Campaigns & Elections articles from February 2006

Campaigns & Elections archives from February 2006

Editor's note.
February 1, 2006... For decades political strategists often wasted their campaigns' precious resources, because insufficient research led them to target wrong people with inefficient messages. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Now, highly specific microtargeting...

Readers' thoughts.(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2006... To The Editor: Congratulations on your new feature, "Best Statehouse Eats" by Robin T. Reid. We would like to put in a word from New Jersey. One of the oldest state capitols, Trenton has a long tradition of fine dining, especially...

Time to say goodbye.(ON THE RECORD)
February 1, 2006... After 12 years and 10 months writing this column, it's time to say goodbye. When my home state's U.S. senator, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, recently asked me to become her chief of staff, it was an offer I couldn't refuse. [ILLUSTRATION...

Setting the slang.
February 1, 2006... Betcha don't know the original definition of a "comer." Back in 1879, the Oxford English Dictionary said a comer was a crab. Why? "A crab... is always very poor to begin with; but he eats everything he gets hold of, which fattens him up some....

Best statehouse eats.(restaurants)(Directory)
February 1, 2006... In our ongoing efforts to keep our readers in the know--and well-fed and watered--we've gotten some tips on where to go in the capitals of New York, California and Texas. Albany, New York Angelo's Prime Rib, 677 Broadway, 518-42 PRIME...

Political trivia.(INSIDE POLITICS)
February 1, 2006... States with the smallest margins between their top two candidates in presidential elections between 1904-2000. 1. New Hampshire in 1916, when Woodrow Wilson beat Charles Evans Hughes by 56 votes. 2. Hawaii in 1960, when John F. Kennedy...

Potential 2008 presidential candidates make the rounds.(INSIDE POLITICS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Iowa * visits John Kerry (D) 3 John Edwards (D) 4 Evan Bayh (D) 2 Bill Richardson (D) 1 Mark Warner (D) 1 Russ Feingold (D) 1 Tom Vilsack (D) 1 Joe Biden (D) 1 Wes...

Direct-mail consultant Duane Baughman is seeking the spotlight--sort of.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... Direct-mail consultant Duane Baughman is seeking the spotlight--sort of. He's coproducing the off-Broadway play "RFK: A Portrait of Robert F. Kennedy," which is showing at 45 Bleecker Theater in New York until Feb. 26. [ILLUSTRATION...

American Institute of Architects.(Ron Faucheux appointed)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Ron Faucheux, former editor and publisher of Campaigns & Elections magazine, is going back into government. The former elected official in Louisiana has been named chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., where he hopes to help his...

International Association of Political Consultants.(Ben Goddard appointed)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Ben Goddard becomes the president of the International Association of Political Consultants for 2006 and 2007. He replaced Volker Riegger of Germany, who held the job for the last two years. Goddard is a partner with Goddard Claussen...

Glover Park Group.(Susan Brophy appointed)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Susan Brophy, a former aide to President Bill Clinton, has joined the Glover Park Group as a partner in the public relations and communications firm's legislative affairs division. Most recently, Brophy had been senior vice president in Time...

FFD Inc.(Nicholas Benson appointed)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Nicholas Benson joined FFD Inc., a fundraising firm in Virginia Beach, as a senior associate. Prior, Benson worked for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and for Kerry-Edwards '04.

Center for Responsive Politics.(Massie Ritsch appointed)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Massie Ritsch becomes the communications director for the Center for Responsive Politics, a non-partisan organization that tracks the influence of money on elections and public policy. Before he joined the center, Ritsch was a...

Winning Directions.(NEW JOBS)(Van Parish appointed as new senior vice president)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Van Parish is the new senior vice president of Winning Directions, a direct mail firm. Parish will work in the company's Washington, D.C. office. He is charged with implementing strategy, message and voter contact programs for the firm.

Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research.(Anna Greenberg appointed)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Anna Greenberg is the newest partner at Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research. She had been a vice president. Greenberg joined the firm in 2001 and handles the company's work with issue groups. Prior to joining GQRR, Greenberg was an assistant...

Group 360 Communications and JMG Direct merged late last year and have named the new firm 360JMG.(FIRM CHANGES)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Group 360 Communications and JMG Direct merged late last year and have named the new firm 360JMG. Based in Washington, the communications firm handles advertising, new media, direct mail and public relations for clients such as the natural...

