The Washington Monthly

December 8, 2009

TUESDAY'S CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP.... Today's installment of campaign-related news items that wouldn't generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers.

* Voters head to the polls in Massachusetts today, with both parties selecting nominees for next month's Senate special election. Democrats will choose between state Attorney General Martha Coakley, U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano, City Year cofounder Alan Khazei, and Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca. The Republican primary features state Sen. Scott Brown and Duxbury businessman Jack Robinson.

* The closely watched Republican Senate primary in Kansas continues to get more interesting. While Rep. Jerry Moran (R) has been leading from the start, a new SurveyUSA poll shows Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R) closing the gap considerably over the last couple of months.

* With Rep. Mike Castle (R) giving up his House seat in Delaware to run for the Senate, the open House seat has drawn the interest of both parties. The latest survey from Public Policy Polling shows former Lt. Gov. John Carney (D) leading the pack, enjoying double-digit leads over former state Sen. Charlie Copeland (R) and businessman Fred Cullis (R) in hypothetical match-ups.

* Rep. Allen Boyd (D-Fla.) was set to face state Sen. Al Lawson in a Democratic primary, but facing an overwhelming financial disadvantage, Lawson is now thinking about switching to the state chief financial officer race.

* In a provocative comment, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine (D) said that he would have "easily" won a second term if state law permitted incumbents to seek re-election. The remark comes just a month after Creigh Deeds (D) was trounced by Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell (R).

* As hard as it is to believe, former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) really seems serious about running for president. Asked on ABC yesterday if he's really interested, Santorum said, "Absolutely -- absolutely taking a look."

* And it was probably nothing, but former half-term Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) suggested she's open to running for president as a third-party candidate in 2012. Asked by a conservative radio talk-show host if she's consider this route, Palin said, "That depends on how things go in the next couple of years.... If the Republican party gets back to that [conservative] base, I think our party is going to be stronger and there's not going to be a need for a third party, but I'll play that by ear in these coming months, coming years."

—Steve Benen 12:00 PM Permalink | Trackbacks | Comments (18)

Comments

The Republican primary features [...] Duxbury businessman Jack Robinson.

Who always uses his middle initial, E, so he's "Jack E. Robinson".

Posted by: DonBoy on December 8, 2009 at 12:03 PM | PERMALINK

That's "Duxbury wackjob Jack E. Robinson" to you.

Posted by: noncarborundum on December 8, 2009 at 12:08 PM | PERMALINK

I'm surprised the wingnuts haven't tried to recruit a primary opponent for Rep. Castle in the Delaware Senate race. I'd think he'd be waaaaaaay too moderate for their tastes.

Posted by: low-tech cyclist on December 8, 2009 at 12:08 PM | PERMALINK

Regarding Palin's third party talk, I've long figured that's been her goal since it conveniently makes an end run around any bothersome primaries. Bodes well for her that the 'Tea party' is currently more popular than the Republican party.

Posted by: doubtful on December 8, 2009 at 12:11 PM | PERMALINK

As for Palin running on a 3rd party ticket, I suggest the Alaska Independence Party.

Posted by: gaardvark on December 8, 2009 at 12:14 PM | PERMALINK

former half-term Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) suggested she's open to running for president as a third-party candidate in 2012.

Ross Perot and Ralph Nader both think this is an excellent idea.

Posted by: Snarky Bastard on December 8, 2009 at 12:16 PM | PERMALINK

Here's hoping that Sarah Palin stays in the spotlight. I hope she gets nominated for the GOP presidential slot because no one exposes the GOP as the party of the foolish more than she does. She's a great symbol for her party.

Posted by: tomb on December 8, 2009 at 12:22 PM | PERMALINK

I think Palin should run for president as a third party candidate with either Rick Perry or Rick Santorum as V.P. As for the party name - perhaps Western-Alaskan Cessesionist Keystone Outsider (WACKO) party would capture what they bring to the table.

Posted by: ExFl on December 8, 2009 at 12:24 PM | PERMALINK

If Gov. Palin , retd , fails to win the presidential election and the following trial , I suggest she be recruited to replace Professor Charles Francis Xavier . You see the professor was killed , and it was because of a too to solid approach . Sarah being utterly unpredictably predictable could be a powerful demonstration that to tea rogues are better than one pirogue .

Posted by: FRP on December 8, 2009 at 12:35 PM | PERMALINK

Santorum! A stain you can't remove.

Posted by: Rathskeller on December 8, 2009 at 12:36 PM | PERMALINK

RUN, SARAH, RUN, RUN RUN!!! As an independent. What a marvelous idea. I've got a check for her third party suicide run ready and waiting. Unfortunately, the dim-Dems don't deserve a gift like that from Palin, but what fun it would be.

Posted by: rRk1 on December 8, 2009 at 12:49 PM | PERMALINK

Of course Rick Santorum believes he's a viable candidate for President. The media view him as a leading conservative and continually speculate about his 2012 chances, so naturally he sees himself as a potential Pcandidate. How many other former Senators who were utterly de-pantsed at the polls get the same consideration?

Well, actually, there are almost no other incumbents who've been as thoroughly embarrassed as Santorum was in 2006. I have no idea why anybody treats him as a serious political force, unless it's another example of the McCain Factor: bigtime Republican loser gets taken seriously, while bigtime Democratic losers are forced to slink off, Dukakis-like, into the wilderness.

Posted by: jvwalt on December 8, 2009 at 12:50 PM | PERMALINK

Wow!! Sarah Palin could be a one person republican wrecking crew. She could personally destroy the republican party singlehandedly. It might be fun to watch, but I am so so sick of hearing about her as of about a year ago.

Posted by: Patrick on December 8, 2009 at 12:57 PM | PERMALINK

2012 could be great: obama vs. ex-senator frothy mix vs. quitter-governor caribou barbie.

Posted by: mellowjohn on December 8, 2009 at 1:18 PM | PERMALINK

Run, Rick, run...

I am sure his campaign slogan will be "I am far right for you. I am wing-nuttier than even Sarah or Michelle!"

Posted by: AmusedOldVet on December 8, 2009 at 1:20 PM | PERMALINK

I'm ready to donate to Sarah Palin's third-party run.

Could we get her to run against Lieberman here in Connecticut too?

Posted by: Nothing But the Ruth on December 8, 2009 at 2:44 PM | PERMALINK

Santorum/Palin or Palin/Santorum. Either way it's a dream ticket for Democrats. Um, I mean Repulpicans.

Posted by: Sarah Barracuda on December 8, 2009 at 4:58 PM | PERMALINK

Castle does have a wingnut opponent -- her name is Christine O'Donnell. Her claim to fame is the occasional stint as a Fox Noise personality and frequent claims to be a virgin.

Posted by: cassandra m on December 8, 2009 at 10:26 PM | PERMALINK