A Pre-Mortem on Republican Losses in 2006 Midterms

Charles Krauthammer has an excellent analysis of what to make of the losses the Republicans are expected to suffer five days from now. Substantial, yes. Historic, no. Before proclaiming a landslide, one has to ask Henny Youngman's question: "Compared to what?" (His answer to: "How's your wife?") Since the end of World War II, the average loss for a second-term presidency ...

Punch Foley for Negron

A very funny and effective ad campaign that not only reminds people in Florida's 12th CD that they have to vote for Mark Foley in order to elect Joe Negron but makes it a little more palatable to do so: Punch Foley for Negron. via Marshall Manson

Conservative Bloggers Polled on 2006 Election

John Hawkins polled a large number of conservative bloggers on the 2006 election (I was asked but didn't participate) and got some interesting results. 1) Do you think the GOP is going to retain control of the House? Yes (38) -- 61.3% No (24) -- 38.7% According to all the reputable polling I've seen over the past couple of weeks, the Republicans are going ...

Real Polls and the 2006 Election

Karl Rove told NPR's Robert Siegel Tuesday that Republicans will retain both Houses of Congress two weeks hence. When Siegel said this was extraordinarily optimistic, Rove retorted, "I'm allowed to see the polls on the individual races. And after all, this does come down to individual contests between individual candidates." The ensuing discussion tangentially focused on an important ...

Good News is Sometimes Actually News, Even Near an Election

CNN reports that Muhsin Musa Matwalli Atwah, a member of the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorists list and planner of the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings, was killed this past April in an airstrike by Pakistani forces near the border with Afghanistan. Chris in Paris, writing on the popular AMERICAblog, is furious. CNN tows the line, again. Sure the world is better without someone ...

Corrupt Alcee Hastings in Charge of Intelligence Secrets?

Jonathan Weisman reported in yesterday's WaPo that Nancy Pelosi has promised to rely almost strictly on seniority in appointing committee chairs if the Democrats take the House majority in next month's elections. The result would be to elevate several controversial Members to key seats, including several members of the Congressional Black Caucus who are demanding this move. Not surprisingly, this ...

Rodney Alexander’s Office Sued for Harassment

Breaking from Roll Call: Rep. Rodney Alexander (R-La.), already enmeshed in the ex-Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.) page scandal, now faces a new controversy as a former staffer has sued his office for sexual harassment. When it rains, it pours.

Foley Priest Admits Inappropriate Relationship

Priest tells of Foley relationship A Catholic priest told the Herald-Tribune on Wednesday about an intimate two-year relationship he had with former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley when the congressman was a teenage altar boy living in Lake Worth. From his home on the island of Gozo, near Italy, Anthony Mercieca described a series of encounters that he said Foley might perceive as ...

Judge Prohibits GOP Posting Negron Poll Signs on Foley Switch

A Florida judge ruled that Republicans can't violate state election law to clear up confusion over the fact that Mark Foley's name is on the ballot in Florida-16 even though Joe Negron is the candidate. The Republican Party’s hopes of holding on to the Florida 16th District seat of resigned Florida Republican Rep. Mark Foley are greatly hindered by the fact ...

Secret in the Line of Presidential Succession

Charles Babington has discovered an interesting bit of trivia: the identity of the Speaker Pro Tem--is a secret. Why's that important? The Speaker of the House is 2nd in line to the Presidency behind only the Vice President. House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) shows no sign of resigning over the Mark Foley-House page scandal. But the mere ...