Campaigns & Elections articles from September 2007

Campaigns & Elections archives from September 2007

The presidential primary Safari.
September 1, 2007... 2 days of the best campaign training in the country! October 1-2, 2007 The Wayfarer Inn, Bedford, NH For political professionals, candidates, campaign specialists and political junkies Special Hotel Rates Available ...

Editor's note.(comments on the presidential campaigns)
September 1, 2007... When I started with Campaigns & Elections four years ago, it was during the heat of the primary battle--or at least it would have been if the election calendar were the same as this year. There was wild speculation that Howard Dean would be the...

Hey, big spender: here's what it costs to buy those votes.(INSIDE POLITICS)
September 1, 2007... Being the bigger campaign spender doesn't always guarantee a win, although it often correlates. For George W. Bush and John Kerry in 2004, for example, just spending a few extra cents per voter paid off. Kerry averaged $5.56 per vote and lost....

Penny for your vote.(INSIDE POLITICS)(price per vote)(Table)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Here's the price per vote in a few key races from the 2006 election cycle. An * denotes the winner. House Illinois 14th District $45.51 Dennis Hastert (R)* $3.97 Jim Leach (D) Illinois 6th District $55.10 Tammy...

When simple mistakes go bad: presidential campaigns already racking up the gaffes.(INSIDE POLITICS)
September 1, 2007... About 50 members of the International Association of Fire Fighters were gathered in a small hotel function room in Portsmouth, N.H., waiting to be courted. Five of the Democratic Party's top presidential contenders were scheduled to woo...

Sudden spikes: there's nothing like a good dust-up to raise money.(INSIDE POLITICS)(campaign funds)
September 1, 2007... How much does a potted plant cost? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A little more than $7,000, if you are former Sen. Mike Gravel, D-Alaska. The day after Gravel remarked that he felt like a potted plant during the April Democratic presidential...

Ready, set, spoof.(INSIDE POLITICS)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Get your domain names now before the presidential campaign really heats up. Sites already snagged include ObamaTruth.org, StopHillary.com, RudysReallyLiberal.com and TheRealMcCain.com. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As the primaries near, more...

Lifestyles of the smart fabulous.(INSIDE POLITICS)(political consultants' favorite items)
September 1, 2007... Back in 1996, Julia Piscitelli Valentine was making a good living, but she was just starting her career as a Democratic political consultant. Then she landed the "Big One": a staff job at Squire Knapp Oaks Dunn doing advertising for the...

Alabama.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Governor Bob Riley's directive)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Gov. Bob Riley (R) mandated that state agency directors need to send all professional service contracts to a review committee led by the legislature. The mandate came after one state official said he was unaware that Riley wanted the work done...

Alaska.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(VECO Corp. scandal involving politicians Tom Anderson and Ted Stevens)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Alaska is awash with federal investigations over the VECO Corp. scandal. One former state representative, Republican Tom Anderson, has been found guilty of taking bribes. Three more await trial on similar charges. And now federal agents have...

Arizona.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(resignation of state representative Ann Kirkpatrick)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... State Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Flagstaff, has resigned from the legislature to focus entirely on a run for Congress. State law bars an elected official from staying in office while running for another office except in the last year of his or her...

Arkansas.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(tax policy)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... A bill pending in Congress this fall could put more than $100 million back into the Arkansas state budget. The state is one of roughly 30 that have been trying to streamline tax codes that allow companies to tax online sales from business done...

California.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Carol Migden accused of mismanagement of campaign funds)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, has accused his competitor, state Sen. Carol Migden (D), of mishandling her campaign cash. Leno filed a formal complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission accusing Migden of mismanaging almost...

Colorado.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(candidates running for the 2nd Congressional District seat)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... For the first time in a decade, voters in Colorado's 2nd Congressional District have a full-fledged race on their hands, even if it's only a Democratic primary. Longtime incumbent Rep. Mark Udall (D) is leaving his seat in the Boulder area to...

Connecticut.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Jodi Rell and John McKinney's response to the high-profile murder of a family )(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Connecticut's political world is reeling from the high-profile slaying of a family in Cheshire. At issue is the question of why the killers, who had not previously shown violent tendencies, were paroled just months before the killings took...

Delaware.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(selection of candidates by the Democratic and Republican parties)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... With the 2008 primaries a year away, the top of the Democratic ticket is overflowing with candidates, while a couple Republicans are test-driving runs for the top two offices. Lt. Gov. John C. Carney Jr. and state Treasurer Jack A. Markell...

