bingaman Endorses Barack Obama | TrackBack (0) New Mexico, Presidential Politics, Senators

Meanwhile back at the ranch: Senate Edition

Seven of the thirteen Western states have Senators up for election this year: Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming. The Republicans are defending six of these seven Senate seats. Montana’s Max Baucus is the sole defending Democratic incumbent in the group, and his seat is considered safe. Colorado, Idaho, and New Mexico will be open seats, and Wyoming will have both their Senators up for re-election, due to the death of Senator Craig Thomas in 2007.

Colorado and New Mexico look like the best opportunities for Democratic pick ups, and both states are considered swing states in the 2008 presidential contest. Our candidates, Mark Udall in Colorado and Tom Udall in New Mexico, are cousins from the long prominent Udall family.

Larry LaRocco is our Western Democrat running for Idaho’s Senate seat to replace the retiring and embarrassing Larry Craig. It would be great if red-state Idaho could turn purple.

The remaining campaigns are still shaping up. The contests in Alaska and Oregon could be particularly interesting. Senator Stevens (R-Bridge to Nowhere) is the poster child for pork gone wild and an opponent of transparency in government. The Iraq War puts Oregon’s Gordon Smith in a bind. He voted for the war and has been a Bush enabler. Yet he has broken with the Bush administration on the war, and hence will be at odds with Senator McCain on that issue.

Leo Brown | April 8, 2008 | Comment on This Post (4 so far) Permalink: Meanwhile back at the ranch: Senate Edition | TrackBack (0) Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Oregon, Republicans, Senators

NM Sen. - Udall Outraises Both GOP Contenders in 4th Quarter

It's beginning to be a sign of the times for beleaguered GOP candidates: poor fundraising numbers as compared to their Democratic party counterparts.  The race for the New Mexico Senate seat being vacated by Pete Domenici is no exception, where Congressman Tom Udall outraised the combined totals of his GOP challengers in the 4th quarter of 2007.

Heath Haussamen has the scoop.

U.S. Rep. Tom Udall raised more than $1 million for his Senate bid during the fourth quarter of 2007, beating the combined total raised by the two leading Republicans in the race, U.S. Reps. Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson.

Udall, the Democratic frontrunner, raised just over $1 million and spent about $118,000 during the quarter, and began 2008 with more than $1.7 million in the bank.

What's more impressive is that Tom Udall didn't raise money during the entire quarter, but only from about Thanksgiving on. As for his opponents:

Wilson came in second in fundraising for the quarter, raising just under $517,000. She spent just under $194,000 and begins 2008 with almost $1.1 million in the bank.

[...]

Pearce reported raising just under $426,000 for the quarter, spending just under $206,000 and having almost $820,000 on hand.

So let's get the 1st quarter of 2008 started off right, and show the powers that be that the netroots are solidly behind Tom Udall. Let's put this United States Senate seat back in the hands of a progressive Democrat.

Please visit Tom Udall's website and consider giving him some of your spare change. Because when we have a Democrat in the White House, he or she will need another Democratic Senator in New Mexico.

kencamp | January 31, 2008 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: NM Sen. - Udall Outraises Both GOP Contenders in 4th Quarter | TrackBack (0) New Mexico, Senators

NM-Sen. Chavez Drops Out

Daily Kos is reporting that Albuquerque Mayor Marty Chavez has decided to call it quits in his race against Congressman Tom Udall to replace retiring New Mexico Senator Pete Domenici.

From multiple sources, I'm told Chavez called Udall this afternoon to say he'd be dropping out tonight, announcement expected at 8 p.m. ET.

This announcement clears the Democratic field for Tom Udall, assuring that without a primary opponent he will be armed and loaded for a general election where he holds significant leads on both of his potential Republican opponents.

Update: Marty Chavez has announced that he is withdrawing from the race, and throwing his support to Tom Udall. Here is the full text of Mayor Marty's message:

Thank You For Your Support

Today I am announcing that I will not seek the seat for U.S. Senate.

Traveling my home state over the past several weeks, I have been honored to spend time with my fellow New Mexicans to talk about the issues and challenges facing our state.

While I deeply appreciate all the support I have received, it has become very clear to me that Democrats should not be divided in the upcoming election.  It is crucial to the future of New Mexico and this country that a Democrat become the next U.S. Senator.  A hotly contested primary, as this one certainly could be, would likely dramatically weaken the Democratic nominee and place the general election in jeopardy.

It is far more critical to end the war in Iraq, reform our broken healthcare system, and provide educational opportunities to our youth to empower them to participate in a worldwide economy.

The war in Iraq was a mistake from the very beginning -- one of the greatest foreign policy blunders our country has ever seen. Our brave men and women in uniform have served honorably.  They've done everything they've been asked to do, and they've done it superbly. Now it's time to honor them by ending the war and bringing them home.

Congress has a critical role to play. Unfortunately, Republicans in the House and Senate have stymied Democratic efforts to set benchmarks and timetables to begin a phased redeployment of our troops and start bringing them home.  That's unacceptable.  That's why we need to expand our Democratic majorities, especially achieving a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, to end this war.

To that end, I pledge my full support for Tom Udall for U.S. Senate, and I encourage all New Mexicans to support Tom as well.  I hope you will visit Tom’s website at www.udallforusall.com and sign up to join his campaign.

I will work tirelessly to help Democrats get elected throughout our great State of New Mexico and our Nation.  As Mayor, I have many new, exciting programs that I want to bring to fruition. I want to spend my remaining time in the Mayor's office being the very best mayor possible for all of the citizens of my home town.

Thank you so much for your continued friendship and support.

Sincerely,

 

Marty Chavez

A clarification to this post: Tom Udall does have an opponent for the Democratic primary - alternative media publisher Leland Lehrman, who is considered a longshot. So while the field isn't clear for Udall, his path to the general election is basically clear.

kencamp | December 7, 2007 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: NM-Sen. Chavez Drops Out | TrackBack (0) New Mexico, Senators

NM Sen. - New Polling Numbers

Survey USA released the results of a poll yesterday that shows Democratic Congressman Tom Udall crushing his primary opponent, Albuquerque Mayor Marty Chavez, 62% to 32% in the race to succeed Pete Domenici.

