2010 Elections, Political News

The same day he stumped for Democrats in Connecticut, President Barack Obama formally endorsed state Rep. Bryan Lentz in Pennsylvania’s 7th district, which is among the most competitive races in the state and largely considered a bellwether for other swing districts across the country. Lentz is facing former U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan , a top Republican recruit in the suburban Philadelphia district. Meehan has outraised Lentz this cycle and reported a $300,000 cash-on-hand advantage at the end of June. “With so much still left to be done, and too many families struggling to get by, we need to keep America moving forward — which means I need you to support Bryan Lentz for Congress,” Obama said in a statement released by the campaign. “You can go door to door to ask folks to support Bryan. You can make calls to voters in your area, and make sure they get to the polls. And you can spread the word about the importance of voting for Bryan Lentz to your family, friends, and neighbors.” At this time, the endorsement was limited to the statement. The president has no specific plans to visit the district on Lentz’s behalf, although “we would absolutely welcome his continued support if the White House offered it,” according to Lentz spokesman Sean Coit. “I’m extremely honored by President Obama’s endorsement,” Lentz said in a statement. “After focusing my campaign on job creation and economic development, my first priority as a member of Congress will be to work with the President and other members of Congress to get our economy back on track.”

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Obama Backs Lentz in Pennsylvania Open Seat

Claws out! France’s first lady Carla Bruni alleges in her new tell-all book that Michelle Obama thinks that her job as America’s first lady is “hell.” Michelle Obama thinks being America’s First Lady is ‘hell’, Carla Bruni reveals today in a wildly indiscreet new book. Miss Bruni reveals that Mrs Obama replied when asked about her position as the U.S. president’s wife: ‘Don’t ask! It’s hell. I can’t stand it!’ Details of the private conversation, which took place at the White House during an official visit by Nicolas Sarkozy last March, emerged in Carla And The Ambitious, a book written in collaboration with Miss Bruni. Perhaps she’s jealous of Mrs. Obama’s incessant vacations while the country writhes in economic turmoil? If what Bruni alleges is true, of course Mrs. Obama would hate the job because the glitz has worn off now that her husband’s approval ratings are in a death spiral. Until now I hadn’t formed an opinion of Ms. Bruni-Sarkozy, but now I find her to be as loose with her discretion as she was with her body back when she was younger and not resigned to kitten heels because stilettos were ill fitting of a woman her age – even if I share her implied shock of such an admission from the First Lady. The swipe at the mother of Mr. Sarkozy’s children is embarrassingly tacky as well, but nothing shocks me from a woman willing to humble the status of the French first lady by putting out a comical little folk album. Relatedly, remember how we were told that if Obama was elected he’d win prom queen of the world and Europa would respect us again? Not so much? Filed under: Foreign gov't , Obamanation

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Carla Bruni vs. Michelle Obama

Another Tuesday in September brought another polling dump by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. A DCCC release Tuesday morning touted recent polling that showed the party in good standing in eight competitive Democratic-held districts. The release comes a week after the DCCC pushed out a dozen polls that also showed good news for Democratic incumbents around the country. The recent emphasis on polling appears to be part of a concerted effort to push back against the story line that the prospects for House Democrats have grown increasingly gloomy heading into the final stretch before Election Day. Over the past couple of months the DCCC was criticized for not releasing its poll numbers while Republicans dribbled out a steady stream of favorable survey data. Tuesday’s release included DCCC internal polling and polls conducted by Democratic campaigns. The DCCC also included outside group polling information. The release included polling from districts that have long been considered battleground targets, such as Nevada’s 3rd, as well as less high profile races like Oklahoma’s 2nd, which, despite it’s strong conservative leanings, hasn’t been considered in play so far this cycle.

