2008+

[NewYorkExpress]

Odd, yes but Gore affects Obama more anyways.

[NewYorkExpress]

January 19, 2008

New Orleans, Louisana.  After a 4th place finish in South Carolina and new polling showing her dropping to 3rd in Florida Mary Landrieu ended her run for President today. She endorsed Hillary Clinton, saying "it's time to break the glass ceiling".

Orlando, Florida. At a rally ahead of the the Florida Primary, Gov. Charlie Crist endorsed John McCain today, calling for a stop to the "dangerous" candidacy of Tom Coburn. Meanwhile at a dueling rally in Key Largo, Sen. Mel Martinez and Reps. Ilena-Ros Letihan, Mario Diaz-Balart endorsed Jeb Bush, calling him good for Florida.

[NewYorkExpress]

January 20, 2008
Wyoming Caucuses

Republicans
4th Jeb Bush 12%
3rd John Thune 13%
2nd John McCain 22%
1st Tom Coburn 49%

As expected Coburn rolls in Wyoming, Thune to reassess race

Democrats

3rd Hillary Clinton 23%
2nd Al Gore 27%
1st Barack Obama 35%

It's Obama's turn, wins two a row

Nevada-Republicans

4th John Thune 15%
3rd Tom Coburn 20%
2nd Jeb Bush 30%
1st John McCain 33%


McCain also picks up Nevada, Bush with another strong second.

[NewYorkExpress]

January 22, 2008

Senator John Thune ended his Presidential Bid today, just hours after voting against a  new Assualt Weapons ban under consideration in Congress. In his exit speech he said he was suprised to have even gotten this far, and endorsed John McCain saying his record "speaks for itself" and that "age should be no boundary to McCain".

Sedona, Arizona
In John McCain's hometown, Gov. Janet Napolitano, Rep. Raul Grijalva and Rep. Gabrielle Giffords each unveiled the endorsement of Al Gore at a major rally.

Mineola, New York

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy,  Nassau County Executive Tom Souzzi and Rep. Gary Ackerman endorsed Hillary Clinton at a major rally at the county seat. Many pundits had speculated that Suozzi would instead endorse Gore, but they were proven wrong.

San Fransisco
Rep. Barbara Lee, Mayor Gavin Newsom, and activist Cindy Sheehan announced there support for Barack Obama, calling on Gore and Clinton to if they won "put him on the ticket"

[NewYorkExpress]

January, 29, 2008

Florida Primary

Democrats

3rd Barack Obama 23%
2nd Al Gore 36%
1st Hillary Clinton 38%

Gore Florida Bridesmaid again, this time to Clinton


Republicans

3rd Tom Coburn 30%
2nd John McCain 31%
1st Jeb Bush 36%


Bush wins, but is it enough?

[NewYorkExpress]

February 2, 3, 4 2008
Atlantic City New Jerey
The first of many conventions was held over the past three days, that of the Constitution Party. Their convention nominated the following individuals for President


Chuck Baldwin
and for vice-president

Randy Stufflebeam

[NewYorkExpress]

February 5, 2008

Kansas Caucuses

GOP

3rd John McCain 19%
2nd Jeb Bush 25%
1st Tom Coburn 51%

Coburn rolls in Kansas, record caucus turnout reported

Democrats
3rd Barack Obama 19%
2nd Al Gore 31%
1st Hillary Clinton 42%

Clinton catches Gore in delegates early in evening


Alaska Caucuses

GOP
3rd Jeb Bush 12%
2nd John McCain 31%
1st Tom Coburn 52%

Coburn with another easy win in Alaska

Democrats
3rd Al Gore 25%
2nd Hillary Clinton 36%
1st Barack Obama 37.1%

Obama wins Alaska, Clinton takes delegate lead

[NewYorkExpress]

Flashback 2007 midterms

Louisana

Jungle Primary

4th Foster Campbell 17%
3rd Bruce Bolin 19%
2nd Bobby Jindal 28%
1st Jim Tucker 42%

Runoff

Bobby Jindal 50.9%
Jim Tucker 48.7%

Kentucky

Greg Stumbo 57%
Ernie Fletcher 41%

Mississippi

Haley Barbour 49%
Ray Mabus 45%
Kirk Fordice 5%

[NewYorkExpress]

