Political State Report: State News Straight Up

John McCain has an interesting choice to make as to who should be his vice presidential running mate. In the most basic of terms the considerations are wide. It’s not even clear the so-called “Maverick” would pick a Republican, though it would be a pretty craven Democrat who would accept his request. What’s that, Joe Lieberman?

A woman? Someone in a wheelchair? A general?

How about Colin Powell? Woah, that one is worth a long, considering pause isn’t it?

Regionally does it matter? Likely not another southwest presence but what about Arnold Schwarzenegger to help drag California to his side? I think it is technically constitutionally legal for a naturalized American to be vice president. National media would shine the biggest spotlight on this campaign.

Laura Ingraham? McCain likes the blondes.

Would he want to strengthen his hawkish (to put it mildly) positions or push someone who would balance where he is perceived as weak.

Does he accept that he is not conservative enough and that being more conservative would actually help with the general electorate?

Would he bring Jonah Goldberg aboard so the right-leaning blogosphere would finally come aboard?

Michael Bloomberg is a serious consideration. What say you?

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BY: Temple Stark | Comments and Links (2)

With his own confetti strewn picture atop his Web site, Independent candidate Ralph Nader wants people to not only listen to his views but to vote for him and send him money to become the 44th President of America.

Currently there sure do seem to be a lot of potential defectors from the Democratic Party if their preferred candidate doesn’t get the nomination. From the right, it’s hard to think Nader’s anti-corporate stance - not a bad thing - will draw many Republican defectors unhappy with John McCain. After all, they don’t like him because of McCain-Feingold’s attempted stripping of money power from corporations. McCain isn’t right enough.

Nader lays down 12 major issues he says are “off the table” of the other candidates. They are:

• Adopt single payer national health insurance

• Cut the huge, bloated, wasteful military budget

• No to nuclear power, solar energy first

• Aggressive crackdown on corporate crime and corporate welfare

• Open up the Presidential debates

• Adopt a carbon pollution tax

• Reverse U.S. policy in the Middle East

• Impeach Bush/Cheney

• Repeal the Taft-Hartley anti-union law

• Adopt a Wall Street securities speculation tax

• Put an end to ballot access obstructionism

• Work to end corporate personhood

Here Nader makes the pitch why he’s a better choice than McCain or Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton:

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BY: Temple Stark | Comments and Links (3)

After a sweep of the states tonight, In what was a fairly substantial - and conservative speech - John McCain accepts the Republican nomination for the 2008 presidential race. This is a big deal for McCain who has been trying for so long.

Because he wrapped up the campaign, in all but math weeks ago, this speech has been prepared for a while.

In Austin, Texas, speech below:

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BY: Temple Stark | Comments and Links (0)

Hillary Clinton looked very relieved, and very white-teethed as she took on the mantle of Comeback Kid II Tuesday night in New Hampshire. She seemed humbled and truly thankful for the support to continue her own brand of hope.

Her victory speech:

Remarks following the New Hampshire primary

Thank you. Thank you so much. I come tonight with a very, very full heart. And I want especially to thank New Hampshire. Over the last week, I listened to you and in the process, I found my own voice.

I felt like we all spoke from our hearts, and I am so gratified that you responded. Now, together, let’s give America the kind of comeback that New Hampshire has just given me.
For all the ups and downs of this campaign, you helped remind everyone that politics isn’t a game. This campaign is about people. It’s about making a difference in your lives. It’s about making sure that everyone in this country has the opportunity to live up to his or her God-given potential. That has been the work of my life.

We are facing a moment of so many big challenges. We know we face challenges here at home, around the world, so many challenges for the people whose lives I’ve been privileged to be part of. I’ve met families in this state and all over our country who have lost their homes to foreclosures. Men and women who work day and night but can’t pay the bills and hope they don’t get sick because they can’t afford health insurance. Young people who can’t afford to go to college to pursue their dreams.

Too many have been invisible for too long. Well, you are not invisible to me.
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BY: Temple Stark | Comments and Links (0)

More than 85,000 people when all said and done, will have voted for Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary.

The number of people separating the second place finisher Barack Obama has slowly increased over the 2 hour, 45 minutes since polls closed. About 198 of 301 precincts have been counted.