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DCCC Releases New Round of Polls

State Sen. Brad Zaun is up with his first TV ad in the Des Moines media market this cycle. Standing in a tool shop, Zaun draws a contrast between himself and seven-term Rep. Leonard Boswell (D). “Leonard Boswell claims the country is on the right path. I couldn’t disagree more,” Zaun says. “This November we have a clear choice in the 3rd Congressional district. The Boswell-Pelosi path leads to more spending, bigger government and more debt. If you think government is too big and costs too much, I need your vote.” The ad follows a radio ad Zaun already released. Boswell started airing his first TV ad in Des Moines on Friday, following three weeks of a radio ad airing in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. The third district race is the most competitive House race in the Hawkeye State. Boswell is a perennial Republican target, and a recent poll showed him leading Zaun by nine points. CQ-Roll Call rates this race Leans Democratic . In eastern Iowa Rep. Dave Loebsack (D) also went up with his first ad of the campaign today. The introductory ad talks about the Congressman being raised in poverty by a single mother, and briefly mentions his work on small business issues and standing up to Wall Street. It doesn’t mention his Republican opponent, Mariannette Miller-Meeks , who he defeated by a vote of 57 percent to 39 percent in 2008.

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Zaun on TV in Central Iowa Against Boswell

The National Republican Congressional Committee will launch a major television ad blitz in 11 Congressional districts next week, in what will be the committee’s first multi-district independent expenditure drop of the 2010 cycle. The NRCC, which is already up on the air against Rep. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) in the South Bend market, is expanding their fall ad campaign to target Alabama’s 2nd district, Arizona’s 1st district, California’s 11th district, Florida’s 2nd district, Kentucky’s 6th district, Mississippi’s 1st district, Tennessee’s 8th district, Texas’ 17th district, Virginia’s 5th district and Wisconsin’s 7th district. According to a senior strategist with knowledge of the buys the ads are scheduled to begin as early as Sunday. The ads are part of the more than $24 million the NRCC has already said it plans to drop in 45 districts around the country. Read more about the ad buy here . View the ad that’s set to run against Rep. Ben Chandler (D-Ky.) below.

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NRCC Expands Ads to 11 Districts

EUGENE, Ore. – Prosecutors neared completion of their case Thursday in the prosecution of Pete Seda, accused of hiding $150,000 sent out of the country with the intent of benefiting Chechen mujahideen. Government witnesses described how the money started

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Day Four in United States v. Seda

Two days after national Democrats hit the TV airwaves in northern Wisconsin, former local District Attorney Sean Duffy (R) is now defining himself with his first ad. “Today, as the father of six, there’s a lot at stake for my family and our country,” he says in the ad. “I’ll take on Washington, cut the spending and support our small businesses – the true job creators – so all our children will inherit a stronger America.” The 30-second ad, titled “Pioneers and Lumberjacks,” will start airing Thursday in the Wausau-Rhinelander, Duluth-Superior, Minneapolis-St. Paul and LaCrosse-Eau Claire markets. It does not mention Duffy’s time on MTV reality shows, but focuses on his Wisconsin roots – including the fact that he worked his way through school competing in lumberjack competitions. Earlier this week the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee targeted Duffy with its first independent expenditure ad. The ad accused the Republican of wanting to privatize Social Security.

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Wisconsin: Duffy Introduces Himself in First Ad

Worth a look this morning: More than a dozen political groups have organized in recent weeks to spend large amounts of money on attack ads against House and Senate candidates, reports USA Today . The story provides an inventory of the recent action across the country as politically active groups take advantage of the opportunity and anonymity afforded by federal court rulings.

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Big Money Enters Campaigns From Outside Groups

Excerpt : Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin threw her support behind Vicky Hartzler today in her bid to unseat veteran Congressman Ike Skelton. “I am honored to receive Sarah Palin’s endorsement and to partner with her to fight for the future of our country,” said Hartzler. “I hope citizens who enthusiastically supported Sarah Palin in 2008 will get behind our campaign as we work to take 4th District conservative values to Washington.” Hartzler is up against Ike “I Hate Town Halls” Skelton . Filed under: Election 2010 , missouri

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Palin Endorses Vicky Hartzler in MO-4

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Flying thousands of miles to reap millions of dollars, President Barack Obama is dashing across the country to help his party retain power, essentially offering one familiar argument: Republicans don’t solve problems.

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Obama pleads to voters: ‘Don’t give in to fear’