The Politics1 Report - http://www.politics1.com/
TEXAS RUN-OFF CANDIDATE HAPPILY SINGING IN THE RAIN
Rather appropriately, it was raining throughout Texas during Tuesday's
run-off elections. Retired Air Force attorney and perennial candidate
Gene Kelly (D-TX) -- no relation to the beloved late actor who shared the
same name -- handily won the Democratic nomination for US Senator in
Tuesday's run-off election. With a paltry statewide turnout of just 2.1%,
Kelly defeated former State Rep. Charles Gandy (D) by a 58% to 42% vote.
Kelly previously lost six prior statewide races in the 1990s. State party
leaders favored Gandy, an affordable housing activist. State GOP Chair
Susan Weddington proclaimed the Kelly victory as proof of "the erosion of
the grass-roots infrastructure of the [Texas] Democrat Party." State
Democratic Chair Molly Beth Malcolm disagreed, telling the Dallas Morning
News that the party was simply concentrating its resources on important
races such as retaining control of the Texas House and recapturing control
of the Texas Senate. Incumbent US Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) is a
safe bet to win a landslide re-election in this race. Scientist and
author Mary Ruwart (Libertarian), retired US Navy Commander Mike Idrogo
(Reform), attorney Doug Sandage (Green), finance manager Hazel Chandler
(Natural Law) and perennial candidate Laura Garza (Independent) are also
running. The Constitution Party will also field a candidate, although the
party has not yet determined its nominee.
In the GOP run-off in District 7 to replace retiring Congressman Bill
Archer (R), State Rep. John Culbertson defeated wealthy businessman Peter
Wareing by a 20-point margin. Culbertson had repeatedly attacked Wareing
for having supported some liberal Democratic candidates in previous years.
Attorney Jeff Sell (D) and four others will oppose Culbertson in November.
The district, however, has been a safe Republican seat since it was
created 36 years ago -- so Culbertson can already start planning his move
to Washington.
LEADING BUSH VEEP PROSPECT CALLS FOR REPEAL OF PRO-LIFE PLATFORM PLANK
Governor Tom Ridge (R-PA) -- a leading candidate on nearly every list of
possible GOP Vice Presidential runningmates -- this week called for repeal
of the party's pro-life national platform plank. Ridge -- a pro-choice
Catholic -- told the Philadelphia Inquirer that he'd like to see the plank
dropped. Still, Ridge said he understands the votes are not there to make
the change now so he'd prefer that the issue not even be raised at this
year's convention. "What the Democrats would love to see is for us to get
mired down in this issue," explained Ridge. Bush campaign spokeswoman
Mindy Tucker responded that Bush believes the platform plank is "an
important statement of pro-life principles" -- but that Bush acknowledges
"that there are a lot of different people [within the GOP] with a lot of
different views on this issue."
In other VP related campaign news, George W. Bush is finally moving
towards making peace with vanquished rival John McCain (R-AZ). For the
first time since McCain ended his Presidential campaign, the two men will
meet privately on May 9. "I want his support, but I don't know if it will
happen as a result of the meeting ... I'm sure John and I will have a very
constructive conversation and I look forward to talking about areas where
we can work together to ... win," Bush told the AP. McCain aides told the
AP that the Senator will not likely endorse Bush at or immediately after
the meeting -- but will likely do so within the next few months. McCain
has previously said he wants Bush to embrace some of his calls for
political reform before he'd consider making the endorsement.
Also on the Veep watch, grassroots supporters of retiring Congressman John
Kasich (R-OH) have launched a web site proposing a Bush-Kasich ticket.
Like the Draft Elizabeth Dole for Vice President website we mentioned last
issue, the http://www.BplusK.org/ site is also attempting to mount an
online petition drive to show support for their GOP dream ticket.
PEROT IS A "NO GO"
The Draft Ross Perot for President campaign within the Reform Party has
sputtered to an end. Some party loyalists close to Perot -- including
party national secretary Jim Mangia -- launched the Draft Perot movement
approximately two months ago. At the time, many within the party believed
Perot was using the draft campaign as a trial balloon to possibly
challenge Pat Buchanan for the nomination. This week, however, Mangia
dejectedly conceded to the Washington Post that Perot is not going to make
a third run in 2000. With Perot out, Buchanan is a safe bet to win the
Reform nod and capture control of its nearly $13 million in federal
matching funds.