District of Columbia.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(decoration of baseball stadium with art)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... As construction on the city's new baseball stadium continues, so does the fighting. Mayor Adrian Fenty recently moved to shift nearly $1 million from the city's equipment leasing fund to the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities to...

Florida.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(presidential campaigns)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has focused on Florida and garnered $1.7 million here from April through June, more than any candidate from either major party. Other GOP candidates trailed Giuliani, with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt...

Georgia.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Hank Aaron backing Hillary Clinton)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Hank Aaron may have lost his all-time baseball home run record this summer, but he feels he may still be a winner come next season during the presidential primary in Georgia. The former Atlanta Brave superstar turned franchise vice president...

Hawaii.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Mike Johanns's disaster designation for Hawaii's counties)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture issued a disaster designation this summer for all of Hawaii's counties in response to the ongoing drought. Secretary Mike Johanns issued the designation after a department review found major losses in...

Idaho.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(lawsuit over primary elections)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Idaho Secretary of State Ben Ysursa has asked a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit by conservative Republicans demanding that Idaho close its primary election. The state has had an open primary, where people of any party affiliation can help...

Illinois.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(congressional race)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Now that seven-term Republican Rep. Ray LaHood has announced his retirement plans, the scramble to succeed him is getting underway. Among Republicans, state Rep. Aaron Schock is boasting early support and Heartland Partnership President Jim...

Indiana.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(issue on property taxes)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... High property taxes has emerged as a major political issue in the state. Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels is threatening to call a special session of the state legislature to address the issue. In Indianapolis the issue has placed an easy...

Iowa.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(primaries)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Uncertainty followed the announcement by South Carolina Republicans that they had moved their primary up to Jan. 19, 2008. Since New Hampshire law requires its state's primary to be first by at least seven days, and Iowa requires its caucuses...

Kansas.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(congressional race)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Republican Jim Ryun, a former five-term U.S. representative, has raised more than $350,000 in the second quarter in his bid to win back his old seat. Ryun, who is famous for breaking the four-minute-mile mark, will challenge freshman Rep. Nancy...

Kentucky.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(gubernatorial race)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... The race for the governor's mansion could be a barometer for national contests in 2008. Democrat Steve Beshear, former Kentucky attorney general and state representative, is chipping away at Republican incumbent Gov. Ernie Fletcher. Beshear is...

Louisiana.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(gubernatorial race)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Voters will go to the polls Oct. 20, and the race for governor has finally begun. State Sen. Walter Boasso, D-Arabi, has taken the gloves off and is attacking frontrunner U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal, R-Kenner, for his voting record on Iraq and his...

Maine.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(congressional race)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... The four Democratic candidates vying for U.S. Rep. Tom Allen's, D-Maine, congressional seat have been busy raising funds this year, potentially making this congressional race one of the most expensive in state history. Chellie Pingree, who...

Maryland.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Baltimore mayoral race)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... The Baltimore Fraternal Order of Police has endorsed Baltimore Councilman Michael Sarbanes and mayoral candidate Keiffer J. Mitchell Jr. The powerful police union unanimously voted to support Mitchell over his opponent, Mayor Sheila Dixon (D)....

Massachusetts.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Deval Patrick's education programs)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Gov. Deval Patrick (D) is moving ahead with some of the campaign promises he made last year, few of which are cheap. There's an unpriced plan to expand public education, including universal kindergarten, longer school days and state-paid...

Michigan.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Joe Knollenberg campaign)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Republican U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg raised $443,000 in the second quarter, which was the most of any member of Michigan's House delegation. Knollenberg, who barely won in 2006, entered July with about $600,000 in his campaign account. He could...

Minnesota.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(obtaining a failing grade from Center for Public Integrity)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Minnesota received a failing grade in July from the Washington-based Center for Public Integrity for the quality of financial disclosure it requires of governors. The numbers of details that accompany the officials' disclosures were minimal,...

Mississippi.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(insurance commissioner George Dale re-election)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... The effects of Hurricane Katrina are still being felt on several levels in Mississippi, including the 2008 election cycle. George Dale, who has held the position of Mississippi insurance commissioner for the past 32 years, might have trouble in...

Missouri.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Chris Koster switches to the Democratic Party)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... In August, state Sen. Chris Koster became the first state legislator in recent memory to switch parties. A likely candidate for attorney general in 2008, Koster received a chilly reception from state attorney general candidates Jeff Harris and...

Montana.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Republican Party caucus)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... A new proposal introduced by Republican Chairman Erik Iverson would move Montana's Republican caucus up to Feb. 5, 2008 from its usual June presidential primary date. As more and more states are moving up their presidential nominating elections...

