The Senate Races of 2004

None ^ | 12/10/02 | RepublicanWizard

[republicanwizard]

Jim Robinson and fellow Freepers,

I felt it necessary to set up a big post to follow developing news about the 2004 Senate races. Although we lost in Louisiana, I'm still reasonably ecstatic over our chances in 2004.

Please post any developing news on this thread, such as candidates and polls.

Thanks.

[The Old Hoosier]

Oh, and don't forget Ark.

[JohnnyZ]

Re NC Senate: No mention of Hunt -- they said Elaine Marshall was probably out b/c of her dismal showing in the primary. They did mention Lt Gov Beverly Perdue and State Treasurer Richard Moore, but not Erskine Bowles, though others have.

Re NC Gov: former Charlotte mayor Richard Vinroot is going to give it another go (he lost in 2000) but may have that 'L' firmly attached to his forehead at this point; current Charlotte mayor Pat McCrory could jump in but not very likely at this point, and I don't think he was even mentioned; I believe Rep. Robin Hayes, who was targeted this year after his fast track vote but swatted away challenger Chris Kouri, is seriously looking at a run. I think some state senator too -- probably Ballantine or someone.

Apparently a couple of folks smell blood in Florida -- Rep. Tom Foley (R) is looking to up his profile while Bill McCollum wants to tango for a senate seat, again. Bob Graham may retire, may run for Prez, may just run for reelection.

[JohnnyZ]

Article on Murkowski's decision on who to appoint to his senate seat. Apparently Lisa Murkowski (ew) and Ben Stevens (eh) are among his 6 finalists. I'm rooting for Sarah Palin. Frank's such a goof:

"He had earlier said he'd make the announcement Dec. 9 or 10. He said it is simply taking longer to make his selection. Why, a reporter asked. "Well, you put on a necktie today. Why did you choose that necktie?" Murkowski responded. "Did it go with your suit? That might not be the best example, but a choice is a choice. You don't make these (decisions) lightly." "

[JohnnyZ]

Hm, some juicy news coming out today.

link
"It looks as though U.S. Rep. Jennifer Dunn, R-Wash., is at the top of the short list to head the Air Transport Association, a $700,000-per-year job representing airline interests in Washington. Republicans are confident they would retain control of her House seat in the suburbs around Seattle -- while clearing the decks for the 2004 race for U.S. Senate.

Dunn is frequently mentioned as a potential GOP challenger to two-term incumbent Democrat Patty Murray, who is fresh off a stint as head of the party's campaign committee. With her out of the race, the party is free to focus on the as-of-yet unannounced candidacy of U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt of Spokane.

Nethercutt has a reputation as a giant-killer, having beaten Democratic House Speaker Tom Foley in 1994 and survived an onslaught from well-funded term-limit activists when he opted to run for re-election in 2002 rather than quit as he had initially promised."

--UPI's Capital Comment

It also has speculation on the Indiana governor's race.

[Jeb08]

I wouldn't mind Nethercutt, but frankly, I don't think that he could beat Murray. Keep in mind that he was elected in the giant Republican tidal wave of 1994, and he is in a GOp-leaning district. In addition, he will forever be remembered for breaking his term-limit pledge (although that didn't seem to hurt Wellstone in 2002 -- he was up by 6-9 pts at the time of his death). I would really prefer Dunn -- ousting Murray HAS to be a priority.

[JohnnyZ]

Ugh! Bad news from Alaska:

"Murkowski has advised former Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin, former Fairbanks lawmaker Johne Binkley, retired banker Mike Burns, former state official Mead Treadwell, Alaska Teamsters head Jerry Hood and former state Sen. Drue Pearce that they will not replace him. All but Hood said they received phone calls from the governor telling them so Monday or Tuesday; Hood said he was called within the last week.

...

Others on the longer list that Murkowski released last month included University of Alaska President Mark Hamilton, former state Rep. Mark Hanley, former state Sen. Jerry Mackie and Gen. Joseph Ralston, a former commander of the Alaskan Command and presently supreme allied commander Europe."

I saw Sarah Palin as the great conservative hope. Mini-Stevens and Mini-Murkowski are both still on the list, too. Maybe one of these other folks is conservative.

[JohnnyZ]

SC Rep. Joe Wilson says he won't run for Fritz Hollings senate seat, according to Roll Call, so that leaves Rep. Jim DeMint and former rep Hartnett to duke it out.

