DSCC

DSCC Debuts The “Missouri Suits” Baseball Cards – Get Them While They’re Hot (Or While Blunt Continues To Tout Gop Establishment Endorsements)

Eric Schultz, DSCC

http://www.dscc.org/getyourcard

MISSOURI REPUBLICAN SARAH STEELMAN: “Roy Blunt is another white guy in a suit, and I think the public wants change”

Today, as a culmination of Roy Blunt’s recent coverage of Republican Party establishment endorsements, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee released a set of baseball cards featuring “The Suits,” a group of current and former Republican politicians from Missouri who are supporting Roy Blunt’s bid for Senate. Collectively, the figures in this group have decades of insider experience in Washington DC, whether it was as the chief legal mind in George Bush’s Administration, a Senator who marched lock-step with Bush-Cheney for six long years, or a Senator who has been voting the wrong way since the Reagan Administration.

“Birds of a feather flock together,” said Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Communications Director Eric Schultz. “Roy Blunt is a creature of Washington, that’s where he feels most comfortable. But Missourians are looking for change and Jim Talent, Kit Bond, John Ashcroft are not the faces of the future. They embody the old ways of Washington and that’s why they’re standing with their leader Roy Blunt.”

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH: “Kit Bond calls Roy Blunt ‘strong candidate that will unite our party’”

SPRINGFIELD NEWS-LEADER: “Bond explains why he’s backing Blunt for his U.S. Senate seat”

KY3: “Ashcroft endorses Blunt for U.S. Senate”

SPRINGFIELD NEWS-LEADER: “Ashcroft backs Blunt’s bid for U.S. Senate seat”

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH: “Talent, Kinder endorse Blunt for U.S. Senate”

KANSAS CITY STAR: “Kinder and Talent back Blunt’s bid for U.S. Senate”

DSCC Chairman Menendez Statement On Minnesota Supreme Court Ruling

Eric Schultz, DSCC

Today U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, released the following statement upon the ruling of the Minnesota Supreme Court:

“Congratulations to Senator-elect Franken for today’s courtroom victory affirming his electoral victory. As we’ve seen over the past 238 days, no matter how many times Norm Coleman goes to court, the result of the election never changes: Al Franken earned more votes than Norm Coleman. Al Franken was elected to the Senate and he ought to be able to get to work for the people of Minnesota. We’ve always said that Norm Coleman deserved his day in court, and he got eight months. Now we expect Governor Pawlenty to do the right thing, follow the law, and sign the election certificate. From health care to the Supreme Court to getting our economy moving again, the challenges facing us are complex and we need Al Franken in the Senate. In this historic and urgent moment in our history, Minnesotans have gone long enough without full representation. Al Franken will be an critical voice on the issues before us and it’s time to let him get to work.”

Hey, At Least He’s Honest: Rob Portman Debuts New Campaign Theme: Running As A Washington Insider

Eric Schultz, DSCC

In New Interview With Washington Post, Portman Touts Experience In Bush Administration As “Valuable”

Today, in an interview with the Washington Post, Ohio Senate candidate Rob Portman candidly offered up his campaign’s message: running as a Washington insider. According to the new interview, Portman “a former Congressman and Bush Administration official, is casting himself as a deal-making insider” who calls his time in the Bush Administration “valuable.” Portman goes on to say that “"I know enough now about where the bodies are buried [and] how the Senate works that I know I can be effective there for Ohio.”

“Rob Portman just confirmed what we have known since the day he entered this race – that he is the ultimate Washington insider,” said Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Communications Director Eric Schultz. “Whether it was the time he spent in the Bush administration as the architect of Bush’s failed economy, the years he spent championing the Bush agenda in Congress, or his days as a Washington lobbyist, Rob Portman isn’t lying when he says he knows Washington well. At least the message matches the candidate.”

Having served as both George Bush’s U.S. Trade Representative and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Rob Portman is the architect of the George Bush economy. The people of Ohio can thank him for thousands of lost jobs, tax credits for corporations that move their jobs overseas, and a huge trade imbalance.

Highlights from Rob Portman’s resume:

Washington DC Lobbyist 1985-1986
White House Aide to President George H.W. Bush 1989-1991
Republican member of Congress 1993-2005
US Trade Representative 2005-2006
Director of the Office of Management and Budget 2006-2007

Portman is Quintessential Washington Insider. CQ Weekly wrote, “Rob Portman of Cincinnati, the House Republican leadership’s designated conduit to President Bush, is one of the few people in the current GOP hierarchy who can be labeled a quintessential Washington insider.” [CQ Weekly, 1/25/03]

Portman Was A Registered Foreign Agent and Lobbyist With DC Lobbying Firm From 1985-1986. Portman was a registered foreign agent with the DC-based law and lobby firm Patton, Boggs & Blow from June, 1985 to October, 1986. According to the short-form registration statement filed with the US Department of Justice, Portman provided “legal and related services” on behalf of the firm’s clients. Such services may have included “formal and/or informal advocacy of the clients’ interests before U.S. Government agencies, in the courts and before the Congress,” and/or, “advice and counsel with respect to the domestic or foreign policies of the United States and other countries.” [US Department of Justice, Portman Short-Form Registration Statement, 6/26/85]

Portman Worked At The White House Under George H.W. Bush. Just after graduating from college, Portman worked as an advance man for then-vice president George H.W. Bush. From 1989 to 1991, during Bush’s tenure in the White House, Portman began his tenure there as an associate counsel, then became director of the legislative-affairs office. [New York Times, 2/16/03; Cleveland Plain Dealer, 3/20/05; South China Morning Post, 12/16/05]

