Free Republic

Maybe, finally, the grating arrogance of Babs Boxer is getting on Californians’ nerves. Top of the Ticket reports: For the second straight month the three-term senator is unable to break the 50% mark against any potential Republican opponents, the historical measuring mark of vulnerability for an incumbent nine months before an election. For a Democrat in a Democrat state that gave Barack Obama 61% of its votes in 2008 (and still likes him more than many other places) to be mired in the mid-40’s is a sign of real trouble. This is especially so given the fact that disgruntled voters...

Since Monday afternoon, hundreds of Boxer supporters have already joined our contest for a pair of tickets to a special lunch event with Vice President Al Gore and Senator Barbara Boxer in Los Angeles this Saturday, February 13. But there’s still time to put your name in the hat too. You don’t want to miss this chance to meet two of the greatest fighters for our families, our environment, and our future. Contribute $10 or more before 5 p.m. PT today — and you’ll automatically be entered in our contest to join Al Gore and Barbara Boxer on Saturday! We’re...

Fueled by a deep mistrust of the federal government and Tea Party fervor, a House committee approved a bill Tuesday aimed at enabling Utah to opt out of national health-reform efforts. .... Mike Lee, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, said the legislation empowers the states to decide who should enact health reform, rather than letting the federal government "commandeer" the Legislature's authority. "The state is a sovereign. It's not the lapdog of the federal government," Lee said, an attorney, who said he believes such a law would withstand legal challenge.

In 2000, Senator John McCain asked me to campaign on his behalf for president. I was honored to do so. I remember traveling to South Carolina to act as a one-man truth squad and doing countless television interviews for John. It was a tremendous experience and, as we all know, John came up short. But as always, he fought hard for what he thought was right. But the John McCain I supported for president in 2000 is not the same John McCain I’ve watched frustrate conservatives time and again as our senator. He still fights hard, all right, but too...

Rep. John Boozman (R-Ark.) is informing his soon-to-be opponents that he will run for Senate, according to an Arkansas source.

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U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar will not enter the race for Colorado governor and will endorse Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper for the post. Salazar made the decision after talking with his family and advisors. He intends to remain in the cabinet of President Barack Obama, who had previously indicated to Salazar that he would not object to a decision to run for governor.

Four Republican opponents lead Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D) in potential general election matchups, according to a new Rasmussen survey. On top of trailing each Republican by at least 8 points and never reaching even 40% support, 55% say they hold an unfavorable opinion of the second-term senator.

Republic National Committee Chairman Michael Steele says Sen. Byron Dorgan's decision not to seek re-election "highlights just how vulnerable both Senate and House Democrats have become" since President Obama took office. Here is Steele's statement, released Tuesday: “Today’s announcement by Senator Byron Dorgan of North Dakota that he will not seek reelection in 2010 highlights just how vulnerable both Senate and House Democrats have become since deciding to walk in lockstep with President Obama’s government-run policies. "For nearly a year Congressional Democrats have been turning a deaf ear to the concerns of the American people and as the elections of...

Oversight: As the Senate votes to de-fund Acorn, add pimping, tax evasion and human trafficking to voter fraud paid for with taxpayer dollars and you have an organized criminal enterprise. It's time to investigate.After Acorn workers were caught on tape in three cities allegedly abetting what they believed was a fraudulent-mortgage and sex-trafficking scheme, the Senate has voted overwhelmingly to strip the group of funding in the Transportation/Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill. The amendment, offered by Nebraska Republican Sen. Mike Johanns, passed by an 83-to-7 margin and marked the third time this year that Republicans have tried to block...

Politics: The senator who called the president a liar and never apologized may have worn out his welcome in his home state. Harry Reid may be riding the liberal agenda into political oblivion.In 2004, Republicans defeated Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle largely on the theme that he neglected his home state in favor of national party interests. The GOP is hoping that in 2010 lightning will strike a second time, and Nevada polls indicate it may be more than wishful thinking. In 1998, Reid beat John Ensign by a hair-thin 428 votes. Ensign would go on to win Nevada's other...

