John McCain

     Media Bias: With the mainstream media treating Barack H. Obama's (D-IL) trip to Middle East almost as if it was an official state visit, the presidential campaign of presumptive Republican nominee John S. McCain, III (R-AZ) took the opportunity to revive a complaint first raised by Hillary R. Clinton (D-NY) - That the mainstream media is biased in favor of the Junior Senator from Illinois.

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     The Policies I Supported Have Failed, Therefore Vote for Me: Opening himself up to charges of "flip-flopping," Libertarian Presidential nominee Bob Barr (L-GA) freely admits that he now disavows many of the conservative causes he once championed. When asked about his votes in favor of the Patriot Act, authorizing the war in Iraq and the Defense of Marriage Act Barr proudly acclaims, "Clearly the federal policies I've supported in the past are not working."

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     Alternative Party News - One Fewer White Supremacist: White supremacists have one fewer candidate to support this fall after John Taylor Bowles (SC) was forced to end his presidential campaign following a massive heart attack. Brian Holland (VA), who is running under the National Socialist Movement banner, is still a candidate, although his campaign blog has not had any entries since last month.

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     Alternative Party News - Baker's Dozen: The campaign of Party for Socialism and Liberation Presidential nominee Gloria E. LaRiva (PSL-CA) announced that they have achieved ballot status in Arkansas, Vermont and Colorado are in the final stages for ballot status in Utah, Florida, New Jersey and Iowa. They hope to also make the ballot in Washington, New York, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Rhode Island and California.

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     All Counties Counted: Republican Bill Lee (R-DE) officially launched his gubernatorial campaign with a tour of Delaware's three counties.

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     Simply Inexcusable: Saying it was "simply inexcusable" to have one in 11 children in Missouri without health care coverage, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jeremiah W. "Jay" Nixon (D-MO) proposed expanding Missouri Children's Health Insurance Program.

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     Planting Stories of Debt: Independent Senate candidate Rex Rammell (I-ID) has accused Lieutenant Governor James E. "Jim" Risch (I-ID) of planting stories in the local newspapers about his personal debts in order to undermine his campaign.

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     On the Main Stage: Landscape contractor J. Jacques Boudreaux (R-LA) has ended his campaign for the Republican Senate nomination, allowing John N. Kennedy (R-LA) to focus on the general election campaign against U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA). The November contest will be the first in the Pelican State under new rules which will allow the candidate with the most votes in the five person race to be declared the winner. In past elections, the winner was required to receive more than 50% of the vote. A run-off election in December would be held between the top two vote getters if neither had received a majority.

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     Not Right Now and Not With You: U.S. Senator Susan M. Collins (R-ME) declined an invitation from U.S. Representative Thomas H. "Tom" Allen (D-ME) to join him at four town-hall meetings in August saying that debates should be scheduled for the fall when voters would be more interested in the election. The invitation was not extended to psychologist Herbert J. Hoffman (I-ME) who is still on the ballot despite efforts by Democrats to have him removed.

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     Complain, Complain, Complain: Mississippi Senate candidates David R. "Ronnie" Musgrove (D-MS) and Roger F. Wicker (R-MS) accused each other of fundraising and spending violations in complaints filed with the Federal Election Commission.

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     Election Year Conversion: With an election looming, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) has been attempting to moderate her voting recording. When she first joined the Senate in 2002, she was a consistent supporter of President George W. Bush (R-TX) and the Republican majority. In 2007 she voted 93.4% of the time with the GOP. But in 2008 she has broken party ranks and voted with the Democrats on more than a quarter of the record votes.

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     Renewable Promise: Democratic Senate nominee Richard J. "Rick" Noriega (D-TX) says that Texas should set a goal of having all households electricity fueled by renewable energy resources by 2019. He insists that such a goal would not harm the state's coal, nuclear and natural gas-fired power plants that currently provide a majority of Texas's electricity.

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     Funded by Liberals: The congressional campaign of state Representative Jay Love (R-AL) responded to the news that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee was paying for television ads supporting Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright (D-AL) by noting that the national organization is "funded by the most liberal congressional Democrats in the nation." Manager Michael Lowry said, "Bobby Bright tells everyone he's an independent, Now is his chance to prove it. Mr. Bright need to tell Speaker Pelosi (D-CA) and Chairman Frank (D-MA) that he doesn't support them and doesn't want their money."