In a Democratic Primary for U.S. Senator from New Mexico today, 180 days until early voting begins, Democrat Tom Udall defeats Democrat Martin Chavez, according to a SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for KOB-TV. Udall, U.S. Representative from NM's 3rd Congressional District, gets 62% today. Chavez, Mayor of Albuquerque, gets 32% today. Chavez and Udall tie among New Mexico's Hispanic Democrats, but Udall leads by 54 points among white Democrats. Chavez runs strong among the youngest voters, but Udall leads by more than 2:1 among voters age 50 and older.

And with a lack of the kind of progressive credentials and record that Tom Udall has, Mayor Marty has taken to the only tactic that those who are 30 points behind engage in: throwing mud.  As someone who has worked in the political world for a while now, it's my impression that wrestling in the mud can work if the race is a close one, but when you're 30 points behind it smacks of desperation and turns off voters.

It's also worth mentioning that in the SurveyUSA poll, Tom Udall defeats both Republicans, while Mayor Marty loses to one and is tied with the other. So if you're looking for a positive progressive who can win in New Mexico, go toss some spare change Tom Udall's way.

Full disclosure: I've offered my support and assistance as a volunteer to the Udall campaign, though none of what I write is authorized or approved by the campaign.

kencamp | November 20, 2007 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: NM Sen. - New Polling Numbers | TrackBack (0) New Mexico, Senators

NM Sen. - Udall is In

Heath Haussamen is reporting that New Mexico Congressman Tom Udall will run for the Senate seat being vacated by Pete Domenici.

U.S. Rep. Tom Udall, D-N.M., has decided that he will run for the Senate seat being vacated by Pete Domenici next year. 

 

Udall has called a number of Democratic Party insiders this week, including at least some county party chairs, to inform them of his decision, reliable sources confirmed. A Udall spokesperson could not be reached for comment.

 

kencamp | November 9, 2007 | Comment on This Post (2 so far) Permalink: NM Sen. - Udall is In | TrackBack (0) Congress, New Mexico, Senators

NM-Sen. Udall Gains Steam

Draft Udall should be gaining some steam right about now, in its efforts to draft New Mexico Congressman Tom Udall for the Senate seat being vacated by Pete Domenici.

A Research 2000 poll conducted for Daily Kos shows Udall performing the best among all Democrats not named Bill Richardson (who wasn't included in the poll).

Wilson (R) 45             Wilson (R) 44            Wilson (R) 38
Chavez (D) 42            Denish (D) 43             Udall (D) 55

Pearce (R) 40          Pearce (R) 39            Pearce (R) 37       
Chavez (D) 39          Denish (D) 45            Udall (D) 54

It's poll numbers like this that have led declared candidate, Albuquerque's Democratic Mayor Martin Chavez to already go negative on Udall, before he's even a candidate. While Chavez is losing to both Republican candidates in the poll, Udall crushes them. While Congressman Udall is reconsidering running for the Senate, perhaps Martin Chavez has something entirely diferent to reconsider: whether its worth it to stay in the race if Tom Udall gets in.

Did I mention that Congressman Udall has some impressive progressive credentials?

In case you haven't done it yet, go visit the Draft Udall ActBlue page and show Congressman Tom Udall some love. And while you're at it, visit Draft Udall and sign the petition.

kencamp | November 8, 2007 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: NM-Sen. Udall Gains Steam | TrackBack (0) Congress, New Mexico, Senators

NM Sen. - Denish Out, Udall Reconsidering [Updated]

New Mexico Lt. Governor Diane Denish has announced she will not run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Pete Domenici, leaving Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez and green builder Don Wiviott as the two Democrats in the race.

“I am flattered and honored by everybody’s interest in my considering the Senate race. ... [But] my heart and soul are in New Mexico,” Denish said in a statement.

Denish has long been laying the groundwork for a bid in 2010 for the governor’s seat now held by term-limited Democrat  Bill Richardson , and she would move up to fill the remainder of Richardson’s unexpired term were he to succeed in his current 2008 bid for president or run for vice president on a successful Democratic ticket.

However in recent days, presumably under much pressure from the netroots and party insiders, Congressman Tom Udall has said he is reconsidering a bid for Senate.

I just got a call from someone very knowledgable about N.M. Democratic politics who says Rep. Tom Udall's people are calling the party's heavy hitters this morning to inform them he is reconsidering a run for the U.S. Senate.

[...]

But a rapidly growing "Draft Udall" movement online, as well as major arm-twisting from the national Democratic elite (including Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Chuck Schumer), has convinced the congressman to reconsider.

[...]

Incidentally, I also heard yesterday from separate - but equally reliable sources - that Gov. Bill Richardson called Udall yesterday to tell him he DOES NOT plan to run for the Senate and would stay out of Udall's way if the congressman decides to jump in.

I've already posted on why Tom Udall should be the next Senator from New Mexico.

Here's video of Udall at the New Mexico Democratic Party Central Committee meeting this past weekend, indicating that he's considering a run.

Go here to read more about the Draft Udall movement being spearheaded by Alex Flores.

And please go to the Draft Congressman Udall for Senate ActBlue page, and donate $5 today to show Congressman Udall that the netroots is solidly behind his candidacy. It's support like yours that will get him to enter the race and put another progressive Democrat in the Senate.

Update: I neglected to mention Congressman Udall's great poll numbers against Republicans Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson. On October 8, SurveyUSA released numbers showing Udall besting Wilson 56%-38% and beating Pearce 55%-37% [poll numbers have since been taken down off of Survey USA's site]. The only Democrat who polled higher was Governor Richardson.

kencamp | November 5, 2007 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: NM Sen. - Denish Out, Udall Reconsidering [Updated] | TrackBack (0) New Mexico, Senators

Harry Reid: I am a Democrat because I am a Mormon

When Vice President Dick Cheney visited BYU, it was announced that Harry Reid, the highest national office holder who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, would also be speaking at BYU. This is in line with the Church’s long standing policy of political neutrality.

