Fred Thompson Stars in Ad for Conservative House Candidate
Fred Thompson, the former senator and candidate for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, is upping the ante in the inner Republican party battle over the special election in New York's 23rd congressional district by starring in an ad for Doug Hoffman, the Conservative Party candidate.
Thompson, who first endorsed Hoffman last month, has recently been joined by Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in endorsing him over the Republican Party nominee, Republican State Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava. The election, which happens a week from today, is being held up as a case study of the current conflict within the Republican party.
"Big government, high taxes, deficits, broken promises -- America is in trouble," Thompson says in the ad. "So when your grandchildren ask you why you didn't do something, be able to tell them that you voted for Doug Hoffman."
Local Republican representatives chose to back Scozzafava for her political experience and commitment to family values, even though she goes against the party on some social issues like abortion. Conservative activists, however, are getting behind Doug Hoffman. The split among conservatives has left their Democratic opponent, Bill Owens, in the lead in the most recent non-partisan poll of the race.
Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrinch, who is also considering a 2012 presidential run, is supporting Scozzafava, arguing that Republicans need to welcome in more moderates.
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Thompson, who first endorsed Hoffman last month, has recently been joined by Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in endorsing him over the Republican Party nominee, Republican State Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava. The election, which happens a week from today, is being held up as a case study of the current conflict within the Republican party.
"Big government, high taxes, deficits, broken promises -- America is in trouble," Thompson says in the ad. "So when your grandchildren ask you why you didn't do something, be able to tell them that you voted for Doug Hoffman."
Local Republican representatives chose to back Scozzafava for her political experience and commitment to family values, even though she goes against the party on some social issues like abortion. Conservative activists, however, are getting behind Doug Hoffman. The split among conservatives has left their Democratic opponent, Bill Owens, in the lead in the most recent non-partisan poll of the race.
Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrinch, who is also considering a 2012 presidential run, is supporting Scozzafava, arguing that Republicans need to welcome in more moderates.
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Alan Grayson Stands by "K Street Whore" Comment
(grayson.house.gov)
NOTE: Grayson has now apologized for the comments. Read more here.
Outspoken Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson is under fire from both Republicans and Democrats after a month-old radio interview was posted online in which Grayson is heard calling an adviser to Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke a "K Street whore."
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Dodd: Freeze Credit Card Interest Rates Now
(CBS)
In May, Congress passed The Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD) Act, which outlaws arbitrary increases in interest rates, fees or finance charges. But Dodd argues the new bill is needed because credit card companies have been "jacking up" interest rates in "a last ditch effort to squeeze customers" before the Credit CARD Act goes fully into effect next February.
It is unlikely that there are the votes in the Senate to pass Dodd's new legislation, but it may help him in a 2010 reelection campaign that is expected to be hard-fought. The longtime Democratic senator from Connecticut has faced criticism this year amid reports that he received preferential treatment from Countrywide Financial Corp. in securing a pair of home loans. He was cleared of wrongdoing by the Senate Ethics Committee.
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GOP Goes After Alan Grayson's "Names of the Dead" Web Site
(grayson.house.gov)
Earlier this week, Grayson created the Web site NamesOfTheDead.com, to emphasize the point that according to a Harvard study, more than 44,000 Americans die every year because they lack health insurance. The site prompts visitors to submit the names and stories of loved ones who died without insurance.
Grayson cited the same study last month, when he apologized to the dead, not Republicans, for saying in a speech that "Republicans want you to die quickly if you get sick."
Republicans complained that the "Names of the Dead" site violated House rules and possibly campaign finance laws because it had a link to Grayson's campaign Web site, the Associated Press reports. Grayson has now removed the link.
The Web site has had other problems, Talking Points Memo reports: Some of the "names of the dead" submitted and displayed on the site were clearly fake, such as "Wile E. Coyote," 55, of Sedona, Ariz.
Alan Grayson: People Like a Democrat with Guts
Grayson Defends "Die Quickly" Remarks
Congressmen Join Fight to Kill College Football's BCS
(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) and Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) said Monday that they are backing a federal political action committee "dedicated to discarding the Bowl Championship Series and instituting a competitive post-season championship for college football."