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     Positive Direction: Democratic congressional nominee Bobby Bright (D-AL) has asked state Representative Jay Love (R-AL) to join him in signing a pledge to run a positive campaign. Love's campaign, noting that the proposal was released to the media before it was given to them, says the move was more of a political publicity stunt than a sincere appeal.

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     Cooking Up Something: Huntington Beach Mayor Debbie Cook (D-CA) has begun to make some headway in her campaign to oust U.S. Representative Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA). Cook was able to out raise the incumbent Republican during the most recent quarter, but still trail Rohrabacher four-to-one in cash-on-hand.

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     Emerging from the Field: Colorado Secretary of State Mike Coffman (R-CO) has emerged as the frontrunner to succeed retiring U.S. Representative Tom Tancredo (R-CO), an unsuccessful candidate for the Republican presidential nomination. Coffman's main challenger in the Republican primary comes from businessman Will Armstrong (R-CO), the son of former U.S. Senator William L. "Bill" Armstrong (R-CO).

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     Diamonds on the Souls of His Shoes: Democratic congressional nominee Jeff Scott (D-GA) did not file a fundraising report with the Federal Election Commission because the school teacher raised less than $5,000, the minimum required amount. Nonetheless Scott says he has been "pounding the pavement" making his case against U.S. Representative Nathan Deal's (R-GA) re-election.

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     Weave and Jab: In their first televised primary debate, former U.S. Representative Jim R. Ryun (R-KS) and state Treasurer Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) criticized each other's political record. Jenkins defended her votes in the state legislature for higher taxes say the increased revenue was necessary to cover the cost of unfunded congressional mandates.

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     Three-Way: Independence Party congressional candidate David Dillion (Ind-MN) has been invited to join Republican Erik Paulsen (R-MN) and Democrat Ashwin Madia (DFL-MN) during their first debate sponsored by the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce. The three are competing to succeed retiring U.S. Representative Jim Ramstad (R-MN). A fourth candidate Steev Ramsdell (Ind-MN) was not invited.
     Feeling pressure brought on by the national mode toward Paulsen recently announced that he was not comfortable with John McCain's (R-AZ), his party's presumptive presidential nominee, blank check policy towards Iraq.

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     Zero out of Four: None of the four Republicans competing in Missouri's 5th Congressional District primary is given much chance of defeating U.S. Representative Emmanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) this fall. Jacob Turk (R-MO) was the party's nominee in 2006 and only managed to capture 32% of the vote. Randall D. "Randy" Langkraehr (R-MO), who was the Libertarian Party's gubernatorial nominee in 2004 is making a second run in the district, even though he does not live within its boundaries. Property manager Chris Knowlton (R-MO) doesn't plan to raise any money for the race and Martin D. Baker (R-MO) isn't even registered to vote.

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     Urban Rural Coalition: Democratic congressional candidate Kay Barnes (D-MO), who has spent her political career representing the urban residences of Kansas City, Missouri, will need the support of rural farmers if she hopes to defeat U.S. Representative Samuel B. "Sam" Graves, Jr. (R-MO) in the fall.

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     Against Our Interest: Republican congressional candidate Grant Bosse (R-NH) said, if elected, that he would vote against aid for New Hampshire in order to curb federal spending if necessary.

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     Not the Establishment's Candidate: Republican congressional nominee Carl Mumpower (R-NC) might have agreed to restart his morbid campaign, but he will be doing so without the active support of the Henderson County Republican committee. The GOP executive committee in Henderson says that they will no longer coordinate their efforts with the unconventional candidate who says he wants to take his Principles First campaign out of the congressional district to the rest of North Carolina and the nation. The Henderson County GOP will now be focusing its efforts on other local and state races. When asked about the situation Mumpower said, "I am not ashamed or angry at people who are more interested in protecting the president and the party than they are in protecting the people and the party's principles."

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     Looking for a Symbolic Victory: U.S. Representative Nicholas V. "Nick" Lampson (D-TX) has emerged as the Republicans' top target as the GOP hopes for at least a symbolic victory in recapturing the seat once held by Republican Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX). Republican nominee Pete Olson (R-TX) has been receiving nationwide financial support.

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     Lecture Series: Republican congressional nominee Chris Hackett's (R-PA) press conference to criticize U.S. Representative Christopher P. "Chris" Carney's (D-PA) misuse of taxpayer dollars digressed into a discussion with reporters about the pro's and con's of congressional franking.

