November 14, 2006

11/14: "The Harriet Miers Of RNC Chairs"

It's notoriously hard to measure the effect bloggers have on events in DC. While the netroots receive no arguments when claiming they defeated Sen. Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) in 8/06, it's less clear (outside of Dan Rather) how many scalps righty bloggers can claim. They played roles in Sen. Trent Lott's (R-MS) exit from leadership as well as the withdrawal of WH counsel Harriet Miers nomination to SCOTUS. The frosty reception for Sen. Mel Martinez's (R-FL) RNC chair nomination has set up another Blogger vs. Beltway battle. Can the blogging base of the GOP send the WH another message?

RNC: Kos To Lead "Martinez For Chairman" Campaign

Sen. Mel Martinez's nomination to RNC chair is sparking outrage in the righty blogosphere. RedState's Thomas claims "a lobotomized sea lion" could do a better job, but the line most picked up throughout the right 'sphere belonged to RedState commenter spainishirish who described Martinez as "The Harriet Miers of RNC chairs."

Both Hot Air and RedState have polls up showing readers overwhelmingly against the Martinez nomination. Other negative righty reax include:

• Right Angle Blog's Robert Bluey writes: "GOP Overtly Panders to Hispanics"
• Right Wing News reports: "I talked to more than a half dozen bloggers and congressional aides tonight about the selection of Martinez and there was not one soul who was the slightest bit enthusiastic about his selection."
• National Review Online's Kathryn Jean Lopez shares: "The reaction I've heard most often today in response to? "I don't get it."
• Michelle Malkin reminds readers of Martinez's position on immigration and pleads with GOP state chairman to reject the nomination in Jan.

Even DailyKos' founder Markos Moulitsas chimes in: "This is good for us. ... Republicans think this will make Latinos -- the widest-swinging swing voters today -- more receptive to the GOP. But given he's Cuban, there's a wide culture gap between them and most other Latinos. We're not culturally homogenous. And politically, Cubans have more in common with Vietnamese immigrants than they do other Latino groups."

DEM LEADERSHIP: Pelosi's Power Play

The netroots are generally impressed with putative Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-CA) increasingly forceful support of Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) for majority leader. Talking Points Memo's Josh Marshall describes Pelosi's intent to "ensure" Murtha's victory as "a really bold power-play on a number of levels." Marshall continues: "She's staked her authority and credibility on a Murtha victory. And since she represents the caucus, to a degree she's putting the caucus's authority and credibility on the line too, just after the Dems have taken power in the House for the first time in a dozen years."

TPM reader PJ was also impressed: "What I really like about Pelosi's move is that it suggests that she intends to be an aggressive, kickass leader. My biggest fear is that we could have a "business-as-usual" Democratic Congress. Her out-front position on Murtha gives me reason to think that she means business and has big legislative ambitions." Retuning from DC, Arianna Huffington reports the majority leader race "is anything but wrapped up" and shares this "best summation of why Dems should vote for Jack Murtha" from Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA): "The president's worst nightmare is to have to sit at breakfast with Jack Murtha...Jack will be a real leader."

Murtha himself takes to The Huffington Post posting his "Dear Colleague" letter announcing "the endorsement of Speaker-elect Pelosi." A completely unscientific reading HuffPo comments to Murtha's letter shows 99% of them to endorse his run for majority leader with the minority often sounding like this: "There's no denying that Murtha's brave stance on the war deserves credit. However, when it comes to deciding who will occupy a position like this, it's important to look at the individual's broad spectrum of positions."

Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) posts her support for Murtha at The Huffington Post writing: "That Jack and I don't see eye to eye on these two issues simply is irrelevant to the majority leader position. ... What we have in Jack Murtha is someone courageous enough to speak out on Iraq when others were afraid to do so. ... I hope that netroots can help make his election a reality by letting your representatives know that this matters to you. The 2006 elections are not quite over!" Also at HuffPoFlavia Colgan argues Murtha's "authenticity" makes him the better choice over "ultimate DC-insider" Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD).

TAPPED's contributors are split on the race with Blake Hounshellarguing Murtha "has done a lot for a struggling district, but he represents an old-school, local party boss kind of patronage politician that we need to move beyond." TAPPED's Ezra Klein and Sam Rosenfeld both support Murtha, but more as a way to support Pelosi than actual love for Murtha: "Given that, this particular contest comes down to how powerful you think Speaker Pelosi should be. In essence, a vote for Murtha is a vote for Pelosi. A vote for Hoyer is a vote against her. And I've few concerns about Pelosi's liberalism."