The people behind Playoff PAC – whose tagline is "Beat the BCS. Save College Football." – believe that the Bowl Championship Series is "inherently flawed," the group said in a press release.
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Alan Grayson, Joe Wilson Show That Controversy Pays
(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
CNN reports that Joe Wilson, the South Carolina Republican who yelled "you lie!" during President Obama's address to a joint session of Congress, raised $2.7 million through September 30th, according to newly-filed Federal Elections Commission disclosure forms.
Nearly all of that money came following Wilson's outburst, which generated enormous media coverage and resulted in a resolution of disapproval being passed against Wilson in the House.
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Harry Reid to Begin Airing TV Ads
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's re-election campaign announced it will start airing two new television ads in Nevada tomorrow.
While the release announcing the ads said they were "long planned to begin airing a year out from the election," the TV spots start airing on the same day as a new radio ad from the Republican National Committee slamming Reid and Vice President Joe Biden on the stimulus.
A recent Mason-Dixon poll shows the Nevada senator trailing two possible Republican challengers as he seeks a fifth six-year term. Real estate developer Danny Tarkanian would beat Reid 48 percent to 43 percent, while former GOP party official Sue Lowden leads Reid 49 percent to 39 percent.
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While the release announcing the ads said they were "long planned to begin airing a year out from the election," the TV spots start airing on the same day as a new radio ad from the Republican National Committee slamming Reid and Vice President Joe Biden on the stimulus.
A recent Mason-Dixon poll shows the Nevada senator trailing two possible Republican challengers as he seeks a fifth six-year term. Real estate developer Danny Tarkanian would beat Reid 48 percent to 43 percent, while former GOP party official Sue Lowden leads Reid 49 percent to 39 percent.
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Tension Mounts Over Countrywide Investigation
(AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
The Democrat in charge of the Committee, Edolphus Towns of New York (left), has himself received loans from Countrywide and has for months refused Republican requests to subpoena records in the case. Today, as Committee Republicans — led by Rep. Darrell Issa — were poised to force an open vote on the subpoenas at a Committee business meeting, the meeting was abruptly cancelled. Only Republicans showed up and Democratic chairs remained empty.
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) During The Committee Meeting
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Florida Congressman to Step Down
(AP)
The congressman represented Palm Beach and Broward Counties for 19 years. He will leave Congress in January 2010.
"I have truly cherished the opportunity to serve my constituents – many of whom make up the generation that sacrificed in World War II and Korea and rebuilt our nation after the Great Depression," he said in a statement.
After the 2000 presidential election, Wexler pushed for a voter-verified paper trail for votes cast in Florida. In the 2008 election, he was an early supporter of President Obama. He served as a Middle East adviser for Mr. Obama during the campaign, and he has advocated for stronger U.S.-Israel relations as a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
"Taking over as president of the Center for Middle East Peace offers me an unparalleled opportunity to work on behalf of Middle East peace for an important and influential non-profit institute," Wexler said. "We are at a unique and critically tense moment in the history of the Middle East with both significant opportunities to succeed in the Arab-Israeli conflict as well as major challenges involving Iran, Hamas, and al Qaeda."
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist will have to call a special election to replace Wexler. Democratic State Sen. Jeremy Ring will run for the seat, the Miami Herald reports, while other potential candidates reportedly include state Sen. Ted Deutch, West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel, Broward County Mayor Stacy Ritter and former Broward County Commissioner Ben Graber.
Rangel Will Face Primary Challenge
5330349Powerful but embattled longtime Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel of New York will face his first primary challenge in years.
Vincent Morgan, a community banker, announced yesterday on his campaign Web site that he is running in 2010 for the seat long held by Rangel. The two men have a history: Morgan notes that he was on Rangel's staff and in 2002 "was appointed campaign director for the Congressman's successful re-election."
"After 40 years, we are ready for new leadership and a new direction," Morgan says on his site.
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Vincent Morgan, a community banker, announced yesterday on his campaign Web site that he is running in 2010 for the seat long held by Rangel. The two men have a history: Morgan notes that he was on Rangel's staff and in 2002 "was appointed campaign director for the Congressman's successful re-election."