February 7, 2008

Hawaii Primary

Democrats
3rd Hillary Clinton 9%
2nd Al Gore 21%
1st Barack Obama 62%

Obama steamrolls opposition in Hawaii, passes Gore for second in delegate count

Republicans
3rd Jeb Bush 24%
2nd Tom Coburn 24.5%
1st John McCain 43.45%

McCain wins Hawaii, Bush to re-evalulate campaign

[NewYorkExpress]

February 9, 2008

Pensacola, Florida
Jeb Bush exited the Presidential today, at the same site as his post-Florida victory rally. He endorsed Senator John McCain, essentially giving McCain a wide lead over Senator Tom Coburn in delegates. Both candidates trail all three remaining Democrats by anywhere from 3-7% in head to head polling.

Baton Rouge, Louisana
Landrieu won't run for re-election
After exiting the Presidential race, some wondered what Senator Mary Landrieu would do. She was up for re-election in the fall, but today she decided not to run, leaving Democrats and Republicans alike scrambling to enter the jungle primary. Among those mentioned as possible successors are former Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu,  Governor Bobby Jindal, Former Governor Kathleen Blanco and St. Representative Hunter Greene.

[NewYorkExpress]

February 14, 2008
Alabama primary

GOP


Tom Coburrn 52%
John McCain 43%

Democrats

Hillary Clinton 40%
Barack Obama 29%
Al Gore 27%
Clinton,Coburn win in Alabama

Nebraska Primary
GOP

Tom Coburn 65%
John McCain 31%

Democrats

Al Gore 34%
Hillary Clinton 33.7%
Barack Obama 19.3%
Gore survives recount in Nebraska, Coburn romps

[NewYorkExpress]

February 15, 2008

Lautenberg will retire,endorses Obama

Sen. Frank Lautenberg announced today he would not run for re-election at a press conference in Trenton New Jersey. At the same conference he endorsed Barack Obama for President calling him " the right man for the job". Speculation regarding likely candidates for Lautenberg's seat, include but are not limited to former Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, Congressman Rob Andrews, Congressman Rush Holt, Newark Mayor Cory Booker and State Assembleyman Jon Brammick.


Coburn will not run for re-election
Senator and Presidential candidate Tom Coburn said in an interview on a Oklahoma City TV station that "regardless of what happens, I will not be a candidate for re-election in 2010" Coburn also said he did not want a spot on Senator McCain's ticket should McCain emerge with the nomination.

Stevens will not run
Senator Ted Stevens facing a federal investigation has decided to retire. Governor Sarah Palin has announced her entry into the GOP primary, but it is unlikely she will be alone as former Governor Frank Murkowski and Lt. Governor Sean Parnell both expressed interest in the race today.

[NewYorkExpress]

February, 20,2008

Louisiana Primary
Democrats

Hillary Clinton 35%
Barack Obama 32%'
Al Gore 31.7%

GOP

Tom Coburn 58%
John McCain 40%
Hillary in a thriller, Coburn in a Bayou smackdown

Utah Caucuses
Democrats
Barack Obama 58%
Al Gore 15%
Hillary Clinton 7%
In record low turnout less than 2,500 Democrats show up at caucus sites in Utah

GOP

Tom Coburn 66%
John McCain 24%

Obama and Coburn blow out the field in Utah

[NewYorkExpress]

February 23,2008

New Jersey Primary

Democrats


Hillary Clinton 51%
Barack Obama 25%
Al Gore 11%
Gore campaign on fumes after third place showing, Clinton wins state.
GOP

John McCain 55%
Tom Coburn 42%
Straight talk express retakes delegate lead with New Jersey Victory

Maine Caucuses

Democrats

Hillary Clinton 46%
Al Gore 18%
Barack Obama 18%

GOP


John McCain 59%
Tom Coburn 39%

Democrats Abroad



Barack Obama 41%
Hillary Clinton 38%
Al Gore 9%

Virginia Primary

Democrats


Hillary Clinton 38%
Barack Obama 35%
Al Gore 28%

GOP



John McCain 56%
Tom Coburn 40%

McCain, Clinton have excellent days, Gore likely to exit race

[NewYorkExpress]