• Portman: I Owe My Career To The Bush Family. Talking about George W. Bush, Portman said, “I feel like I really owe my political career to his father.” Portman also said, “I have a loyalty and allegiance to making them [the Bush administration] successful. I have a real commitment to that.” [The Hill, 10/18/05; Cincinnati Enquirer, 3/18/05; AP, 3/29/03]

May 1993: Portman Elected To US House of Representatives. On May 4, 1993, Portman defeated Democratic opponent Lee Hornberger 70-30% in a special election to succeed Representative Willis Gradison in the US House of Representatives. [AP, 5/5/93]

• Portman Served As Chairman Of House Republican Leadership, Liaison to the White House. Portman served as chairman of the House Republican Leadership under Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (D-Ill.). Portman’s primary responsibility was to chair full leadership meetings, which typically took place once every two weeks. Portman also monitored the mood of Republicans on major bills, and served as a liaison between House Republican Leadership and the White House. [Roll Call, 3/21/05; Cleveland Plain Dealer, 3/20/05]

March 2005: Bush Nominated Portman To Be US Trade Representative. On March 17, 2005, President George W. Bush nominated Portman to be US Trade Representative. Speaking at the White House, Bush called Portman a “good friend, a decent man and a skilled negotiator.” [New York Times, 3/18/05]

April 2006: Bush Nominated Portman To Be OMB Director. On April 18, 2006, President George W. Bush announced that he had nominated Portman to head the White House Office of Management and Budget. [Gannett News Service, 4/19/06]

EDITORIAL: Debating Health Care with Congressman Blunt

George Harris, Kansas City Star

Congressman Roy Blunt came to The Star's editorial board meeting today to discuss health care. The discussion was lively, and Mr. Blunt deserves respect for his effort to craft a proposal consistent with his values.

But his presentation was marred by assertions that were more opinion than fact and by proposals that lacked enough detail to allow evaluation. There were many questions by those present, but I will focus on questions I asked.

One of the Congressman's statements was a bold assertion that doctors find dealing with Medicare as difficult as dealing with insurance companies. I stated from first hand experience as a psychologist in private practice that this is not my opinion. To his credit, Mr. Blunt acknowledged that I may have more direct understanding of the Medicare and insurance company billing process than he does, and by extension that my opinion is my opinion.

Roy Blunt & Health Care: Just Don't Mix

Eric Schultz, DSCC

Blunt’s Health Care Efforts: First Mocked By Fellow Republicans, Then Ridiculed By National Press, and Now Filleted By Home State Ed Board

Poor Congressman Roy Blunt. As Chairman of the House Health Care Solutions Group, his efforts to spearhead the Republican health care strategy continues to hit new lows. His Tuesday editorial board sit-down with the Kansas City Star produced a brutal column eviscerating Blunt’s approach. KC Star Ed. Board member George Harris, writes that “Blunt’s presentation was marred by assertions that were more opinion than fact and by proposals that lacked enough detail to allow evaluation,” and that “Mr. Blunt's assertion is what the minority party always says to try to prevent legislation they don't like.”

“Like oil and water, Roy Blunt and health care will never go together,” said Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Communications Director Eric Schultz. “As a top Bush foot soldier in the House for eight long years, Roy Blunt was the problem, and now, with Congress working to pass health care reform, Roy Blunt is still standing in the way.”

Most scathing was this:

"But it was Mr. Blunt's response to my criticism that was most revealing. He said, anecdotally, that he has had serious medical problems and that he was very satisfied with his health care.

The response revealed two major areas of confusion. First, a patient's satisfaction level with his/her health care is not the same as satisfaction with the health care payment system. The first could be great, the second awful.

More significantly, Mr. Blunt has the finest health care insurance money can buy, and he's a member of Congress. Does he really think the insurance company (or the health care provider) would do anything but treat him as a VIP?

Of course Mr. Blunt is likely to be satisfied with how he's treated.

But ask John Doe who does not have a vote in Congress how his insurance company treats him when he has an expensive illness. Mr. Blunt confuses (or conflates) his experience with what the average American gets.

Blunt has come coming under fire from fellow Republicans for his handling of the House health care efforts, which has Republicans “ and "nervous."

• Rob Portman, Blunt’s fellow Bush foot soldier and former Bush Trade Representative and Director of Office of Management and Budget, agrees that Blunt and the Republicans don’t have a health care plan. According to the Washington Post Plum Line, Portman said “I will tell you, I don’t think there is a Republican alternative at this point. He said he reached that conclusion after talking to Senate leaders and lawmakers about the GOP’s position. “There isn’t one,” he said.”

• David Merritt, a health policy expert with Newt Gingrich’s Center for Health Transformation said to Politico “Every major Democratic candidate for president had a fairly radical plan to shake things up, and now we’re on the cusp of many of those very proposals being voted on in Congress. The fact that the Republican leadership has not been more proactive is a mystery.”

As Tom DeLay’s right-hand man in the House during the Bush years, Blunt repeatedly voted against the people of Missouri when he gave the interests of drug and insurance companies top priority. During Blunt’s reign in Congress, the number of uninsured Americans increased by 7.2 million, all while Blunt has enjoyed his own high quality, government health care. Now that Blunt is in the minority, he continues to vote against efforts to get our economy moving again and is leading the fight against health care reform.

Last week’s Roll Call coverage of Blunt’s health care rollout led with: “House Republicans presented a four-page outline of their health care reform plan Wednesday but said they didn’t know yet how much it would cost, how they would pay for it and how many of the nearly 50 million Americans without insurance would be covered by it.”

Richard Burr Votes Against Bipartisan Bill To Get Economy Moving Again - Will He Do Anything To Help North Carolinians?