Point Blank Public Affairs.(Amy Weiss and Debra DeShong's organization formation)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Amy Weiss and Debra DeShong have started their own company, Point Blank Public Affairs. Point Blank will provide strategic counseling, crisis communications, litigation communications strategy, issue advocacy, message development and media...

Washington State Democratic Party.(Viet Sheltonb appointed as communications director)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Viet Shelton joins the Washington State Democratic Party as communications director, a position that's been open for several months since Kirstin Brost left to work for the minority staff of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee. Shelton was...

Ohio Democratic Party.(PARTY LINES)(Chris Redfern appointed as chairman)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... State Rep. Chris Redfern was elected chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party. Redfern replaces Dennis White, who resigned to become deputy director of the Franklin (Ohio) County Board of Elections. Redfern became Ohio House Democratic leader in...

Vermont Democratic Party.(PARTY LINES)(Andy Bouska appointed as communications director)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The Vermont Democratic Party hired Andy Bouska as its full-time communications director. His job there is to develop a communications strategy and keep party leaders informed. Prior, Bouska was policy director for Kansas Senate Minority...

Republican Governors Association.(PARTY LINES)(Philip A. Musser appointed as an executive director)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... At the Republican Governors Association, Philip A. Musser has become the new executive director. Prior, he was vice president at Dutko Worldwide where he oversaw the firm's housing and community development project. He's also worked as an...

R & R Partners.(Mike Pieper appointed)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Musser replaced Mike Pieper, who left the association to become managing director of R & R Partners, a Las Vegas-based marketing firm that has an office in Washington.

Campaign consultant sign-ups.
February 1, 2006... Blaemire Communications/D -- voter lists, direct mail, political Wyoming Democratic PartyMissouri Democratic Party New Mexico Democratic Party BuzzMaker, LLC (D) -- eCampaign strategy Jeff Bingaman (in), NM, Sen. '06 ...

Ten questions for Evan Spiridellis.(MOVERS & SHAKERS)(JibJab)(Interview)
February 1, 2006... Brothers Even and Gregg Spiridellis founded JibJab in 1999, and its cartoons increasingly focused on politics, including Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign for governor in California's 2003 recall election. For the 2004 presidential election,...

Ten questions for Gregg Spiridellis.(MOVERS & SHAKERS)(JibJab)(Interview)
February 1, 2006... According to the brothers Spiridellis, JibJab is a profitable, growing business that makes money primarily through animation they produce for outside firms. The firm has also secured exclusive contracts with MSN and Yahoo!, and offer DVDs of...

The political bull's-eye: persuading the right people with microtargeting.(FEATURE)
February 1, 2006... When you talk with the staff of TargetPoint Consulting, you can forget you're discussing politics. There's little discussion of polls, personalities or congressional scandals. The buzzwords here are "census blocks," "data overlays" and "SPSS...

Immigration blues: issue divides Republicans as midterms near.(FEATURE)
February 1, 2006... Convenience stores usually blend into the landscape. Not every convenience store, however. The 7-Eleven at Alabama Drive and Elden Street in the D.C. suburb of Herndon, Va., has been hard to ignore for the past two years. The ubiquitous...

Eye of the beholder: defining negative campaigning.
February 1, 2006... Since the 1984 presidential race was a snoozer that would result in Ronald Reagan's 49-state landslide reelection victory, much of the political world turned its gaze to North Carolina. There, a brawl of a Senate race had begun more than a year...

Update: the winners and losers of 2005.(POLITICAL CONSULTANT WIN-LOSS RECORDS)
February 1, 2006... After each election cycle, Campaigns & Elections presents the win--loss records of political consultants across the nation. This is the supplement to the original Win-Loss records published in the December 2005/ January 2006 issue. For...

Alabama.(Chief Justice Roy Moore into the June Republican primary for governor against incumbent Bob Riley)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... With the entrance of former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore into the June Republican primary for governor against incumbent Bob Riley, many expected the race to revolve around social and religious issues. However, issues of taxation have...

Alaska.(Tony Knowles planning for recontest for the Governor's post)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Former Gov. Tony Knowles (D) is contemplating a comeback. His successor as governor, Republican Frank Murkowski, has experienced a bumpy term and has not said whether he will seek re-election. Knowles, who lost a 2004 U.S. Senate bid, would...

Arizona.(Janet Napolitano's criminal policies)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... To better tackle Arizona's problems with crime stemming from illegal immigration problems, Gov. Janet Napolitano asked that Arizona National Guard troops be sent to the Mexican border. This is a change from her position two years ago, and some...