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     I Won't Say: Republican congressional nominee Keith S. Fimian (R-VA) says that he is pro-life and universally opposed to capital punishment, but declines to elaborate on views on other social issues instead trying to focus on issues of the economy, energy and transportation, and to a lesser extent, immigration.

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     Supporting Cast - Kettle Investigates Being Black: Democratic attorney general candidate John Morganelli (D-PA) criticized incumbent Tom Corbett (R-PA) for allowing state staffers to do political work for him while prosecuting the notorious "Bonusgate" case. In Bonusgate, Corbett is prosecuting 12 Democrats in a major case that accuses House staffers of regularly doing political work on the job and top officials of using taxpayer-funded bonuses to reward aides for campaign work. It is illegal to use state resources for campaigns.

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     Poll Updates: Updated poll information has been posted. New polls were posted in the following contests: Florida Presidential Minnesota Presidential Minnesota Senate New Hampshire Senate New Hampshire 1st District New Hampshire 2nd District New Jersey Presidential New Jersey Senate Virginia Presidential Virginia Senate and National Presidential polls.

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     Unintended Consequences: Several weeks ago, John S. McCain (R-AZ) criticized Barack H. Obama (D-IL) for failing to visit Iraq before casting judgment of the situation. McCain is likely regretting his words. The criticism prompted the presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee to schedule his current trip which has resulted not only in overwhelming positive press coverage, but has overshadowed the senior Senator's campaign.

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     Planted: In an attempt to steal some of the attention away from Barack Obama's (D-IL) overseas travels, presumptive Republican Presidential nominee John S. McCain, III (R-AZ) planted a story that he would be announcing his vice presidential running mate this week.

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Hillary Clinton

     Coming Around: Supporters of former Presidential candidate Hillary R. Clinton (D-NY) might be supporting Barack Obama's (D-IL) candidacy, but they're not yet willing to open their purses to the presumptive Democratic nominee. Just 4% of Obama's June donors were former Clinton donors. Those who did give contributed $1.8 million of the $52 million the Junior Illinois Senator raised last month.

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     Alternative Party News - Independents on the Battlefield: At least five alternative Presidential candidates are circulating petitions with the hope of getting on the general election ballot in the battleground state of Ohio. But because of state election laws, all five, Libertarian Bob Barr (L-GA), Green Cynthia A. McKinney (G-CA), Constitutionalist Charles O. "Chuck" Baldwin(C-FL) and Socialist Brian P. Moore (S-FL) are pursuing the procedural to be independent candidates rather than the nominee of their perspective party. Moore recently amended a prior lawsuit requesting that the Socialist Party - USA be recognized as a qualified party. The fifth independent Presidential candidate known to be circulating petitions is consumer activist Ralph Nader (I-DC) who made it onto the ballot in Ohio only once in his four national campaigns.

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     Alternative Party News - Long and Winding Road: California's Secretary of State Debra Bowen (D-CA) certified the results of the state American Independent Party Convention run by Ed Noonan over the larger convention which elected Jim King as party chairman. The Noonan run faction of the party elected to sever its ties with the Constitution Party and affiliate with the newly-formed America's Independent Party and nominated the ticket Alan L. Keyes (I-MD) and Rev. Wiley Drake (I-CA) for President and Vice President. The King faction, which reaffirmed its allegiance to the Constitution Party nominated the Charles O. "Chuck" Baldwin (C-FL) / Darrell L. Castle (C-TN) ticket.
     The American Independent Party, which has had ballot access in California for forty years, has a long history of realigning with different national parties. Originally founded in 1968 as a vehicle for George C. Wallace's (D-AL) presidential campaign, the California American Independent Party stuck with the national party of the same name through its declining years in 1970's. After the 1980 presidential election and the candidacy of former segregationist John R. Rarick (D-LA), the American Independent Party aligned itself with the Populist Party. But when the Populists nominated white supremacist David Duke in 1988, the party bolted and instead nominated Warren "James" Griffen (AI-AL). Four years later the party joined the U.S. Taxpayers Party, which eventually became the Constitution Party.
     The pending lawsuit in California could determine whether the American Independent Party continues its affiliation with the Constitution Party, helps create a national America's Independent Party, or become a state organization unaligned with any national party.

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     Setting 90% as the Goal: Independent Presidential candidate Ralph Nader (I-DC) claims to have already submitted signature petitions to get on the ballot in 15 states. His goal is to be on the ballot in 30 states by August 8, 40 by September 1 and finally 45 state by September 15.

