Friday's Political Wire
Webb's Novels Are Questioned
Political Wire calls attention to a radio station report citing several conservative websites that are talking about "several sexually graphic excerpts" found in some of the novels of Virginia's Democratic Senate nominee, Jim Webb. "The sites are raising concerns about Webb's own character and his attitude toward women." At this point, the book flap hasn't affected Webb in the polls. In a new Rasmussen Reports poll, Allen now holds a statistically insignificant 49-to-48 percent lead.
It's 'Kitchen Sink Time' for the GOP
Political Wire highlights a story in the Washington Post about the measures politicians take when faced with possible defeat. "On the brink of what could be a power-shifting election, it is kitchen-sink time: Desperate candidates are throwing everything. While negative campaigning is a tradition in American politics, this year's version in many races has an eccentric shade, filled with allegations of moral bankruptcy and sexual perversion."
Political Wire also pulls out this finding: "GOP operatives are trying to counter what polls show is a hostile political environment by casting opponents as fatally flawed characters. The National Republican Campaign Committee is spending more than 90 percent of its advertising budget on negative ads, according to GOP operatives, and the rest of the party seems to be following suit."
New Jersey Senate Race Deadlocked Again
A New York Times poll cited by Political Wire shows Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez and Republican Tom Kean Jr. in a statistical dead heat, with the incumbent holding a 40-to-39 percent edge.
As to why the Republican is hanging so close in a largely Democratic state, the poll suggests two important factors: "An important reason why Mr. Kean, a state senator, has been doing so well is not because of himself, but because of his father, former Gov. Thomas H. Kean, one of the state's most popular politicians. Mr. Kean's negative commercials attacking Mr. Menendez as unethical and corrupt have also appeared to have worked, with many voters in this Democratic state saying that corruption is the first thing that springs to mind when they are asked about Mr. Menendez."
Also, Political Wire suggests Republicans think they have a shot at knocking off Menendez and said they have targeted an additional $5 million to the race, contrary to the idea that the Republican Party is stingy and putting Senate control in danger. This also differs from their apparent strategy in Washington and Montana, where little money is being given to support GOP candidates.
Tennessee Senate Race a Statistical Tie
Political Wire reports the latest Rasmussen Reports poll results showing Republican Bob Corker barely ahead of Democratic Rep. Harold Ford, 47 percent to 46 percent, in the pivotal Tennessee Senate race. The key finding in this poll is that while both candidates are, expectedly, winning support from most of their partisan base, "unaffiliated voters are split 43 percent to 43 percent."
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