In related news, the strength of the Buchanan campaign has caused havoc in
the Wisconsin and Illinois chapters of the Reform Party. The Wisconsin
Party this week split into two competing factions -- each claiming to be
the lawful party structure and each fielding different "official" slates
of national convention delegates. Of the two, one group is pro-Buchanan
and the other is loyal to the state party's existing leadership. The
pro-Buchanan faction even elected state officials -- most of whom just
joined the party within the past month or two to help the campaign. In
Illinois, the state party leadership is so anti-Buchanan that they won't
even tell anyone when and where the state convention will take place.
Buchanan told the Chicago Sun-Times that the leadership are making it
impossible for his supporters to attend the secret event. "When you find
out where our [Illinois Reform] convention is, give me a call -- they may
be holding it this afternoon," Buchanan joked with a reporter. The New
Hampshire Reform Party went through a similar situation earlier this year
-- which remains unresolved.
BUSH SAYS MEETING WITH GAY OFFICIALS MADE HIM A "BETTER PERSON"
After some awkward initial indecisiveness, Governor George W. Bush (R-TX)
yesterday met with a group of gay Republicans. Earlier this year, Bush
had declined invitations to meet with leaders of the Log Cabin Republicans
-- a group of gay Republican activists. In response, the Log Cabin
leaders had personally raised money for John McCain's campaign and the
group ran some anti-Bush TV spots. The group that met yesterday with Bush
had largely been Bush supporters within the Log Cabin organization who
were critical of the anti-Bush ads. Prominent members of the informal
group included City Councilman David Catania (R-DC), former Congressman
Steve Gunderson (R-WI) and Plattsburgh Mayor Dan Stewart (R-NY). Michael
Farris, a prominent Religious Right leader in Virginia, told reporters the
meeting did not trouble him so long as Bush did not alter any of his
conservative positions on gay rights issues. Following the 90-minute
meeting, Bush told reporters "I'm a better person for the meeting. I
enjoyed it." Bush told the group he was receptive to having an openly gay
person -- possibly Congressman Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) -- address the national
convention on gay issues. Former Presidential hopeful Gary Bauer (R-VA)
was incensed by the possibility of a pro-gay convention speech. "I think
it would be bizarre to pick somebody to speak at the convention based on
their sexual preference, because once you go down that road, why don't you
pick a transvestite," Bauer sarcastically asked the Washington Post.
Bush's remarks were aimed at the conciliation: "I want the Republicans --
conservative Republicans -- to understand that we judge people on their
heart and soul and while we disagree on gay marriage, for example, we
agree on a lot of other issues, and it's important for people to hear
that. I'm mindful that we're all God's children." Bush also added that --
contrary to his vague earlier statements -- he would have no problem
appointing an openly gay person to a position in his administration so
long as they agreed with Bush's general political philosophy. Bush, who
said he would "welcome gay Americans into my campaign," vowed that he
would hold "ongoing" meeting with gay supporters for the duration of the
campaign. Democratic activists responded that the meeting was likely an
insincere attempt by Bush to moderate his image.
BAD NEWSPAPER ARTICLE FORCES CANDIDATE FROM US SENATE RACE
Multimillionaire businessman George Grogan (R-NE) abruptly ended his
campaign for an open US Senate this week on the heels of a critical
newspaper article about his personal life and business dealings. In
recent weeks, Grogan had spent heavily from his own pocket to flood
Nebraska airwaves with TV commercials touting his candidacy. Grogan ended
his bid Wednesday night, explaining that his family had suffered
tremendous harm because of the Omaha World-Herald article. The article
detailed his four marriages and messy divorces, a 1977 bankruptcy, and
featured comments from people highly critical of his business style. GOP
State Chairman Chuck Sigerson told the Nebraska State Paper that the
article was "pretty strong stuff" and that he couldn't remember any prior
candidate in the state scrutinized to that detail. Still, Sigerson said
the newspaper "had every right" to report the story. Of the remaining GOP
candidates, Attorney General Don Stenberg and Secretary of State Scott
Moore said they had nothing to hide and did not fear similar stories.
Likewise, a spokesman for former Governor Ben Nelson (D) -- the likely
Democratic nominee for US Senator -- said Nelson could also withstand
similar scrutiny. Agribusinessman Dave Hergert (R), dermatologist Elliott
Rustad (R) and perennial candidate John DeCamp (R) are also running.
CONGRESSMAN JIM MORAN ... HERO OR VILLAIN?
Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA) made headlines last week when he purportedly
ended an attempted car jacking by apprehending the juvenile suspect.