February,24,2008

Newark, New Jersey
Former VP Al Gore decided to exit the presidential race today and endorsed Barack Obama for President claiming he " the new wave of the future". He also said he did not wish to be Vice President again


February 28,29

The Green Party held it's Presidential convention in San Diego, California producing the following nominees:


Dennis Kucinich for President


Cynthia McKinney for Vice-President

[NewYorkExpress]

March,2 2008

New York Primary
Democrats


Hillary Clinton 56%
Barack Obama 41%

GOP

John McCain 64%
Tom Coburn 31%

Clinton, McCain romp in New York

Puerto Rico Primary
Democrats

Hillary Clinton 52%
Barack Obama 46%

GOP

John McCain 55%
Tom Coburn 40%
Clinton turns back upset bid from Obama, McCain easily wins

Illinois Primary
Democrats

Hillary Clinton 49.7%
Barack Obama 49.5%

Obama to concede after narrow loss in Illinois

GOP

John McCain 54%
Tom Coburrn 43%

California Primaries

Hillary Clinton 53%
Barack Obama 45%

GOP

John McCain 50.7%
Tom Coburn 49.2%

It's over, Coburn will concede as well

[NewYorkExpress]

March 3, 2008

Chicago, Illinois. Senator Barack Obama, despite mild protest from African American leaders, conceded to Hillary Clinton today, Saying that he "had no path forwards" and that " no matter which candidate came out of the primary, they would have a great nominee." He also confirmed that " as of this moment he is running for re-election to the senate in 2010, but that I would be interested in the Vice-Presidency or cabinet if the opportunity knocked"

March 4, 2008

Norman, Oklahoma

Tom Coburn endorsed Senator John McCain today, just hours after conceding the nomination the Arizona Senator stating that " it is a duty each failed candidate must embark on, regardless of what they believe in"

March 9 2008

Lehman Brothers Goes under

Lehman Brothers,  a once-revered financial institution went bankrupt yesterday after no other institution stepped forward to save it. Federal Reserve chair Ben Bernanke had no comment on the matter. Neither Hillary Clinton, at a campaign stop in Reno, Nevada, or John McCain at fundraiser in Plano, Texas addressed the issue today.

March 15,16
The Libertarian party held their convention in Buffalo New York, nominating the following individuals.


Ron Paul for President


Gary Johnson for Vice-President

[NewYorkExpress]

State Of play; 2008 Gubernatorial elections

Delaware (Ruth Ann Minner Term Limited) Treasurer Jack Markell faces a primary challenge from New Castle County Executive Chris Coons and a potentially daunting General from Rep. Mike Castle. Coons currently trails Markell by anywhere from 4-10% in polls and Both Men lead Castle by margins ranging from 1% to 5.4%. Castle will have to fight against the State's Democratic Lean and the perception he could have done more good challenging Sen. Joe Biden. Tossup Tilt/D

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels has run a smooth campaign so far, and should easily dispatch Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr in the General Election
Safe R

North Dakota
Gov. John Hoeven is in no trouble this fall as he leads both potential Democratic opponents by 24%-45% in the polls. The Democrats battling to take on Hoeven are St.Sen Tim Mathern and St. Rep. Scot Kelsh Safe R

Missouri
Gov. Matt Blunt is in Serious General Election trouble trailing all three potential Democratic opponents by margins ranging from 3%-13%. Blunt has called a Democratic activist a "hippie Nazi" already in this campaign exacerbating his already poor approval ratings. The Democrats fighting to take on Blunt are St. Attorney General Jay Nixon, Former Treasurer Nancy Farmer and Former Governor Bob Holden. Holden Currently leads by 1.2% over Nixon and by an additional 4.9% over Farmer. Lean D with Nixon or Farmer Tossup Tilt/D with Holden

Montana
Gov. Brian Schweitzer appears to be the focus of some VP chatter, but he also has a Re-Election as Governor to win. He faces St. Senator Mark Blasdel in November and has leads anywhere from 21%-26% in recent polling Safe D

