Sunday, November 05, 2006
GOP, Democrats battle it out in the final hours
WASHINGTON (AP) -- House control at stake, President Bush campaigned Sunday in endangered Republican districts across GOP-friendly middle America. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, hoping to become the first female speaker, stumped for Democratic challengers in the left-leaning Northeast.
Full story Biden predicts 50-50 Senate
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Sen. Joe Biden, D-Delaware, predicted Sunday that Democrats would pick up five seats on Tuesday bringing the chamber to a 50-50 split. "I'm not a very good prognosticator," Biden said in an interview on CBS' 'Face the Nation.' "If I had to bet, it ends up a 50-50 Senate." Under such a scenario, Vice President Cheney would cast the tie vote and allow Republicans to maintain control for the chamber. But Biden did leave himself some wiggle room saying "I'd be very surprised if the Democrats didn't get to 48 seats. And I wouldn't be stunned if they got to 52." -- CNN Political Editor Mark Preston Boehner: GOP might delay leadership elections
NEW YORK (CNN) -- House Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, would not rule out delaying GOP party leadership elections regardless of who wins the House majority this week.
"Well, that is a possibility, and the speaker and I have talked about it -- no decisions yet on when those leadership elections will occur," Boehner said in an interview on 'Fox News Sunday.' "They're scheduled for November 15th. We'll see how Tuesday goes and then we'll make some decisions." Boehner defends his remarks on Rumsfeld
NEW YORK (CNN) -- House Majority Leader John Boehner said Sunday in no way was he disparaging U.S. troops and commanders on the ground in Iraq in his recent comments about Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. In an interview on CNN last week, Boehner said that people should "not blame what's happening in Iraq on Rumsfeld." "The fact is, the generals on the ground are in charge, and he works closely with them and the president," Boehner said in an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer. The Ohio Republican Sunday blamed the uproar on partisan Democrats angry at his pointed criticism directed at Sen. John Kerry. Last week, the Massachusetts Democrat appeared to say students who do not make an effort in school may end up in Iraq. Kerry said his comment was a botched joke directed at the president. "It's no surprise to me that Senate Democrats and others came after me for my treatment of Senator Kerry," Boehner said on 'Fox News Sunday.' "But at the end of the day, there's not a living, breathing soul who knows me that knows that I don't support our troops." Donald Rumsfeld is the secretary of defense. It's a tough job. -- CNN Political Editor Mark Preston Cheney would not answer a congressional subpoena
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Vice President Cheney said he would not answer a congressional subpoena if Democrats took back control of the House and used their majority status to issue one to him.
"Obviously, we'd sit down and look at it at the time," Cheney said on ABC's 'This Week.' "But probably not, in the sense that the president and the vice president are constitutional officers and don't appear before the Congress." -- CNN Political Editor Mark Preston
Cheney: Midterms won't alter Iraq policy
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Vice President Cheney said Sunday that the outcome of the midterm elections would not alter the Bush administration's execution of the Iraq war.
"I think it will have some effect, perhaps, in the Congress, but the president has made it clear what his objective is, it's victory in Iraq," Cheney said in an interview on ABC's 'This Week.' "And full speed ahead on that basis, and that's exactly what we're going to do." -- CNN Political Editor Mark Preston Snow dismisses Hussein verdict tied to elections
NEW YORK (CNN) -- White House Press Secretary Tony Snow dismissed suggestions that Saddam Hussein's death sentence was purposely timed to coincide with the midterm elections.
"The idea is preposterous," Snow said on CNN's 'Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer.' "This is one of those tinfoil hat sort of things, where people suddenly decide if there is news that may call into question the things that they've been saying, that somehow we've been scheming and plotting with the Iraqis. The important thing about this is we've got an independent Iraqi judiciary." -- CNN Political Editor Mark Preston Cleland predicts more violence in Iraq
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Former Sen. Max Cleland, D-Georgia, predicted violence would escalate in Iraq following Sunday's ruling that ex-President Saddam Hussein would be executed for crimes against humanity.
"Well, you can hang Saddam Hussein from the rooftops, but it's not changing the situation on the ground, except to make two million Sunnis more mad against Americans and against Shiites," Cleland said on CNN's "Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer." Cleland, a Vietnam veteran and outspoken critic of President Bush's strategy in Iraq, has been criss-crossing the nation campaigning on behalf of Democratic candidates. -- CNN Political Editor Mark Preston
Cantwell has a double digit lead in Washington
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Sen. Maria Cantwell has a 16-point lead over Republican challenger Mike McGavick in Washington's senate race. The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon for MSNBC/McClatchy.
