Ben Nighthorse Campbell is retiring. Not surprising, since he pretty much did nothing during his two terms and didn't raise much money for re-election this year. It does force the Repubs to defend another seat, and this particular one should be in play. Depending on what Repub steps up to run, it could also put a House seat in play. ______________________ Nighthorse Campbell will not seek re-election this fall Wednesday, March 3, 2004 ©2004 Associated Press (03-03) 10:20 PST DENVER (AP) -- Citing his health, Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell announced Wednesday he will not seek a third term this fall. "After a great deal of soul searching and reflection I have decided not to seek re-election," the Republican senator said in a statement. "I feel the time has come to pass that duty on to another and return to my ranch with my family that I love." Campbell, 70, has faced questions about his health since last year, when he acknowledged undergoing treatments for prostate cancer. Last week, he was examined in a Washington hospital after experiencing mild chest pains that turned out to be heartburn.
I really want Stephanie Herseth to win the open House seat in ND... she's a hottie and would automatically become the best looking Representative in history. Fuego!
what about kerry's seat, should he win? there's a republican governor, nominate a republican to fill kerry's term. the mass legislature is of course making noises about changing the rules, denying romney the chance to pick his man, the holding a special election, but then, that's just par for the course for the party after the shenanigans of florida and new jersey.
I would feel so bad if the Leg passed a law changing the procedure, especially after the terrible trials Democrats put Repubicans through over redistricting in Texas and Colorado... and then there was that distressing CA recall. My goodness, why don't the Dems just quit it!
Boom Baby! It's a 2-fer. They lose their guy, we get ours... ________________ Udall Jumps Into Senate Race in Colo. By STEVEN K. PAULSON The Associated Press Tuesday, March 9, 2004; 8:18 PM DENVER - Hours after GOP Gov. Bill Owens said he would not run for the Senate, Democratic Rep. Mark Udall jumped into the race. "I'm in the race. I'm packing my ropes and I'm getting ready to climb the mountain," Udall told The Associated Press Tuesday evening. The decision by Udall, son of former Rep. Morris "Mo" Udall of Arizona, came after Owens said he had decided against a campaign because his family is more important than national office. Owens said he intends to serve out his second term as governor, which ends in 2006, adding that the decision came down to more than "strategy and polls." "It comes down to what you know in your heart is the right thing to do," he said at a news conference. "This time is not right for me, my family or for Colorado to make the kind of personal and professional commitment I know I must make to ensure victory." Owens, 53, and his wife, Frances, are separated. They have three children. The Senate seat is being vacated by Republican Ben Nighthorse Campbell, 70, who announced abruptly last week that he would not seek re-election, citing declining health. He was treated for prostate cancer last year. His Washington office also faces allegations that a longtime aide had taken kickbacks. Campbell's seat had been considered safe for the GOP, which holds a 51-48 margin in the Senate. His decision gave Democrats another open Senate seat to target in November and threw the Colorado Senate race wide open. GOP officials had urged Owens to run for the seat. The party lacks a high-profile candidate, though Reps. Bob Beauprez, Tom Tancredo and Scott McInnis have all said they are interested in the job. Udall, 54, was elected to the House in 1996 from the heavily Democratic Boulder area. The only other prominent Democrat to express interest in running state Attorney General Ken Salazar. Former Democratic Sen. Gary Hart has indicated he will not run.
They should have special elections to fill vacant seats, in my opinion. It seems dishonest to give someone a seat for six years because the governor says so. You want the seat, earn it (I could imagine how much it would've hacked me off had Gov. Richards been able to appoint what's-his-name for the entire rest of Lloyd Bentsen's term, and there were only two years left of his term when he bolted for Washington). I know the rules are the rules, but I think rules that subvert the election (and if Kerry won and a Republican got to take the seat for six years without sitting for an election, I think that's subverting the election to a large degree). But that's just my opinion.
That's great news, rimrocker. I hope both Democrats win. If we could take back the Senate or the House, everyone could breath a little easier. But truthfully, I'm more optimistic about Kerry winning than that happening, but maybe Kerry will have coattails. Are there any early indications about which way Congress will go in November? Anyone have an idea? I know redistricting hurt in Texas, thanks to the corrupt Republican leadership there, what with the heavy boot of Tom Delay putting cleat marks in their backsides.
Selection of senators should go back to being a province of state legislators. The awful growth of govt. can be traced to the popular election of senators, because the Founders intended them to represent state govts, which they no longer do. As for the Dems winning either House or Senate back, don't count on it. Look for them to pad their majorities in both.
The RNCC just dropped $600,000 on Herseth's opponent. That's a lot of ads in ND. Just goes to show that the Republicans are the enemies of beauty and goodness.
With the redistricting shenanigans in TX, the House does look out of reach in a close election. However, the GOP is shooting itself in the foot in CO and mucked up a big chance to solidify their redistricting gains there. On the Senate side, the Dems have a decent chance to take the majority. Barring any other plane crashes, it will be close. Seats in Illinois, Alaska, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Pennsylvania look like they cold swing Dems way, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida are possible pickups for the GOP and because of the strange primary rules in Louisiana, it's too tough to call, though Dems have waxed the Repubs in recent statewides.
Selection of senators should go back to being a province of state legislators. Why does Bama hate democracy? I suppose we should go back to being the province of only men who own land also.