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who left office without much of a Republican bench of viable statewide candidates under him, is hosting a fundraiser for Republican Senate candidate and businessman Curtis Coleman. The $500/person fundraiser is being held on September 21 at Huckabee’s Little Rock home. Coleman, who managed Huckabee’s unsuccessful 1992 Senate campaign, is one of six Republicans to challenge Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.). He drew controversy earlier this year when he suggested people “might as well get visas and shots” when traveling to southeast Arkansas. Coleman’s chief Republican rival for the nomination is state senator Gilbert Baker, who...

If the zingers Democrat Cal Cunnigham was directing at freshman Sen. Richard M. Burr last week are any indication, the former state senator is getting ready to take on the Republican incumbent in 2010. In a videotaped speech to a Democratic gathering in Charlotte now making the Internet rounds, Cunningham hit Burr early and often. "In 15 years on Capitol Hill you can't name one thing that Richard Burr has done to make your life better, and I can't either," he declared, referencing Burr's time as a senator and a congressman. Cunningham, an Iraq War vet, noted, "During the same...

Democratic U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge said Wednesday he is giving some thought to running against Republican Sen. Richard Burr next year. Etheridge, a Lillington Democrat, said he has been courted by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee as a potential candidate. "I'm evaluating it," Etheridge said during a meeting Wednesday with reporters and editors at The News & Observer. Etheridge said he met recently with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and had discussions with family members and a few key supporters. Etheridge said he hoped to make a decision by September. The backing of the DSCC is important because Senate races...

Former Lt. Gov. Dennis Wicker is being courted as a possible Democratic opponent to Republican U.S. Sen. Richard Burr next year. And while he is not committing to anything, he is listening. Wicker, a Sanford resident who practices law in Raleigh, said he has had conversations with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, former Gov. Jim Hunt and others. "I'm still passionate about creating jobs and a higher standard for education and affordable health care," Wicker said. "And I still have those pangs of emotion about being involved in public service. "But I have been focused on my practice and I've...

PPP looked at seven potential challengers to Richard Burr last week and found the incumbent leading them all by varying degrees: -He has an 11 point advantage over Elizabeth Edwards (46-35) and Dan Blue (44-33) -He has a 13 point lead over Richard Moore (47-34) -He has a 16 point edge on Bob Etheridge (47-31) and Heath Shuler (44-28) -He has a 19 point margin over Walter Dalton (48-29) We also tested Cal Cunningham, providing a two sentence biography of him as part of the question to compensate for his low name recognition, and found him trailing by just eight...

Listening to Marco Rubio, one can almost hear what the Gipper would say: “One day a young, well versed, bright son of immigrants, who is every bit as passionate about the words and ideals of our Founding Fathers as Americans were in their time (probably interjecting with one of his typical self-effacing quips: “I know, I was there”) will be president. Let’s just make sure he’s a Republican.” In Marco Rubio, the Gipper would be proud. In Marco Rubio, Ronald Reagan would also find an heir to his legacy in more ways than one. But before I explain how Rubio...

Our poll this month has incumbent US Senator Richard Burr holding onto a slim one point lead over potential Democratic challenger, Attorney General Roy Cooper 35% to 34%. 32% of voters say they are undecided at this point. We also asked favorability ratings of each. Burr has 33% favorable, 18% unfavorable for a net +15 favorability rating. 49.5% of voters either had no opinion or had never heard of Burr. For Cooper, he has 28% favorable, 8% unfavorable for a net of +20. 64% of voters either had no opinion or had never heard of Cooper. So basically, the status...

I recently informed a reporter that I am an "Old School" Republican. She immediately sought clarification regarding the basis of my statement: "Did I envision myself to be a disciple of President Reagan or was I referring to years prior to the 1980's?" she asked. Though I categorically identify with the unifying demeanor and unwavering patriotism of President Reagan, my "Old School" statement readily aligns me with the founding fathers of the Republican Party. Simply stated, when I inform people that I am an "Old School" Republican, I am referring to the principles, morals, and goodwill that led to the...

Florida’s Former Chief Medical Officer and Only Announced Republican Candidate for US Senate Launches Health Care Solutions Listening Tour Gov. Jeb Bush’s Chief Medical Officer and advisor on HMO reform is running for the United States Senate to fix what he describes as a “national disaster that will limit care for all and likely bankrupt the system.” The cornerstone of his philosophy: If we continue to wait for people to get sick before treating them, the system will soon run out of resources.