Free Republic

A poll unveiled this week from American Research Group shows that three Republican presidential candidates -- U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas and former Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska -- are gaining serious momentum in Iowa, site of the first presidential caucus. Bachmann, who declared her candidacy in June and has been surging in polls at both the national and state levels, topped the poll with 21 percent. Former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts placed second with 18 percent. Paul, who was the Libertarian candidate in 1988 and ran for the Republican nomination in...

A bugged meeting has turned a sedate Iowa Senate race into a bitter one, with incumbent Democrat Tom Harkin -- scandal-free for 28 years in Congress -- accused of scripting a dirty campaign trick and then lying about it. The three-term veteran with more Senate service than any Iowa Democrat in history still holds a substantial lead over Republican Rep. Greg Ganske in a race Democrats need to win to keep their one-vote Senate majority. Harkin is seen acting as a sign language interpreter during the last day of the Democratic National Convention, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles,...

Democrats face an uphill battle to recapture control of the House in November's midterm elections, while Republicans have marginally improved their position in what remains a tense and wide-open fight for control of the Senate, according to party strategists, independent analysts and current polls. September has seen Republican prospects brighten, particularly in New Jersey, where ethics problems have called into question what once seemed solid reelection prospects for Sen. Robert G. Torricelli, the most vulnerable Democrat in the nation. Republicans also have increased their chances of retaining the Senate seat in New Hampshire. And because of a controversy over a...

Winds of war stirring U.S. Senate races Candidates have difficulty gauging how Iraq will affect election 09/28/2002 By DAVID JACKSON / The Dallas Morning News INDIANOLA, Iowa As 2,000 of U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin's best Democratic friends swayed to the beat of a country band and munched on Iowa beef, the prospect of war with Saddam Hussein seemed as far away as Iraq itself. Certainly Mr. Harkin hopes so. Hosting his annual steak fry at a farm country fairground, the Democrat seeking his fourth Senate term said voters know that both parties will do whatever they can to protect...

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Des Moines police will start a criminal investigation Thursday into the secret taping of a private U.S. Senate campaign meeting for Greg Ganske, meanwhile the person who made the tape is agreeing to cooperate with authorities. Officials with the Polk County Attorney's office said there was enough evidence to proceed with a formal investigation. Ganske is running against incumbent Sen. Tom Harkin.  SURVEY A Ganske campaign meeting was secretly taped..and Harkin campaign officials released the transcript to the media. Does this event affect who you will vote for? Yes..Changing My Vote No..Makes No Difference Not Sure...

"Pray as if it all depended on God; work as if it all depended on you." Close, possible pickups: South Dakota, Missouri, Georgia, New Jersey and Minnesota. Possible losses: Arkansas, New Hampshire, Texas, North Carolina If lightening strikes, may pickup: Iowa South Dakota: John Thune, current Congressman, (articulate, affable, attractive in an August debate with Johnson) running against Tim Johnson, current Senator. Last poll: 40%-40% announced just before the debate Link to www.johnthune.com John Thune for South Dakota P.O. Box 516 Sioux Falls, SD 57101 New Jersey: Doug Forrester (bio: former assistant state treasurer, now small businessman and university instructor)...