The text of Harry's talk can be found here and here with video and audio links here.

He spoke of his personal journey, his faith, and his politics:

It is not uncommon for members of the Church to ask how I can be a Mormon and a Democrat. Some say my party affiliation puts me in the minority of our Church members. But my answer is that if you look at the Church membership over the years, Democrats have not always been the minority, and I believe we won’t be for long. I also say that my faith and political beliefs are deeply intertwined. I am a Democrat because I am a Mormon, not in spite of it.

Leo Brown | October 28, 2007 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: Harry Reid: I am a Democrat because I am a Mormon | TrackBack (0) Nevada, Senators, Utah

Which Larry should represent Idaho?

Senator Larry Craig says he is staying put, despite a court ruling against him in Minnesota.

Check out the Democratic alternative, Larry LaRocco at this link.

Larry LaRocco is definitely Western Democrat. In fact, General Wesley Clark said exactly that:

LaRocco is the kind of plain speaking, common sense western Democrat whom America needs.

I saw this in a local Idaho paper last month.

U.S. Senate candidate Larry LaRocco worked a sweet shift Wednesday, stacking five-pound bags of sugar onto pallets at Amalgamated Sugar Company in Nampa as part of his statewide “Working for Senate” campaign.

Beginning in June, LaRocco started taking jobs all over the state to learn what life is like for Idahoans from all walks of life…

This link goes to our Larry's Act Blue page.

Leo Brown | October 4, 2007 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: Which Larry should represent Idaho? | TrackBack (0) Idaho, Republicans, Senators

Draft Tom Udall for Senate

Over at MyDD, Adam Conner and Jonathan Singer have been beating the drums of the Draft Tom Udall for Senate movement and have set up an ActBlue page to start bringing the netroots on board. So far the fund has 28 contributors, including myself, for $245.

A commenter on my post yesterday asked for some more information about Congressman Tom Udall and his family ties. Wikipedia has a good entry on the Udall family. Of the current generation of Udalls, 3 are members of Congress. Tom Udall is a Democrat who represents New Mexico in the House of Representatives. His cousin Mark Udall, also a Democrat, represents Colorado in the House of Representatives and is running for the Senate seat being vacated by Wayne Allard. And their cousin, Gordon Smith (yes, that Gordon Smith) serves Oregon as a Republican United States Senator. Overall, the Udalls are a strong Western Democrat family, who have served this country with distinction over the years.

So why Tom Udall for Senate?

First, he's already got a jump-start on the fundraising, showing $716,045.39 cash on hand. The ActBlue page isn't just to raise money, but to get a large number of grassroots/netroots supporters behind Congressman Udall, to show that there is broad support for his bid for Senate.

Congressman Udall is also in the best position to win the Senate seat for Democrats. He won his re-election in New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District with 75% of the vote in 2006, showing Richardsonesque ability to appeal to independents and Republicans.

Udall was the first to serve two consecutive 4 year terms as New Mexico Attorney General from 1991-1999. Winning 2 statewide elections means his name recognition across the state will be higher than other potential candidates.

Did I mention that Tom Udall has great progressive credentials?

In talking with New Mexico locals, I hear that Congressman Udall is a humble, down-to-earth public servant who is dedicated to his family and his district. He's a genuine, nice guy by all reports.

So if you're ready to continue what Democrats started in 2006, and make the Senate even more progresive than it is today, consider supporting Tom Udall for Senate.

kencamp | October 4, 2007 | Comment on This Post (2 so far) Permalink: Draft Tom Udall for Senate | TrackBack (0) New Mexico, Senators

NM-Sen.: Domenici to Retire

Looks like New Mexico Senator Pete Domenici is going to call it a career.

Veteran Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) is expected to announce tomorrow that he will retire from the Senate in 2008, according to several informed sources, a decision that further complicates an already difficult playing field for Republicans next November.

While Chris Cillizza goes on to detail Domenici's health problems, it's this incident that dealt a huge blow to his chances at winning re-election and earned him the moniker "Pajama Pete".

Names already circulating as to which Democrats might run for the vacant Senate seat include: Congressman Tom Udall, Lt. Governor Diane Denish (though I hope she replaces Governor Bill Richardson when he's elected President), Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez, and former Attorney General Patricia Madrid (who was unsuccessful in her 2006 bid to unseat Congresswoman Heather Wilson).

kencamp | October 3, 2007 | Comment on This Post (4 so far) Permalink: NM-Sen.: Domenici to Retire | TrackBack (0) New Mexico, Senators

ID Sen. - Larry Craig Resigns

I know, I'm a couple of days late and a dollar or two short, but I was out of town with no internet access (despite the hotel advertising it).

As you probably know by now, embattled Idaho Senator Larry Craig has resigned, effective September 30. Boise local, Red State Rebel, has posted an account of Craig's press conference, with links to other local blogs covering the resignation.

kencamp | September 4, 2007 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: ID Sen. - Larry Craig Resigns | TrackBack (0) Idaho, Republicans, Senators

ID Sen. - Larry Craig Continues to Lose Support

With the release of the police tape yesterday, Idaho Senator Larry Craig continues to lose support from the GOP. Senator John Ensign (R-NV) is the latest to call for Craig's resignation.

Sen. John Ensign told MSNBC today that it would be best if Craig resigns, MSNBC reported at 1 p.m. MDT.

Ensign's turning away from Craig is especially significant because he is chairman of the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee, the Senate GOP's campaign arm that raises money and develops strategy to elect Republican senators. Ensign's statement suggests that Republicans fear that a prolonged battle by Craig to keep his seat will harm other GOP candidates in 2008.

They're scared. They know Larry LaRocco is a great Democratic candidate who can win Larry Craig's seat, and this situation has become John Ensign's worst nightmare, especially with the Club for Growth trying to persuade Congressman Bill Sali (R-Way Out There) to run for the Senate seat.