Arkansas.(earns more than $26.8 million in federal funds in two years)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Having an official outpost in Washington, D.C., has helped Arkansas get more than $26.8 million in federal funds in two years, according to a story in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Gov. Mike Huckabee's administration opened the office in...

California.(Arnold Schwarzenegger 's re-election)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is moving to the center to appease the left-leaning Golden State electorate, since a majority of Californians disapprove of his performance. In his state of the state address, he apologized to Californian's for...

Colorado.(political parties fight over the state legislatures)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Republicans are in the midst of a nasty feud that could undermine any chance they have to take back the state legislature from Democrats in 2006 (not to mention holding the governor's mansion). The bickering has been going on quietly for years,...

Connecticut.(public financing system)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The General Assembly passed a comprehensive campaign finance overhaul package that included limitations on lobbyists and contractors, as well as a public financing system for all state elections starting in 2007. This was the first time such a...

Delaware.(politcal impact on major industries)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... In better times, Delaware was a cozy, Northeast Corridor nook for national fund-raisers of all political persuasions. But rising fuel and raw material costs hit Delaware's chemical manufacturing industry hard in 2005. In July 2005, credit card...

District of Columbia.(Marion Barry's drug use)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... D.C. councilman Marion Barry tested positive for cocaine in a voluntary drug test, the Washington Post reported in January. The former mayor was forever linked with drugs after he was filmed smoking crack cocaine in 1990 during an FBI sting...

Florida.(lobbying reform legislation)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... On the ethics and lobbying front, the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature recently passed major lobbying reform legislation during a special session called by Gov. Jeb Bush to begin his Medicaid-reform program. The newly passed...

Georgia.(Ralph Reed's contest for the Governor post)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The big news in Georgia is how deeply the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal will affect Ralph Reed, the high-profile Republican running for his party's lieutenant governor nomination. Speculation is running rampant about the future of Reed's...

Hawaii.(recycling policies)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... In 2004, Hawaii state legislators set up a government department just to manage collection of bottles and cans. As of January 2005, consumers are penalized six cents per item unless they are turned into a government-recycling center washed and...

Idaho.(prohibiting same-sex marriage)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The Idaho Values Alliance and other supporters of a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage are trying to bring the issue to the table this year. All attempts to pass a constitutional amendment, which requires two-thirds of the House and...

Illinois.(L. Tammy Duckworth's senatorial run)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... L. Tammy Duckworth may be the most poignant entrant in the race for Henry Hyde's seat in the U.S. House. The 37-year-old Army pilot lost her legs while she was flying a Black Hawk helicopter on a mission in Iraq in November 2004. She's running...

Indiana.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Gov. Mitch Daniels kicked off Indiana's legislative year by telling lawmakers that Hoosiers weigh, drink and smoke too much, and exercise too little. To address one of those problems, the Republican governor proposed tacking on at least 25...

Iowa.(ACROSS STATE LINES)(utility terminations of homes with children and seniors)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... With high winter heating bills on the way, lowa state Sen. Jack Hatch, D-Des Moines, wants to give the Iowa Department of Public Health specific rule-making authority to declare utility terminations of Iowa homes with children and seniors a...

Kansas.(Kathleen Sebelius, geubernatorial run for another term)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius looks likely to cruise to a second term in this strongly Republican state, thanks in part to continuing rifts between the state party's moderate and conservative wings. Sebelius won the top state office in 2002...

Kentucky.(Dana Seum Stephenson's election)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... A contentious, yearlong election dispute over a seat in the Kentucky state Senate recently came to an end. In November 2004, Republican Dana Seum Stephenson narrowly defeated Democrat Virginia Woodward for a state Senate seat. However, Kentucky...

Louisiana.(mayoral elections)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Before Hurricane Katrina New Orleans last August 2005, the city's mayoral election had been scheduled for Feb. 4, 2006. Secretary of State Al Ater postponed it after the storm, contending it was logistically impossible to hold the election....

Maine.(local elections)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The first day of session for the Maine Legislature got off to a bizarre start in January when neither party had the majority for a few hours. The makeup of the 151-member House of Representatives was tied with 73 Republicans and 73...

Maryland.(Michael Steele political activity)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Democratic activists continue to dismiss the chances of Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (R) in his U.S. Senate bid. Steele, who is black, is hoping to take away parts of the traditional black Democratic voting base. Yet the likely nominee, U.S. Rep....

