Showing posts with label elizabeth dole. Show all posts
Showing posts with label elizabeth dole. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

DOLE HAS HIP REPLACED

The Raleigh News and Observer reports on Sen. Elizabeth Dole's hip replacement surgery. This is yet another sign that Dole will not seek re-election.

I continue to stand by my assertion that she will not be a candidate for re-election in 2008. You read it here first.

Friday, December 8, 2006

RALEIGH NEWS & OBSERVER

Blog puts Dole run in doubt
http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/518975.html

Now the rumors are swirling.

Seems U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole is allegedly so demoralized by the Republicans' losses in the U.S. Senate that a "confidential source on Capitol Hill" told a blogger this week she won't seek re-election in 2008.

The blogger, Lane Hudson, broke the scandal about U.S. Rep. Mark Foley, the Florida Republican who became close to high school pages. Now, the former congressional aide and Democratic activist is writing a liberal blog called "News for the Left."

He wrote Tuesday that Dole was too upset to run again.

Dole, of Salisbury, took some lumps in November. As chairwoman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, she was held responsible for keeping the Senate in GOP control. Last week, she sent out a fundraising letter asking for help because the committee went into debt.

But Dole said the week of Election Day that she already has begun thinking about a re-election bid. And her office reiterated this week: Dole will go after a second term.

Wednesday, December 6, 2006

NFTL in NJ's Hotline

Below is an article in today's Hotline, which is published by National Journal. The very first post on NFTL has seemed to cause quite a stir in Sen. Dole's office. I stand by my original source that she will not be running for re-election. Please see my post from yesterday which outlines a host of reasons why her statement is suspect at best.

NORTH CAROLINA: I'd Appreciate It If You'd Stop Nudging Me

Blogger Lane Hudson, who was first to publish ex-Rep. Mark Foley's (R-FL) page e-mail exchanges, cites a "confidential source on Capitol Hill" that outgoing NRSC chair Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) has become so "completely demoralized" that she is no longer interested in standing for re-election. Dole's office responded via e-mail that "Senator Dole is running for re-election in 2008" (RawStory.com, 12/5).

Tuesday, December 5, 2006

UPDATE ON LIDDY

News site raw story linked to my post about Dole not seeking re-election. They have received a one line statement from Sen. Elizabeth Dole's office stating only that she apparently will stand for re-election in 2008. They must not be very excited about it because their pathetic response lacked any evidence of her enthusiasm for seeking re-election, much less a defense of the god-awful job she did running the National Republican Senatorial Committee. It didn't even refute my source's comments that she is "completely demoralized" by the stunning defeat her party saw at the poll's in November.

Here's the backstory:

A quick glance at her most recent FEC Campaign Finance Report summary shows that Dole only has $223,775 cash on hand as of 9/30/06.

Her support of fellow Republicans is pathetic too. She has contributed a measly $8k to Republican Senate candidates. That includes $3K to Suzanne Terrell back in her unsuccessful run-off against Dem Sen. Mary Landrieu in 2002. Since then, she's given $4K to Sen. Jon Kyl of AZ and $1K to unsuccessful Senate candidate Michael Steel of MD.

A more indepth look of how enthusiastically her colleagues are to support her is even more telling. In her first race for Senate in 2002, only 9 GOP colleagues supported her campaign committe, totalling $10,700. There was an additional $1k from disgraced, sexually harassing former Sen. Bob Packwood of OR. Since her '02 election, only two of her colleagues have shown her financial support, Sen. Wayne Allard of CO, and Sen. Richard Shelby of AL, whose total contributions add up to a whopping $3k.

Given her disastrous stewardship of the NRSC and lame support of her fellow Senators and Republican candidates, I doubt she can expect any kind of enthusiastic support from ANY Republican in the Senate. Keep in mind that, thanks to Liddy, their ability to fundraise will be significantly affected by their new minority status.

Now, Sen. Dole. Are you really going to run for re-election given all of the crap you're gonna have to deal with? If you actually are going to, how about giving us the courtesy of a real statement. I don't think you can begin to make the case for why you should even attempt to mount a campaign for re-election.