The word from Washington, D.C. is that there is high-level buzz that Larry Craig will resign as soon as today.

Reporters in Washington, D.C., are hearing high-level talk that Sen. Larry Craig could resign as soon as today.

The Associated Press cites "Republican activists." News stations including CNN and Fox started reporting Thursday that national Republican leaders and White House officials were huddling to find a way to persuade Craig to step down and limit the damage his scandal could cause to the party's election hopes in 2008.

Here's to a bloody Republican primary and Larry LaRocco winning in November 2008.

Update: The Idaho Statesman is reporting that Larry Craig will make some sort of announcement about his plans tomorrow.

Update 2: Larry Craig will resign tomorrow.

Idaho Republican Sen. Larry Craig will resign from the Senate amid a furor over his arrest and guilty plea in a police sex sting in an airport men's room, Republican officials said Friday. Craig will announce at a news conference in Boise Saturday morning that he will resign effective Sept. 30, four state GOP officials told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity.

kencamp | August 31, 2007 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: ID Sen. - Larry Craig Continues to Lose Support | TrackBack (0) Idaho, Nevada, Republicans, Senators

ID-Sen.: Support Eroding for Larry Craig

Amid the revelations that Idaho Senator Larry Craig was arrested for lewd conduct in a Minneapolis airport men's room and subsequently pled guilty to disorderly conduct, support for the Senator to continue in his current role is eroding.

Today, Senators Norm Coleman (R-MN) and John McCain (R-AZ) have called for Craig's resignation.

The AP reports, “Sen. Norm Coleman of Minnesota, where Craig was arrested, became the first Senate Republican to say Craig should leave office. ‘Senator Craig pled guilty to a crime involving conduct unbecoming a senator,’ he said in a statement. ‘He should resign.’”

In an interview with CNN’s John King this afternoon, McCain said he thinks Craig “should resign”:

JOHN MCCAIN: I believe that he — that he pled guilty and he had the opportunity to plead innocent. So I think he should resign.

JOHN KING: And suppose he comes back to Washington and says, “I want to serve.”

MCCAIN: That’s — that will be a decision that he will make and most importantly, the people of the state of Idaho. But my opinion is that when you plead guilty to a crime, then you shouldn’t serve. And that’s not a moral stand. That’s not a holier than thou. It’s just a factual situation. I don’t try to judge people. but in this case, it’s clear that it was disgraceful.

But Senators Coleman and McCain aren't the only ones calling for Craig's resignation. The state's largest newspaper, the Idaho Statesman has called for Craig to quit.

However, we cannot abide an elected official who didn't disclose a lewd conduct arrest until the story broke 77 days later -- a lie by omission and a violation of the public trust. We cannot believe Craig can effectively serve Idaho, under the shadow of his guilty plea on a lesser charge of disorderly conduct. We cannot afford, as a state with but four congressional representatives, to have a senator who merely provides fodder for bloggers and late-night talk show hosts.

Whether Craig is gay or not is not the issue. The issue is a Senator who was arrested for lewd conduct and pled guilty to disorderly conduct (either one is as Senator Coleman describes it "conduct unbecoming a senator"), and then hid it from his family, his colleagues, and his constituents. People demand more of public officials and Craig's conduct and intentional deceit violated the public trust and he should resign.

As for what the political landscape might look like after the fallout, mcjoan writes that the Club for Growth seems to be doing some dirty work for Congressman Bill Sali (R-Way Out There) to clear the way for him to run for an empty Senate seat should Craig he resign.

In any case, our man in this race is former Congressman Larry LaRocco and you can help end years of right-wing rule in Idaho by showing Larry some love.\

Update: I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that SurveyUSA polled Idaho voters and 55% think Larry Craig should resign versus 34% who favor him staying in office.

kencamp | August 29, 2007 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: ID-Sen.: Support Eroding for Larry Craig | TrackBack (0) Idaho, Republicans, Senators

Idaho Senator Larry Craig Arrested For Lewd Conduct

According to the Idaho Statesman:

A Washington, D.C., newspaper reported on its Web site today that Idaho Sen. Larry Craig was arrested in June for lewd conduct in the restroom of a Minnesota airport.

Roll Call reported that Craig was arrested by a plainclothes police officer investigating lewd conduct complaints in a men’s public restroom.

You may recall that last year, gay activist/blogger Mike Rogers alleged that Senator Craig was engaging in homosexual relations with other men, which Craig denied.

Much like the gay/anti-gay former mayor of Spokane, Larry Craig has made a habit of being strongly anti-gay in his legislative career.

• Voted YES on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)    
• Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)    
• Voted NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
• Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)
• Voted NO on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996)

So if you're tired of politicians who say one thing while doing another, go visit Larry LaRocco's ActBlue page and show him some love.

Update: There's a little more to the story that I didn't get from the Idaho Statesman. Kos put up a post with more of the subscription-only article from Roll Call, which shows that Larry Craig used his position as a U.S. Senator to try to intimidate police get out of the trouble he was in. Retirement can't be far off for Senator Craig.

kencamp | August 27, 2007 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: Idaho Senator Larry Craig Arrested For Lewd Conduct | TrackBack (0) Idaho, Republicans, Senators

ID-Sen.: Larry LaRocco - Working for the Senate

Larry LaRocco is running for Senate in Idaho, taking on the incumbent Senator Larry Craig, who seems to suffer from the same foot-in-mouth disease as former Montana Senator Conrad Burns.

You may recall that Senator Craig recommended abandoning flooded sections of New Orleans, all while calling Iraqis and the people of New Orleans corrupt.

Sen. Larry Craig told his home state constituents that fraud is as much a part of the fabric of Louisiana as it is in Iraq and that flooded sections of New Orleans should be abandoned.

"Fraud is in the culture of Iraqis. I believe that is true in the state of Louisiana as well," Craig was quoted as saying in the Lewiston (Idaho) Morning Tribune on Thursday.

