Polinaut: January 26, 2006 Archive

Briefing - January 26, 2006

Posted at 7:46 AM on January 26, 2006 by Bob Collins

Phil Krinkie doesn't hold back. The candidate for Congress in the 6th District comes out swinging on his Web site with the latest on the Alito nomination.

Today's vote was bitter because the left-wing who controls the Democratic Party has now made it clear that they will politicize the judiciary to pursue their extremist agenda. A strictly party-line vote for a clearly qualified nominee based solely on perceived ideological differences is unheard of in these confirmation processes.

MNPublius has particulars on a poll call a reader received regarding sports stadia in Anoka County, with some, well, weird questions.

Minnesota Daily opinion piece, written by the head of the U-DFL, explains why "Mark Kennedy is wrong for students." But the Walker Pilot-Independent has a different view, at least regarding some outdoors issues.

Pete McCloskey is back, according to the LA Times.

he will run against Rep. Richard W. Pombo (R-Tracy), a leading critic of how the government has applied environmental protection laws.

But Swing State Project raises a disputed concern:

I'm appalled at McCloskey's involvement with the Institute for Historical Review, a notorious cabal of Holocaust deniers (something I did not know about when I first wrote about him). In a 2000 speech, he told the group, "I don't know whether you are right or wrong about the Holocaust...." Needless to say, this kind of talk disgusts me in the extreme. McCloskey's remark a few days ago that he "will go and speak to any group" doesn't signal very good judgment or contrition, either.

Red State gives props to Sen. Norm Coleman, who took on George Galloway in hearings into alleged oil-for-food corruption last year.

I am not saying that the House of Commons is made up of hicks: they are, in fact, a political organization with deep and subtle ways, with an institutional history that stretches back since before this continent was discovered by Spain. I am saying that assuming that the techniques that work in your legislative body will work in every legislative body is the hallmark of a hick, and not a very sophisticated one at that. Someone should have explained to him that Senators can be touchy about that sort of thing - and that he didn't have the cover that he'd have back home.

On Real Clear Politics (warning: turn on your pop-up blocker!), Marshall Wittman details why it's "not '94 yet" regarding a minority party sweeping to power.

Quick hits:
>> Robert Byrd has a challenger
>>Democrats get boost from advocacy group
>>Quinnipiac survey: N.J. Senate race is tight

A change at MNSpeak.com

Posted at 12:08 PM on January 26, 2006 by Bob Collins

One of the more fascinating Twin Cities-area blogs is changing hands. Rex Sorgatthas sold the blog to Tom Bartel, publisher of the Rake.

A posting on the site today says the site will only change "if you want it to," reminding me of one of the extra "lies" I learned early on in radio. "There'll be no changes in staff or programming."

Poll burp

Posted at 12:16 PM on January 26, 2006 by Bob Collins

Rasmussen is out with a slew of new polls today:

Colorado Governor:

As candidates for the open governor's seat in Colorado jockey for position, Democratic Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper leads in prospective match-ups against the Republicans most prominently vying for the GOP nomination (see crosstabs). The heavily courted mayor has yet to declare his candidacy. More...

New Jersey Senate:
In the race to be New Jersey's next U.S. Senator, Republican state Senator Tom Kean Jr. now leads appointed Democratic Senator Robert Menendez 42% to 35% (see crosstabs). Kean is son of a popular former governor.

That's quite a change from our December 8 survey, conducted at the time Menendez was appointed. In that survey, Menendez led Kean 38% to 34%.

Kansas Governor:
The first Rasmussen Reports Kansas poll of 2006 shows the incumbent Governor, Kathleen Sebelius (D), leading former state House Speaker Robin Jennison (R) 46% to 32%. Sebelius also leads state Senator Jim Barnett (R) 46% to 35%. More...

Other Rasmussens
California Governor: Arnold Catches Up
Michigan Senate: Stabenow with Big Lead
Michigan Governor: Granholm (D) by 11
Pennsylvania Governor: Swann (R) 45% Rendell (D) 43%
Pennsylvania Senate: Casey (D) 53% Santorum (R) 38%
Congressional Ballot: Democrats By 11
Arkansas Governor: Beebe Leads
Maryland Governor: Ehrlich (R) Rebounds
Maryland Senate: Steele (R) Leads
Virginia Senate: Allen (R) Way Ahead
Iowa Governor: Toss-Up
Montana Senate: Burns Loses Lead
Texas Governor: Free for All
Vermont Governor: Douglas Leads
Georgia Governor: Perdue Leads
Ohio Senate: Tight Race
Ohio Governor: Strickland (D) Leads
Texas Senate: Hutchison by 39 Points
Vermont Senate: Sanders at 70%
Florida Governor: Toss-Up

Hausman switches

Posted at 2:02 PM on January 26, 2006 by Bob Collins

Rep. Alice Hausman is switching her Senate endorsement, from Amy Klobuchar to Ford Bell. (More)

In his own words: Ford Bell

Posted at 3:20 PM on January 26, 2006 by Bob Collins

We're in the process of collecting expansive interviews with the various candidates as part of MPR's online coverage of Campaign 2006. These are also being used to ascertain specific positions for the upcoming version of Select A Candidate.

I'm going to post these interviews raw here as they come in. They'll also be added to the individual canditate pages on the Campaign 2006 Web site (hey, there isn't a better one, trust me!). And the individual statements on the issues will also be stripped and categorized on the candidate page.

This effort is independent of my broadcast brethren - shows like Midday and Midmorning, since the format here allows much more in-depth presentations.

Listen to Tom Scheck's interview with Ford Bell. (Real Audio) I've also stripped out the specific answers and posted them on the Issues section of the Ford Bell page.