Eric Schultz, DSCC

Burr OPPOSES Latest Economic Boost Which Would Create Tens of Thousands of New Jobs, Reduce National Deficit

Today, Richard Burr continued to ignore the economic realities of his own state by voting “no” to the Tourism Protection Act, a bill which holds the promise of creating 40,000 new jobs while reducing the deficit by $400 million. The bill, which had eleven Republican co-sponsors and passed the Senate 53 to 34, seeks to promote tourism to the U.S. abroad while streamlining the process visitors go through to enter the county. By voting “no” Burr once again proved he is not interested in helping America get back on track but would rather attempt to obstruct every single proposal that the President and Senate put forth to create jobs.

“Senator Burr helped create this economic mess, but won’t lift a finger to get us out of it,” said DSCC Communications Director Eric Schultz. “President Obama is working with members of Congress to get this economy moving again, but Senator Burr is standing in the way at every turn. North Carolinians deserve better.”

This is not the first time that Burr has said “no” to getting our country back on track. Burr also voted against the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and continues to threaten to vote against real health care reform.

Blunt Votes Against $2.2 Billion in Funding for St. Louis-Based C-17 Project

Eric Schultz, DSCC

Kit Bond, Claire McCaskill Support Project – Because Without Funding, 900 + Missouri Jobs At Risk

Bond on Supplemental: “Congress sent the president a strong message — we are not willing to gamble with our national security or roll the dice with workers’ jobs.”

As Roy Blunt collects more Republican establishment endorsements, he has exposed his true colors, voting against American troops overseas and Missouri workers by opposing the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009, which contained $2.2 billion in funding to support the C-17 cargo plane program, which employs 900 people in the St. Louis area. Blunt, in lockstep with Republican leadership, voted “no” to 900 good-paying Missouri jobs. Hypocritically, Blunt has been vocal in denouncing Democrats who voted against supplemental war funding bills in past years. By voting no, Blunt once again demonstrated that he is more concerned with toeing the party line than doing the right thing for the people of Missouri.

“Senator Bond says did not want to roll the dice with Missouri jobs, but evidently Roy Blunt is comfortable doing just that,” said Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Communications Director Eric Schultz. "If there ever was a time to exercise independent judgment on behalf of Missourians, this would have been it. Unfortunately, Blunt seems incapable of seeing past the Washington Republican party line."

Kit Bond, the retiring Republican Senator who’s seat Blunt wants and the man who endorsed Blunt this past weekend, voted for the Supplemental Act. Bond released a statement saying “Congress sent the president a strong message — we are not willing to gamble with our national security or roll the dice with workers’ jobs.” Missouri’s Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill also supported the legislation.

According to news reports, the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009 appropriates $2.2 billion for the military to buy eight additional C-17 planes in the 2009 fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. The C-17 program employs 900 people at its Hazelwood, Mo., facility.

DSCC Announces Eric Wikner As Winner of Grassroots Fundraising Contest

Eric Schultz, DSCC

Wikner Will Meet President Obama at "Democrats Delivering On Change" Event This Evening

Today, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee announced Eric Wikner of Lake Oswego, Oregon the winner of the June 2009 grassroots fundraising contest. The contest, which was announced last month and was open to anyone who signed up on the DSCC website, provided Wikner and a guest the chance to travel to Washington DC and attend tonight’s joint DSCC/DCCC fundraiser with President Obama.

“Eric Wikner’s story is just one of the many unique stories from the DSCC’s strong and committed group of grassroots supporters nationwide,” said DSCC Communications Director Eric Schultz. “What brings this diverse group of people together is that they recognize the vital importance that a strong Democratic majority in the Senate will play in bringing about the kind of change that the country is long overdue for.”

Eric Wikner’s $20 contribution to the DSCC last month was the first time the 66 year old, Air Force veteran had given to the DSCC. Wikner said he was inspired to contribute by the chance to meet President Obama and because he believes that only with a robust Democratic majority in the Senate can President Obama and Congress get our country back on track. Like many Americans across the country, the issue closest to Wikner’s heart is health care, which he believes is a moral issue affecting all Americans.

North Carolina Voters Say It’s Time for Burr to Go

CQ Politics

The 2010 outlook continues to look bleak for first term Republican Sen. Richard Burr. Only 29 percent of North Carolina voters believe he should get another term, 49 percent prefer someone else while 22 percent are undecided, according to a Public Policy Polling survey conducted June 12-14.

Republicans say Burr should get another term by a tepid 49 percent to 26 percent with 26 percent undecided. Independents say he should not by 52 percent to 34 percent while Democrats, unsurprisingly, want to see him gone by 66 percent to 11 percent.

Roy Blunt To Oil Company Lobbyists: Show Me The Money!

Eric Schultz, DSCC

With Energy Bill Negotiations Under Way In House of Representatives, Blunt Holds Fundraiser with Lobbyists at Steakhouse from Exxon Mobile, Constellation Energy, Southern Company

Tonight, as the House of Representatives writes energy legislation, Rep. Roy Blunt will hold a fundraiser in Washington with the “who’s who” of big oil and energy special interests. Blunt will be honored at a “Energy Industry Dinner,” thrown by lobbyists representing big oil, gas, coal, and other energy interests. Admission into tonight’s Energy Industry Dinner is $1,000 per person, $2,400 for hosts, and $2,500 for PACs. To date, Blunt has received over $390,000 from the oil and gas industries during this tenure in Congress.

“D.C. insider Roy Blunt continues to show he is a creature of the Washington special interests as he takes an all of the above approach to accepting lobbyist money,” said Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee communications director Eric Schultz. “Given the price of gas climbing for Missourians, and Roy Blunt spending his time with big oil lobbyists, it’s no wonder that voters will question his loyalty.”