Monday, December 4, 2006

LIDDY OUT IN '08

GOP DISASTER BREWING FOR '08

Senator Elizabeth Dole will NOT be a candidate for re-election in 2008, according to a confidential source on Capitol Hill. Apparently, she is completely demoralized following the stunning victory resulting in Democrats capturing the Senate. Six months ago, it was not much more than a pipe dream that Senator Chuck Schumer would lead his party to a majority in the upper chamber of Congress. However, the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee is charged to have been badly run under Dole's leadership. It was reported last week that Dole penned a letter in an effort to retire the RSCC's debt from the 2006 election. Her underlings refused to actually say how much in the hole they went while squandering their majority in the Senate.

Now it's time for the scrambling of suitors. North Carolina is a Southern State that has resisted the massive Red conversion of other States below the Mason-Dixon Line. Is this another possible pick up for the Senate Dems?

Republicans already face a disaster in waiting in the next election for the Senate. The Republicans have 21 seats to defend and the Dems have only 11 incumbents to protect. And YES, I believe that ALL Democratic Senators will be seeking re-election. In alphabetical order, here are the hurdles that Republicans face in 2008.

Sen. Lamar Alexander: He lost his race for Minority Whip to racist, foot in mouth guy, Trent Lott. Harold Ford could capitalize on his much better than expected race this year and make a very credible run for this seat. Alexander isn't exactly a spring chicken either.

Sen. Wayne Allard: Word on the street is that he's retiring., thank God. Likely Dem nominee is Congressman Mark Udall, who should walk away with it.

Sen. Thad Cochran: Recent media reports say that the Dems are looking for a resurgent year in '08 in Mississippi. Two former Governors will team up to take the top two spots in State government from Gov. Haley Barbour and his number 2. Former Attorney General Mike Moore apparently will mount a strong challenge for the U.S. Senate seat. Sure sounds like a dream team to lead the ticket in a Southern State!

Sen. Norm Coleman: He won in '02 in a strange election which saw the death of liberal icon Sen. Paul Wellstone in a plane crash two weeks before the election. The political style speech by replacement candidate, former V.P. Walter Mondale at Wellstone's funeral apparently ticked off the voters of MN. However, the amazing performance of Amy Klobuchar in easily capturing the Senate seat in this year's election is pushing radio host/author Al Franken to a candidacy for Coleman's seat. Minnesota is a quirky state and likes maverick candidates, so this one could be a toss up too!

Sen. Larry Craig: He was recently reported by blogactive.com's Mike Rogers as being one of those closeted gay Republicans, providing specific details such as having sex in the bathrooms of Union Station. No one knows if this will have an effect on Craig or not. If he retires, the Dems could capitalize on recent victories in the region to pick up this seat.

Sen. Pete Domenici: Sounds like he is retiring too. Governor Bill Richardson would be a shoo-in for this seat. He served on the House side before. Don't they all aim for the more collegial Senate?

Sen. Lindsey Graham: He gets a mention because I'm from S.C. While Lindsey has been pretty well received across the board in S.C., there are two issues that could cause problems for what should be an easy sailing re-election. First, are the persistent rumors that he is gay. This has never been confirmed or denied. But, it's been tossed around bunches. Enough people know about it to tell us that, as long as you don't admit to being gay, then S.C. voters probably don't care about it. Second are rumors that he will face a strong, conservative primary challenge. Lindsey's actions, while applauded by folks across the country have angered the right wing in S.C. These people have mad influence in the Primary. This could be interesting to watch because a couple Dems have the ability to wage a campaign that could ultimately be successful against a right wing nut. Included in those Dems are my old boss, former Governor Jim Hodges, and two great people and friends, outgoing Ed. Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum and Dem. Lt. Gov. nominee Robert Barber.

Sen. John Sununu: New Hampshire had an awesome year for the Dems, picking up two Congressional seats and the State Legislature. Former Governor, Jean Shaheen narrowly lost this seat to Sununu in '02. If she chooses to make another un at it, I think she's the one to beat.

Given these circumstances, I think the Dems pick up a minimum of three seats. If we can show in the next year and a half that we know how to run government, then we can pick up as many as five seats. It's an early prediction, but take it to the bank!

Hell yeah!