CNN Political Researcher Xuan Thai
Webb and Allen in a dead heat
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Democratic Jim Webb is neck-and-neck with Republican Sen. George Allen in Virginia's senate race. The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon for MSNBC/McClatchy.
CNN Political Researcher Xuan Thai
Corker has 12-point lead over Ford in Tennesee
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Republican Bob Corker has a double-digit lead over Rep. Harold Ford, Jr. (D) in the race for Tennessee's open senate seat. The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon for MSNBC/McClatchy.
CNN Political Researcher Xuan Thai
Chafee and Whitehouse in a dead heat
NEW YORK (CNN)-- Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R) is in a virtual tie with Democratic challenger Sheldon Whitehouse in Rhode Island’s senate race. The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon for MSNBC/McClatchy.
CNN Political Researcher Xuan Thai
Carcieri has the edge over Fogarty
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Gov. Don Carcieri (R) has an eight-point advantage over Democratic challenger Charles Fogarty in the race for governor in Rhode Island. The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon for MSNBC/McClatchy.
CNN Political Researcher Xuan Thai
Rendell has lead over Swann
NEW YORK(CNN) --Gov. Ed Rendell (D) has a double-digit lead over Republican challenger Lynn Swann in the Pennsylvania governor's race. The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon for MSNBC/McClatchy.
CNN Political Researcher Xuan Thai Casey has double-digit lead over Santorum
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Democrat Bob Casey has a 13-point lead over Sen. Rick Santorum (R) in Pennsylvania's senate race. The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon for MSNBC/McClatchy.
CNN Political Researcher Xuan Thai Brown has the advantage over DeWine
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Rep. Sherrod Brown (D) has a six-point lead over Republican Sen. Mike DeWine in Ohio's senate race. The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon for MSNBC/McClatchy.
CNN Political Researcher Xuan Thai
Strickland has double-digit lead over Blackwell
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Rep. Ted Strickland (D) has a 19-point lead over Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell (R) in the race for Ohio's open governor's seat. The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon for MSNBC/McClatchy.
CNN Political Researcher Xuan Thai
Menendez has the advantage over Kean in New Jersey
NEW YORK (CNN)--Sen. Bob Menendez (D) has a seven-point lead over challenger Tom Kean, Jr. (R) in New Jersey's senate race. The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon for MSNBC/McClatchy.
CNN Political Researcher Xuan Thai
Burns and Tester in a dead heat
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Sen. Conrad Burns (R) and Democratic challenger Jon Tester are neck-and-neck in race for senate in Montana. The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon for MSNBC/McClatchy.
CNN Political Researcher Xuan Thai
McCaskill and Talent are neck-and-neck in Missouri
NEW YORK (CNN) --Democratic challenger Claire McCaskill and Republican Sen. Jim Talent are in a virtual tie in Missouri's senate race. The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon for MSNBC/McClatchy.
CNN Political Researcher Xuan Thai
Stabenow leads Bouchard in Michigan
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D) has a double-digit lead over GOP challenger Michael Bouchard (R) in the senate race in Michigan. The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon for MSNBC/McClatchy.
CNN Political Researcher Xuan Thai
Granholm has double-digit lead over DeVos
NEW YORK (CNN)--Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) has a 14-point lead over Republican challenger Dick DeVos in Michigan's governor's race. The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon for MSNBC/McClatchy.
CNN Political Researcher Xuan Thai Cardin and Steele are neck-and-neck
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Rep. Ben Cardin (D) and Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele are in a virtual tie in Maryland's senate race. The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon for MSNBC/McClatchy.
CNN Political Researcher Xuan Thai
Ehrlich and O'Malley in a dead heat in Maryland
NEW YORK (CNN) --Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R) is neck-and-neck with Democratic challenger Martin O'Malley in the race for governor in Maryland. The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon for MSNBC/McClatchy.
Polling Dates: November 1-3, 2006 Sample Size: 625 registered voters Margin of Error: +/-4% CNN Political Researcher Xuan Thai Kyl leads Pederson in Arizona
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Republican Sen. Jon Kyl has an eight-point advantage over Democratic challenger Jim Pederson in the Arizona Senate race. The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon for MSNBC/McClatchy.