This is not the first time Blunt’s love for the old ways of Washington has created problems. Just this month, Blunt was ordered to pay nearly $7,000 in back taxes to the DC government for a special tax exemption he was granted.

Blunt Has Received $391,698 From Oil And Gas Industries During His Career.

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Roy Blunt has received $391,698 in campaign contributions from individuals and companies connected to the oil and gas industries over the course of his career. [Center for Responsive Politics, opensecrets.org, Accessed 6/17/09]

And Votes Their Way in Congress:

Blunt Supported Handouts to Big Oil, Energy Corporations. In 2005, Blunt voted in favor of the energy conference report that exempted oil and gas industries from some clean-water laws, streamlined permits for oil wells and power lines on public lands, and helped the hydropower industry appeal environmental restrictions. One obscure provision would repeal a Depression-era law that has prevented consolidation of public utilities, potentially transforming the nation’s electricity markets. It also includes an estimated $85 billion worth of subsidies and tax breaks for most forms of energy – including oil and gas, “clean coal,” ethanol, electricity, and solar and wind power. The bill included $2 billion for “risk insurance” in case new nuclear plants run into construction and licensing delays. And nuclear utilities would be eligible for taxpayer-backed loan guarantees of as much as 80 percent the cost of their plants. [Washington Post, 7/30/05; Vote 445, 7/28/05]

Blunt Voted to Protect Tax Breaks for Oil Companies.. In 2008, Blunt voted against a motion to end debate on the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act and allow for the House to vote on the legislation. The bill comprehensively invested resources into wind, solar, and geothermal energy systems. Furthermore, it extended tax credits to producers of cleaner burning bio-diesel and cellulosic alcohol based fuels. The legislation also eliminated a manufacturing tax deduction for larger oil and gas companies. The motion passed, 214-189. [Release, Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, 2/27/08; Vote 80, 2/27/08]

Blunt Voted Against Energy Bill That Would Eliminate or Reduce Tax Breaks for Major Oil Companies. In 2007, Blunt voted against comprehensive energy legislation that would raise automobile fuel-efficiency standards for the first time in 32 years and require increased use of renewable energy sources to generate electricity. Democrats characterized the legislation as “a new direction” in U.S. energy policy away from dependence on fossil fuels. The bill boosted corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards by 40 percent, to an industry average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020. It also would eliminated or reduced $13 billion in subsidies and tax breaks for the five major oil and gas companies to be used for tax incentives for development of renewable energy sources like ethanol from grasses and wood chips and biodiesel and for energy efficiency programs and conservation. [Rob Simmons refused to denounce Newt Gingrich for his comments labeling Sonia Sotomayor as “racist”, Simmons will appear this evening with the disgraced former Speaker of the House at a fundraiser in Stamford. Gingrich will be keynoting the “31st Annual Prescott Bush Awards Dinner,” the Connecticut GOP’s largest fundraiser of the year. Joining Gingrich and Simmons at the Bush Dinner will be former George W. Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer.

According to the Hartford Business Journal even Republican Governor Jodi Rell is “not happy with the choice of Newt Gingrich as the main speaker.” Rell thinks he is “too partisan” for her to share a stage with and that “her success with independent voters lies, in part, in never being associated with the more conservative leaders of the party.” Apparently, Rob Simmons doesn’t share Rell’s sentiment.

“Newt Gingrich embodies extremist right-wing partisanship, so it makes sense that Rob Simmons would want to be with him this evening,” said Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Communications Director Eric Schultz. “Rob Simmons wants to be thought of as a moderate but tonight will be campaigning with the Republican speaker from the 1990’s who just recently made offensive remarks about the current Supreme Court nominee. Lucky for him, Rob Simmons has the chance tonight to denounce Gingrich for his offensive comments in person and show some independence from the Republican establishment.”

Former Speaker Newt Gingrich Called Sotomayor a “Latina Woman Racist.” On May 27, 2009, Newt Gingrich wrote on his Twitter account “Imagine a judicial nominee said ‘my experience as a white man makes me better than a Latina woman’ new racism is no better than old racism.” Moments later he wrote, “White man racist nominee would be forced to withdraw. Latina woman racist should also withdraw.” [UPI, 5/27/09]

DSCC Chairman Menendez Statement On Report Exposing Senate GOP Leadership Duplicity Regarding Sotomayor Nomination

Eric Schultz, DSCC

Today U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, released the following statement in response to a report exposing Senate GOP leadership duplicity regarding the Sotomayor nomination:

“This is the exact type of a Washington political game that offends Americans. When you try to appear thoughtful and open-minded in front of the cameras, but behind closed doors wink to your right-wing friends to keep up the vicious attacks, it is a strategy that is not only disingenuous, but it also does a disservice to the confirmation process. Sonia Sotomayor deserves a fair and thorough assessment by the Senate, not name-calling, and not political posturing. The American people expect nothing less.”

Gun-shy GOP urges attacks on nominee

By Alexander Bolton
Posted: 06/03/09 08:04 PM [ET]

In public, Senate Republicans have kept their distance from conservative attacks on Sonia Sotomayor — but behind the scenes, they have encouraged activists to keep their crosshairs trained on the Supreme Court nominee.

Lanier Swann, an aide to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), told a private meeting of conservative activists Wednesday to keep up their pressure on Sotomayor.

“Swann told us she wanted to encourage all of us in our talking points and that we’re having traction among Republicans and unnerving Democrats,” said an attendee of Wednesday’s weekly meeting hosted by Grover Norquist, the president of Americans for Tax Reform.

“The point was we should keep it up,” said the source. “She told us at this meeting to put our foot on the pedal.”

A second source who attended the meeting confirmed the account. Both sources requested anonymity because it was a private meeting.