He was also quoted in the McCall (Idaho) Star News, saying "Louisiana and New Orleans are the most corrupt governments in our country, and they always have been... . A rookie cop in New Orleans, they pay him or her $17,000 starting pay and then wink and say you better make the rest of it on the street."

Here is an excellent recent video of Larry LaRocco, continuing his "Working for the Senate" series.

So if you like what you see and would like to help send Larry Craig packing for a long fishing vacation with his compadre Conrad Burns, please visit Larry LaRocco's ActBlue page and show him some love.

kencamp | August 26, 2007 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: ID-Sen.: Larry LaRocco - Working for the Senate | TrackBack (0) Idaho, Senators

What elected Tester? (how to win in the West)

Jay over at 4&20 blackbirds points to a Hill article that gets into the ongoing debate (which we all for sure wish would stop) of who can really take credit for the Democratic win in the Senate, especially for Tester winning in Montana.

Of course, Sen. Schumer of New York is saying that it was the great database they helped build, but Jay has other thoughts:

Here’s what I know. I wouldn’t have joined the Missoula Democrats, volunteered for Tester, or started blogging without Dean’s infrastructure.

The voter lists were nice… but about a gazillion organizations had similar lists. How many of you Democratic-leaning Montana voters received phone calls this election, raise your hands! And how many of you received like a gajillion phone calls?

...

Jon won that race. Montanans won that race. Thanks for all the money, though.

There's something to be said for DC based power types taking too much credit for wins in the West. Conrad Burns would still be a Senator had not Tester decided to run (at least I'm convinced of that). Tester was the right guy at the right time, and no amount of really great data would have put a bad candidate over the top.

If anyone is going to take credit, the organization that put the race in the well trained hands of Montanan Democrats deserves some credit. But, Montanans deserve the most.

Emmett O'Connell | May 12, 2007 | Comment on This Post (4 so far) Permalink: What elected Tester? (how to win in the West) | TrackBack (0) Montana, National Leadership, Senators, The Big Strategy

Wyden: Western Democrats take the lead

In Oregon (and much of the West), there's been no bigger federal issue than "county payments". Those are payments that the federal government makes to rural resource-dependent communities in lieu of resource extraction. (Some great background, including the promises by Teddy Roosevelt and Bill Clinton over at BlueOregon.)

Anyway, the county-payments program should have been reauthorized in the 2005 congressional session - but it wasn't. In 2007, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) got it done - in partnership with Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) and Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM).

Senator Wyden spent the Easter recess traveling the rural parts of Oregon, praising the work of Western Democrats in the Senate:

"We got a huge, huge, huge victory on the floor of the Senate. Seventy-five votes in the Senate is an army," said Wyden. "I was hoping to get 55 bipartisan votes. Instead I got 75. Every Western state senator voted for the bill."

Wyden said he just completed a series of town hall meetings in small resource dependent communities in Eastern Oregon. Folks, he said, just kept coming back to the county payments issue.

If Wyden had his druthers, he said he would have had the county payments reauthorized last Congressional session, but Congressional leaders didn't understand the issues.

"In the last Congress, our leadership was from the south. They just didn't understand the county payments issues," said Wyden. "This year the leadership is from the West, and Westerners were more aware of county payments. We went in there this session to get it done. We will get it done as soon as possible."

Here's the rest from the Curry County Reporter.

Kari Chisholm | April 16, 2007 | Comment on This Post (3 so far) Permalink: Wyden: Western Democrats take the lead | TrackBack (0) Oregon, Policy Issues, Senators

10 Senators call for Denver Convention

The campaign to put the 2008 Democratic Convention in Denver is picking up steam. From the AP:

As the head of the Democratic Party moves closer to choosing the site of the 2008 convention, 10 senators and senators-elect from the western half of the nation said the Mile High City is a natural choice. ...

The letter noted that since 2002, Democrats have won GOP-held governorships in Montana, Kansas, Wyoming, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado. Last month, Democrats also picked up a Republican-held Senate seat in Montana and GOP-held House seats in Colorado and Arizona.

“In 2008, our presidential nominee will have, for the first time in many years, an excellent chance of winning several Western states, which would secure enough key Electoral College votes to restore our leadership in the White House,” the letter said. “In short, the West is the Democratic Party's new frontier.” ...

Signing the letter were Sens. Harry Reid of Nevada, the incoming Senate majority leader; Ken Salazar of Colorado; Max Baucus and Sen.-elect Jon Tester of Montana; Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico; Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad of North Dakota; Maria Cantwell of Washington; Tim Johnson of South Dakota; and Ben Nelson of Nebraska.

Keep up the pressure, folks.

Kari Chisholm | December 8, 2006 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: 10 Senators call for Denver Convention | TrackBack (0) Colorado, DNC, Senators, Supporters

Another Western Democrat Elected to a Leadership Position

The Democratic Party is clearly looking west for leadership in the 110th Congress and not hesitating to name women to leadership posts either.

Senator Patty Murray of Washington was elected as Conference Secretary, the fourth-ranking person in leadership of the Senate Democratic Caucus.

In addition to Harry Reid and Patty Murray, important Senate leadership positions are held by two other Western Democrats. Senator Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico is Committee Outreach Chairman, and Senator Barbara Boxer is Chief Deputy Whip.

Senators Murray and Boxer join Speaker of the House-elect Nancy Pelosi as leading women in the Congress from the West Coast. Such ascendancy has a long tradition in the West. Before 1917, the only states in the Union that granted the vote to women were in the West. The first woman elected to Congress was Jeannette Rankin of Montana.

Hat tip to Ridenbaugh Press, a very fine blog covering the Northwest.

Here is a link to all the leaders in the 110th Congress.