Massachusetts.(gubernatorial elections)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The governor's race is getting mounds of media attention, but the understudy's contest is also worth watching. Three Democrats are running for lieutenant governor. Though the job holds little power, in recent years it has been a steppingstone...

Michigan.(ACROSS STATE LINES)(economic condition of Michigan)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Michigan's troubled economy should finally begin to turn around in 2007 and 2008, Gov. Jennifer Granholm recently told state residents. The state's legislature enacted an economic development plan that will leverage up to $2 billion in...

Minnesota.(Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... In the U.S. Senate race, the GOP has selected and gotten solidly behind U.S. Rep. Mark Kennedy, while the DFL nomination remains a two-way horse race between Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar and child safety advocate Patty Wetterling....

Mississippi.(ACROSS STATE LINES)(taxation)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The 2006 legislative session has gotten off to a taxing start. Republican Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck proposed increasing cigarette taxes and offsetting it by eliminating the sales tax on groceries. Her legislation passed the Senate in the first week of...

Missouri.(ACROSS STATE LINES)(taxes on tobacco)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Missourians may see two competing tax increases--both of which would hike the state's levy on tobacco by 80 cents a pack--on November's ballot. The first proposal, sponsored by health associations and hospitals, would allocate the largest share...

Montana.(Conrad Burns' political activity)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Polls continue to show GOP U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns vulnerable in 2006. Two Democrats, state Senate President Jon Tester and state Auditor John Morrison, are vying for their party's nomination. Each is within striking distance of Burns, who has...

Nebraska.(ACROSS STATE LINES)
February 1, 2006... January marked the beginning of the end for 20 of the 49 members of Nebraska's unique one-house Legislature, which convened for its 60-day "short" session on Jan. 4. It is the first class of state senators to be impacted by the two-term limit...

Nevada.(ACROSS STATE LINES)(prescription drugs)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The State Board of Pharmacy is moving forward with a plan to allow Nevada residents to get prescription drugs from Canada despite objections from state Attorney General George Chanos. The law passed in 2005 has been a contentious issue with...

New Hampshire.(ACROSS STATE LINES)(political visits of presidential candidates)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... A spirited discussion within the Democratic Party over New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation presidential primary certainly did not stop potential presidential candidates from testing the state's political waters last year. Seventeen...

New Jersey.(ACROSS STATE LINES)(Robert Menendez joined Senate)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... With Robert Menendez named by Gov. Jon Corzine as his successor in the U.S. Senate, a primary battle is shaping in the 13th Congressional District to determine whom the Democrats will nominate to run for the safe seat Menendez has vacated....

New Mexico.(ACROSS STATE LINES)(gubernatorial elections)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Gov. Bill Richardson, who is up for re-election and could be a 2008 Democratic presidential hopeful, has already raised $3 million of a $10 million goal. Republicans plan nominate Santa Fe doctor James Damron. Insiders are not optimistic...

New York.(ACROSS STATE LINES)(gubernatorial elections)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The New York State Republican Party is struggling to choose a slate of candidates for 2006, a potentially watershed election year for both parties. In addition to selecting a new governor, voters will choose a new attorney general and decide...

North Carolina.(ACROSS STATE LINES)(congressional elections)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... U.S. Rep. Charles Taylor (R) has beaten back tough, well-heeled opponents before. But in 2006, the eight-term congressman representing the state's 11th District could face his most formidable election challenge yet. Former NFL quarterback Heath...

North Dakota.(ACROSS STATE LINES)(rules for campaigning )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The North Dakota Supreme Court adopted new rules for campaigning to be a judge. Candidates may not advertise partisan affiliation, attend political meetings or seek party endorsements. The new rules also restrict judicial candidates from...

Ohio.(ACROSS STATE LINES)(Michael Coleman )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Democrats moved closer to consensus on a gubernatorial nominee for 2006, now that Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman has dropped out. U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland may still face opposition in the May primary but has built up a healthy campaign war...

Oklahoma.(ACROSS STATE LINES)
February 1, 2006... Powerball came to Oklahoma in 2006. Oklahoma became the 29th state to sell Powerball tickets. After years of bills and voting, the lottery began in 2005 and has provided millions for education in the state. Of the Powerball proceeds, 30 percent...

Oregon.(ACROSS STATE LINES)(land use )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Groups trying to recall Marion County Circuit Judge Mary Mertens James halted their efforts after finding some of the petition forms were invalid. They sought to recall James after she ruled against Measure 37, which addressed people whose...