New Hampshire
Gov. John Lynch faces a tough battle for the first time in years from St. Attorney General Kelly Ayotte. Polls range anywhere from Ayotte being up 5% to Lynch being up 4% so this one will likely go down to wire on Election Night Tossup

North Carolina
(Mike Easley Term-Limited)
Both sides have competitive Primaries here, however no matter which matchup you throw in the Republican is currently ahead. The Republicans Running are Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory Real Estate Agent John Faircloth St. Senator Jerry Tillman, Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry and Rep. Sue Myrick and Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.  The Democrats Running are  Lt. Gov. Bev Purdue, St. Party Chair Jerry Meek, St. Senator Martin Nesbitt and Rep. Brad MillerLean R

Utah
Gov. John Huntsman is running unopposedSafe R

Vermont
Gov. Jim Douglas is running unopposed despite a Green Party "draft Sanders" effort.Safe R

Washington
In what is expected to be highly competitive election,  Gov.Christine Gregoire faces Rep. Dave Reichert in a highly charged General Election. Recent polling shows Gregoire leading by an average of 2.75% Tossup

West Virginia
Gov. Joe Manchin leads both his GOP primary opponents by margins ranging from 5%-11%. He faces either Former St. Delegate David McKinley or St. Senator David Sypolt Lean D

[Miles]

North Carolina
(Mike Easley Term-Limited)
Both sides have competitive Primaries here, however no matter which matchup you throw in the Republican is currently ahead. The Republicans Running are Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory Real Estate Agent John Faircloth St. Senator Jerry Tillman, Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry and Rep. Sue Myrick.  The Democrats Running are Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, Lt. Gov. Bev Purdue, St. Party Chair Jerry Meek, St. Senator Martin Nesbitt and Rep. Brad MillerLean R

Troxler is a Republican.

[NewYorkExpress]

North Carolina
(Mike Easley Term-Limited)
Both sides have competitive Primaries here, however no matter which matchup you throw in the Republican is currently ahead. The Republicans Running are Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory Real Estate Agent John Faircloth St. Senator Jerry Tillman, Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry and Rep. Sue Myrick.  The Democrats Running are Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, Lt. Gov. Bev Purdue, St. Party Chair Jerry Meek, St. Senator Martin Nesbitt and Rep. Brad MillerLean R

Troxler is a Republican.

Thanks... will fix

[NewYorkExpress]

State of Play; 2008 Senate elections

Alabama Jeff Sessions faces St. Senator Vivian Davis Figures and is as safe as can be.         Last Poll     Sessions 67% Figures 29%

Alaska (Ted Stevens Retiring) Sarah Palin will face Mark Begich in the General however Palin is wounded, both by Steven's scandal and a bruising primary with Frank Murkowski.
              Last Poll       Begich 42% Palin 41%
Arkansas Republicans got their top recruit to challenge Mark Pryor in former Gov. Mike Huckabee, and this race has been close ever since. Pryor has also recently been the subject of VP talk, a prospect that almost certainly would hand the seat to Huckabee.
                              Last Poll Pryor 46% Huckabee 44%

Colorado (Wayne Allard retiring)It's a clash of sitting Congresspeople as Marylin Musgrave faces Mark Udall in November. Like Palin, Musgrave has been weakened by a primary battle, against Pete Coors as well as her reputation for being well to the right.
                 Last Poll  Udall 56% Musgrave 35%

Delaware For the first time in memory, Joe Biden has received a significant primary challenge, that of Gov. Ruth Ann Minner.  Minner has attacked Biden as "having an extreme case of diarrhea of the mouth" and "not thinking before he speaks". There is no Republican opponent.  Last Poll (primary) Biden 52% Minner 44%

Georgia Saxby Chambliss faces a tough challenge from Sanford Bishop. Chambliss has significant approval numbers but has been dragged down by Clinton's strong showing thus far in the Peach State.       Last Poll  Chambliss 44% Bishop 43%

Idaho (Larry Craig retiring) Jim Risch is running against a libertarian, Kent Marmon and Independent Rex Rammell. He is Safe as a bug in a rug.
                     Last Poll Risch 76% Marmon 13% Rammell 7%