Swann declined to respond to the characterization of her comments by other people present at the meeting because the discussion was supposed to remain private.

Don Stewart, a spokesman for McConnell, said Swann would not encourage the groups to attack the nominee.

"I'm at a bit of a disadvantage here. Those meetings are off the record, so Lanier won't respond on it, though I'm sure she wouldn't be calling for attacks," Stewart said.

Norquist, who spoke to The Hill late Wednesday at the request of McConnell's office, said that Swann was encouraging conservatives to keep up their fire on the Guantanamo Bay prison camp, not Sotomayor.

"It was all about how Gitmo is getting incredible traction and was separate from her coversation about how pleasant the Supreme Court nominee was when she visited [McConnell's] office," Norquist said.

But two sources who attended the meeting said that explanation was absurd and insisted there was no doubt that Swann was encouraging conservatives to continue their harsh criticisms of the nominee.

On Tuesday, in front of the cameras, Republican leaders smiled and held cheery photo-ops with Sotomayor for her first day of courtesy visits to the Senate.

And most rank-and-file Senate Republicans have held their fire, not partaking in the sharpest criticism being directed by conservatives at the nominee. Some Senate Republicans have gone so far as to rebuke conservative critics such as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) and radio host Rush Limbaugh for calling Sotomayor a “racist” and “reverse racist.”

But behind the scenes, the Senate GOP leadership has encouraged conservatives to keep up the barrage.

Conservatives have blasted Sotomayor for a range of statements and rulings, such as her off-hand remark that the “Court of Appeals is where policy is made” and a speech suggesting that a “wise Latina” has better judgment than a “white male who hasn’t lived that life.” Some have claimed that President Obama nominated her primarily because she is a Hispanic woman and others said she would be biased against the wealthy.

To be clear, however, Swann did not encourage conservative critics to accuse Sotomayor of being a racist. Limbaugh and Gingrich did not attend the meeting.

Speculation has grown that Sotomayor could win confirmation easily — a Republican member of the Judiciary Committee told The Hill she could attract as many as 75 votes.

Democrats control 59 seats, and Republican strategists have warned Senate Republicans against alienating Hispanic voters, a growing bloc of the electorate, by showing knee-jerk opposition to her nomination.

But it appears that the GOP leadership doesn’t want to give Obama an easy win on his first Supreme Court appointment.

One conservative activist said a few Senate GOP staffers have said that their bosses could not be expected to attack Sotomayor right out of the gate and that “we would be on our own for a while.”

A GOP leadership aide told The Hill earlier this week that Senate Republicans wanted to “maintain credibility throughout the [confirmation] process” to explain the relative lack of criticism aimed at Sotomayor from the Senate.

Another Senate GOP aide said that “there really isn’t much daylight” between Senate Republicans and vociferous conservative critics off of Capitol Hill, explaining that lawmakers and outsiders have different roles.

When Obama nominated her last week, conservative activists off of Capitol Hill immediately accused Sotomayor of being a liberal, activist judge with a political agenda.

“Judge Sotomayor is a liberal judicial activist of the first order who thinks her own personal political agenda is more important than the law as written,” said Wendy Long of the Judicial Confirmation Network. “She thinks that judges should dictate policy, and that one’s sex, race and ethnicity ought to affect the decisions one renders from the bench.”

Republican senators, on the other hand, have been careful to offer Sotomayor a warm and welcoming reception.

Sen. John Cornyn (Texas), the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, set the tone for Senate Republicans early, rebuking Gingrich and Limbaugh for their attacks on Sotomayor.

“I think it’s terrible … This is not the kind of tone any of us want to set when it comes to performing our constitutional responsibilities of advise and consent,” Cornyn told National Public Radio.

Sen. Jon Kyl (Ariz.), the Senate’s second-ranking Republican, called on his colleagues Tuesday to hold off from criticizing Sotomayor.

“The one thing that I wanted to say at this point is this: There’s already been a lot said about Judge Sotomayor. I think we need to hold our fire until we examine all of these opinions and writings,” Kyl told reporters at a Tuesday press conference.

Sen. Jeff Sessions (Ala.), the ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee, appeared with Sotomayor at a friendly photo-op in his office Tuesday. He later characterized their private conversation as “animated,” “engaging” and enjoyable.

McConnell gave Sotomayor a warm welcome later in the day as photographers snapped away.

McConnell: “It’s my pleasure to welcome the judge here to my office for our first meeting. And we’re going to have an opportunity to discuss some of the issues that have arisen and the process for going forward with the nomination.

“Again, I want to congratulate you on your nomination.”

Sotomayor: “Thank you, sir.”

DeMint rattles GOP by backing Rubio

Alex Isenstadt, Politico

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) isn't just backing Florida Republican Marco Rubio to rally the conservative base. He's convinced the upstart can actually win.

“He can win, should win, and will help lead our party out of the void into the waiting arms of America," DeMint said at an outdoor Tuesday afternoon news conference near the Senate.

But DeMint's support of Rubio over establishment pick Charlie Crist, the governor of Florida, was a direct jab at the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which has chosen to back a moderate — yet potentially more electable — Republican in Crist.

The Florida primary is already being cast as test case of whether GOP voters in a critical swing state will go with someone with statewide name recognition and a moderate record, or tack to the party's conservative roots with a newcomer like Rubio.

DeMint said that Crist had reached out to him this morning after his decision to endorse Rubio became public. DeMint also said he had spoken with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and NRSC Chairman John Cornyn prior to making his endorsement today, and that they had given him the go-ahead.

The South Carolina conservative declined to criticize Cornyn for his decision to throw the NRSC’s backing to Crist so early in the contest.

“The party needs to do what it feels it needs to do,” DeMint said. “I think we’ll have a healthy primary in Florida.”

