Mar 02 2008
Here’s part seven of the second round of congressional races. Earlier parts are here
Indiana has 9 representatives: 5 Democrats and 4 Republicans
Filing deadline was Feb 22, primary is May 6
Iowa has 5 representatives: 3 Democrats and 2 Republicans
Filing deadline is March 14, primary is June 3
Kansas has 4 representatives: 2 Democrats and 2 Republicans
Filing deadline is June 10, primary is August 5
Jan 09 2008
In the Iowa wrap-up diary last week, I posted this comment. It turned out to be prescient, so I’m going to flog it a little. The key insight is that, without an incumbent running, Iowa and New Hampshire are generally won by different candidates. This year, that worked in both parties. Part of this may be due to Granite Staters desire to defy expectations, part to the less populist and more libertarian politics of the state, and part of it may be due to the different campaign strategies and tactics (and infrastructure) required to win the two states.
Anyway, having said four days ago about the race what people are saying now, I’m going to take a victory lap. Yes, this is obnoxious; we’ll all get over it. I think what we’re likely to see now is Edwards decides to withdraw if he doesn’t do well in Nevada — assuming (as I expect) that he does prefer Obama over Clinton — and tosses his support to Obama, most of which sticks on Feb. 5. But unless Obama beats Hillary by over a 60-40% margin on Feb. 4, this will not be over for a long time, for reasons discussed below.
Jan 04 2008
‘I won’t tell you what you want to hear, I’ll tell you what you need to know.’
Gee, sounds like the worst of both worlds to me.
Not true. Tonight, when the aspiring leader of the free world declaimed: ‘I’ll tell you what you need to know’, my blood ran cold. Executive authority? Vive le roi!
Matt Yglesias purrs. Others squeal with delight. I, on the other hand, don’t like Obama; and I don’t like what he says.
And until he wins the nomination, I get to tell folks here why.
If he wins the nomination.
How do I loathe Obama? Well, actually it’s not that simple.
I’ve taken the measure of my hostility towards Obama and discovered a great deal I do like in the candidate.
I respect Obama’s intellect and his accomplishments. I respect his commitment to family and community. I respect his commitment to building a bright future for himself and for his family and community. ‘Nuff said.
How did that speech go? “…in small towns and big cities you came together as Democrats, Republicans and Independents…” Did I hear that right? Republicans are awarded second-place mention in Obama’s victory speech? Gee, I wasn’t aware that Republicans won anything in Iowa when Obama finished ahead of Edwards and other committed Dems.
But Obama isn’t kidding. Obama appeals to Republicans, actively, as he did in Iowa tonight. And if you like the idea of climbing into electoral bed with the Andrew Sullivans and George Wills of the world: good news! Sullivan and Will are already there, with Tweety! Andrew informs us that NRO is chirping an Obama song, too.
Bill Bennett watched the Iowa results and shocked pundits by assuring his all Wall-Street buddies that Obama represents no threat whatsoever? Huh? I thought die-hard Republicans are supposed to paint the Dem winner in shades of red or pink. But Bennett, a career bible-thumper and gambler of long experience, looks hard at Obama…and likes what he sees. Bennett’ message is un-mistakable: upper-income voters should have no problem pulling the lever for Obama. Big Pharma doesn’t have a better friend than silly Sully. Sully’s giddy support for Obama and antipathy for universal health-care should be enough to worry folks. Clearly, many are too busy hoping.
If accountability matters to you, if you believe strongly that those who lied America into the war must be punished, if you believe corporate America is a threat to your freedoms, your income, your health and your job, you may want to think carefully before putting the forgiver-in-chief in the White House.
Obama may win the nomination. That’s when critics like me get to STFU and commit to burning the Republican house to the ground. But if folks decide to follow a man who doesn’t scare Bill Bennett, don’t be surprised to discover some of the worst criminals are standing next to you inside the Dem tent before the match is struck.
Jan 04 2008
So, Iowans has gone to their meetings and the results are in. With all of the analysis that’s going on, I thought I’d throw my 2 cents worth in.
Jan 02 2008
It appears there may be some more panky-hanky going on in Iowa. If you live there, or know folks who live there, please alert them to the following:
My friend Jerry Berkman has been very active in electoral reform for the last 7-8 years. He played a major role in helping to correct problems in California.
I just received the following note from him:
California Election Reform Alert, Dec. 31, 2007 The Iowa Caucuses happen this Thursday. So far, both the Democratics and Republicans have been unwilling to release the procedures for counting and tabulating the votes, and are unwilling to commit to posting the precinct results and how they arrive at the state wide totals. Since a poor showing in Iowa can knock a candidate out of the race, transparency of procedures should be a requirement. If you know anyone in Iowa, forward the link below to them and ask them to contact the Democratic and/or Republican parties. For details, see the lead article at: http://www.blackboxvoting.org archived at: http://www.bbvforums.org/cgi-b… – Jerry
I know it’s short timing, but see what you can do to let people know.
The price of democracy is eternal vigilance.
Thomas Jefferson. (Is this quote accurate?)
Thanks!
Dec 20 2007
Cross posted at KOS
How can we demand courage from our leader when we have so little?
How can we continue to support candidates who do not support us NOW?
How can we uphold the Constitution when we allow others to abrogate our most important responsibility, our vote?
How can we beg for change when we cannot face change?
How can we save the planet when we cannot save ourselves?
Follow me below the fold and I will give you my take on why who and what we are can be another recipe for a continuing disaster.