Illinois Dick Durbin faces legendary Bears coach Mike Ditka. Durbin should win this race, but it remains unknown if Ditka can put on the kind of performance similar to the 1984 Bears, or even Barack Obama's 2004 Senate campaign.
                                      Last Poll Durbin 53% Ditka 41%

Iowa Tom Harkin faces Bob Vander Plaats. Only way Vander Plaats wins is if McCain takes Iowa in a blowout.       Last Poll Harkin 58% Vander Plaats 39%

Kansas Pat Roberts faces Former Topeka mayor and City Councilor Duane Pomeroy. Roberts should cruise as Pomeroy has struggled to raise money.
                                        Last Poll Roberts 65% Pomeroy 27%
Kentucky Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is in deep trouble, as he faces Ben Chandler in the General election. Chandler has even managed to keep up in fundraising with McConnell much to everyone's shock.       Last Poll Chandler 47% McConnell 41%

Louisiana( Mary Landrieu retiring) Kathleen Blanco will face Family Reasearch Council President Tony Perkins. Polling shows both candidates are unpopular, but Blanco is slightly more so.          Last Poll Perkins 50% Blanco 48%

Maine Susan Collins faces  Angus King and Tom Allen in November. King has said he would Caucus with the Democrats if he won, while Collins has said she is "open" to switching parties. In other would fasten your seatbelts.
                  Last Poll Collins 35% King 31% Allen 26%

Massachusetts John Kerry faces Scott Brown in a race that seems to be a lock for Kerry.         Last PollKerry 66% Brown 25%

Michigan Carl Levin faces Jack Hoogendyk in race that will be defined by the auto industry's troubles.    Last Poll  Levin 56% Hoogendyk 39%

Minnesota Norm Coleman faces Al Franken and Jesse Ventura in the general election. Should be fun to see the comedian and wrestler debate, but this race is trending towards Franken.    Last Poll  Franken 46% Ventura 24% Coleman 22%

MississippiThad Cochran has no opponent.

Mississippi- Special Roger Wicker faces Ronnie Musgrove in a special election to fill the remainder of Trent Lott's term. Musgrove is gaining but it'll take a miracle for Democrats to win here.    Last Poll Wicker 56% Musgrove 43%

Montana Max Bacaus faces Marc Racicot in a potentially competitive General.
                         Last Poll Bacaus 53% Racicot 45%

Nebraska (Chuck Hagel retiring) Don Stenberg will face Scott Kleeb in what is expected be an easy win for Stenberg.    Last Poll Stenberg 66% Kleeb 31%

New Hampshire (John Sunnunu defeated in primary) St. Senator Ted Gatsas will face Jeanne Shaheen in the general election.      Last Poll Shaheen 56% Gatsas 38%

New Jersey( Frank Lautenberg retiring) Cory Booker will face Rodney Frelinghuysen in the General election. New Jersey's Democratic Lean should carry Booker through here, but  Freylinghuysen will make this interesting
                                                   Last Poll Booker 54% Freylinghuysen 45%

New Mexico (Pete Domenci retiring) Heather Wilson opposes Bill Richardson in the November general.          Last Poll Richardson 56% Wilson 41%

North Carolina Compared to the wild Governor's race the Senate race almost seems tame as Kay Hagan faces Elizabeth Dole in another race shaped by early Clinton strength.      Last Poll     Dole 46% Hagan 46%

Oklahoma Jim Inhofe is running unopposed

Oregon Jeff Merkley faces Gordon Smith in a state that is quickly trending towards the Democrats.  Last Poll Merkley 53% Smith 41%

Rhode Island Jack Reed is running unopposed

South Carolina Lindsey Graham faces Inez Tannenbaum in a general election that he still should win.  Last Poll  Graham 60% Tannenbaum 37%

South Dakota Tim Johnson faces Mike Rounds in what is expected to be an epic Senate battle.  Last Poll  Rounds 45% Johnson 43%

Tennessee Lamar Alexander faces Phil Breseden in an potentially close race. Alexander is also under VP consideration for McCain.    Last Poll Alexander 53% Breseden 45%