The Plank, however, has even fewer positive things to say about Murtha. Michael Crowley notes that Murtha is no slouch when it comes to "K Street fundraising prowess" and Bradford Plumer looks at recent Murtha quotes on Iran ("The big problem in the Middle East is Iran," Murtha said. "We went to the wrong place.") and reminds readers that Murtha "has always planted both feet firmly in hawk territory, consistently voting yes on war and yes on outsized Pentagon budgets."

Sometime 11/4, Talking Points Memo will be putting the best reader email questions to Hoyer.

GOP LEADERSHIP: Is This Race Ohio State Vs. Notre Dame, Or Ohio State Vs. Ball State?

National Review Online's Jonathan Martin reports "the contest for Min Leader isn't much of a contest at all." Martin's "multiple GOP sources ... acknowledge that there is a hunger for change ... but but they say RSC Chair/Rep. Mike Pence (IN) is not a popular alternative." Martin fingers three key Rep. John Boehner (OH) allies, including Reps. Pat Tiberi (OH), Mike Rogers (MI), and Dave Reichert (WA) and notes: "Boehner is devoting his time to member contacts, not media appearances."

Martin further reports that Rep. Jeb Hensarling (TX) is running Pence's campaign with help from Reps. Jeff Flake (AZ), Scott Garrett (NJ), and Trent Franks (AZ). Asked why Pence is not sharing their commitments list, a Pence source says: "Because we saw how well that worked out for Roy Blunt." Martin explains: "Blunt, the current Whip, went in to the Maj Leader race in January claiming the necessary votes, only to fall just short on the first ballot before losing the run-off."

Human Events Online is also closely following the leadership race and Right Angle Blog's Matt Lewis celebrates HEO Pence endorsement over NRO's support for Boehner: "The difference of opinion isn't especially noteworthy. What is noteworthy is that Human Events called out National Review for their endorsement. ... But here's why I'm excited about this whole thing. See, the best thing that ever happened to the New York Yankees was the Boston Red Sox (and vice versa). Competition is healthy (as any conservative will tell you). So I'm laying down the gauntlet. One can only hope this degenerates into a West Coast versus East Coast, um, NYC vs. DC thing..."

Captain's Quarters officially endorses Pence and Rep. John Shadegg (AZ) in their races explaining, "Republicans have to make some changes in order to rebuild trust with the American electorate." At Townhall, Mary Katharine Ham has audio and highlights from Rep. Roy Blunt's (MO) chilly blogger reception including this question from Right Angle's Robert Bluey: "You voted for Medicare, NCLB, farm bill, and voted against Rep. Flake's anti-earmark amendments? How could any conservative support you on that record?" Blunt replied: "Well, a lot of conservatives ended up being for those measures. ... Overall scoring on votes, day-in and day-out, I'm one of the more conservative Members. I think you have to look at the overall record."

In other House leadership races RedState barely chooses Rep. Jack Kingston (GA) over Rep. Marsha Blackburn (TN) for conference chair, but make it clear they would rather have either over Rep. Adam Putnam (FL). Right Angle Blog links to a pro-Kingston YouTube.

On the Senate side, RedState and National Review Online's Kathryn Jean Lopez endorse Sen. Jeff Sessions (AL) over Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson (TX) for Senate Republican Policy Committee Chair.

GIULIANI: Looking Better Post 11/7?

Despite downplaying his decision to file documents necessary to explore a possible '08 run, right bloggers have plenty to say about a possible ex-NY mayor Rudy Giuliani run. RedState reader reactions were mostly positive, but strong feelings against were not hard to find:

• Swamp yankee: "I don't know why Rudy polls so high. I don't think people really know him. He's pro-choice, pro-gun control, pro gay marriage. He had a bad divorce that derailed his Senate bid. I think people are still smitten with his whole 9/11 thing. He's bad for the party. McCain and Romney are better candidates. This is a total waste of time."
• Hoyasaxa: "He's someone who is willing to take the fight to Islamofascists overseas, cut taxes and spending at home, and not stick his finger in the eye of Republicans just so the media will love him. Plus, he will put all sorts of states in play, which will make the election interesting, and the possibility of a landslide available, which would be key in bringing back a GOP House and Senate."
• OldLineGOP: "If Guiliani opposes Amnesty, he'll win. It will put him to the right of McCain in the GOP primary, and he'll still be moderate enough on other issues to win the general election. I'm an NRA member, but I'd tolerate another Clinton Gun Ban if it meant no amnesty, and no John McCain."

Right Angle Blog's Ross Billings notes Giuliani's strength against Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) in past polling and Outside The Beltway describes Giuliani as "the most interesting of the major contenders and the one that offers the best hope toward ending the virtual 50-50 divide that we've been trapped in the last couple of presidential cycles."