DeMint said that there had been no effort on behalf of the party’s leadership to suppress support for Rubio, and that his endorsement would open the door for more congressional support for Rubio.

“I wanted to get the ball rolling today,” DeMint said. “I think you’ll see some Senate and I know some House members jumping behind Marco.”

Rubio, who is on a campaign swing through Washington, said that standing up for low taxes and limited government was what his campaign “was all about.”

DeMint, who heads up the Senate Conservatives Fund, pledged to fundraise and campaign on Rubio’s behalf.

Meek Targets Crist On His Home Turf

Adam C. Smith, St. Pete. Times

Democrat Kendrick Meek on Saturday promised a hard-charging U.S. Senate campaign that will make Charlie Crist sweat.

"If the governor was talking to you tonight, there would be some kind of fan running because he never wants to sweat in front of people for some reason," the U.S. representative form Miami quipped to 200 party activists at a Pinellas Democratic Party fundraising dinner.

"The questions will be answered. There will be no more ducking and dodging when it comes to this Senate seat," Meek told the enthusiastic crowd in Crist's hometown.

Crist is the heavy front-runner for the Republican nomination.

But Meek's speech highlighted some of the likely challenges of a campaign against the self-proclaimed "People's Governor." Meek spoke of tackling climate change and standing up to property insurance companies, which happen to be some of Crist's favorite talking points.

Other speakers Saturday night included state Sens. Dave Aronberg of Greenacres and Dan Gelber of Miami Beach, both candidates for attorney general.

Gelber until recently had been running against Meek for the Senate, and his switch to the attorney general's race drew a veiled jab from Aronberg.

"I do not see this as a steppingstone or a fall-back. This is my passion," said Aronberg, who suggested the office should be more aggressively pro-consumer than it has been under Republican Bill McCollum.

"Internet predators is an important issue, but is that the No. 1 and only important issue in the state of Florida today?"

Gelber, a former federal prosecutor and state House Democratic leader touted his experience. He was the top deputy in a U.S. Attorney's Office with 200 prosecutors.

State Sen. Charlie Justice, who is challenging Republican U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young of Indian Shores, noted that people had doubted his chances when he ran for the state House and state Senate, and he proved them wrong.

"Voters voted for change in 2008. You elect me to Congress, we'll make real progress … I'm not running against anyone, I'm running for Congress because I'm determined to make a difference," Justice said.

Pinellas Democrats for years had opted not to hold such annual gala events.

Pinellas Democratic chairman Ramsay McLauchlan said it's an indication of the progress being made in what used to be a notoriously divided local party.

"The main thing is people are getting along," he said.

Pa. Democrats Welcome Specter To The Fold

James O'Toole, Pittsburgh Post-G

Gov. Ed Rendell had a present for his old boss last night.

As the Democratic State Committee gathered for its quarterly meeting, Mr. Rendell stood on stage with Sen. Bob Casey welcoming Sen. Arlen Specter to his new party. Mr. Rendell handed Mr. Specter a box wrapped up in a big bow.

In it was a tie festooned with donkeys, the governor's homage to Mr. Specter's decision to forsake his Republican past and seek a record sixth Senate term, this time as a Democrat. Before handing it to the man who had hired him in the Philadelphia district attorney's office, Mr. Rendell offered a litany of praise for the voting record the senator had compiled during three decades as a GOP senator.

"All his years in the Senate, he has supported constituencies that are important to us," Mr. Rendell said while extolling the Specter record on issues ranging from health care to the environment.

"Sounds like a pretty good Democrat, doesn't it?"

Mr. Rendell recalled how, in a recent round of conference calls with party leaders and elected officials across the state he had been "blown away," by Mr. Specter's familiarity with so many of the Democrats. The tie might be nice, but those words of praise and Mr. Rendell's presence on the myriad conference calls and other joint appearances constitute Mr. Rendell's more valuable gift to the 79-year-old senator.

Rep. Joe Sestak, Mr. Specter's likely rival in the 2010 primary, shook hands in the back of the room and will be meeting with state committee members in a variety of meetings today, but Mr. Rendell and Mr. Casey underscored the intent of the party's senior officials to shepherd Mr. Specter to the party's nomination.

"I want to make sure that we have a Democratic senator from Pennsylvania in addition to myself, and I want to make sure that Arlen Specter is that Democrat," Mr. Casey said.

The dinner at the Westin Convention Center Hotel was officially a tribute to the late Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll, and the evening was filled with praise for the pioneering Democrat. But Mr. Specter was the unofficial star attraction, and he basked in the tributes from his new colleagues.

"It is heartwarming to have that kind of praise when I'm still erect," Mr. Specter said. "To hear those compliments while I'm able to enjoy them it's an eulogy in the present, so I am very, very grateful."

But Mr. Specter was also reminded that his path to a new party was not without bumps.

Earlier in the evening, he ran into Bill George, the president of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO.

"I hear you're having a party for me tomorrow," the senator said. He was referring to a rally planned for this morning in which labor leaders were to court support for the Employee Free Choice Act, a measure designed to make organizing easier and one that national labor leaders have described as their top congressional priority.

In the waning days of his career as a Republican, Mr. Specter announced his opposition to the bill, incurring the ire of unions that have endorsed him in past elections. Mr. Specter has been seeking a compromise that he can support a process spurred in part by his desire for labor support in next year's primary.

Mr. Specter agreed to attend the rally.

"I'm looking forward to it," he told Mr. George.

Speaking later, the labor official said that the free choice act, known to its detractors as card check, was not the only issue that his group's support would turn on. He cited health care reform as one example of an issue that would be similarly vital in the union movement's ongoing scrutiny of the new Democrat.