Next thing you know, they'll be accusing her of sleeping with the "enemy". These guys have so much corporate money laying around that it ain't funny... it's obscene. That is an enormous amount of money to spend in ND for a house seat. And you can bet that if they are in for a fight, it won't be the last. We have a classic "Beauty and the Beast" here, with the Beast being the RNC.
Well, just as soon as I brag about the CO Dems making the right play and the Repubs the wrong one, this pops up. By all accounts, Salazar is probably a greater statewide force then Udall, but this was not handled well. __________________________ Salazar running for Senate Udall, Bridges back out of race By Rebecca Cantwell and Karen E. Crummy Denver Post Staff Writers Thursday, March 11, 2004 - Colorado Attorney General Ken Salazar this afternoon announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate and, in a show of party unity, won the endorsement of two former rivals. Fellow Democrats already in the race - U.S. Rep. Mark Udall and millionaire Rutt Bridges - withdrew and hugged Salazar. Salazar declared his intention to run for the seat being vacated by Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell at a news conference on the steps of the state Capitol with throngs of Democratic leaders cheering him on. Talking about the values of family and community he learned growing up in Colorado's poorest area, the San Luis Valley, Salazar promised to be a senator for all of Colorado. "Today, I want to help the people of Colorado and our country achieve the same American dream that I have been able to live,'' Salazar said. "I want to be a United States senator because I want to continue my efforts to protect the beautiful natural heritage of Colorado, which is the most beautiful state in the nation." Udall, who only Tuesday afternoon said he was running for the seat, bowed out in favor of Salazar. Quipping that his might have been the shortest U.S. Senate campaign in history, Udall likened his role to that of a mountain climber who helps a teammate reach the summit. Bridges, whom Salazar had urged to run before Campbell announced his retirement, also vowed to help Campbell succeed. Former Gov. Dick Lamm and his wife Dottie, former Lt. Gov. Gail Schoettler, and current Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper were among those standing with Salazar on the Capitol steps. Former Gov. Roy Romer and former Mayor Wellington Webb, also are backing Salazar. The announcement alters the race for the Senate seat that Campbell said last week he would vacate at the end of his term. Gov. Bill Owens, a Republican, announced Tuesday that he would not seek the nomination for Senate. That opened up the field to a number of other potential candidates, including several from the state's House delegation. Under state law, Salazar does not have to relinquish his position as attorney general while campaigning. But with two years of Salazar's term left, Owens could appoint a Republican to his seat if he wins. Already in the race are lesser-known Democrats Liz Baker and Larry Johnson of Boulder, Mike Miles of Colorado Springs and Brad Freedberg of Denver. Republican Dan O'Bryant of Colorado Springs is already running, and Daniel James Barnett of Denver has filed to run as a Christian Party candidate. Along with Owens, fellow Republican U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave passed on a run, while former Colorado congressman Bob Schaffer said he intends to seek the Senate seat. Republican U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis, who is leaving the House, said he is still considering a run, while Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo also said he will announce a decision. Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette said she will not run for the Senate, citing the needs of her young family. Owens, considered the state's highest-profile Republican, cited family matters and the needs of the state in announcing his intention not to run Tuesday. "As I looked at what I actually have to do as governor, to add that burden on top of it would have been a race that I simply wouldn't have enjoyed," he said. Owens also said he had encouraged Republican U.S. Rep. Bob Beauprez to run for the seat. The freshman congressman from Arvada, who won the new 7th Congressional District seat by 121 votes in 2002, said he was still deciding whether to enter the race. The open seat will boost Colorado's political profile this year, attracting money and attention as Republicans seek to hold their 51-48 voting edge - with one Independent - and Democrats seek to regain the chamber. "I think this will be a real horse race," said pollster Paul Talmey. "You're going to see a ton of money flowing into this state. This race could change the majority in the Senate." Owens' blessing has suddenly vaulted Beauprez to a key position for money and name recognition. However, Don Bain, who was Republican Party chairman from 1993 through 1997, said President Bush and his advisers will probably have more to say than the governor. "The behind-the-scenes player is likely to be the White House," he said. "They want a candidate who would preserve the majority. That is what it is about." Bain said Beauprez, who is scheduled to appear at a fundraiser with Vice President Dick Cheney later this month, would be a strong candidate, but he worries that the first-term congressman's open seat would be tough to win without an incumbent. "The big downside is it opens up that 7th District and puts it at great risk," he said. That's why the National Republican Congressional Committee does not appear to want Beauprez - who raised more than $1 million for his re-election campaign - to leave the House after only one term. "We would love Congressman Beauprez to stay in the House. We would hate to lose him," said Chris Paulitz, spokesman for the committee. Paulitz also said that if the House seat should open up, the GOP "plans on keeping it in Republican hands."
They were talking on CNN about how the Republicans are very good at raising money through smaller donations from a large number of individuals and that Democrats are more likely to have to rely on larger single contributions.
Because we are not a democracy, which is mob rule. We are a Constitutional Republic. I think that people on any sort of govt. assistance should not be allowed to vote. That way they could no longer use their votes to get money from the producers transferred by sympathetic politicians seeking to buy votes. Also: -anyone who can not read and write English -anyone who is mentally ill or r****ded should not be allowed to vote. Mob rule only leads to chaos and that is exactly what true democracy is.