"After 40 years, we are ready for new leadership and a new direction," Morgan says on his site.
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Harry Reid Trailing Potential 2010 Challengers
(AP)
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that the survey finds that Reid trails real estate developer Danny Tarkanian 48 percent to 43 percent in a hypothetical matchup. He fares even worse against former GOP party official Sue Lowden, who leads Reid 49 percent to 39 percent.
The poll finds that Reid's favorable rating stands at just 38 percent, while 50 percent of the state's voters have an unfavorable view.
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Embattled Rangel Keeps Leadership Role
5330349Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) will keep his chairmanship of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, after Republicans failed to pass a resolution Wednesday to remove him from the leadership position.
The House voted 246 to 153 to refer the resolution to the House Ethics Committee, which is already investigating Rangel.
The resolution chastised Rangel for allegations of improper and potentially illegal conduct relating to his personal finances and fundraising. The congressman has denied any wrongdoing. The Ways and Means Committee is responsible for tax law.
Wednesday's resolution was the third targeting Rangel that Republicans offered in the House this year. Two Democrats -- Gene Taylor and Travis Childers, both of Mississippi -- voted against Rangel, while six Republicans sided with the Democratic chairman: Peter King of New York, Walter Jones of North Carolina, Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania, Ron Paul of Texas, Dana Rohrabacher of California and Don Young of Alaska.
The two Democratic votes against Rangel "show that support for the Democratic leaders' decision to sweep this matter under the rug is starting to crack," said Michael Steel, a spokesman for Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio).
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said earlier Wednesday that any action before the Ethics Committee completes its work would be premature.
Rangel's Dubious Accounting
The House voted 246 to 153 to refer the resolution to the House Ethics Committee, which is already investigating Rangel.
The resolution chastised Rangel for allegations of improper and potentially illegal conduct relating to his personal finances and fundraising. The congressman has denied any wrongdoing. The Ways and Means Committee is responsible for tax law.
Wednesday's resolution was the third targeting Rangel that Republicans offered in the House this year. Two Democrats -- Gene Taylor and Travis Childers, both of Mississippi -- voted against Rangel, while six Republicans sided with the Democratic chairman: Peter King of New York, Walter Jones of North Carolina, Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania, Ron Paul of Texas, Dana Rohrabacher of California and Don Young of Alaska.
The two Democratic votes against Rangel "show that support for the Democratic leaders' decision to sweep this matter under the rug is starting to crack," said Michael Steel, a spokesman for Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio).
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said earlier Wednesday that any action before the Ethics Committee completes its work would be premature.
Rangel's Dubious Accounting
Alan Grayson Unlikely to Face GOP Reprimand
(grayson.house.gov)
The Associated Press is reporting that a spokesman for Republican Rep. Tom Price of Georgia, who drafted a resolution of disapproval against Grayson and threatened to introduce it on the House floor, is suggesting that Price does not plan to do so.
"…at this point the people of his district are probably in the best position to register their approval or disapproval of Mr. Grayson's consistently embarrassing behavior," said Price spokesman Brendan Buck.
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Popular Republican Castle to Seek Biden Senate Seat
(AP)
Castle's announcement immediately puts Biden's former seat – a seat he held from 1972 until January - in play for the Republicans, even as Biden's son, state attorney general Beau Biden, readies for his own run.
While Delaware is a reliably 'blue' state in presidential elections, the 70-year-old Castle, a moderate Republican, has held statewide office for decades and is extremely popular statewide.
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Sully Rebuffed GOP Push to run for Congress
(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Sullenberger, a registered Republican, reportedly indicated to GOP officials that he did not want to seek a seat in the House of Representatives through his business manager. Republicans had hoped the pilot would challenge second-term Democratic congressman Jerry McNerney, who represents the district that includes Sullenberger's hometown of Danville, California.
The Hill reports that the effort to recruit Sullenberger was led by the head recruiter for the National Republican Congressional Committee, Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California. McCarthy reportedly asked Rep. Sam Johnson, an Air Force veteran like Sullenberger, to call the pilot about a possible run.
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