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     Alternative Party News - Unexpected Good Fortune: The Constitution Party of Illinois have hurriedly put together a state convention for this weekend after they "unexpectedly" made it onto the general election ballot. The ballot petitions submitted by the party contained insufficient signatures to get on the ballot. But Illinois election law deems all ballot petitions valid unless and until they are challenged. Despite the obviously insufficient number of signatures, no challenged the Constitution Party's petitions before the deadline. The convention will officially nominate Chuck Baldwin (C-FL) and Darrell Castle (C-TN) for President and Vice President and Chad N. Koppie (C-IL) for the U.S. Senate.

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     Eat it Up: Republican gubernatorial candidate Sarah Steelman (R-MO) says that she is receiving overwhelming support from livestock farmers for his calls to repeal Missouri's ethanol mandate.

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     Alternative Party News - Salvaging Major Party Status: Progressive Party member Anthony Pollina's (Pr-VT) decision to run for Governor as an independent endangers his party's status of a major-party. Progressives must win at least 5 percent in a statewide race, but no Progressive filed by the deadline. The party has until three days after the September primary to fill openings on the ballots.

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     Surprised?: Democrats in the Washington state's House and Senate have rejected Republicans request for an inquiry into the connection between political contributions and tribal gambling compacts negotiated by Governor Christine O. Gregoire (D-WA).

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     Primary Focus: Democratic Senate candidate Vernon A. Jones (D-GA) accused his run-off primary opponent Jim Martin (D-GA) of "squandering taxpayer money" with his "incompetent running" of the Georgia Department of Human Resources. Jones claims that the media has given Martin a free rider thus far in the campaign and that he would be highlighting Martin's public record in the weeks heading before Democrats return to the polls.

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     Free Publicity: Tickets for the DeKalb County Blues and Jazz Festival, paid for by the county, contained a near-subliminal message promoting the Senate candidacy of DeKalb County CEO Vernon A. Jones (D-GA). In small type the words "VOTE Vernon Jones for GA Senate" were printed. The county-hired printer of the event's ticket admitted to inserting the political advertisement. A company spokesperson said that they were not aware that the county is forbidden to endorse a candidate.

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     I'm Not Talking to You: Democratic Senate candidate Al Franken (DFL-MN) has declined a challenge from primary opponent Priscilla Lord Faris (DFL-MN) to a series of three debates.

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     Whose the Boss: U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) has scuttled plans for a Bruce Springsteen concert fundraiser after it was revealed that the Democratic incumbent requested 40 premium seats from the politically connected ticket agent. His campaign was hoping to resell the $108 tickets to deep pocketed Democratic donors for $1,500 each. While the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority routinely sets aside tickets that it sells at face value to VIPS. But officials grew concerned that permitting a candidate to dramatically mark up tickets to fill a political war chest would be unprecedented.

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     Special Invitation: U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) turned down an invitation from the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters to debate Democratic Senate nominee Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) at their state convention. However, Dole still talked to the broadcaster because she also was invited to be the keynote speaker at the convention.

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     Alternative Candidate News - Off the Ballot and In Trouble: Democratic Senate candidate Vernon De Chastigne Craig (D-RI) is facing allegations charges for forging signatures on his nominating petitions. Canvassers thought some of the signatures of his papers looked similar. They called some of the people to their offer and they confirmed that the signatures were not theirs. Craig was removed from the ballot when clerks disallowed almost 2000 signatures.

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     California Gold: Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is spending more than $2 million to reserve television ad air time in California's 4th and 11th Congressional District. The committee is spending a combined $2.03 million to help Democratic incumbent Jerry McNerney (D-CA) and Democratic nominee Charles D. "Charlie" Brown (D-CA).

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     The Profiles: The Rocky Mountain News profiles the three Democratic candidates in Colorado's 2nd Congressional District. Jared Polis (D-CO) is the billionaire with the populist appeal; Joan Fitz-Gerald (D-CO) the experienced legislator who has learned to live under siege; and Will Shafroth (D-CO) the outsider who comes from a family of political insiders.

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     Nuances: Will Armstrong (R-CO), Mike Coffman (R-CO), Steve Ward (R-CO) and Ted Harvey (R-CO), the four Republicans seeking their party's nomination in Colorado's 6th Congressional District, are finding it hard to distinguish themselves on issues. Each share similar positions on Iraq, borders protection and domestic oil drilling. Only nuance differences seperate the candidates.