Leo Brown | November 25, 2006 | Comment on This Post (2 so far) Permalink: Another Western Democrat Elected to a Leadership Position | TrackBack (0) Senators, The Big Strategy, Washington

Room to Grow in the West

Western Democrats did well in 2006. Here is a link to some helpful maps. Particularly noteworthy were pickups in Montana for the U.S. Senate and the Colorado for governorship, plus four pick-ups in the House of Representatives. And we won the office of Secretary of State in the swing states of New Mexico and Nevada. (Think Florida in 2000 and Ohio in 2004 for the importance of this). But we could have done better, and in 2008 we can. For the Senate in 2008 think Colorado and New Mexico. There is still room to grow in the West.

But returning to 2006, Senate pickups in Arizona and Nevada were possible. Governor’s mansion pickups were possible in Alaska, Nevada and Idaho. Additional House pickups were possible in California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Washington, and Wyoming. And we didn’t win the election for Secretary of State in Colorado. These races were close enough to be considered competitive. Several of the competitive House districts in 2006 could be just as competitive in 2008.

So while we are still basking in the warm glow of victory, let us ask ourselves, what could we do better? Any campaign can be critiqued, but I think the biggest factor is that we were outspent. Jack Carter was outspent four to one in Nevada. The GOP and the Club for Growth poured a ton of money into ID-1. The national GOP was spending much more in CA-4 than the DCCC was. And so it went in many districts. Meanwhile Hillary Clinton spent $30 million defeating token opposition in New York. Now I understand that each candidate can raise his or her own funds, and the national committees carefully decide where to spend scarce resources, but more seed money in planting season and more money at harvest time would go a long way in the West. Something to think about for 2008.

Leo Brown | November 21, 2006 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: Room to Grow in the West | TrackBack (0) Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Governors, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Senators, The Big Strategy, Washington, Wyoming

A flip-flop I can respect

Chalk up a big victory for conservation in New Mexico and the West:

In a stunning turn of events Thursday that has all the earmarks of smart politics, Republican Sen. Pete Domenici of Albuquerque reversed his long-standing opposition to protecting [Valle Vidal] the tract.

Domenici, who had bottled up Valle Vidal protection legislation in his committee this year, suddenly released the enabling legislation Thursday, brought it to the Senate floor with the support of fellow New Mexico Democratic Sen. Jeff Bingaman - a steadfast supporter of Valle Vidal protection - and saw it pass the Republican- dominated Senate unanimously.

That's not all. Domenici, who is chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which Bingaman will take over next year, said he "is confident" that President Bush will sign the bill protecting the 101,784-acre preserve from oil and gas drilling.

This was on the top of the conservationist agenda for many years and should be seen as a great victory in the preservation of our natural resources.

This may have something to do with his certain re-election in 2008:

Domenici told me one day after the election, and again on Friday, that he fully intends to run for a seventh term in 2008. He said despite some injuries and related health problems that have nagged him for years, he'd still rather report to the Senate every morning than sit home watching the action on C-Span.

While Domenici is certainly favored to win re-election by a wide margin, it is hard not to see moves like this as either A: securing his legacy, in preparation for retirement or B: appealing the conservationist lobby. Since Domenici has held the legislation down for so long, it makes you wonder if the senior senator is seriously thinking of retirement.

Check out the great posts by New Mexico FBIHOP about the possible race for Pete's Seat. I'd love to see Udall make the move, but maybe that's my NM-3 bias...

Landon Mascareñaz | November 20, 2006 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: A flip-flop I can respect | TrackBack (0) Congress, New Mexico, Policy Issues, Senators

Trent Lott in Senate Minority Leadership, good for the West

...and good for Democrats.

The Senate Majority Leader is from Nevada.

The Senate Minority Leader is from Kentucky, the minority whip is from Mississippi. There is nothing that could be better.

For decades the schism between the south and the west has been pulling at the seams of the Republican Party. Conservatives from both regions approach their conservatism is drastically different ways.

The South is an authoritarian region that certainly isn't the West.

Lott being reelected as the Republican leader in the Senate is a solid example of where the GOP is running after their very regionally based defeat last week. Has anyone else noticed that the one house seat the GOP came to picking up was in Georgia?

The Republicans are running home, to the south. As they abandon the West, we have a chance to increase our gains already made.

Emmett O'Connell | November 15, 2006 | Comment on This Post (3 so far) Permalink: Trent Lott in Senate Minority Leadership, good for the West | TrackBack (0) National Leadership, Republicans, Senators, The Big Strategy

A word of thanks

Our victory in the House and in many state houses is now officially matched by victory in the Senate.

Thanks to all the candidates, paid staff, volunteers, financial contributors, bloggers and, of course, voters for their part in this historic election.

Thanks, too, to all those who ran and lost, knowing that they were running an uphill race, but were willing to make huge sacrifices to bring two-party democracy to many previously one-sided districts as part of the fifty-state strategy. Their efforts contributed in a meaningful way to our success and to future successes in their own districts. They gave voice to the unrepresented, provided hope to the discouraged, kept good ideas before the public, and showed the electorate that there are good Democrats in every county and precinct. Some candidates will run again and some will prevail. Some will turn to other pursuits. But we owe all of them our thanks.

Leo Brown | November 9, 2006 | Comment on This Post (4 so far) Permalink: A word of thanks | TrackBack (0) Congress, Senators

Tester leading...

Of course, the big story in the West is that Jon Tester is leading Conrad Burns. As of 9:30 Mountain Time, he's up 49% to 48% leading by less than 2000 votes, out of nearly 400,000 cast.

In the US House, Democrats won Arizona-5, Arizona-8, California-11 (goodbye Pombo!), and Colorado 7 (Perlmutter). It's still too close to call in California-4 (Brown/Doolittle), New Mexico-1 (Madrid/Wilson), Washington-8 (Burner/Reichert), and Wyoming at-large (Trauner/Cubin). DailyKos has a Western election results tracker.

In the governor's races, Democrats won in Colorado and Oregon - but lost in Alaska, Idaho, and Nevada.

Kari Chisholm | November 8, 2006 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: Tester leading... | TrackBack (0) Arizona, California, Colorado, Congress, Governors, New Mexico, Senators, Washington, Wyoming

Fearless predictions

Fearless predictions anyone?