"We hope when it comes down to the push and the shove, he's going to be there," Mr. George said. "It's multiple issues. I would hope that Arlen Specter and the house of labor would come together."

Of today's rally, he said, "We're not going to throw eggs at him; that's not our intent."

Mr. Specter was scheduled to give a longer speech to the party officials during their business meeting today. Anticipating the new look he's in the process of cultivating, he said, "I've never liked to disrobe in public so I hope you'll bear with me and await the display of this gorgeous partisan Democratic tie until I speak to you tomorrow."

State Rep. Bill Kortz, his only officially declared Democratic rival, protested to party officials that he should have a similar opportunity to speak, but the state officials turned him down, offering the rationale that only incumbent officials would be allowed to address the group.

Mr. Sestak, who has stopped just short of announcing his bid, said he was content with the opportunity to introduce himself at several of the regional caucus meetings scheduled for this morning.

Mr. Rendell has been caustic in assessing the Delaware County congressman's chances in the race, but the retired admiral professed to be unconcerned.

"I really appreciate his input, but this isn't a state of kingmakers," Mr. Sestak said, offering an assertion that may be tested over the next year.

Politics Editor James O'Toole can be reached at jotoole@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1562.

Minnesota Poll: Most want Coleman to call it quits

Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Nearly two-thirds of Minnesotans surveyed think Norm Coleman should concede the U.S. Senate race to Al Franken, but just as many believe the voting system that gave the state its longest running election contest needs improvement.

A new Star Tribune Minnesota Poll has found that 64 percent of those responding believe Coleman, the Republican, should accept the recount trial court's April 13 verdict that Democrat Franken won the race by 312 votes.

Only 28 percent consider last week's appeal by Coleman to the Minnesota Supreme Court "appropriate."

Large majorities of those polled said they would oppose any further appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Should Coleman win at the state Supreme Court, 57 percent of respondents said Franken should concede. And 73 percent believe Coleman should give up if he loses at the state's highest court.

"I voted for Coleman, but this thing has gone on way too long," said Mike McCombs, 50, a Lakeville furnace and air conditioning salesman. "Obviously, the Republican Party is trying to keep Franken's vote out of the United States Senate. We should get another [senator] in there."

Hall of Shame: Richard Burr

North Carolina Republican Richard Burr offered his solution to the economic crisis– “withdraw all money from the bank”.

Polling Update: MO, NH

KY3 Political Notebook

Two good polls for Democrats have been released in the last couple of weeks.

In Missouri, Democratic Secretary of State Robin Carnahan leads both declared candidate and former House Republican Whip Roy Blunt and undeclared candidate and former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman.

In New Hampshire, Democratic Congressman Paul Hodes possesses the early lead in a matchup against former Republican Senator John Sununu. The six-point margin sounds even better when you consider that Hodes only represented half the state, whereas Sununu lost a heated, statewide battle for reelection just last year.

Sununu isn't an official candidate yet, but the Republican bench is very shallow in New Hampshire. Many observers have speculated that he will be eventual Republican nominee. It's great news that he would be starting the race at a serious disadvantage. It is, of course, still very early in the election cycle.

We all know that the shape of these races could change rapidly based on outside events. But at this point, things are looking very promising for our Democratic candidates in Missouri and New Hampshire.

Coleman faces hot seat even if he wins

Politico

By: Manu Raju and Glenn Thrush

Even if Norm Coleman pulls off a long-shot legal victory in the extended Minnesota Senate race, Democrats are vowing to make him wish that he hadn’t.

Separate and apart from the ongoing legal dispute over November’s election, the Minnesota Republican faces several unresolved investigations: a reported FBI probe into his dealings with Nasser Kazeminy, a friend and benefactor; a potential Senate Ethics Committee inquiry into his Capitol Hill living arrangements; a federal elections investigation into his use of campaign donations for legal expenses; and a possible state probe into his campaign’s handling of donors’ financial information on its website.

“Coleman would almost be better off if he lost,” said David Schultz, a professor at Hamline University in St. Paul. “Should he win, he faces a host of legal and other issues in the Senate. He would enter the Senate with the Kazeminy case shadowing him, and that would almost certainly produce an ethics investigation.”

J.B. Poersch, executive director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, says he plans to make Coleman’s problems an issue against Republican incumbents in next year’s midterm elections.

“These are really serious ethical issues, and the longer Republicans entangle themselves with someone like Coleman, the more damage he does to them,” Poersch told POLITICO. “We’re going to bring them up anyway, but they would be better off if he was out of the Senate.”

Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) echoed those sentiments, adding, “I think it appears he’s got a number of challenges in front of him. I would think it would be wise for him to make a decision to accept the outcome of the voters in Minnesota.”

Coleman, who on Thursday laid out his legal strategy to supporters in Washington, has flatly denied any wrongdoing and dismissed the complaints against him as a smear campaign organized by Democrats.

“Sen. Coleman will be returning to the Senate as the state’s senior senator with elevated posts on the committees and in a position to provide Minnesotans with the high-quality constituent services that earned him the nickname ‘Minnesota’s mayor in Washington,’” said Tom Erickson, a Coleman spokesman. “He remains encouraged by the support of his colleagues in the Senate who are committed to seeing that every legal vote is counted.”

Erickson says Al Franken, Coleman’s Democratic rival, himself faces unanswered questions about his failure to pay taxes and workers’ compensation fees in 18 states prior to his campaign. Erickson singled out Franken’s claim that he was unable to locate information on his tax payments prior to 2003, saying, “I think the scope of these issues would make Tom Daschle blush.”

Of all the issues facing Coleman, none is more potentially explosive than the Kazeminy investigation, and the Senate Ethics Committee also has been requested to look into the matter.

