Speculating on a Lovely Friday Morning

Minnesota: Norm Coleman really disgusts me. A lot. Smilin' Norm predicts to the Mankato Free Press that we should begin to see a troop drawdown in 2008. In plenty of time for Election Day, I'm sure. Then, Coleman has the gall to say, "I think we should set clearer benchmarks." Hmmm... when could Coleman have pushed, via Senate legislation (y'know, he is a Senator, after all), for troop drawdown in 2008 and for clearer benchmarks? When could he have made that statement? Oh, yeah! That's right. And he voted instead for unlimited Iraq War and consistent Bush enabling. Once the election really heats up in Minnesota, voters will be offered plenty of spotlight for Coleman's real record.

Alabama: Doc's Political Parlor sees Commissioner Ron Sparks making the rounds of somebody preparing for a Senate campaign. (HT: Birmingham Blues)

Colorado: Colorado Pols sees conservative former Rep. Bob Schaffer staffing up for the Senate campaign that he may or may not have already announced. A CP commenter reminds us that consultant Shari Williams "ran the Beauprez campaign into the ground and divided the third cd with Walcher, who lost in the general." Great record.

Nebraska: The UNO Dems look at former Senator Bob Kerrey's fundraiser headlining as a potential signal that he might be more than just 1% inclined toward a Senate bid. Meanwhile, New Nebraska Network's Ryan Anderson is warming to the Mayor Mike Fahey train.

North Carolina: You'd think a former head of the American Red Cross would be good on health care issues. Not Elizabeth Dole.

Alaska: Ted Stevens says that he'd retire if his good friend Daniel Inouye retired. Otherwise, expect him to make good on his threat and run again.

Another indicator that the Republican fundraising machine may be losing some steam, from an article entitled "GOP gala takes in smallest amount in years" [emphasis added by me]:

President Bush helped raise $10.5 million for the national Republican Party at its annual gala on Thursday night, the smallest take in years for the event that came only months after the GOP lost control of both houses of Congress.

The Republican National Committee's spring fundraising gala hosted by the president raised $17 million last year, $15 million in 2005 and $14 million in 2003. When Bush was seeking re-election to the White House in 2004, the dinner brought in a record $38.5 million.

For a Party whose electoral strengths in recent years have been based primarily on two things, fear and fundraising, it's probably not a great indicator for them to see a significant drop in take for one of their top annual fundraising events.