Polinaut: February 2, 2006 Archive

Briefing - Thursday February 2, 2006

Posted at 7:48 AM on February 2, 2006 by Bob Collins

A skip around the political planet while I figure out whether "but the roads were all closed because of the president," will work as an excuse for showing up late for work.

First, if you're going to the event at 3M this morning at 11, how about shooting a couple of thoughts my way in e-mail form when you have a chance? I'll be happy to post them here. If you're not going, the speech will be streamed live online here (we're only streaming in Windows now, by the way).

I'm always amazed at the amount of time people have to dissect the smallest details. Daily Koz has a funny -- well, to me -- blurb and photo proving -- proving! -- that Sen. Joe Lieberman was the first lawmaker out of his seat to applaud President Bush at the SOTU, ignoring the very distinct possibility that, in fact, he was just the slowest at sitting down from the previous applause line.

The blog, The First Ring, has a very detailed opinion piece looking at the speech.

Rather, it’s nothing more than a return to the Mommy Party, Daddy Party debate of years past except instead of Bush telling voters to return Republicans to office to offer tough love and to finish cleaning their plates, he’s admonishing Congress---and by extension, himself---to do the same. With only two years to go and really only about one session left before all congressional considerations become directed around the presidential primaries, Bush isn’t interested in remaking the wheel but finishing the classic car he envisioned building when he took office.

I mentioned Bush is in town today, right?

Speaking as a recovering wonk, I'm thinking the legislative session looks like it's going to be a lot of fun this year what with retiring lawmakers left and right and some real 'you're either for us or agin' us' issues that may die in committee but put up a fight in the process. Governor Pawlenty is pushing for a constitutional amendment on the November ballot on transportation funding and the sales tax that he outlined yesterday. I have no clue -- none -- on its prospects. You?

Do Dems outnumber Republicans? Does it matter?

Mninvolved has a profile of 1st District candidate Tim Walz. It notes Walz' fundraising prowess, incumbent Gil Gutknecht is outraising him 4-to-1. That, however, is an awfully tough district to take the temperature of.

There's a movement afoot, speaking of Walz, to organize the Band of Brothers as a political force. Next Wednesday the group will rally in Washington:

Not since 1946 have so many veterans come together as candidates for one political party. We already have commitments from over half of our candidates to come to Washington D.C., rally around Rep. Murtha.

Looking ahead a bit, President Bush is quoted as saying he doesn't think Condoleezza Rice wants to be president.

Poll burps:

News story: Connecticut Republican governor getting some love.

Blog: ABC's Gibson used polls renounced by ABC's polling director to speculate that Bush might get a "pretty good size boost" in polls due to SOTU (Media Watch - C'mon boys, learn to write a headline!)

Rasmussen: Bush job approval at 47%

A year for incumbent governors?

Posted at 11:31 AM on February 2, 2006 by Bob Collins (1 Comments)

University of Virginia professor Larry Sabato, one of the more oft-quoted "analysts" in MSM around these parts, is out with an essay today on the analysis of gubernatorial races. In Statehouses Gleam for Democrats in 2006 But all that Glisters is not Gold he places Minnesota in the Competitive States Leaning Republican category.

"Gov. Tim Pawlenty's road to reelection will be rocky, and he knows it, but this Democratic-leaning state will still be inclined to give him a second term."

Sabato sees Wisconsin as leaning Democrat.

"Maybe anyone who succeeded Gov. Tommy Thompson (R) would pale by comparison. First Lt. Gov. Scott McCallum (R) who got the post after Thompson joined Bush's Cabinet in 2001 and now Gov. Jim Doyle (D) who beat McCallum in 2002 never connected with the Wisconsin public. Doyle's ratings are mediocre, and while he may win a second term as the incumbent, he'll be hard pressed by either Congressman Mark Green (R) or Milwaukee executive Scott Walker (R). The sli ghtest lean for Doyle as the year begins."

But I wonder how the veto of the conceal carry legislation will play in November in the cheesehead state?

Comment on this post

The Bush speech

Posted at 12:53 PM on February 2, 2006 by Bob Collins

Here's the encoded version.

And just to remind you: All My Children will be aired tomorrow morning at 1:50 a.m.

Wetterling in

Posted at 6:36 PM on February 2, 2006 by Bob Collins

Associated Press is reporting that Elwyn Tinklenberg has been told by Patty Wetterling that she'll run in the 6th District against him. Not much of a surprise, of course.