The convention wisdom is that the Democrats will take the House, getting more than the required fifteen seats, and pick up six or seven governorships. Senate control is a toss-up, but the Democrats will gain several seats.

The big gains will be in the East and Midwest, but the West and South will contribute as well in the House, Senate, and governors’ races.

Current projections indicate no incumbent Democratic House member, senator, or governor will be defeated.

Will tomorrow be a big wave or a smaller one?

Any predictions for your favorite candidate(s)?

Leo Brown | November 6, 2006 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: Fearless predictions | TrackBack (0) Congress, Governors, Senators

Checklist for Tuesday

CREW (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington) created a go-to guide on corruption in Congress to expose and hold accountable members of Congress for their questionable conduct. The list was updated in September to reflect the latest information and the resignation from Congress of three former members of the list, Congressmen Cunningham, Ney, and DeLay.
Here are members of CREW’s list in the West. Note that a Democrat made the list.

Senate:
Conrad Burns (R-MT)

Members of the House:
Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO)
Ken Calvert (R-CA)
Richard Pombo (R-CA)
John Doolittle (R-CA)
Rick Renzi (R-AZ)
Jerry Lewis (R-CA)
Maxine Waters (D-CA)
Gary Miller (R-CA)

Those of you living in Montana, Colorado, and Arizona are watching these races closely.

Unfortunately, some districts have been so gerrymandered that it may take more than one election cycle clean house via the electoral process. The last California redistricting was designed to protect incumbents, which may be why so many Californians are on the list. At least two of these Californians, however, are in tight races.

For Charlie Brown vs. John Doolittle, check out this conclusion from an editorial from the Tahoe Daily Tribune:

Despite the glib picture Mr. Doolittle likes to paint out of desperation, this Congressional race is not between liberals and conservatives. In fact, politics isn't really what's at stake. This election is about right vs. wrong, abuse of power, leading with integrity, protecting the earth, protecting the country and living within our means. For that Charlie Brown has our vote on Nov. 7.

For Jerry McNerney vs. Richard Pombo, check out this conclusion from an editorial in the Modesto Bee:

If you prefer the politics of extremes; if you're OK with selling off national parks; if backroom dealmaking and tainted money suit you; if you embrace out-of-balance budgets and the concentration of wealth — Pombo's your man. But he's no longer ours.

Law enforcement has already taken its toll on CREW’s list.

Let’s see how many the voters will remove tomorrow.

Leo Brown | November 6, 2006 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: Checklist for Tuesday | TrackBack (0) Arizona, California, Colorado, Congress, Montana, Senators

Radio Open Source on Tester v. Burns

My favorite radio show (though I listen to it as a podcast) is featuring the Montana Senate race. Radio Open Source is a different type of show, in that it uses its blog to develop a scope for how their show will run.

In addition to their listener suggested format, they also regularly interview bloggers who have an expertise in whatever. topic. So get on over there and tell them what's going on in the West and Montana. I've already suggested Matt Singer as one of their guests.

Emmett O'Connell | October 30, 2006 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: Radio Open Source on Tester v. Burns | TrackBack (0) Media Coverage, Montana, Senators

East Coast Bias on Meet the Press?

In 1991 the University of Washington Huskies finished their football season undefeated, running over three nationally ranked teams. But, the Huskies ended up sharing their national title with Miami, who went undefeated in what was widely considered a much lesser conference.

This year, UW and Miami would have faced off in a national title game, but back then it was the opinion of the voters that mattered. Makes sense though, Miami was on television on the same time zone as most of the voters who were considering who was best. The University of Washington was foreign and distant.

And, so rules the East Coast Bias.

Things out there are worth much more than things out here. Which is probably the same reason why the only two Senate races featured on the Meet the Press Debate Series west of the Mississippi are in Minnesota and Missouri.

I could see them at least featuring Burns v. Tester.

Emmett O'Connell | October 30, 2006 | Comment on This Post (3 so far) Permalink: East Coast Bias on Meet the Press? | TrackBack (0) Media Coverage, Senators, The Big Strategy

A Western Democrat on the Patriot Act

Over at Gather.com, Jay Stevens has great coverage of the Patriot Act in the Tester/Burns race.

The West contains a strong libertarian streak: Westerners value self-reliance and resent unwanted intrusion of government in their lives. They value common sense, hard work, and practical solutions. ...

In the Senate debate in Butte, Senator Burns accused the Big Sandy farmer of wanting to revise the Patriot Act. "I don't want to revise the Patriot Act," responded Tester, "I want to repeal it." Later in the same debate, Tester answered sharply to a question on gun control with a statement that was considered quintessential Western Democrat: "With things like the Patriot Act, we'd damn well better keep our guns."

While Bush and allies like Conrad Burns continue to tout the administration's unconstitutional extension of executive power, Westerners are increasingly resentful of a government that's reaching into their personal lives and threatening their basic liberties. ...

In the larger sense, the Republicans are becoming the party of big government, wayward spending, and indiscriminate intrusion, while the Democrats are lining up to define themselves as the protectors of Americans' basic freedoms, including the right to bear arms. Tester is definitely capitalizing on Burns' clumsy and stubborn insistence to defend the President's intrusive and extra-legal terrorist programs in a state where a jealous regard for individualism is a virtue.

Here's to Jon Tester -- not afraid of the righties, even on the Patriot Act. Here's the lesson: Don't be afraid of speaking powerfully to your position; even if it runs against the Beltway conventional wisdom. (Maybe even, because it runs against CW!)

Kari Chisholm | October 29, 2006 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: A Western Democrat on the Patriot Act | TrackBack (0) Montana, Policy Issues, Senators

Bet on Jack

With less than a month before Election Day, parties, committees, and individuals are making decisions about where to put their time and dollars. Recent polls suggest that both the Senate and the House might change hands and the Democrats might sweep, but it isn’t over until the votes are counted, and four weeks is a long time in politics.

