Political News--February 1

Good news for Republican candidate for Pennsylvania Governor, Lynn Swann as he, according to the article from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is all but assured his party's endorsement for Governor after defeating former Lt. Governor Bill Scranton in a vote by southwestern Pennsylvania GOP leaders. This is not good news for Scranton, who was hoping to slow down the Swann campaign. A third candidate, Jim Panyard, was not actively seeking the GOP endorsement.

Political Commercials of the Day--February 1

Today, I posted two commercials for you to look at.

First, Republican candidate for Illinois Governor, State Senator Bill Brady has taken to the airwaves with his first commercial.

Second, Democratic candidate for Connecticut Governor, New Haven Mayor John DeStefano is running his first campaign commercial.

Political Candidate Blogs

Here are a few political blogs related to candidates in 2006 elections.

Jim Doyle: D-Wisconsin Governor
Dick Lugar: R-US Senator-Indiana
Chet Culver: D-Candidate for Iowa Governor
Don Goldwater: R-Candidate for Arizona Governor
Rod Smith: D-Candidate for Florida Governor
Harold Ford: D-Candidate for US Senate, Tennessee
Jerry Weller: R-US Representative, 11th District, Illinois
Stu Umholtz: R-Candidate for Illinois Attorney General
Tom Osborne: R-Candidate for Nebraska Governor
Chris Bell: D-Candidate for Texas Governor

Political News Update--January 31

B. Thomas Golisano decided on Tuesday to withdraw his name from the New York Governor's Race. The thrice-defeated Gubernatorial nominee of the state's Independence Party switched his party affiliation to the Republican Party in late 2005. Poll numbers showed that Golisano would have had a difficult time against presumptive Democratic nominee, Eliot Spitzer.

The front runners for the Republican nomination are former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld, former State Assembly Minority Leader John Faso, and New York Secretary of State Randy Daniels. According to poll numbers, all three candidates are trailing in head-to-head contests with Spitzer.

Political Commercial of the Day--January 31

The Political Commercial of the Day:

Pete Ricketts, Republican candidate for US Senate

Recent Polls-Monday, January 30

Regardless of his vote for or against Supreme Court nominee, Samuel Alito, (he says that he will vote for him) it looks like Kent Conrad (D-ND) will cruise to an easy re-election this November. According to Rasmussen Reports, Conrad wins easily over all three of his potential GOP opponents. When likely voters are asked about a match-up against Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, Conrad leads 53% to 40%. With Public Services Commissioner Kevin Cramer as his general election oppponent, Conrad leads 57% to 35%. Bismarck Mayor John Warford would to Conrad, 59% to 31%.

In Tennessee, potential Republican nominees for US Senate hold a lead over the presumptive Democratic candidate, Rep. Harold Ford. Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker and US Representative Ed Bryant lead 42-40% over Ford. US Representative Van Hilleary leads 43-37% over Ford. The polls were conducted by Rasmussen Reports.

Political News--Monday, January 30

A great article about Ed Case's move for the Democratic nomination for US Senate in Hawaii. Why Ed Case chose to run now is interesting enough, but does he have enough political backing from Hawaii's grassroots? He needs this backing, because US Senator Daniel Akaka has the backing of the party's leadership in Washington and Hawaii. What you must realize is that no matter how understandable Case's position is, there will always be a pecking order when it comes to slating candidates for election.

This brings me to the competitive Republican nomination for Governor in Pennsylvania. If you haven't read it already, Lynn Swann is the "rich white" candidate in the Gubernatorial race. This statement about Swann, an African-American, came from then-campaign manager of Bill Scranton's campaign. Scranton fired Bill Seif after his comments about Swann. Seif agreed with the decision and stated that the decisiveness of Scranton's decision makes him the best candidate for Governor.

My Online Political Commercial of the Day goes to: Edwin Eisendrath (D-Illinois candidate for Governor)

My Political Quote of the Day goes to John Kelly, (D-IL), Candidate for US House, 3rd District:

"The only thing I want to plant is a shot on [Sullivan's] jaw." Kelly's comment follows John Sullivan's accusation that Kelly is only on the ballot to split the opposition vote of current Democratic House member, Dan Lipinski. Kelly and Sullivan are challenging Lipinski for the Democratic nomination. Lipinski is favored to win his party's primary in March as well as the general election in November.

Texas Gubernatorial Blog

A blog devoted to Texas Gubernatorial candidate, Bob Gammage (D) is now ready for reading.

Created by Jason Benbrook.

Matt Blunt for Governor Blog

There is a blog posted for Matt Blunt, Candidate for Missouri Governor. Click on his name for the connection.

Blog created by Cindy McClanahan.

Student Websites: Up and Running

In the weeks to come, students will be posting information on their own blogs related to the 2006 elections.

As of right now: Cindy McClanahan has started a website devoted to Governor Matt Blunt of Missouri.


Also in the devotion to keeping up with what I posted earlier in the week:

Judy Baar Topinka (R-IL), Candidate for Governor has her new site up touting her pick for Lt. Governor, DuPage State's Attorney, Joe Birkett.

Random Thoughts on Third Parties

I like third parties. Granted, they do not have much of a chance to win in any election, but I certainly do like them. Some third parties advocate particular agendas (ie. Greens, Libertarians), while others exist to, well, exist (ie. the Light Party or Pansexual Party).