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     Commingle: Florida AFL-CIO President Fred Frost claims that Miami's three Cuban-American members of Congress - Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), participated in an illegal joint fundraising event.

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     Skip the Primary: U.S. Representative Tom Feeney (R-FL) and former state Representative Suzanne M. Kosmas (R-FL) are ignoring their perspective primary opponents and have begun concentrating on the general election where the two are expected to engage in a high profile contest for Florida's 24th Congressional District seat.

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     Head Liner: President George W. Bush (R-TX) headlined a fundraiser for retired Air Force Major General Richard N. "Rick" Goddard (R-GA), the Republican nominee in Georgia's 8th Congressional District against U.S. Representative James "Jim" Marshall (D-GA).

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     Professional Candidate: U.S. Representative Mark S. Kirk (R-IL) says that his Democratic opponent Daniel J. "Dan" Seals (D-IL) should "get a job and stop living off his donors." Near the end of the 2006 campaign Seals gave himself $25,000 out of his campaign donor funds, an act that is legal but politically discouraged. His financial disclosure forms indicated that he earned only $3,300 through the first quarter of this year. Seals campaign claims that Kirk is resorting to demeaning and untruthful smears to distract from real issues.

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     Every Incumbent For Herself: In any given year, U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL) should be a sure bet for re-election. But this election cycle Democrats hope that the national mode will help lift businessman Scott Harper (D-IL) over the threshold. Biggert might soon regret giving in to national Republicans' pressure and not retiring.

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     Young Turk: U.S. Representative Mark E. Souder (R-IN) freely admits that he is facing his toughest re-election ever. Souder faces a young attorney Michael A. "Mike" Montagano (D-IN) who was able to out raise Souder by $50,000 in the second quarter of the year.

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     GOP Direction: After more than a year of anticipation, the competitive primary between former U.S. Representative Jim R. Ryun (R-KS) and state Treasurer Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) has finally begun to employ some the more entertaining campaign tactics that were expected for a long time. At stake is more than the Republican nomination and the right to challenge freshman U.S. Representative Nancy Boyda (D-KS) in the general election. The future direction of the Kansas Republican Party is being charted. Ryun represents the social conservative wing of the party. He opposes abortion and has the support of many evangelicals which have dominated the party for several years. Jenkins comes from the party's more moderate wing and supports abortion rights. There are some agreements nonetheless. Both support making President Bush's tax cuts permanent. Both want to eliminate the estate tax and both want more aggressive enforcement of the nation's immigration laws. What will be decided is the emphasis the party will place the Cultural War.

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     Minor Role: Richard Monroe (D-MO) and L. Gregory Gloeckner (D-MO) are competing for the Democratic nomination in Missouri's 7th Congressional District. The seat is currently occupied by U.S. Representative Roy Blunt (R-MO), the father of Governor Matt Blunt (R-MO) and the Whip of the GOP House caucus. In most years, neither would be given any chance of defeating such a power and entrenched incumbent. But Monroe and Gloeckner hope that a tidal wave like what happened in 2006 could help propel the right candidate into office. Monroe says he offers an independent voice for the district, while Gloeckner is marketing himself as a "Blue Dog Democrat" and admits that some Democratic Party activists have called him a "Republican wannabe."

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     Ethically Challenged: Republican congressional candidate Alexander F. "Sandy" Treadwell (R-NY) is challenging the nominating petitions of his primary opponents Michael R. Rocque (R-NY) and John Wallace (R-NY). Rocque complained that the action, while perfectly legal, is unethical. "This is a rich guy using legal might and money to make the decision about who is on the ballot instead of the voters," said the former Army special forces member. Wallace filed only 1,331 signatures, 81 more than the 1250 needed to qualify for the ballot.

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     Upstaged: Democratic James Tomasik (D-TN) and Randy G. Morris (D-TN) are engaged in a little noticed contest for their party's nomination in the staunchly Republican Tennessee 7th District, upstaged by the GOP primary between U.S. Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) or form state Senator Tom Leatherwood (R-TN). Tomasik says a "redneck iron worker" like himself will do better against either Republican. Morris calls energy independence his priority and emphasizes wind and solar power alternatives to conventional sources of energy.