CNN Political Researcher Xuan Thai Napolitano has double-digit lead in Arizona
NEW YORK (CNN)--Gov. Janet Napolitano (D) has a double-digit lead over Republican challenger Len Munsil in the governor's race in Arizona. The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon for MSNBC/McClatchy.
CNN Political Researcher Xuan Thai Bush praises Saddam Hussein trial
WACO, Texas (CNN) -- Hours after a five-judge panel in Iraq sentenced Saddam Hussein to death for crimes against humanity, President Bush Sunday said the trial that led to Sunday's guilty verdict is "a major achievement for Iraq's young democracy."
"Saddam Hussein's trial is a milestone in the Iraqi people's efforts to replace the rule of a tyrant with the rule of law," said Bush, speaking on the tarmac of Waco's airport before heading to Nebraska for a campaign event. Hussein, ousted from power following the U.S.-led military invasion in 2003, was sentenced to death by hanging Sunday after he was convicted for the brutal 1982 crackdown on the Shiite town of Dujail. Two other defendants were also given the death sentence. Lynch has commanding lead over Coburn
NEW YORK (CNN)--Gov. John Lynch (D) has a wide lead over Republican challenger Jim Coburn in the race for governor in New Hampshire. The poll was conducted by Research 2000 for the Conrad Monitor.
Polling Dates: November 1- 2, 2006 Sample Size: 600 likely voters Margin of Error: +/- 4% CNN Political Researcher Xuan Thai Menendez has the advantage over Kean
NEW YORK(CNN)--Sen. Bob Menendez (D) has the edge over Republican challenger Tom Kean, Jr. in New Jersey's senate race.
CNN Political Researcher Xuan Thai President back out on the campaign trail
CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) -- President Bush heads to Kansas and Nebraska today to help out GOP congressional candidates in tight races.
With Election Day just two days away, polls point to Democratic gains but Bush remains upbeat. He's predicting Republicans will keep control of both the House and Senate. Republicans could be hurt by dissatisfaction over the war in Iraq. The White House even finds itself on the defensive over the timing of the verdict in the Saddam Hussein trial in Baghdad. Some have suggested it's a ploy for political gain. But White House Press Secretary Tony Snow calls that ridiculous. His response to a reporter who raised the question: "Are you smoking rope." Democrats have a shot at House and Senate
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Two days and counting until Election Day, with the polls giving Democrats a chance to win control of the House and possibly the Senate.
All 435 House seats are on the ballot, along with 33 Senate seats. People in 36 states are voting for governor. Dissatisfaction over the war in Iraq seems to be the catalyst for the change. A number of ballot initiatives are facing voters in 37 states. They deal with such issues as raising the minimum wage, banning gay marriage and expanding embryonic stem-cell research. A South Dakota measure would impose the country's most stringent abortion restrictions. President Bush remains upbeat, saying he thinks Republicans will retain control of the House and Senate. Bush will be in Kansas and Nebraska today to help G-O-P candidates locked in tight races. Minnesota man's lawn signs show he's undecided voter
LA CRESCENT, Minn. (AP) -- All one has to do is look at Bob Justin's front lawn to see his political leanings, and they're all over the map.
The Minnesota man's an undecided voter. He has eleven different campaign signs in his yard, for both Democrats and Republicans office-seekers. Justin says he likes all the candidates, adding, "They've all got their good points." Iraq foes would head Democrat war-spending panels
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Democratic takeover of Congress would put two of the most outspoken critics of the Iraq war in charge of dispensing the money President Bush will seek for combat, adding pressure for a new approach to the increasingly unpopular war.
In the House, Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin would rise to Appropriations Committee chairman if Democrats win this week. At every opportunity, the scrappy Obey reminds fellow lawmakers of his opposition to the Iraq war, calling it the "dumbest war since the War of 1812." Across Capitol Hill, Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia, now 88, would head the Senate Appropriations panel. Just before the start of the war in March 2003, Byrd accused Bush of flaunting "our superpower status with arrogance." Of the coming U.S. invasion, he said, "Today I weep for my country." Liberal blogger taken into custody at Allen event
WEYERS CAVE, Va. (AP) -- A liberal blogger who was manhandled by supporters of Sen. George Allen this week was handcuffed by authorities and escorted from another rally Saturday after an Allen backer claimed the man pushed him to the ground.