Moran said that the 8-year-old boy implied he had a gun and demanded the
keys to Moran's truck. Moran grabbed the boy and hauled him into the
office at the recreation center where the event took place. Police were
called, although no weapon was found. Moran has since waffled on whether
or not to press charges -- but said he is now inclined to do so. Moran
was at the center to pick-up his own child. The event took a strange turn
yesterday when the boy's mother said that Moran should be charged with
battery against her young child. She said her son was admiring the
Congressman's truck when Moran became angry and abusive. She claims Moran
was not justified in grabbing the boy by the neck, shouting profanities at
him and then dragging him into the school. The boy told the Washington
Times that Moran "choked me and then cussed at me. I thought he was going
to kidnap me or kill me ... All I told him was that I liked his car."
Moran concedes he was upset with the boy and likely shouted at him, but
doesn't recall using any profanities. Otherwise, Moran described the rest
of the boy's version as "all lies." "If [Moran] wants to file charges,
let him. Let's take it to court. That way the truth will come out,"
explained the boy's mother.
CHALLENGERS TO WATCH IN NOVEMBER
In Hawaii, former pro football player Russ Francis (R) announced his
candidacy for Congress against entrenched incumbent Congresswoman Patsy
Mink (D). Francis, who formerly played for the New England Patriots,
switched his party registration from Independent to Republican in 1999.
He announced his candidacy at Aikahi Elementary School, where he once
attended grade school. Mink is favored to win, but Francis should make
the race interesting. Other retired football players are also running for
office this year. Former pro football quarterback Paul Williams --
formerly of the Houston Oilers -- is the GOP nominee for Congress in a
Texas district. In Missouri, State Senator Bill Kenney (R) -- who was
once the star quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs -- is running for
Lieutenant Governor.
In Oklahoma, State Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher (D) announced
this week that he would challenge incumbent Congressman J.C. Watts (R) in
November. Watts, under pressure from national GOP leaders, broke his
voluntary 1994 term limits promise to the voters in order to seek
re-election this year. Fisher said he would "introduce [Watts] to term
limits the old fashioned way ... If a man's word is no good, the man is no
good." Watts is also facing primary challenges from two minor Republican
opponents -- both of whom support term limits. Watts is still favored to
win re-election, but the race is likely to be competitive. Fisher was
first elected Insurance Commissioner in 1998 by ousting the incumbent in
that contest.
DUH!
Vice President Al Gore (D), speaking today in California, boldly called
for banning firearms from "from places of worship and where school events
are held." Perhaps Gore feared that the NRA was planning to launch a
"Take Your Handgun To Church" campaign. Under Gore's plan -- and I'm not
making this up -- firearms would be banned from "churches, synagogues,
mosques, and all places of worship, as well as places where school events
are held." Maybe next week Gore will courageously propose banning the
carrying of firearms in hospital delivery rooms, animal petting zoos and
"places where nice things happen."
PRO-FOOTBALL PLAYER & POLITICAL-WANNABE ARRESTED ON RAPE CHARGES
Pro football player Mark Chmura (R-WI) -- a tight end with the Green Bay
Packers -- was touted in state GOP circles as a rising political star.
Chmura even told reporters in 1998 that Governor Tommy Thompson (R-WI) had
been encouraging him to run for Congress. That likely political
ascendancy came to a crashing end this week when Chmura, 31, was arrested
for forcibly raping a 17-year-old girl at a house party a friend hosted
for local teenagers. Chmura made a name for himself in Wisconsin politics
when he campaigned for Bob Dole in 1996 and subsequently refused to go to
the White House in 1997 to receive Super Bowl congratulations from
President Clinton. At the time, Chmura said he refused to meet with
Clinton because the President "was immoral." Three months ago, Chmura was
the keynote speaker at the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee's annual
fundraising dinner. Conservative politicians who previously embraced the
football star quickly distanced themselves from him. A spokesman for
Governor Thompson told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that "this would be
seriously damaging to anyone's political aspirations, except maybe Bill
Clinton's." State Assembly Majority Leader Steve Foti (R) said that the
party would no longer use Chmura's help for any fundraising activities.
District Attorney Paul Bucher told the newspaper it would likely be
several weeks before any formal charges were filed. Chmura's attorney
told reporters: "I won't deny that he was in that house ... [but] there's
no concession to anything else." If convicted, Chmura faces a maximum
penalty of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Chmura's attorney
hinted that -- if any sexual acts even took place -- they may have been
consensual and, thus, would merely be a misdemeanor offense because of the
girl was under age 18.