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     GOP Welching: No Republican filed to challenge freshman U.S. Representative Peter Welch (D-VT) in Vermont's At-Large Congressional District. Although the party has the opportunity to produce a write-in candidate for the primary, the likelihood of a strong challenger appearing is slim. According to the GOP party's executive director, several potential candidates declined to run because of the financial commitment needed to defeat the incumbent.

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     Poll Updates: Updated poll information has been posted. New polls were posted in the following contests: Florida Presidential, Kentucky 3rd District, Colorado Presidential, Colorado Senate, New Hampshire Presidential, New Hampshire Governor, New Hampshire Senate, North Carolina Presidential (Corrected), North Carolina Senate (Corrected), Ohio Presidential, and National Presidential polls.

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Barack Obama

     Ahead of Himself: Presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee Barack H. Obama (D-IL) scored a major coup while during his visit to Afghanistan and Iraq when foreign leaders mouthed the Junior Senator's position on foreign policy. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki told a German magazine that he endorsed Obama's plan to withdraw most U.S. troops in sixteen months. With even Bush administration is now talking about a time "horizon" for withdrawal of American troops, Republican nominee John S. McCain, III (R-AZ) is increasingly isolated in his refusal to consider a date for withdrawal.

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Alan Keyes

     Alternative Party News - Fourth Time the Charm: Independent Presidential candidate Alan L. Keyes (I-MD) has created a new campaign committee for his general election campaign. Keyes, who lost bids for the Republican and Constitution parties' presidential nominations before winning California's American Independent Party nomination in a contested convention, is now running as the America's Independent Party candidate.

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     Expanding the Base: Libertarian Presidential nominee Bob Barr (L-GA), who as a member of Congress had a reputation as a conservative, showed up at the Netroots Nation, a meeting of progressive bloggers.

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     Just a Reminder: Health care has fallen behind the economy and Iraqi War in the minds of the voters. Nonetheless, expected to see Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jeremiah W. "Jay" Nixon (D-MO) to reminder voters that both U.S. Representative Kenny C. Hulshof (R-MO) and state Treasurer Sarah Steelman (R-MO), the leading candidates for the GOP nomination, have defended Governor Matt Blunt's (R-MO) Medicaid cuts as necessary to balance the budget and both generally have embraced his Insure Missouri proposal.

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     Heroes and Villains: Both Democrat Beverly M. "Bev" Perdue (D-NC) and Republican Patrick L. "Pat" McCrory (R-NC) characterized their gubernatorial campaigns the champion of open government and the enemy of the status quo.

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     Alternative Party News - Three is Enough: A planned gubernatorial debate between Republican incumbent James H. "Jim" Douglas (R-VT), Democratic nominee Gaye Symington (D-VT) and Progressive Party nominee Anthony Pollina (Pr-VT) was briefly interrupted when Liberty Union Party candidate Peter Diamondstone (LU-VT) showed up uninvited and refused to leave. The perennial socialist candidate had to be forcibly ejected by a state trooper.
     Hoping to build a broader coalition of supporters, Pollina has asked decided to run as an independent in the general election. He said he is not abandoning the Progressive Party. "It’s going to take a different kind of coalition to make the kind of change we need," he said.

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     The Rest of the Field: While former Knox County Clerk W. Mike Padgett (D-TN) and former state party chair Robert D. "Bob" Tuke (D-TN) are generally considered the frontrunners for the Democratic Senate nomination in Tennessee, real estate investor Kenneth Eaton (D-TN) has been making waives after donation $275,000 to his campaign. Meanwhile Republican incumbent Lamar Alexander (R-TN), who has no primary opponent, has general stayed out of the way while the seven Democrats tear into each other.

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     Same Lines Across the Country: In Five-Star congressional contests across the nation, Democratic and Republican congressional candidates have been debating solutions to the ever increasing cost of gasoline. Republicans general respond by calling for expanded domestic oil drilling, including exploration in environmentally sensitive areas currently protected under federal law. Democrats respond by calling for federal funding for alternative fuels and calls for energy conservation measures.

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     Specter of Genocide: During a forum with Democrats Diane E. Benson (D-AK) and Ethan Berkowitz (D-AK), U.S. Representative Donald E. "Don" Young (R-AK) declared that the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq "would mean genocide."

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     Now That I Have Your Support: After suspending his congressional campaign last week declaring that party activists weren't supporting core Republican principles, Republican nominee Carl Mumpower (R-NC) reactivated his campaign against U.S. Representative J. Heath Shuler (R-NC) after local party leaders reaffirmed in writing that they share his core values.

