Showdown on Iraq Vote

The U.S. Senate voted yesterday, largely on partisan lines, to approve a measure to grant $122 billion in funding to the troops in Iraq and a non-binding resolution to pull the troops out by March 31, 2008.
The measure passed 51-47 with only Republicans Chuck Hagel and Gordon Smith voting in favor of the resolution. Immediately following, President Bush summoned the House Republican caucus to the White House to reiterate his intention to veto any legislation that would limit his authority as Commander in Chief. If the GOP continues to side with the President, the House will be unable to muster the 2/3 majority necessary to muster an override.

CT Likely to Hold Primary February 5th

Connecticut is expected to approve a measure later this week to move their primary to February 5, 2008, adding to the list of states to hold primaries on that date.

Rumors of a Bloomberg Bid for the Presidency

Today's Washington Post featured a story about NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg's possible run for the WH. Though he currently denies any intention to assume the office, it is widely known he could enter the race at a later date because of his ability to self-fund the race.

McCain Bashes Club for Growth

Senator and presidential candidate John McCain bashed the Club for Growth on the Christian Broadcasting Network for its involvement in the midterm elections. He stated that he believes it was the Club's fault that the GOP lost major races, including that of former Rhode Island Senator Lincoln Chafee. McCain expressed his support for a 'big tent' Party and questioned what he and the Club for Growth had in common. Perhaps McCain is hearing the cry of the real Republican majority?

Click here for the clip.

More States Moving to Feb. 5th Primary Date

Last week, Governor Schwarzenegger signed a measure to officially move the California presidential primary to February 5, 2008. This move adds California to the long list of states to hold primaries on that date, and attempting to make the state more important in the primary process.

Moving primary dates up, in California and around the country on the whole, only adds to the notion that the most heavily-financed candidates can win. In the past, through having spread out elections, more candidates were able to enter the game in hopes of gaining name recognition through earned media and word of mouth. But with the primary process now so heavily front-loaded, it will only be the wealthies of candidates who can even make it to February 5th.

EC Bill Passes in Colorado

There is a trend beginning to sweep across the nation to promote the common sense, preventative measure of providing information about emergency contraception to victims of sexual assault in emergency rooms.
Yesterday, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed a bill into law that does just this. It is because of the dedication and hard work of the Republicans within the legislature and constituents across the state that made this possible. Without the much needed support of those real Republicans, victims of sexual assault would continue to receive substandard medical care in emergency rooms.
In Connecticut, the legislature is currently debating a similar bill, and will hopefully produce the same outcome as Colorado. These aren't the only two states-- the Oregon state House advanced legislation with an EC provision, and Pennsylvania passed a similar bill recently.
As real Republicans, emergency contraception for survivors of sexual assault is something we can all rally around. It is a way to decrease the number of abortions, which is something we can all support and shows true compassion for women who have just been through a very traumatic experience.
This trend of common sense legislation must continue to show across the country.

GOP Opportunity in Massachusetts

MA Rep. Marty Meehan (MA-05) announced he will not seek re-election in 2008. This presents a unique opportunity for the Republican Party to gain a seat in the MA delegation-- one that is now entirely composed of Democrats.
To date, there are 3 Republicans and several more Democrats who have expressed interest in assuming the seat, but as we all know, if a Republican actually expects to win, he or she must embrace the real Republican values of limited government and individual liberty. Without these basic standpoints, the GOP does not stand a chance.
Clearly, Governor Romney, who is now running as far right as one can go, understood this philosophy, and until his views "evolved" (as in he was seeking higher office and abandoned his principles) he embraced these basic tenets.
Hopefully the MA Republican Party and voters in the state will recognize the need for a centrist candidate who they can all rally around-- Massachusetts could prove to be a bright spot for hte GOP in 2008.

Rothenberg Reports on ME Senate Race

The latest Rothenberg Report talks about the upcoming Maine Senate race, where Senator Susan Collins already has a tough race heating up.

Click here to read the article on the Rothenberg Report's blog.

Coleman a Centrist?

As the Minnesota Star Tribune reported today, it is becoming common to see once far right conservative members of Congress move to the center. Senator Norm Coleman, who is up for re-election in 2008, is slowly becoming more of a moderate. Is this a sign he is worried about his chances of re-election? Has he recognized that the American public overwhelmingly rejects the social policy of the far right? This will be yet another seat to watch in '08.

CPAC Straw Poll Results

Last week, the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) was held in Washington, D.C. Giuliani, Romney, and Brownback were all in attendance. McCain did not make an appearance. A straw poll was conducted among attendees of the conference, and Romney came out on top. However, it is important to note that each of the candidates was able to bring in supporters to participate at CPAC and vote in the straw poll- Romney bussed in loads of college students. Each candidate's support increased or decreased in various categories, such as Giuliani's increased support when viewed as a national security candidate.

Click here for a link to the story in the New York Sun.