Fear and Loathing in the Senate

Some late-night reading for you:

Dick Cheney calls criticism of the Bush administration's handling of Iraq "hogwash." If he could attend campaign events for John Sununu, Gordon Smith, Norm Coleman, and Susan Collins and repeat that over and over again, I'd really appreciate it.

Virginia: Political Wire recaps ENPR's reporting of a scheme by conservative Virginians to undermine John Warner's electoral intentions. I guess honor among thieves isn't very high in the VA-GOP nowadays.

Voting to support a filibuster against increasing the minimum wage: Alexander (R-TN), Allard (R-CO), Chambliss (R-GA), Cochran (R-MS), Cornyn (R-TX), Craig (R-ID), Dole (R-NC), Domenici (R-NM), Enzi (R-WY), Graham (R-SC), Hagel (R-NE), Inhofe (R-OK), McConnell (R-KY), Roberts (R-KS), Sessions (R-AL), Smith (R-OR), Stevens (R-AK), Sununu (R-NH). Hat tip: Daily Kos. I suppose Gordon Smith and John Sununu are looking for more obstacles to re-election.

Libby Dole's successor as NRSC Chair, John Ensign, is urging GOP Senators to contribute more for 2008 than they did for 2006. These Republicans would rather sacrifice their majority than pony up some of their cash - and there are more of them up for re-election in 2008 than there were in 2006. Expect the NRSC to fall short of their goals and, wait for it, lose a few more Senate seats.

Meanwhile, the phenomenally successful DSCC Chair, Chuck Schumer, has a new book, Positively American. Courtesy of MSNBC, here is an excerpt.