The World Around You

Swing State Project moved two of our Alabama races one position more Democratic on their rankings and Alabama’s 3rd is now on the watch list. It will take some new polling numbers to move AL-03 up even further on the radar, and it’s not an easy district to poll. My strong suspicion is that Josh Segall is only narrowly behind Mike Rogers at this point, and will continue to close on Rogers over the rest of the summer.

# AL-02 (Open): Likely Republican to Lean Republican

Republicans may have gotten their preferred choice for this race in state Rep. Jay Love, but he was battered heavily in a divisive primary against Wiregrass-area state Sen. Harri Anne Smith. Democrat Bobby Bright’s campaign smartly went up with a bio ad in Dothan, his birthplace, this past Wednesday in an effort to sway Smith supporters. Bright will likely have the airwaves largely to himself for a short period - at least while Love refills his coffers from the expensive and nasty primary. Love, who shares a geographic base with Bright, still has a clear edge in this R+13 district, but it is no longer a commanding one.

# AL-05 (Open): Tossup to Lean Democratic

Republicans were initially quite giddy when longtime Democratic Rep. Bud Cramer retired, leaving his R+6.5 district for the taking, but candidate recruitment and fundraising are tilting the landscape in northern Alabama back to the Democrats. Democrat Parker Griffith, a state senator from Huntsville, significantly out-raised Republican Wayne Parker in the last quarter. Coupled with a divisive Republican runoff that drained Parker’s reserves, Griffith now holds a 5-to-1 CoH advantage in this traditionally Democratic district. Griffith has been airing ads portraying himself as a statesman ready to fill the chair of Bud Cramer, and most observers agree that he is a cut above Parker, who lost this district twice in the ’90s.

Swing State Project:: SSP’s Competitive House Race Ratings (7/22/08)

Mooncat does a great job of outlining the specifics of the bickering going on in the race for the Republican nomination in Alabama’s 2nd CD. I love every minute of it, because every minute they spend bickering is a minute that Bobby Bright can use to prepare for the fall campaign.

Left In Alabama:: AL-02: Republican Whining

Dan got credentialed for the Republican National Convention…go on Dan! I agree with the approach he wants to take…should be a lot of fun.

Credentialed | Daily Dixie

Josh Segall continues to surprise people with his fundraising prowess. Rep. Mike Rogers is in serious trouble…which is great news for the people of the 3rd District. Alabama has a real chance at having a Democratic majority in it’s congressional delegation, and more importantly adding two strong, competent representatives to its ranks. Replacing Terry Everett and Mike Rogers with Bobby Bright and Josh Segall would be a huge step forward for Alabama and I am excited at the opportunity it presents.

Left In Alabama:: AL-03: Segall Video and Fundraising Tease

The official announcement will come today, but I believe this is another inspired move on the part of the Obama campaign. I have no doubt they will pack Invesco field, and it will make a powerful statement to the nation about the kind of candidate Barack Obama is.

Calculated political move? YES Smart, calculated political move? YES again.

Marc Ambinder (July 06, 2008) - Obama To Accept Nomination At Invesco Field

Taegan is right…the only choice for the next host of Meet the Press is Chuck Todd.

The Next Host of Meet the Press - Political Insider

Senator Obama continues to do an amazing job of putting legs and depth behind what many often assert are just platittudes. This portion of his speech today was particularly meaningful to me,

I was answering questions at a town hall meeting in Wisconsin the other day and a young man raised his hand, and I figured he’d ask about college tuition or energy or maybe the war in Iraq. But instead he looked at me very seriously and he asked, “What does life mean to you?”

Now, I have to admit that I wasn’t quite prepared for that one. I think I stammered for a little bit, but then I stopped and gave it some thought, and I said this:

When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me — how do I make my way in the world, and how do I become successful and how do I get the things that I want.

But now, my life revolves around my two little girls. And what I think about is what kind of world I’m leaving them. Are they living in a country where there’s a huge gap between a few who are wealthy and a whole bunch of people who are struggling every day? Are they living in a country that is still divided by race? A country where, because they’re girls, they don’t have as much opportunity as boys do? Are they living in a country where we are hated around the world because we don’t cooperate effectively with other nations? Are they living a world that is in grave danger because of what we’ve done to its climate?

And what I’ve realized is that life doesn’t count for much unless you’re willing to do your small part to leave our children — all of our children — a better world. Even if it’s difficult. Even if the work seems great. Even if we don’t get very far in our lifetime.

Indeed…Obama for President. Yes we can!
Text of Obama’s fatherhood speech - Politico Staff - Politico.com

Tim Russert was a man most admired by those in the political reporting and blogging community. I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear of his passing. Taken long before his time and in this most historic of election seasons, it’s particularly said that he won’t get to report on how it all ends.

My heartfelt condolences go out to his son Luke, his wife, Maureen Orth and the entire Russert clan. Tim will be sorely, sorely missed for many, many years to come.

Marc Ambinder (June 13, 2008) - Tim Russert Is Dead

I am so proud of this move by the Obama campaign…it is long past time for a presidential candidate to acknowledge that every state is important and that with enough effort any state can be in play. Congratulations to the Obama campaign for getting off to a strong start in the general election…

Left In Alabama:: Obama Will Put Staff In All 50 States!

I was so proud of Senator Obama last night…he delivered the speech he needed to deliver, announcing his pending nomination to the nation, taking the mantle of the Democratic Party and beginning to lay out the vision for how he is going to make real change in Washington.

To Senator McCain’s credit, the portion of his speech I saw was his best of the campaign as well.

Senator Clinton…well, let’s just say she was less than conciliatory in her speech, we’ll see how she presents herself behind closed doors.

I don’t know what the end game will be for the Democrats, but my take is Senator Obama needs to ask for Hillary’s 100% support and whatever it’s going to take to get that is what he needs to offer. I find the idea of her as the VP deeply troubling, but if that’s what it takes to get her firm commitment to his candidacy he may be forced to offer it to her.

Same sex marriages performed in other states will be recognized in New York…my sincerest thanks to Governor Patterson for taking this stand so quickly following the California Supreme Court decision. I hope other governors will be as brave…

Birmingham Blues » Blog Archive » NY Governor Directs State to Honor Out-of-State Same Sex Marriages

Rep. Artur Davis seemed to close the door on a cabinet position in the Obama administration today, alluding to announcing his run for governor in about seven months. I think there is an argument to be made that he would be in a stronger position to run for governor of Alabama after a stint as Attorney General of the United States, than he would be as a U.S. Representative…but he has to do what he believes is right.

I will state again, when he announces a run, I am there 100% in any capacity…

Left In Alabama:: Artur Davis: “I’m not interested in being in the Cabinet”

Marc Ambinder has Obama’s short list this way:

Potential ticket-mates, in no particular order, include Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA), Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) former Sen. Sam Nunn (D-GA), Gov. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ex-Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD), Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM), Ex-Sen. John Edwards, (D-NC), Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS), Gov. Janet Napolitano (D-AZ), Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE), Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) ex-Rep. Tim Roemer (D-IN), Gov. Ted Strickland (D-OH) and others.

Personally, I would strongly favor Napolitano or Sebelius…I think picking a woman would be a very smart move on his part, as well as picking someone with Chief Executive experience. The worst picsk would be Edwards (been there) and Biden (too much potential for gaffes).

Marc Ambinder (May 22, 2008) - Quietly, Obama Begins The Quest To Find A Running Mate