Nebraska.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Chuck Hagel's plans for a presidential bid)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... The political world is still waiting to hear Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel's future plans. Reportedly still considering a bid for president, Hagel is expected to announce a decision sometime in the fall. He could shake up the GOP primary if he...

Nevada.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(presidential campaigns in the state)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Nevada state officials had hoped that an earlier primary would attract more presidential candidates, but thus far the hopefuls are sticking to the time-tested strategy of barnstorming Iowa and New Hampshire. According to an analysis from the...

New Hampshire.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Republican Party's Machine Gun Shoot fund raiser)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... About 350 people paid $25 to shoot Uzis and AK-47s at the Manchester GOP "Machine Gun Shoot" fundraiser in August. The event, which raised an estimated $2,000 for the committee, raised some eyebrows--especially among the state's Democrats, some...

New Jersey.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(senatorial race)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Democratic U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg's age could make him vulnerable in 2008, but only if the Republican Party is able to produce a strong opponent. According to a Quinnipiac University poll, 54 percent of voters believe that Lautenberg, 83,...

New Mexico.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Gary King's comment on redistricting)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... In a nonbinding legal opinion, state Attorney General Gary King said the state cannot redraw the boundaries of state Congressional districts until after the 2010 census. King referenced a provision in the state constitution that allows for...

New York.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Eliot Spitzer's staff's alleged improper use of state police)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Political reform has taken a backseat to political scandal in New York with the allegations that some of Gov. Eliot Spitzer's administration officials improperly used state police to gather potentially damaging information about the governor's...

North Carolina.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(real estate transfer tax)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... North Carolinians may soon be paying more money when they buy a house, but state lawmakers say the proposed new tax could keep property taxes from getting higher down the road. The proposed increase, which is known as a real estate transfer...

North Dakota.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Earl Pomeroy calling George W. Bush a clown on video)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... U.S. Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., was caught on video referring to President George W. Bush as a clown during an argument with two anti-war activists who were pushing for impeachment. The video, shot on July 23 in Washington, D.C., was later...

Ohio.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Ted Celeste's comments on the presidential election)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... In a state that has seen more than its fair share of scandal and political infighting in the past few years, a Democratic state lawmaker is on a mission to make politics a bit more civil. State Rep. Ted Celeste says the run-up to the 2008...

Oklahoma.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(lawmakers refuse having "state night" party at National Conference of State Legislatures )(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Oklahoma lawmakers and staff decided against having a "state night" party at the National Conference of State Legislatures in Boston in August. It is one of the few delegations that decided against it. Lobbyists, who usually host the event,...

Oregon.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Jeff Merkley joins senatorial race)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Democratic state House Speaker Jeff Merkley, D-Portland, has announced that he will challenge Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., ending the national Democrats' search for a viable challenger. Merkley played a major role in the Democrats' 2006 takeover...

Pennsylvania.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Ed Rendell's transportation policy)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Expect the political rhetoric over just how much money Pennsylvania will get from the federal transportation bill to heat up as Congress returns to session. Gov. Ed Rendell (D) needs federal approval for a state plan to place tolls on...

Rhode Island.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(imagined rivalry between Vincent Cianci and mayor David Cicilline in Providence)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Since former Providence Mayor Vincent "Buddy" Cianci was released from prison and has now completed his home confinement, many insiders are wondering if Providence is big enough for the current (and popular) Mayor David Cicilline, as well as...

South Carolina.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(annual Republican Party caucus in The Upstate)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... A shift in the South Carolina legislature is brewing. State Rep. Harry Cato, R-Travelers Rest, convinced his fellow Republican House members to have their annual caucus meeting in the Upstate for the first time in memory. The event is normally...

South Dakota.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(fine for political committees who fail to file campaign finance report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... The state's election supervisor issued letters to a number of political committees, warning them of a $50-a-day fine if they did not file a campaign finance report. State law requires candidate committees, ballot question committees and...

Tennessee.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Phil Bredesen giving raises to administration officials)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen (D) has come under fire for pay hikes he gave to top-level officials in his administration despite reports saying some of the people did not deserve the raises. Bredesen maintains the raises were warranted because...

Texas.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Texans for Public Justice report on Social Security privatization)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... While lobbyists might be enjoying the benefits of Texas' efforts to give Social Security duties to private companies, some argue that the approach is hurting poor people and wasting tax dollars, according to a Texas watchdog group. About 100...

Utah.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(posting of campaign finance reports on the state Web site)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... People wanting to run for local office in Utah may want to get ready for tougher campaigns. A movement is afoot to post finance reports on the state's Web site. Republican state Rep. Bradley Daw said residents need to be able to know who is...