"I'M NOT A SPACE MONKEY, BUT I PLAYED ONE ON TV ..."
Congressional nominee Jerry Doyle (R-CA) is best known for his starring
role in the defunct TV series "Babylon 5." Doyle, an underdog, is
challenging incumbent Congressman Brad Sherman (D). On his website --
under his biography section -- Doyle wants readers to know that the
actor/candidate is just like the character he played on the sci-fi show:
"both have high standards, audacity, are outspoken and have a vivid past.
Like his character, Jerry is not one for proceeding in life on the normal
track." Of course, Doyle also was the voice of Captain Simian in the
animated series "Captain Simian and the Space Monkeys." By Doyle's same
leap of logic, does that mean the candidate also would have much in common
with so-called space monkeys? Among Doyle's other qualifications -- which
Doyle earnestly touts as serious achievements -- are his "Honorary Test
Pilot" title he got after taking a publicity flight on an F-16 jet and the
"Honorary Naval Aviator" title he received after making a two day visit to
a Navy aircraft carrier. In case you're wondering, Doyle doesn't
apparently have any actual military service record -- but he did once work
in the marketing and sales division of the Falcon Jet Corporation.
AND YET ANOTHER SHAMELESS PLUG FROM RON FOR LOBBYFORME.COM ...
I'll bet you just knew I was going to work in another plug for
LobbyForMe.com ... so here it is! To those of you who visited our new
LobbyForMe.com site -- located at http://www.lobbyforme.com/ -- I wanted
to extend my thanks. Based on our recent site stats, about 20% of the
readers of this letter have already visited the site ... so what are the
other 80% of you waiting for?? We had a lot of fun this week with the
"Live Voting" program, which allows people across America to cast votes on
Congressional bills at the same time that the Members of Congress are
doing the same -- and see side-by-side totals comparing the votes cast by
the incumbents and our site's visitors. This cool feature will be back
and operating again when Congress returns to session from the Easter
recess on May 2nd. Until then, please visit the site and vote in our
Presidential campaign poll -- and on our fun Hot Topics polls. You can
already see my influence at the site as -- since I started working for
LobbyForMe.com -- the poll has now been broadened to include numerous
third party candidates spanning the ideological spectrum. The
Constitution Party found out about the poll and sent out an email to party
loyalists nationwide, blitzing the site in support of Howard Phillips (who
is now at 12% in the poll!). Check out the site and -- while you're there
-- please cast a vote for the candidate of your choice.
POLITICS1 REPORT SUBSCRIBER NEWS
Politics1 Report subscriber Jason Shepherd (R-GA), a former aide to US
House Speaker Newt Gingrich, emailed that he is now working as a political
consultant with Landmark Communications, a mostly Republican
firm in Atlanta. Jason can be contacted at mailto:Shep1975@aol.com ...
Politics1 Report subscriber and Newcastle City Councilor Tom Woodwark of
England emailed that he is now standing for re-election. Tom, a member of
the Liberal Democrats (the centrist party in the UK) invites you to visit
their local party site at http://www.newcastle-libdems.org.uk/ (and, if
you're looking through the LD site, Tom represents the South Gosforth
district) ... Politics1 Report subscriber Chris Coons (D-DE) writes that
he is candidate for New Castle County Council President. Chris invites
you to visit his campaign site at http://www.chriscoons2000.com/ ...
Politics1 Report subscriber Ron Lisy (R-OH) was recently elected Co-Chair
of the Ohio League of Young Republican Clubs. Ron is also the GOP nominee
for State Representative and invites you to visit his campaign site at
http://RonLisy.8m.com/ ... Politics1 Report subscriber and building
contractor Mark Greene of Texas won the Democratic nomination for Congress
last month for the right to face Congresswoman Kay Granger (R) in
November. Mark invites you to visit his campaign site at
http://www.greene2000.org/ ... Politics1 Report subscriber and California
Institute of Technology professor Mike Alvarez would like people to
participate in future Internet surveys of American opinion. If you're
interested in learning more, visit his site at http://survey.caltech.edu/
... Politics1 Report subscriber and student Micah Mintz has put together a
web site devoted to following the Vice Presidential candidacy speculation
in both parties. He invites you to visit his site at
http://www.Geocities.com/CapitolHill/Senate/2335/VPMM and invites you to
send him your comments ... As always, if you have political news, email me
at mailto:publisher@politics1.com