Last fall, a former associate of Kazeminy’s filed a lawsuit accusing him of trying to funnel $75,000 to Coleman’s wife, Laurie, through a Texas oil-rig company.

The FBI is reportedly investigating the claims — and the Alliance for a Better Minnesota, a liberal nonprofit, has filed a federal elections complaint alleging the senator is misusing campaign funds by paying legal fees.

Coleman has dismissed the complaints as “sleaze.”

But questions about the matter flared anew when another former company employee reiterated the charges in a civil court deposition made public last month.

In addition, a complaint is pending in the Senate Ethics Committee by the left-leaning Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington about Coleman’s $600-a-month room in the Capitol Hill apartment of another Minnesota donor and friend, Jeff Larsen.

And officials with the Minnesota Democratic-Farm-Labor Party have filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission alleging Coleman accepted soft-money donations from a group that receives corporate contributions, a potential violation of federal campaign finance law.

The FEC has a policy of not commenting on ongoing investigations, a spokeswoman said.

On Tuesday, Coleman suffered a serious setback when a three-judge state panel ruled against the examination of thousands of contested ballots — a move that essentially preserves Franken’s 225-vote lead.

Ben Ginsberg, a Coleman lawyer who played a central role on the Bush-Cheney team during the 2000 Florida recount, vowed to fight on, telling reporters, “If the court does not reverse its decision, it will give us no choice but to appeal that order to the Minnesota Supreme Court.”

A week ago, Sen. John Cornyn, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, told POLITICO the Coleman-Franken legal battle could rage for years.

On Thursday, Cornyn chalked up the Democratic attacks to “saber rattling.”

“I think maybe it’s possible that the litigation concludes [and] there is a clear answer that’s been decided in court by an impartial tribunal,” the Texas Republican said, “and everybody can just put their guns on their table and walk away.”

On Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) issued a statement backing Coleman, saying, “The court’s decision in Minnesota leaves no other choice but to continue the process to ensure that every legal vote is counted.”

Hall of Shame: Norm Coleman

Now with even his own lawyers saying he'll lose, Norm Coleman is shamefully and spitefully refusing to admit defeat

Tax breaks for Rep. Roy Blunt, wife under review

The Kansas City Star

By DAVE HELLING The Kansas City Star

U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt and his wife are reviewing records to see if they mistakenly received tax breaks on a Washington, D.C., property.

Records show the Republican from Springfield, who is running for U.S. Senate, may have erroneously received a homestead exemption for a $1.6 million residence in Georgetown.

District of Columbia law allows a residential property owner — in this case, Blunt’s wife, Abigail — to deduct $67,500 from the assessed value of a home if it serves as the owner’s primary residence.

Tax records reviewed last week showed the homestead exemption had been applied to the home, resulting in an estimated tax break of about $575 this year.

Both Blunts, however, claim Missouri as their home, so the exemption shouldn’t apply.

But a Blunt spokesman said D.C. officials mistakenly allowed the exemption, and produced a letter from a councilman backing up that claim.

“The Blunts asked my office to see that the exemption … was removed,” wrote Councilman Jack Evans. “Both the Blunts and I were assured this has been done. I deeply regret that the assurances to the Blunts were not followed up on correctly.”

The letter is dated Thursday, two days after The Kansas City Star asked Blunt’s campaign about the exemption. It states that the Blunts asked to remove the exemption in early 2004.

Blunt spokesman Rich Chrismer said Abigail Blunt is working with the District of Columbia to resolve the issue, which could include payment of back taxes.

Records show the district also applied what’s called a tax assessment credit to the property, which caps the growth of taxes owed on the home. If the district determines that credit was improperly used, the Blunts’ potential back tax liability could go up.

District law allows the collection of penalties and interest for owners who incorrectly claim homestead status, but since the district is to blame for the problem, the extra payments may not be required.

The homestead exemption has tripped up other members of Congress, Republicans and Democrats. A Star investigation in 2005 showed more than two dozen senators had improperly received the tax break.

In a story last week, Roll Call said the D.C. government issued tax bills totaling almost $100,000 to four House members, not including Blunt, who had mistakenly received the exemption because of a district error.

Hall of Shame: David Vitter

It seems that Louisiana Republican David Vitter just can’t stop embarrassing himself or the people of his home state.

Hall of Shame: Roy Blunt

As more and more Americans are worrying about their homes, their health care, and their next paycheck, Missouri Republican Roy Blunt remains as clueless as he is shameless.

Hall of Shame: Saxby Chambliss

On Saxby Chambliss’ watch, hundreds of thousands of Georgia’s kids were left without access to health care, and Chambliss actually tried to stop the Senate from sending help.

Hall of Shame: Gordon Smith

There he goes again. For continuing his attempts to trick Oregonians into forgetting his record as a party-line Republican, we award Gordon Smith a place in our Hall of Shame.

Hall of Shame: Norm Coleman

For having the poor judgment and lack of shame to fly to the Bahamas and live in a cheap apartment, all while wearing clothes someone else paid for, Coleman gets another place in the Hall of Shame.

Hall of Shame: Mitch McConnell

We’re awarding McConnell an unprecedented fourth spot in our Hall of Shame for his disgusting decision to rip a World War II veteran’s comments out of context and twist them into a false political attack.

Hall of Shame: GOP Senate Candidates

What else can you call it when so many Senate candidates boycott their own party’s convention?

Hall of Shame: Liddy Dole

While Liddy Dole isn’t exactly a powerhouse in the Senate, she still manages to outshine many of her colleagues with her shameful antics. As if testing the ability of North Carolinians to suspend their disbelief, Dole recently performed a spectacular 180 on the latest GOP and Big Oil talking point: offshore drilling.