Vermont.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(governor Jim Douglas)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... There will be an election next fall in Vermont. But will there be any challengers? The Democrats hold overwhelming dominance in the legislature, but it seems that there is no ambitious soul among them. In state constitutional offices, the...

Virginia.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(senatorial race)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... The talk of the town in Virginia lately has been who will run for Senate in 2008. Incumbent Republican Sen. John Warner is ambivalent about running for re-election, raising only $500 in the first quarter and less than $100,000 in the second....

Washington.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(electronic voting machines)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... In the wake of a near-ban of electronic voting machines following a lengthy report on the vulnerabilities of the machines in California, the state's northern neighbor is defending the security of its voting machines, despite critics assailing...

West Virginia.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Betty Ireland not running for re-election or for another position)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Secretary of State Betty Ireland, the only Republican executive branch officeholder, has announced she will not run for another term or for another office. Ireland said that she needs to devote her time to caring for her aging parents and not...

Wisconsin.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(budget deficits)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Wisconsin appears set to enter its seventh consecutive biennium of deficit spending. Though budgetary details are still being worked out, deficits are expected to approach $1 billion. Todd Berry, president of the nonpartisan Wisconsin Taxpayers...

Wyoming.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(changes in campaign financing laws)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... State lawmakers are considering changes to the state campaign-finance laws that would increase limits on political action committees, but allow more in individual donations. The Joint Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Interim...

Margaret Jongeward Joseph and Jonathan R. Schwantes have recently joined Clark & Weinstock, a public affairs firm.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Margaret Jongeward Joseph and Jonathan R. Schwantes have recently joined Clark & Weinstock, a public affairs firm. Joseph was formerly the Washington, D.C. finance director to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Schwantes served as...

Lee Godown and Jason Hill have joined Democratic communications firm Public Strategies, based in Austin, Texas.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Lee Godown and Jason Hill have joined Democratic communications firm Public Strategies, based in Austin, Texas. Godown was formerly chief of staff to Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif. He will be a managing director in the firm's Washington, D.C....

The National Association of Manufacturers gained a new deputy director of the trade group's policy division in Aric Newhouse, a former legislative director for Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio.(NEW JOBS)
September 1, 2007... The National Association of Manufacturers gained a new deputy director of the trade group's policy division in Aric Newhouse, a former legislative director for Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio. Newhouse had worked for Voinovich since 1999 and was...

Former Rep. Chris John, D-La., is leaving D.C. for Louisiana to serve as head of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Former Rep. Chris John, D-La., is leaving D.C. for Louisiana to serve as head of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association. He is leaving his position as a lobbyist at Ogilvy Government Relations, formerly known as the Federalist...

Political analyst Michael Barone has joined the conservative American Enterprise Institute for Policy Research as a resident fellow.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Political analyst Michael Barone has joined the conservative American Enterprise Institute for Policy Research as a resident fellow. The co-author of the Almanac of American Politics and senior writer at U.S. News & World Report will continue...

Wilson Research Strategies a Republican polling firm, has announced its two newest vice presidents: Tyler Harber and Byron Allen.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Wilson Research Strategies, a Republican polling firm, has announced its two newest vice presidents: Tyler Harber and Byron Allen. Harber, the firm's vice president and political director, will head the political research and consulting team....

Smart Media Group, a D.C.-based Republican media firm, has announced the opening of its new office in Dallas.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Smart Media Group, a D.C.-based Republican media firm, has announced the opening of its new office in Dallas. The media buying and consulting firm has also hired three staffers to fill the office: Amber Lyons, Ian Samuel and Paul Winn. Lyons...

Winning Strategies.(NEW JOBS)
September 1, 2007... Chris Schloesser has been named vice president at Democratic direct mail firm Winning Strategies, based in the Washington, D.C. office.

Greg Haifley has been named the new associate director of federal government relations for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Greg Haifley has been named the new associate director of federal government relations for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. He previously worked with People for the American Way.

The Republican communications firm Adfero Group has announced its new homeland security public affairs practice, which will be headed up by Chris Battle, the firm's vice president since January.(FIRM CHANGES)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... The Republican communications firm Adfero Group has announced its new homeland security public affairs practice, which will be headed up by Chris Battle, the firm's vice president since January. "Traditionally, homeland security [and] law...

Democratic media consultants Tad Devine and Julian Mulvey are founding their own Washington, D.C.-based firm that will specialize in creating and producing television ads for Democratic candidates.(FIRM CHANGES)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Democratic media consultants Tad Devine and Julian Mulvey are founding their own Washington, D.C.-based firm that will specialize in creating and producing television ads for Democratic candidates. Devine Mulvey is expected to open in the fall....