MCCAIN: No Wingnuts Here

Just in case you had forgotten how RedStaters feel about Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Machiavel breaks down the '08 field with a strong focus on why McCain must be defeated: "As for John McCain, there is only one possible answer, and that is 'No.' And I'm not an hysterical, unhinged wingnut. I'm for comprehensive immigration reform of the Pence-Hutchinson variety. I do think we should have gone after independents this year (we just needed the base in tow first). But I'm not the only mainstream conservative who shall fight on the beaches, fight on the landing grounds, fight in the fields and in the streets, fight in the hills, and never surrender in the face of an attempted McCain takeover of a party that was once the best vehicle for advancing conservative ideals, and can be again."

CLINTON: A Living, Breathing Wedge Issue

The Huffington Post's Earl Ofari Hutchinson describes Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) as "a living, breathing wedge issue" that is "made-in-heaven balm" for "top cat Republicans licking their wounds over their midterm debacle." Hutchinson claims: "With Hillary as the Democratic presidential standard bearer, the Democrats could be 170 electoral votes in the hole before the first vote is cast."

OBAMA: Better Than Bill

Firedoglake's Jane Hamsher claims the bloom is off Sen. Barack Obama's (D-IL) rose after reading Chicago Sun Timesreports on a questionable real estate deal connected to Obama's book: "I don't know about you, but I did not work my ass off just so a new set of Democratic crooks can set up residence across from the old GOP K-Street crooks."

The Plank's Michael Crowley still has only good things to pass on: "I'm told by someone who watched that he delivered another great speech today--this time at the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial groundbreaking ceremony. My trustworthy witness, who has no agenda, says Obama was better than Bill Clinton, even."

LANDSCAPE: The Cards Won In '46 Too

The blogosphere continues to be divided along mostly predictable lines on the lasting impact of 11/7. RedState's Horaceox argues '06 is more likely to resemble the GOP's 1946 congressional takeover than their 1994 effort and predicts they will "take back the 15-or-so seats they need in 2008." Along similar lines, Tim Chapman notes 10 of 13 GOP freshman "will join the conservative RSC" and "The Blue Dog democratic coalition has increased from 38 members to 44."

TPM Cafe's M.J. Rosenberg calls any message that the "The Dems Didn't Win, The GOP Lost" a "Big Lie" and writes: "Our mandate is no different than every other massive shift in American politics throughout our history. I can think of no watershed election that was positive rather than negative." The Washington Monthly's Kevin Drum, however, looks at NOMINATE data on ideological sorting and comes to the opposite conclusion: "This is just one piece of raw data to noodle over, but I think it supports the notion that this election represented a broad-based revulsion against the war and the Republican Party, not any kind of serious ideological realignment. That's too bad, but I guess I'll take what I can get." MyDD's Matt Stoller also looks at data (comparing '04 Kerry numbers to Senate candidate '06 totals) and finds: " At the top are Jon Tester, Bob Casey, and Sherrod Brown - all three of whom are economic populists. ... All of this lends weight to the economically populist model for Democrats."

There is also plenty of disagreement over the impact of immigration on the '06 results. Talking Points Memo's Josh Marshall argues GOP "immigrant bashing" hurt them "a lot" at the polls while Power Line's Paul Mirengoff looks at specific races and claims the issue helped Peter Roskam (R) in IL-06, and Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-CA), and Michelle Bachman (R) in MN-06. Right Wing News uses "hard core anti-illegal immigration website" NumbersUSA to show "18.8% of the Republican members in Congress that were tough on illegal immigration (had an A or B grade) lost while 40.9% of the members in Congress who were soft on illegal immigration (C or below) lost their elections."

THOUGHT OF THE DAY: Sharing Is Good

Reacting to a Chicago Sun Timesstory on how DCCC chair Rahm Eamanuel "helped end an era of Republican rule" by "remaking the Democratic Party in his own image" MyDD's Chris Bowers laments all post-election media anointations of "one man behind the curtain or another ... as the primary cause of the change in power." Bowers pleads with beltway dems: "Just thank everyone, and say everyone's efforts are appreciated and valued. Stop hogging all the credit. If you don't want an ornery base, then don't act ornery to the base. We helped you in this election. You didn't do it alone, no matter what you think."

LEST WE FORGET: This Is Your Euro. This Is Your Euro On Drugs. Any Questions?

Captain's Quarters alerts readers to a Der Spiegelstory on the increasing disintegration of Euro notes. Apparently Euro's fall apart after coming into contact with human perspiration and certain sulfuric salts. Where are the extra chemicals coming from: "But where did the sulfuric acid come from? In a recent twist, chemists are now speculating that it may have come from an impure batch of the synthetic drug crystal methamphetamine, also known as "crystal meth."

Posted by Conn Carroll at November 14, 2006 12:25 PM