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     Vote for the Hypocrite: Despite revelations that he paid for a woman's abortion while claiming to be Pro-Life, Republican congressional nominee Mike Erickson (R-OR) is refusing to drop out of the contest, leading several prominent state Republicans to announce the open seat contest in Oregon's 5th Congressional District a lost cause.

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     Arrested Development: Protested interrupted a fundraiser for Republican U.S. Representative Thelma D. Drake (R-VA) calling for the arrest of Karl Rove who was the featured speaker.

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     Newly Found Target: After several election cycles in which they gave U.S. Representative Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) a pass, Democrats are pouring money in the campaign of Anne Barth (D-WV) in West Virginia's 2nd Congressional District.

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     Florida Fails To Follow Its Own Law: Florida's election law has a provision for the manual recount of ballots in close elections. But according to Florida Secretary of State Kurt Browning (R-FL), "There is no such a thing as a manual recount in Florida." The legislature failed to authorize funds for full manual recounts of all ballots in close elections. Instead, canvassing boards in each of Florida's counties have been instructed to manually count only the ballots that were untabulated by machine.

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     Poll Updates: Updated poll information has been posted. New polls were posted in the following contests: Alaska Presidential, Alaska Senate, Arizona 8th District, Georgia Presidential, Georgia Senate, Michigan Presidential, Michigan Senate, New Hampshire Presidential, North Carolina Presidential, North Carolina Senate, Ohio Presidential, and National Presidential polls.

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     What is to the Left of Socialism: Presumptive Republican Presidential nominee John S. McCain, III (R-AZ) said that his Democratic rival Barack H. Obama (D-IL) has the "most extreme" record in the Senate. "His voting record … is more to the left than the announced socialist in the United States Senate, Bernard "Bernie" Sanders of Vermont."

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     Alternative Party News - Becoming A Little More Mainstream: The Workers World Party had decided not to run their own presidential ticket this year and have instead endorsed the Green Party candidacy of former U.S. Representative Cynthia McKinney (G-CA). The Marxist party nominated John Parker (WW) in 2004 who appeared on only three state ballots and garnered a total of 1,597 votes nationwide. In 1992 the party nominated Gloria E. LaRiva (PSL-CA) who is the presidential nominee of the newly formed Party for Socialism and Liberation. During its three-decades running presidential candidates, its best showing was in 1996 when it was on the ballot 14 states and received 29,083 votes.

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     Alternative Party News - Libertarian Victory: A federal judge has ruled that Libertarian Presidential nominee former U.S. Representative Bob Barr (L-GA) and two other Libertarian candidates should be allowed to appear on the general election ballot in Ohio.

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     The Switches: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jeremiah W. "Jay" Nixon (D-MO) accused Republican candidate Kenny C. Hulshof (R-MO) of "the type of Washington double-talk that everyone is sick of" after the U.S. Representative voted against legislation that would postpone cuts in Medicare payments to doctors and later switched his vote.

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     All Better Now: U.S. Senator C. Patrick "Pat" Roberts has modified his latest campaign commercials after Democrats pointed out that the Republican's ad failed to comply with the federal "Stand by Your Ad" requirements.

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     Questioning Patriotism: Republican Senate nominee Steven K. Sauerberg (R-IL) says that voters should question the patriotism of the U.S. Senator Richard J. "Dick" Durbin (D-IL). "I think he's an ultra liberal. Whether he hates his own country, I cannot determine for the gentleman."

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     Alternative Candidate News - An Appeal: The Maine Democratic Party announced that it will appeal a court's decision validating the U.S. Senate candidacy of independent Herbert J. Hoffman (I-ME).

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     Gubernatorial Records: Republican James S. "Jim" Gilmore III (R-VA) and Democrat Mark R. Warner (D-VA) clashed over energy policy and their respective records as governor in the first debate of their U.S. Senate race.

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     Exaggeration: Republican congressional candidate Sydney Ann Hay (R-AZ) claimed in an email to supporters that she raised $100,000 at a fundraiser at the restored home of Barry Goldwater (R-AZ). But financial disclosure filed by Hay claim that she raised only $95,000 for the entire quarter.

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     Beating the Bush: President George W. Bush (R-TX) might be extremely unpopular with the general public, but he is still popular among the activist Republicans. Bush has raised more than $70 million for the GOP including private fundraisers for congressional candidates Timothy S. Bee (R-AZ) and Pete Olson (R-TX).

