Free Republic

Democrat Frank Lautenberg, seeking a fifth term in the U.S. Senate, can breathe a little easier this month. The incumbent leads Republican challenger Dick Zimmer 49% to 36% in the latest Rasmussen reports telephone survey in New Jersey. When “leaners” are included, Lautenberg leads the Republican 50% to 37%. Last month, the two candidates were virtual tied, with Lautenberg on top by just a single percentage point. That poll was taken just days after Lautenberg survived a primary challenge that raised questions about whether he was too old to serve. Still, while the new poll provides better news for the...

WASHINGTON (CBS.MW) -- Citing concerns over Social Security and growing government red ink, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle vowed on Wednesday to fend off Republican efforts to make permanent the tax cuts signed into law last year. Senate Republicans are working to attract support from a handful of potentially sympathetic Democrats to back a permanent repeal of the estate tax. "We're going to have that fight and I'm very hopeful that we could win it," Daschle said in a question-and-answer session following a National Press Club luncheon speech. "That is, preventing making permanent those tax cuts. The first installment will...