Mike Stark told The Associated Press that sheriff's deputies detained and released him. He was not charged. "I'll own this town," Stark, a first-year University of Virginia law student, was overheard telling sheriff's deputies as he was led away from the rally at Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport. On Saturday, Allen supporters formed a human wall to block Stark's access to the senator, who is in a tight election race with Democrat Jim Webb. As Stark tried to sidestep the wall, he brushed the side of a supporter, who fell. A deputy sheriff grabbed Stark, put his arm behind his back and led him away to the cheers of about 100 Allen supporters. Democrats appear on smooth campaign ride
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats, who have been known to bungle golden political opportunities, are holding their breath. With just days to go before voters could hand them control of Congress, their ride has been relatively smooth.
Instead of shooting themselves in the foot, they have sat back and watched President Bush's Republicans do the self destructing, dragged down by influence-peddling and sex scandals, the Iraq war and a slow response last year to Hurricane Katrina. Democrats, by comparison, have sustained few self-inflicted wounds and suffered only a minor scrape last week with Sen. John Kerry's "botched joke" about Iraq. "It is a classic case of role reversal," said Marshall Wittmann, a former Senate Republican aide now with the Democratic Leadership Council's Progressive Policy Institute. "Republicans seem to be struck by every malady that could afflict a party, while Democrats look like Republicans use to look -- in charge, efficient, on message," said Wittmann, who said he is a registered independent. White House: Saddam verdict "good day" for Iraqis
CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) - The White House, eager for signs of progress in Iraq ahead of Tuesday's U.S. congressional elections, hailed the guilty verdict of former President Saddam Hussein Sunday as a good day for Iraqis. Saddam was sentenced to death by hanging by a U.S.-sponsored court in Baghdad after being found guilty of crimes against humanity.
The verdict came just two days before U.S. congressional elections that Democrats hope to use as a referendum on President Bush's handling of the Iraq war. "It's a good day for the Iraqi people," White House spokesman Tony Snow said. Election-year bickering quickly broke out. Democrats said justice was served but that it was unclear how the verdict would change the course of the war. "The Iraqis have traded a dictator for chaos. Neither option is acceptable, especially when it is our troops who are caught in the middle," said Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada. Connerly is criticized for Klan comments
DETROIT (AP) -- Opponents are criticizing a key backer of a ballot initiative to end public affirmative action programs in Michigan after he made comments that appeared to welcome the Ku Klux Klan's support.
Ward Connerly, a California businessman who is pushing the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative and helped to get similar measures passed elsewhere, was quoted in a documentary examining affirmative action. The measure on Tuesday's ballot would ban the use of race and gender preferences in state government and university admissions. In a video posted to the Web site YouTube.com, Connerly is shown saying, "If the Ku Klux Klan thinks that equality is right, God bless them. Thank them for finally reaching the point where logic and reason are being applied instead of hate." Connerly, who is black, defended his remark, saying he accepts support for banning affirmative action wherever he finds it. Haggard admits to 'sexual immorality'
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (CNN) -- Evangelical pastor Ted Haggard confessed to a "lifelong" sexual problem, saying he is "a deceiver and a liar," in a letter read to members of his New Life Church Sunday.
"There is part of my life that is so repulsive and dark that I have been warring against it all my life," he said in the letter. Haggard apologized to his congregation and asked for their forgiveness in the letter read by Pastor Larry Stockstill, a member of the board of overseers of New Life Church. On Saturday, the board ousted Haggard from the 14,000-member church, which he founded more than 20 years ago, citing his "sexually immoral conduct." Haggard had previously admitted that he received a massage from Mike Jones, a Denver man who claimed the prominent pastor had paid him for sex over a three-year period, and that he had bought methamphetamine. Haggard often spoke to the White House on matters of politics and religion. New polls give GOP a boost
NEW YORK -- Republicans received good news this morning, as a new round of Mason-Dixon polls shows two Senate GOP incumbents statistically tied with their Democratic challengers and the Republican candidate in Tennessee holding a 12 point lead over his Democratic opponent. -- CNN Political Editor Mark Preston
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• Hagel to announce decision on presidential bid Monday• Does Tiger Woods have a political future? • AFL-CIO makes push to keep unions united behind one presidential candidate • Obama: "No place for politics" in voter intimidation • Muslim congressman talks up 'American values' in State Department outreach • Year of the 'smaller' Pig • Pataki joins law firm • Bush 'sad' about Libby's conviction • House Dems urge colleagues to fund a withdrawal from Iraq • Romney recruits from the Sunshine State ARCHIVE
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