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     More Experience: Democratic congressional candidate Karen M. Hartley-Nagle (D-DE) is looking for a new communications director after deciding that her current director, 16-year-old Mat Marshall, didn't have enough experience. In a news release to national media in March, Hartley-Nagle trumpeted her appointment of then-16-year-old Mat Marshall, calling him during an interview a "gifted child" who "has experience and wisdom far beyond his years." She believed he was up to the task because of his in-depth research. Marshall has already found a new position as an intern for state Treasurer Jack Markell's (D-DE) gubernatorial campaign, focusing on voter outreach and helping the media team.

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     Door-to-Door: U.S. Representative Timothy Mahoney's (D-FL) opponents are mocking the Democrat's decision to pay supporters $10 to canvass door-to-door.

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     That's Special: Six Republicans filed to fill the ballot vacancy in Indiana's 7th Congressional District where state Representative Jon Elrod (R-IN), the nominee in the March special election, decided to forgo a rematch against U.S. Representative André D. Carson and instead seek reelection. Social worker Gabrielle Campo (R-IN) defeated former Indianapolis City County Councillors Ray Irvin (R-IN), insurance claim adjuster Patrick O'Connor (R-IN), Michael Simpson (R-IN), Jason Turnbill (R-IN) and Kevin Green (R-IN) for the nomination.

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     Cart Before the Horseplay: Democratic congressional nominee James Bordonaro (D-KS) thinks U.S. Representative Jerry Moran (R-KS) is getting ahead of himself by considering a campaign for the U.S. Senate in 2010. "It sounds like he's putting his cart before the horse, counting chickens or some other mixed metaphors," says Bordonaro.

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     Alternative Party News - Who Wants the Publicity: Kentucky Libertarians supposedly have a candidate planning to run in the 3rd Congressional District, but he doesn't want his name disclosed until his official announcement. State party chair Ken Moellman said the candidate has secured the requisite 400 signatures to gain ballot access in the district and will announce his candidacy via a press release soon.

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     Maryland Shore: Without a statewide election this year, the open seat congressional election in Maryland's 1st Congressional District between Andrew P. Harris (R-MD) and Frank M. Kratovil Jr. (D-MD) is receiving considering attention.

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     Sin's of the Son: It is hard to say whether or not U.S. Representative Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-MI) would be facing a primary battle if her son, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick (D-MI), was embroiled in political scandal. But her familiar problems prompted to seasoned Democrats, state Senator Martha G. Scott (D-MI) and former state Representative Mary Waters (D-MI). In response House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and three of the most powerful African-American members of the House will stump for Kilpatrick before the August primary.

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     You're Hired: A couple days after former Democratic congressional candidate Richard E. Carter (D-NE) endorsed U.S. Representative Lee Terry (R-NE), the professor has been hired by the Republican's campaign as a senior economic adviser.

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     Twelve Step Program: Republican congressional candidate John A. Stephen (R-NH) has proposed a 12-step "small business survival plan" which includes making Bush tax cuts permanent, eliminating the alternative minimal tax, and eventually getting rid of the capital gains and estate taxes. He also is proposing eliminating healthcare mandates and having healthcare follow the employee, not the employer.

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     Infighting: Republican congressional candidate Lee Zeldin says that the Republican party in Suffolk County New York has "no press operation, no party website, and not enough fundraising to support candidates." Zeldin has called on party chair Harry Withers to step down "immediately."

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     For Public Good: Democratic congressional candidates Daniel B. "Dan" Maffei (D-NY), Jonathan P. Powers (D-NY) and Eric J. Massa (D-NY) pledged that if elected they would work to increase the call for careers in public service.

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     Alternative Party News - Party Payoff: Democratic congressional candidate Jack R. Davis, Jr. (D-NY) has paid $5,000 each to the wives of the two men who will determine the Independence Party nomination in New York's 26th Congressional District. The party nominated attorney Anthony L. Fumerelle (Ind-NY), but Fumerelle could end up holding the line until September, when he could receive teh party's nomination for state Supreme Court and be replaced with a major party candidate. Davis admits that he paid the women but said it was legitimate consultant fees.

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     Poll Updates: Updated poll information has been posted. New polls were posted in the following contests: National Presidential polls.

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Ted Weill

Frank McEnulty