Pennsylvania.(ACROSS STATE LINES)(licenses granted to casinos to operate)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Pennsylvania is preparing to grant 14 licenses to operate slots parlors across the state. The new casinos are expected to improve the financial outlook of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Lancaster and the Lehigh Valley. This follows more than a year...

Rhode Island.(ACROSS STATE LINES)(driving accidents )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... How to end Rhode Island's dubious distinction of having the country's highest proportion of fatal drunken driving accidents is a much-discussed topic at the State House these days. State law now encourages drivers to refuse a breathalyzer by...

South Carolina.(ACROSS STATE LINES)(presidential elections)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... South Carolina saw flurry of activity from potential 2008 presidential candidates. Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee headlined a fundraiser for the state GOP, while Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee delivered the keynote speech at the...

South Dakota.(ACROSS STATE LINES)(changes to voter registration policy)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... In preparation for the 2006 elections, South Dakota made changes to its voter registration policy that should make it easier for prospective voters. When a citizen fills out a driver's license or ID card application, a portion of the form will...

Tennessee.(ACROSS STATE LINES)(politicans charged of bribery)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The Tennessee political landscape has been dramatically altered over the past few months. A Justice Department sting operation in May 2005 caught four state legislators and one ex-lawmaker, and charged them with bribery. Four of the five caught...

Texas.(ACROSS STATE LINES)(local elections)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Republican Comptroller Carole Strayhorn bolted from her party primary and announced that she will challenge GOP Gov. Rick Perry as an independent next November. Strayhorn has been highly critical of Perry's administration for years. By running...

Utah.(political fund raising)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... State House Republicans in Utah are dating for money. A new fund-raiser for the House Republican Election Committee paired the idea of speed dating, now popular among singles, and political fund-raising. For $100, Utah lobbyists and others had...

Vermont.(ACROSS STATE LINES)(fund raising for local elections)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Republican Martha Rainville, the head of the Vermont National Guard is awaiting the FEC fundraising report to see how she performed this fundraising quarter and to determine whether she can compete with Democrat Peter Welch, the presumptive...

Virginia.(ACROSS STATE LINES)(congressional elections)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Gov. Tim Kaine (D) began his first legislative session in mid-January, where he pursued initiatives related to campaign promises on education and transportation. Kaine faces Republican majorities in both houses of the General Assembly, but the...

Washington.(ACROSS STATE LINES)(gay and lesbian rights)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... State legislators began a 60-day session Jan. 9 with a rare budget surplus. Democratic Gov. Christine Gregoire wants nearly two-thirds of the $1.4 billion set aside and the rest poured primarily into schools, health care and the state pension....

West Virginia.(ACROSS STATE LINES)(tort reform)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... The 2005 West Virginia legislative sessions saw the adoption of a sweeping tort reform package. Gov. Joe Manchin III, considered a moderate to conservative Democrat, allied with industry groups to lead the charge to limit business liability...

Wisconsin.(ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... A battle is looming over a proposed constitutional "Defense of Marriage Amendment" poised to go before state voters in November, coinciding with key re-election races for the Democratic governor, Democratic attorney general and Republican...

Wyoming.(ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The state might change the way it runs elections if a newly-introduced bill passes the legislature. The "clean money" bill would require candidates for state office, from legislature to governor, to get $5 contributions from a designated...

Wal-Mart: campaigning outside the (big) box.(CAMPAIGNLAND)
February 1, 2006... The labor unions, shrunken, divided and frozen out of national government, have come up with a new type of campaign that bears watching. This campaign focuses on Wal-Mart. Nothing new there: the United Food & Commercial Workers union (UFCW) has...

The art of political campaigning: 23rd annual campaign training seminar.(Calendar)
February 1, 2006... Call Tracy Dietz at 202-207-0533 for reservations and information. Also, check our Web site www.campaignline.com for updates. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If you would like to register for the seminar, fill out the form and mail it to Tracy...

Voting machine deadlines arrive.(VOTING MATTERS)
February 1, 2006... The dawn of 2006 brought the deadline to put in place the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). The federal law was enacted in 2002 in an effort to prevent the problems that arose in the disputed 2000 presidential election from recurring. More...

Winning initiative campaigns with economic analysis.(OPINION)
February 1, 2006... In the highly charged battleground where public policy is often shaped, emotional, cultural, partisan and religious perspectives often cloud discussions of controversial and complex initiatives. Economic impact analysis--which evaluates an...