Though other media outlets have not given the check mark to Clinton, The Associated Press and CNN have called it for the former First Lady. This belies the rising increase in poll support for Obama, but also has closed the 15 and 20 percent polling lead even in late December.
UPDATE: Before she spoke in victory, Hillary Clinton looked VERY relieved. Says New Hampshire helped her find her voice. Transcript to come later. …

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BY: Temple Stark | Comments and Links (0)

Roundly thought to be boring by pundits (also mentioned below), the intention, as usually, often comes across best in the written word.

Thank you. My friends, I am past the age when I can claim the noun, “kid,” no matter what adjective precedes it. But tonight we sure showed them what a comeback looks like.

When the pundits declared us finished, I told them, “I’m going to New Hampshire, where the voters don’t let you make their decision for them.” And when they asked, “How are you going to do it? You’re down in the polls. You don’t have the money,” I answered, “I’m going to New Hampshire, and I’m going to tell people the truth.”

We came back here to this wonderful state we’ve come to trust and love. And we had just one strategy: to tell you what I believe. I didn’t just tell you what the polls said you wanted to hear. I didn’t tell you what I knew to be false. I didn’t try to spin you. I just talked to the people of New Hampshire.
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BY: Temple Stark | Comments and Links (0)

John McCain has now been projected to win New Hampshire, ahead of Mitt Romney by 9 percent (37% to 28%).

Though the number of votes between the two current leaders and the second places - with 45 of 31 precincts reporting - is roughly 2,000 votes, McCain has been declared a winner while Hillary Clinton has not.

Told another way, McCain has a higher percentage of votes because fewer people voted Republican in New Hampshire’s open primary where voters registered with either party can vote for anyone, and the 45 percent of Independent voters who don’t declare for either party.

With 63 princincts reporting the total of the top for each party is as follows: 55,701 Democratic votes, 34,048 Republican votes. 62 percent to 38 percent. To put it another way, 3rd place finisher, so far, John Edwards, equals Romney’s 9,900 total.

UPDATE: Looking back at past presidential election years would be useful, of course, for context:

Jan. 27, 2004 Presidential Primaries - 221,309 Democratic votes, 69,414 Republican votes. (Went for Kerry by 9,000 votes in the General Election)

Feb. 1, 2000 Presidential Primaries - 158,862 Democratic votes, 239,523 Republican votes. (Went for Bush by 7,000 votes in General Election)

Feb. 20, 1996 Presidential Primaries - 93,044 Democratic votes, 210,211 Republican votes. (Went for Bill Clinton in General Election)

Feb. 18, 1992 Presidential Primaries - 170,333 Democratic votes, 177,970 Republican votes. (Went for Bill Clinton in General election)

For more dated primary results go to the New Hampshire Political Primary.

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BY: Temple Stark | Comments and Links (0)

With roughly 12,000 votes each counted in New Hampshire, Hillary Clinton may be surprising those who had written her off after her Iowa third place finish.

Barack Obama and Clinton almost share the Democratic primary lead at 38 percent to Obama’s 36 percent. That’s a separation of 900 votes.

On the Republican side, New Hampshire voters continue to love them some John McCain. He won the state primary in 2000. He leads Mitt Romney by 37 to 28 percent. Romney is coming off a Wyoming win where he earned 8 delegates, and both lead Mike Huckabee’s 12 percent.

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BY: Temple Stark | Comments and Links (0)

in the wake of the decision by Fox News Channel not to include Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter in its debate, the New Hampshire GOP said it had withdrawn its support and partnership with cable channel, Fox News.

The Concord Monitor quotes GOP state chairman Fergus Cullen: “Our argument is that all candidates should be included. It is not the media’s role to determine who is a viable candidate and who is not, prior to any votes being cast.”

Though Lake Jackson, Texas Congressman Ron Paul polls higher than Fred Thompson in New Hampshire, and was nearly tied with John McCain and Rudy Giuliani, Fox News officials have said their criteria is that a candidate polls 10 percent or more.

In response, Ron Paul hosted his own forum, inviting residents who said they were undecided. It aired on public MCAM TV-23 and was simulcast at Paul’s campaign Web site. (See it here @ YouTube, Part 1 and 2.)

Paul spokesman Jesse Benton said the exclusion was a decision for business as usual. “Dr. Paul’s message of freedom, peace and prosperity is a natural fit with the Granite State’s ‘live free or die’ philosophy.”