I noticed on Pollster.com that Zogby had Jack Carter up 49% to 42% over John Ensign in Nevada. Checking with the Carter campaign, I learned that the numbers were flipped, that it should be 42/49 the other way. Still, a seven point gap means that this race is winnable if the party seriously funds the Carter campaign. Jack Carter has name recognition, indeed, a name identified with integrity, morality, and values.

We need to expand our efforts to put as many contests in play as possible while the tide is running our way. In the West the Senate contests in Montana, Arizona, and Nevada should all be in play.

Go here from some great press on Brian Schweitzer’s visit to rural Nevada to support Jack.

Carter and Schweitzer — who both grew up in rural areas — highlighted Carter’s roots during the visit. Schweitzer said he and Carter are “gun-toting, pickup-driving, dog-loving, take responsibility for their actions, balance the checkbook at the end of the month, pay as you go, calluses on the hands, go to church on Sunday Democrats.”

“Jack is the kind of Democrat we need to send to Washington, D.C.,” Schweitzer said.

The party and the netroots should bet on Jack!

Leo Brown | October 12, 2006 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: Bet on Jack | TrackBack (0) Nevada, Senators

The West is not the South: Burns and the PATRIOT Act edition

In some parts of the country, you could get away with demonizing a Democrat by saying he'd want to repeal the PATRIOT Act, but in Montana things are different. When Sen. Conrad Burns claimed recently that Jon Tester wanted to "weaken" the Patriot Act, Tester kept on going:

Burns said he also supported programs monitoring international telephone calls against those suspected of terrorism.

"He wants to weaken the Patriot Act," he said of Tester.

Tester sought to clarify:

"I don't want to weaken the Patriot Act, I want to repeal it. What it does, it takes away your freedom ... and when you take away our freedoms, the terrorists have won," Tester said.

You see, the West in not the South. In the South they care more about things like secruity over freedom, but in the West, the libertarian tradition is strong. One could say that there is a war within the Republican Party over this West vs. South thingie:

As the Republican Party tilts on its South-West axis, increasingly favoring southern values (religion, morality, tradition) over western ones (freedom, independence, privacy), the Democrats have been presented with a tremendous opportunity. If the Republican Party doesn't want to lose its hold over all of the West, as it lost hold of once-reliable California more than a decade ago, its leaders are going to have to rethink their embrace of big-government, big-religion conservatism.

What does it tell you about the South winning the soul of the Republican Party when it is a Democrat in Montana saying that freedom is the most important issue?

Here are a few more good links on this, including Testers' ad on the issue (here) and a post from Left in the West that got me going on this (here ).

Emmett O'Connell | September 30, 2006 | Comment on This Post (2 so far) Permalink: The West is not the South: Burns and the PATRIOT Act edition | TrackBack (0) Montana, Policy Issues, Regionalism, Senators

There He Goes Again

Montana GOP Senator Conrad Burns is at it again. I could link to a bunch of posts on his bad behavior and persistent case of diarrhea of the mouth, but you'd be here all day looking at it. Just take my word for it: Conrad Burns is a bigot.

From the Billings Gazette:

Republican Sen. Conrad Burns, who has gotten into hot water before for comments seen as disparaging various groups, joshingly remarked Thursday on the number of Italian-Americans at the Federal Aviation Administration.

The Montana senator, facing a tough re-election fight against Democrat Jon Tester, was heading an aviation subcommittee
hearing of the Commerce Committee when two FAA officials, Michael Cirillo and Nicholas Sabatini, introduced themselves as witnesses.

"I'm wondering if that's all they're hiring," Burns said of the federal agency.

[...]

Also during Thursday's hearing, Burns asked witness Matt Andersson, senior aviation consultant for CRA International, about the spelling of his name. Andersson said it's the Swedish spelling.

"Oh, ja," Burns replied in a mock Swedish accent.

We all know that Burns is bought and paid for by the special interests, but with each racist remark he makes, it makes you wonder whether those special interests dress in white sheets and pointy hats.

It's time to bring some decency back to Montana and the United States. Support Jon Tester for Senate.

kencamp | September 28, 2006 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: There He Goes Again | TrackBack (0) Montana, Republicans, Senators

Pederson turning the corner?

With some good poll numbers coming in showing him only a few points down from Jon Kyl, it looks like Jim Pederson actuall has a chance. Despite what I wrote here, he seems to be gaining some post Labor Day ground against who I thought would be a good target.

wactivist has a pretty good explanation of what might be going on:

Arizona activists on blogs, in Democratic meetings, and while talking with their friends and families have in the past been quick to criticize and dismiss Pederson’s chances. Let’s just admit that outright. The truth is, the guy isn’t always given much of a chance by the same people who probably are most dedicated to him winning.

There are always a bunch of reasons given – some that might be true, some that definitely aren’t – but the consensus around these parts is that the Pederson campaign was still-born – he is a good guy – has the resources to win – but for whatever reason, Kyl will roll to victory.

People reacted similiarly to Jason Williams’ campaign. For whatever reason, activist chatter dismissed Williams – and look what happened? He quietly put together a strong effort, with disciplined message and good outreach. He shocked everyone but himself by winning – and I think Jim might be in that same boat.

Over the past few months, under the guidance of new campaign manager Sky Gallegos, an agressive communications team, and a more than amazing public schedule (heh, had to say that) – the Pederson campaign has been getting their message out in the media, has been airing effective TV ads both for Jim, and against Kyl – and the net result is a determined campaign clawing their way out of a hole that some of us worried was insurmountable as they close in on a lead.

Plus, Kyl going negative may put the incumbent in a much worse light than he would have been:

On the other hand the Kyl campaign has gone all buck-wild. Attacking Jim for being wealthy and putting his own money into his campaign … an attack which CLEARLY has no traction – but they are in love with. This money thing seems especially foolish when you realize how much money Kyl has in the bank from special interests. I’ll take a guy putting his own hard cash into what he believes ANY DAY over a guy who is getting checks from every evil special interest in Amer