This is why I'm no longer working in the biz. This guy comes off looking like a huge prick, but Coleman put him in an uncomfortable position.
Exactly. Which is just Coleman's style. I tried to find some stuff on the 2002 campaign, when he used his already estranged (living in LA) wife Laurie in some wholesome ads. Then, Wellstone's plane went down, and Coleman 'won.' Then Laurie decided to use the connection to pimp "Blo and Go," and crank up her starlet 'career.' http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A34218-2004Aug25.html Now, it looks like Norm may be using her inaccurately again: http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2008/06/norm_coleman_ad.php Not definitive, but not a surprise. Just as one indicator of what a known scumbag Coleman is around here? He lost EVERY SINGLE WARD IN ST. PAUL, in both the 98 Gubernatorial election, and the 02 Senatorial election. This, from the two-term MAYOR of St. Paul. His dubious TIF financing downtown is still skyrocketing property taxes for those of us in the city. I absolutely despise him. Still, I suspect he'll win re-election. Al Franken's being made into too much of a caricature: his knowledge of the issues is comprehensive. Oh, and he actually stood by his wife, in times of trouble. http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/...-his-wife-discussing-her-battle-with-alcohol/ EDIT: Here's a local take on the issue in question. http://blogs.twincities.com/politics/2008/10/norms_suits_and_lauries_job.html
In looking up those links, I found out that she is, TO THE DAY, ten years older than I am. I shoulda been a plastic surgeon...
And they absolutely deserve it. They sat by idly and rode Bush's popularity as far as they could w/o considering the fact that he was/is: 1.) stupid... like straight up ITN stupid 2.) incompetent 3.) lazy 4.) soooooo into hooking up his cronies that he was beyond belief irresponsible 5.) line vetoed anything that he wanted, completely by-passing CONGRESS; and they didn't give a shit 6.) usurped Congress' power left, right, up, down. Shamelessly. 7.) intentionally misled Congress and took us to war, completely disregarding the fact that it's Congress' responsibility I could keep going, but I'll stop. But they didn't care. They just let him waltz all over them. Seriously. F**k 'em. F**k the Gay Ol' Party. THAT'S WHY OBAMA DOESN'T "REACH ACROSS THE AISLE". Reaching across the aisle in this congress = reach-around. Homie don't play 'dat.
It's not exactly suspending your campaign to save the economy, but good ol' Norm takes a similar tack: http://www.twincities.com/ci_10688326?nclick_check=1 Wow. After all the ads taking Franken completely out of context, that takes balls. Or, could it have anything to do with the fact that Independence Party candidate Dean Barkley's numbers have increased from 8 to 14%, almost completely at Norm's expense? (Barkley can't afford ads right now.) Hmmm...
Anyone have any polling/numbers on the Georgia Senate race? I caught Chuck Todd the other night talking about how Chambliss' lead was evaporating, and was curious as to how in the hell that was happening.* *Disclaimer: I like Max Cleland a lot.
The most recent polls are a SurveyUSA poll from 10/12 showing Chambliss up by 3, and a Research 2000 poll (they should really change that name) from 10/15 showing Chambliss up by 2.
Chambliss, rightly or wrongly, has been heavily linked to "not getting it" with regard to the financial crisis issue. That coupled with the fact that he doesn't really have much of a record to tout and the fact that Jim Martin is very sharp and well-respected state-wide has created a race that's much closer than many expected. All that being said, I still think Chambliss will end up winning.
A nice image-based round-up of all the NRSC's "internet campaigns" - www.nrsc.org edit: Damn BS making it small. You can barely read the TLS: True Landrieu Story.
The Fix covers the top 10 Senate races (edited): http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/10/friday_senate_line_democrats_c.html#more
I presume the two Udalls are related (brothers?). When was the last time two relatives serve in the senate at the same time?