[CPT Clay]

I'm hurt I thought Dunn was perfect for the seat. I guess I can accept Nethercutt. Maybe Dunn can come back in '06 to defeat airhead Cantwell.(is she really poor now that the dotcom bubble burst?

[Snardius]

If Dunn doesn't run, Murray will win against a nobody...I believe Nethercutt will stay in his house seat.

[CPT Clay]

This dust up over Bin-Laden haveing any effect?

[Jeb08]

I haven't heard much about it. My suggestion is that we let it cool down for now and then have Nethercutt bring it up in the heat of next year's campaign.

I wonder if Ms. Murkowski can withstand a challenge from Knowles? If not, we maybe in for a primary challenge. Sometimes, I wonder if Frank is in his own little world. What was he thinking, appointing Lisa over Palin, Binkley and Ralston?

I heard that Carol Mosely-Braun is back in the running for Illinois Senate! That's fantastic -- she may be the only candidate that Fitzgerald can beat.

I am still concerned about California. If we blow another opportunity (like we did in 1994, 1998, 2000 and 2002) to pick up a statewide seat, I will be furious. Congresspeople Issa (anti-gay and anti-Israel) Bono (too liberal, not passionate enough), Ose (too liberal) and Radanovich (a no-name) are certain to lose. Bush is going to have to step in and put Marin, Dreier, Cox or Rice into place. We can win CA in 2004.

More thoughts on potential Veep candidates? I like Chris Cox or mark Schweiker

Have a Merry Christmas, everybody.

[jf55510]

More thoughts on potential Veep candidates? I like Chris Cox or mark Schweiker

Schweiker? Was he the Guv of Pennsylvania after Ridge went to the administration? If so why did he not run for a full term?

[GraniteStateConservative]

He wanted to spend time with his family and cash in.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Lisa over Palin, Binkley and Ralston

Palin has four small children and would not be able to focus on winning re-election, and is more conservative than Frank Murkowski or Ted Stevens.

Binkley is a guy and Frank thinks we need to eat into Knowles' support with women to beat him, and that a woman is best suited to do that. For all the CW that AK is a land without women, they make up a solid 47% of the electorate.

Ralston is old, 58, and isn't a native of Alaska, and isn't a registered Republican. You could argue that his independence in this way would be good for reaching out to moderate voters, but the AK constitution requires the appointee to be a Republican (at least within a certain timeframe), and the bench isn't that short that we have to pick a non-Republican for the spot. Additionally, he was Clintoon's top choice to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1997, but an adulterous affair in 1984 caused him to withdraw his name.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Having elected so many moderates recently (Stevens, Murkowski, Ulmer, Knowles), it's reasonable to say that a conservative like Sarah may be out-of-step with the state. Since this appointee will be running against Knowles, they need to be the perfect candidate. There's not much room for error.

[GraniteStateConservative]

McCollum was an awful candidate. He couldn't beat a lowly Insurance Commissioner for an open Republican Senate seat. Has Bush appointed him to some post in the administration? No, because he's not viewed as politically viable or worthy of support. Here's a guy who spent 20 years in the House and served 6 years as the Crime Subcommittee Chair, and couldn't establish any statewide network for a Senate run during that time. Mark Foley will get the nomination before Bill.

[CPT Clay]

Dunn still hasn't said that she is out, but you're right dont bring it up till its time.

Lisa was elected speaker in the Alaska house on her own, if I'm not mistaken.

As I said before, Cali is the 800 pound gorilla. The party is going to have to compete there some day. Lets go after boxer and the EV's. Winning persuedable dems and indie's who happen to be hispanic is the key to Cali. Let the games begin in the Majority hispanic CD's that are represented by CBC members.

Fla, SC, South Dakota and NC are looking like good pick up possibilities!!!

[Jeb08]

I agree with you about McCollum, but in his defense, his status as a Clinton impeachment manager hurt him in 2000; it would not necessarily hurt him in 2004. Still, it is important to find the best possible candidate (Frank Brogan) in order that Bush wins the state easily in two years. I also like Tom Gallagher, who bowed out of the 2000 race to make room for McCollum. Jacksonville mayor John Delaney and Reps. Dave Weldon and Mark Foley could also be attractive candidates.

[nospinzone]

Word is Bob Graham may consider a run for the presidency, so this could factor into the 2004 Senate race.

[byteback]