There are two things that I like to mention about thirds in this posting. First, when searching around on the Internet, please note that the Green Party has candidates for all statewide elections in Illinois. The reason why I feel that this is noteworthy is that the they are the only third party with a slate of candidates in each state race. The Libertarian Party chose not to field a slate of candidates this time around. With the dismal showing of Cal Skinner four years ago, the LPI decided to regroup and retool their organization in 2006.

As for the Greens, three candidates have websites regarding their candidates. Please visit them. Two are up-to-date, while one still touts her candidacy for Illinois House of Representatives. For the most part, the three sites are easy to navigate.

Rich Whitney (Gov.): whitneyforgov.org
Julie Samuels (Lt. Gov.): juliesamuels.com
Dan Rodriguez-Schlorff (State Treasurer): www.schlorff.com

Other candidates, without websites:

David Black for Attorney General
Karen Young for Secretary of State
Alicia Snyder for State Comptroller

If you know of any website updates for these candidates, please email me at schreck@morainevalley.edu

The second third party posting regards Kinky Friedman for Governor (I-TX):

You have to see the commercials for the Kinky Friedman Talking Action Figure. On his website, http://www.kinkyfriedman.com/, you will find three such commercials. In one of the commercials, you will find a certain interim US Senator from Minnesota asking the Friedman figure a question. That's Dean Barkley, former US Senate appointee of then-Governor Jesse Ventura, and now Friedman's Campaign Director and Chief Strategist. Friedman's poll numbers are ahead of Ventura's at this stage of the game. Friedman polls 10-12% and he is not even on the ballot yet. Once Friedman gains ballot access in Texas, he'll certainly be worth watching. The race in general is worth analyzing because there will be four candidates on the ballot (access permitting, of course). Current Governor Rick Perry (R) will be the party nominee for the GOP. A contested Democratic primary will field a nominee. There will also be two Independent candidates. Current State Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn (I), dropped her bid for the Republican nomination and became an Independent. Finally, there's Richard. Kinky to his friends. Perry is heavily favored, but with a four-way race, anything can happen. If Friedman is allowed to debate, then look out. Ventura gained access to public debates in Minnesota and wiped the floor clean with his opponents. The same could happen with Friedman. Wait and see.

In the meantime, visit his website (mentioned above).

Keeping you informed....

As I mentioned in previous postings, this site is used as an educational tool by students at Moraine Valley Community College. All of my students are being graded on the blogs that they create. The blogs are devoted to the 2006 elections. As of 11:47pm on Tuesday night, the following candidates will be written about by my students:

State Senator Bill Brady (R-IL): Candidate for Illinois Governor
Edwin Eisendrath (D-IL): Candidate for Illinois Governor
Governor Jennifer Granholm (D-MI): Michigan Governor
State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka (R-IL): Candidate for Illinois Governor

Once these blogs have been published, you will find their blog addresses here. You will also find political commentary left by me on their postings.

More candidates will follow. Updates are forthcoming.

Gubernatorial Candidate Websites

Here are some thoughts about Gubernatorial Candidate Websites in Illinois:

Current Governor:

Rod Blagojevich (D)--www.rodforillinois.com: The page is still under construction

Other candidates:

Edwin Eisendrath (D)--eisendrath2006.com: Well done site, updated considerably. Plenty of photos and media accounts regarding the former Chicago Alderman.

Bill Brady (R)--www.citizensforbillbrady.com: The State Senator's website is updated nicely. Has plenty of photos from the campaign trail, but there aren't any labels next to the photos. He does have two new radio ads that can be heard in mp3 form.

Ron Gidwitz (R)--ron2006.com: This was once a Gidwitz only site. Now it is a Gidwitz/Steve Rauschenberger site. You must scroll down to read a considerable amount of information.

Jim Oberweis (R)--oberweisforillinois.com: Not as wordy as Gidwitz or Brady. Site is updated and he has his mailers online.

Judy Topinka (R)--judyforgov.com: Since December, the website was not updated. It was an uninspired site, to say the least. On January 17, the website was down, presumably to update the site. Topinka is assumed to the front runner in the Republican primary.

Swann in '06?

It is interesting to see that the GOP of Pennsylvania is turning to a political novice in Lynn Swann for Governor. Now, the party has not officially endorsed the former Pittsburgh Steeler Hall of Fame Wide Receiver, but after a stellar showing in a recent vote by Western PA GOP leaders, an official state GOP endorsement is likely. What is even more interesting is that Swann is likely to receive the endorsement over former Lt. Governor, Bill Scranton III.

Swann represents the message that National GOP Chairman, Ken Mehlman has been touting since 2004. The message is that the GOP is inclusive and favors African-Americans in a more positive light than perhaps the Democrat Party does. A Swann vs. Rendell race in November will be an election with national implications.

One caveat to a Swann-Rendell race: Never underestimate the power of a family name in politics...Bush, Ford (TN), Lipinski (IL), and many others prove that point. Scranton could pull an upset in PA, which would all but give Governor Ed Rendell a better chance for re-election.

What's In Store for '06?

Hello everyone. Hope you all had a great New Year.

So what's in store for 2006 on The Political Weekly?

Just as I had done last year, students from my American National Government classes at Moraine Valley will have a weekly assignment related to the elections of 2006. Their job? Blogging about a candidate for US Senate, House, or Governor. This should be pretty interesting and thorough. I have about 50-100 students (depending on enrollment), and no one candidate will be duplicated. If everyone does their work, it should be a rewarding experience for the students and for you.

If not, then it's back to the drawing board for me.

See you in a few weeks.

Deron