Texas John Cornyn faces Mike Moncrief in November.  Last Poll Cornyn 58% Moncrief 32%

Virginia Mark Warner will face Jim Gilmore in the November General. This is expected to be a close race, but Virginia is shifting steadily towards Democrats.
                        Last Poll   Warner 49%% Gilmore 47%

West Virginia Jay Rockafeller faces Jay Wolfe in the November General. This is state trending quickly towards the Republicans, however Rockafeller is still favored.
                       Last Poll  Rockafeller 57% Wolfe 32%

Wyoming Mike Enzi is running unopposed

Wyoming Special John Barasso is running to finish the term of Craig Thomas, he will face Dave Fruedenthal in the general election.
                Last Poll Barasso 55% Fruedenthal 42%

[NewYorkExpress]

Primary Results
April 7,2008

Delaware (Democrats) Governor


Chris Coons 51%
Jack Markell 49%

Delaware Senator Democrats


Joe Biden 54%
Ruth Ann Minner 43%
Biden survives scare, Coons pulls off upset advances to competitive general election

Primaries May 10,2008

Missouri Governor (Democrats)


Nancy Farmer 39%
Jay Nixon 30%
Bob Holden 27%
Farmer pulls off upset over Nixon in Missouri, will it save Blunt?

North Dakota Governor (Democrats)


Tim Mathern 57%
Scott Kelsh 41%

West Virginia Governor (Republicans)



David McKinley 59%
David Sypolt 37%


June 2, 2008

North Carolina Governor

Democrats


Sue Myrick 43%
Pat McCroy 25%
John Troxler 9%
Cherie Berry 9%
Jerry Tillman 6%
John Faircloth 5%
Myrick shocks Establishment with blowout in Primary

Democrats


Brad Miller 41%
Bev Purdue 39%
Martin Nesbitt 11%
Jerry Meek 7%
Down to the wire on the Democratic side, but Miller pulls of mild upset

[NewYorkExpress]

June 13,2008

Stevens to resign following conviction

Ted Steven's woes continue, as he has been forced to resign after multiple bribery convictions. Gov. Sarah Palin, also the GOP nominee in the Senate race, appointed State House Speaker, John Harris as a placeholder Senator.


The following meetings represent the Clinton Short List
June 14

Clinton meets privately with Rep. Silvestre Reyes  in El Paso.

June 19

Clinton meets privately with Rep. Brad Sherman in Santa Barbara

June 24

Clinton meets privately with Rep. Xaiver Becerra in Petumela.

June 27
Clinton meets privately with Rep. Martin Heinrich in Roswell

July 2
Clinton Meets privately with Gov. Tim Kaine in Asheville, North Carolina

July 5
Clinton Meets privately with Andrew Cuomo in Paterson, New Jersey.

July 12

Clinton meets privately with Sen. Mary Landrieu in Hattiesburg, Mississippi

[NewYorkExpress]

July 25,2008

Clinton names her VP




Tim Kaine was unveiled as Hillary Clinton's running mate at a rally in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. With roughly a week to go before the DNC, some have called Clinton's choice, rushed. Others like Montana Governor, Brian Schweitzer questioned Clinton's ability to work with Kaine. Sources said that the final decision was between Kaine and Xaiver Becerra, and that Kaine's status as an executive in a pivotal, emerging purple state was, along with his views on Health Care Reform and Foreign policy were the reasons why he was chosen.

[NewYorkExpress]

August 3-5 2008
DNC in Denver, Colorado

Hillary Clinton has been nominated by acclimation here in Denver, following a rousing speech slamming Republicans for "opposing every attempt at stopping the advance of climate change", lacerating John McCain for "opposing exiting the quagmire in Iraq and focusing on our actual mission, capturing Osama Bin Laden".

Vice Presidential nominee Tim Kaine gave his speech the night before, ripping Republicans for offering "a nonsenical tax approach" and " not letting logic dictate foreign policy in the Middle East".

Notably absent was Bill Clinton, whose only role was, a prepared statement introducing Hillary before her speech.

Other notable speakers were Barack Obama, Howard Dean, and Ted Strickland