Greener & Hook is joining Take '08 Events Unlimited, the company working to maximize the attendance at the 2008 Republican National Convention.(FIRM CHANGES)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Greener & Hook is joining Take '08 Events Unlimited, the company working to maximize the attendance at the 2008 Republican National Convention. The addition of Greener & Hook to Take '08 brings Republican consultants William Greener III,...

David Waid left his position as chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party on Aug. 10 so that he can devote his full attention to Ziemba Waid Public Affairs, the firm he founded with partner Tom Ziemba.(FIRM CHANGES)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... David Waid left his position as chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party on Aug. 10 so that he can devote his full attention to Ziemba Waid Public Affairs, the firm he founded with partner Tom Ziemba. The Phoenix-based firm offers political...

A new Republican media firm has been formed, with the intention of having just one client: former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.(FIRM CHANGES)(Midnight Ride Media)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... A new Republican media firm has been formed, with the intention of having just one client: former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Much like Maverick Media in 2004, Midnight Ride Media is comprised of veteran party media consultants who will...

Young Voter Strategies has integrated with Rock The Vote to mobilize the youth vote.(FIRM CHANGES)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Young Voter Strategies has integrated with Rock The Vote to mobilize the youth vote. The melding of the two groups will combine Young Voter Strategies' "research and outreach with Rock The Vote's long history of work to build political power...

Hannah August has joined the communications team at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.(PARTY LINES)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Hannah August has joined the communications team at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. She previously worked in the office of Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J. August comes to the DSCC after Deputy Communications Director Deirdre Murphy left...

10 questions for Tom Lindenfeld: president, LSG Strategies.(INSIDE POLITICS: MOVERS AND SHAKERS)(Interview)
September 1, 2007... Tom Lindenfeld is the president and founder of LSG Strategies, a Democratic grass-roots organizing and political telemarketing firm based in Washington, D.C. Lindenfeld got his start on the 1972 George McGovern presidential campaign. He went on...

10 questions for Linda Cherry: president and founder, Cherry Communications Company.(INSIDE POLITICS: MOVERS AND SHAKERS)(Interview)
September 1, 2007... Linda Cherry is the president and founder of Cherry Communications Company, a Republican voter contact firm based in Florida. She was assistant press secretary for Reagan--Bush '84 and, in her role as deputy director of voter programs on that...

Inside politics: campaign consultant sign-ups.(Brief article)(List)
September 1, 2007... All Points Communications/D -- communications Mark Lawrence, ME, H01 '08 Linda Stender, NJ, H07 '08 David Baria, MS, state Sen. '07 David Blount, MS, state Sen. '07 Vincent Davis, MS, state Sen. '07 Bob Evans, MS,...

It's 2008. Or is it 2006? You might be thinking you're having a case of deja vu next year, with so many of last year's losers taking a second stab at winning their seat.(FEATURE)
September 1, 2007... With the wave that swept scores of incumbent members of Congress out of their seats last year, a number of former members who were sent packing believe they can win their seats back. And a few Democrats who nearly knocked off Republican...

Presidential surge strategy: this cycle's bloated budgets are really putting those boots on the ground like never before.
September 1, 2007... If 2004 was the gold-plated presidential cycle, 2008 is platinum. But while the nuclear arms race of fundraising is letting some campaigns hire tremendous numbers of staff, some insiders say the burn rate may reach the point of diminishing...

Ready to play phone tag? Here's where the robocall money has been spent lately.(FEATURE)(political campaign method using recorded telephone messages )(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... If you're tired of getting so many robocalls, you may just want to move to another state. The calls disproportionately inundate people in battleground states, according to Quin Monson, assistant director at the Center for the Study of Elections...

Do not robocall? Depends on your country.(INTERNATIONAL POLITICS)(using phone messages as a political campaign method)
September 1, 2007... Robocalls, or pre-recorded phone messages touting a particular candidate or political position, are widely used in many American campaigns, but the persuasive telecommunications tactic has not caught on in most foreign democracies. C & E's...

Don't phone home: voters aren't fans of the one-night stand.(real politics)
September 1, 2007... Politics is replete with technologies that once worked, but are on their way out and will be replaced in the future. Telemarketing is Exhibit A. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] After voters became wary of direct mail solicitation (and learned...

Diversity cuts both ways for presidential hopefuls.(figuratively speaking)
September 1, 2007... Is America ready for: A. A woman president B. An African-American president C. A Hispanic president D. A Mormon president E. None of the above If gender, racial or religious change were going to sweep through the...