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BY: Temple Stark | Comments and Links (3)

A month from now, on January 3 Iowa is the first occasion voters get to mark their preference for the next leader of the United States. Five months later on June 3, Montana, South Dakota, New Mexico (for Republicans close out the hunting season.

That’s first date is a month away, and that date,unfortunately marks the gunshot start of a race to the bottom of the rhetorical barrel.

Who can possibly disagree?

It would be nice if there was more hope for an intelligent discussion about the future of the country. Instead, it’s not only going to be horrible it’s going to be embarassing to all thinking people in the country. The usual suspects will enjoy all kinds of gotcha and on the other side we’ll all feel a little stupider.

But, the winner and his or her supporters will feel great. Can we the people really have hope that this country’s politicians solve anything rather than just tread water to do the bare minimum of care and due dilegence?

The National Association of Secretaries of State actually has a decent plan to hold four regional primary election days in the first weeks of March, April May & June.

Maybe that will come to pass in 2009. Meanwhile, Feb. 5 is when the fit hits the shan as 23 states hold primaries, 20 for both parties. Iowa and Kansas, this year, are holding caucuses. Hawaii Republicans are choosing delegates during the first week of February.

Several other, local and congressional primary elections will take place the same days. More on that at PolState.com later.

JANUARY - 13 primary elections in 7 states:

Jan. 3 Iowa (caucus) - R & D
Jan. 5 Wyoming - R only
Jan. 8 New Hamshire - R & D
Jan. 15 Michigan - R & D
Jan. 19 Nevada - R & D
Jan. 19 South Carolina - R only
Jan. 26 South Carolina - D only
Jan. 29 Florida - R & D

FEBRUARY - 57 primary elections in 30 states:

Feb. 1: Maine - R only
Feb. 5: Alabama - R & D
Feb. 5: Alaska - R & D
Feb. 5: Arizona - R & D
Feb. 5: Arkansas - R & D
Feb. 5: California - R & D
Feb. 5: Colorado - R & D
Feb. 5: Connecticut - R & D
Feb. 5: Delaware - R & D
Feb. 5: Georgia - R & D
Feb. 5: Idaho - D only
Feb. 5: Illinois - R & D
Feb. 5: Kansas - D only
Feb. 5: Massachusetts - R & D
Feb. 5: Minnesota - R & D
Feb. 5: Missouri - R & D
Feb. 5: New Jersey - R & D
Feb. 5: New Mexico - D only
Feb. 5: New York - R & D
Feb. 5: North Dakota - R & D
Feb. 5: Oklahoma - R & D
Feb. 5: Tennessee - R & D
Feb. 5: Utah - R & D
Feb. 9: Kansas - R only
Feb. 9: Louisiana - R & D
Feb. 10: Maine - D only
Feb. 12: D.C. - R & D
Feb. 12: Maryland - R & D
Feb. 12: Virginia - R & D
Feb. 19: Hawaii - D only
Feb. 19: Washington - R & D
Feb. 19: Wisconsin - R & D

- and the rest who were sane enough not to care because it’s a primary and they’ll likely get the candidates who have a chance of winning, anyway.

MARCH - 11 primary elections in 6 states:

Mar. 4: Ohio - R & D
Mar. 4: Rhode Island - R & D
Mar. 4: Texas - R & D
Mar. 4: Vermont - R & D
Mar. 8: Wyoming - D only
Mar. 11: Mississippi - R & D

APRIL - 2 primary elections in 1 states:

Apr. 22: Pennsylvania - R & D

MAY - 13 primary elections in 7 states:

May 6: Indiana - R & D
May 6: North Carolina - R & D
May 13: Nebraska - R & D
May 13: West Virginia - R & D
May 20: Kentucky - R & D
May 20: Oregon - R & D
May 27: Idaho - R only

JUNE - 5 primary elections in 3 states:

Jun. 3: Montana - R & D
Jun. 3: South Dakota - R & D
Jun. 3: New Mexico - R only

New Mexico’s Republican primary has the distinction of being the last primary poll to close for the season.

Then when all that’s over, the uselessness of the conventions where scripts are read and very poor theater is played out on garish stages:

Democratic Party, Aug 25-28 in Denver
Republican Party, Sept. 1-4 in Minneapolis-St. Paul

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BY: Temple Stark | Comments and Links (3)