Campaigns & Elections - August 2007 - (Page 28)

inside politics: across state lines IOWA Freshman Rep. David Loebsack is the only Democratic member of Iowa’s delegation expected to raise money for the party this year. The other two House members—Leonard Boswell and freshman Bruce Braley—have been declared “Frontline” (aka vulnerable) candidates by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. They’ll be among the recipients of the money the DCCC collects from House Democrats in more secure seats. Even though Loebsack defeated veteran Rep. Jim Leach—a Republican—for his 2nd District seat, the DCCC is confident in his re-election. —IowaPolitics.com KANSAS Freshman U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-Kansas, continues to move her campaign to the right as part of her strategy to keep her seat in 2008. A former Republican, Boyda has spoken out against amnesty for illegal immigrants and opposes gun control. She faces a fierce challenge from Republicans, and believes that her best chance to win re-election is to position herself as an independent. She plans not to put the term “Democrat” on her lawn signs and will not seek assistance from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. KENTUCKY The national spotlight may fall on the Bluegrass State this November. The gubernatorial race between Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher and Democratic challenger Steve Beshear is one of only three states electing a chief executive this fall. Fletcher’s administration has taken numerous hits in recent years after a state investigation of his administration’s hiring practices. LOUISIANA GOP businessman John Georges of New Orleans, who entered the gubernatorial race in June, is focusing on his leadership ability and his business background, stressing that he is the only non-politician among the four major candidates. Among other gubernatorial candidates, state Sen. Walter Boasso (D) began airing television ads prominently displaying his new Democratic Party affiliation and poking fun at frontrunner U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal (R) by showing Boasso carrying around a life-sized cardboard cutout of Jindal. Expect Boasso to hit Jindal hard for his voting record in Congress and his staunch support of President Bush. Democratic Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell of Shreveport should return to the airwaves soon, touting his plan to remove all income taxes and replace the revenue by instituting a processing tax on all foreign oil produced in Louisiana. Jindal has criticized the budget submitted by Gov. Kathleen Blanco (D). Jindal is obviously concerned about any type of fiscal constraints that may be placed upon him next year if he is elected governor. —Jeff Crouere, Bayou Buzz MAINE Democratic U.S. Rep. Tom Allen has announced he will try to unseat U.S. Sen. Susan Collins in 2008, and a host of Democrats want to take his place. Candidates include Chellie Pingree of New Haven, who is the former Maine Senate majority leader and former president of Common Cause; York County District Attorney Mark Lawrence of Berwick; former Maine Senate Majority Leader Michael Brennan of Portland; and attorney Adam Cote of Portland. State Sen. Ethan Strimling of Portland and Portland City Councilor Jill Duson are also both considering runs. Maryland MARYLAND Ex-convicts were given the right to vote in July. The law extended the right to vote for 52,000 people who were previously ineligible. Maryland had been among the most severe on the issue, having been one of 11 states that revoked felons’ voting rights. MASSACHUSETTS Would-be profiteers from an expansion of gaming rights have been placing their bets, meeting with top aides to Gov. Deval Patrick (D) and working to line up support in the Legislature. Until now, the only direct beneficiaries have been the countless lobbyists with skin in the game, but the prospective revenues to the state are virtually unknowable, casino pushers say—countered by the skeptics, who say the social costs are also incalculable. A closed-door task force is scheduled to report back by summer’s end. With four racetracks and a historically profitable but struggling state-run lottery already in Massachusetts, the likely next step would be a resort-style casino, one the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Tribe has already pursued aggressively. —Jim O’Sullivan, State House News Service MICHIGAN Michigan voters in 2008 would see many more choices on their ballots if it were up to a new coalition formed to ensure more equal access to elections by third parties. The Michigan Third Parties Coalition—made up of the Green, U.S. Taxpayers, Reform, Socialist and Libertarian parties—formed in mid-summer and says Michigan has some of the most restrictive ballot access laws in the country. The group is calling for measures that would ease the requirements for parties to make the ballot. The group SASCHA BURKARD (iSTOCK) Kansas 28 CAMPAIGNS & ELECTIONS 08.07 http://www.iowapolitics.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Campaigns & Elections - August 2007

Cover Contents Editor’s Note Ames Straw Poll Cavalcade; Last Candidate Standing; The New Dollar-A-Year Guy; Web Videos That Can Change the Election Across State Lines: Campaign News from Around the Country People and Organizations Movers and Shakers: Ten Questions for Matthew Taylor and Philip de Vellis Campaign Consultant Sign-Ups Reel Time Cover Story: Building Blocks From Madison Avenue to K Street Money Can’t Buy Votes Dick Cheney: Roll Model for Millions Ames: Still Weird, Still Important How to Do Tougher, Quicker Crisis Management Online Cause-Based SocNets Lure Issue Voters The Great Exaggeration Why Primetime TV is Alive and Well, Politically Speaking Buyer’s Guide Tips for Toeing the Fine Line Between Employment, Friendship Managing Your Friend’s Campaign? Think ‘Consigliore’ Off The Record

Campaigns & Elections - August 2007

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