Politics Blog

I enjoy reading dispatches from KCNA, the official North Korean “news” agency. On Wednesday, KCNA ran this story:

John Paul Cupp, chairman of the U.S. Group for the Study of Songun Politics, on Nov. 9 posted an article titled “What a great man Comrade Kim Jong Il is” on the Internet homepage. He began his article by recalling the fact that a member of the National Democratic Front of south Korea, who had been arrested by fascists of south Korea, shouted “Long live Comrade Kim Il Sung!”, “Long live Comrade Kim Jong Il!” and “Long live the Juche idea!” at the last moments of his life.

Then there are questions as to why do intellectuals respect and revere General Kim Jong Il so deeply, why do they so readily dedicate their lives to him and why are people so proud to call his august name.

He explained in the article that Kim Jong Il is the most prominent leader in the present era just as President Kim Il Sung was.

Though the socialist movement suffered setbacks in different countries, the brilliant and august name of Kim Jong Il serves as a symbol of the militant and invincible defender of the world, he stressed, adding:

In this new era of Songun when the popular masses are fully displaying their creative ingenuity thanks to the might of the army, the august name of Kim Jong Il is deeply enshrined in the hearts of humankind who is working hard to achieve complete independence.

Ignore the laughable KNCA prose. The story is true. And here’s the web page in question. Scroll down and you’ll notice all kinds of Communist propaganda, including posters of North Korean missiles destroying the US capitol. “Useful idiots,” or damnable traitors? We report, you decide.

— PoliPundit

New England

Maine: Governor John Baldacci won by a narrow margin in 2002, but the
Republican bench in this state is very thin. Baldacci will probably be
re-elected. Likely Democratic.

New Hampshire: In 2002, the Republicans successfuly held an open Senate
seat, won back the Governorship, and swept the state legislature.
However President Bush lost here in 2004, and the incumbent Republican
Governor was defeated because of a scandal. However all is not lost if
Congressman Charlie Bass runs for Governor. Toss-up.

Vermont: Jim Douglas is quite a talented politician, winning 59% of the
vote in 2004 despite President Bush’s dismal performance in this most
liberal of states. Douglas is a shrewd politician, and he will make an
excellent Senatorial nominee were Jim Jeffords to retire in 2006 or when
Patrick Leahy retires in 2010.

Massachusetts: Governor Mitt Romney once dreamed of becoming President, but the disappointing results in 2004 across the state ought to have dispelled the dream for him. He is very likely to face a strong
Democratic nominee, possibly Congressman Meehan. Romney starts out with a strong advantage, but he needs to concentrate on local issues and stop
attempting to have a national profile. Were Romney to win re-election,
he would be the frontrunner for the open seat 2008 Senate race. Lean
Republican.

Rhode Island: Governor Carcieri is quite a conservative man to be
Governor of the Ocean State, but he showed his mettle after a tragic
fire in a Rhode Island bar. Carcieri will face strong opposition, but
he will likely be re-elected. Likely Republican.

Connecticut: Jodie Rell is the most popular Governor in America, with
an approval rating off the charts. She is so popular that polls
indicate she would defeat long-time Senator Chris Dodd were he to run
for Governor. She holds a large lead over other Democratic rivals.
Solid Republican.

Northeast

New York: Republicans have their back up against the wall in the Empire
State. Charles Schumer is not running for Governor, and Eliot Sptizer
will be unopposed for the Democratic nomination. Spitzer is a popular
and aggressive politician. Republicans are disorganized. No one knows
if Governor Pataki will retire, run for re-election, or run against
Hillary Clinton. No one knows if Rudolph Giuliani will run for
Governor, for Senate, or go right for the 2008 GOP nomination. Until
Pataki and Giuliani to decide, expect a large degree of confusion. Lean
Democratic

Pennsylvania: Republicans need to mount a vigorous challenge to
Governor Edward Rendell. I will write a separate column on this state
at a later date. Lean Democratic

Maryland: Governor BobEhrlich is popular, but this is Maryland.
Democrats are likely to nominate their worst candidate, Baltimore Mayor
Martin O’Malley. Toss-up.

South

South Carolina: Governor Mark Sanford will be re-elected. Take it to
the bank. Solid Republican.

Georgia: Governor Perdue will be re-elected. As little as 10 years ago, Georgia was one of the most Democratic of states.

Florida: I’m very sanguine about our chances here. While Governor Bush
is term-limited, the Republicans control all the statewide offices and
enjoy an overwhelming among the state’s congressional delegation and in
the state legislature. The State Attorney General starts out with an
edge. Lean Republican

Alabama: Governor Riley may not win the Republican nomination, thanks
to his futile support of a state income tax. However once Republicans
settle on a nominee, they will naturally enjoy an advantage in this
increasingly Republican state. Lean Republican

Arkansas: Governor Mike Huckabee is eligible to run for re-election,
and he would easily win re-election. Were he to decline to run,
Lieutenant Governor Rockefeller would run. It would then be anyone’s guess who would win. Toss-up.

Midwest

Ohio: The local economy is not the best in the nation, and Governor Taft, a man I once thought to be Presidential timber, has been something akin to a disaster. Conservative Republicans are very unhappy with his tax-and-spend response to the recent recession, and their spokesman is Secretary of State and former Cincinatti Mayor Kenneth Blackwell. This African-American Republican is probably the frontrunner on the Republican side. Democrats have no such candidate. Their small portion of the congressional delegation consists of mental cases, and they hold no statewide office. Lean Republican.

Michigan: The Michicgan unemployment rate remains staggeringly high. In 2002, the Republicans lost the Governorship here after 12 years of John Engler. The Democrats nominated a one-term Attorney General, Jennifer Granholm, whose accomplishments in that position were lacking. With the media fawning all over her, Granholm won a very narrow victory against LG Dick Posthumous. However Republicans control all statewide offices, the state legislature, and a majority of the congressional delegation. We can expect a very strong Republican challenge here. Lean Democratic.

Illinois: Republicans are still reeling in the Land of Lincoln from the 2002 debacle and the Alan Keyes disaster. However President Bush did remarkably well here, and Republicans gained in the state legislature. The problem is Cook County, and until Republicans find a way to cut down the Democratic margin here, the Democratic candidate enjoys an edge The incumbent Governor should easily win re-election. Solid Democratic.

Wisconsin: Republicans have two strong congressmen, and either one could give Governor Doyle a run for his money. 2004 was not a good year for Wisconsin Republicans as they failed to give President Bush a second term and to defeat Russ Feingold, but I believe that the GOP has a strong chance here. Lean Democratic.

Minnesota: Governor Pawlenty is quite popular, and the Democratic nominees are not very impressive. I view Pawlenty as a first-tier Republican Presidential nominee in 2008, so he needs to overperform and carry Republicans into the state legislature on his coattails to re-enforce his sterling credentials for a Presidential bid. Likely Republican.

Iowa: Governor Tom Vilsack is term-limited, and Republicans are energized by their first victory in a Presidential race in twenty years. This should be a very close race. Toss-up.

The West:

South Dakota: Governor Rounds doesn’t need to make the rounds to win this one. Solid Republican.

Nebraska: Governor Johanns is term-limited and will likely run for the Senate, leaving Congressman Osbourne as thelikely Republican nominee. Democrats have no strong candidate here, and the Republicans will easily retain control here. Solid Republican.

Kansas: Governor Sebelius won because of a badly-divided Republican Party in 2002. She may not have such an easy time in 2006, and Republicans have several strong nominees who could defeat her bid for a second term. However a divisive primary would likely guarantee a second term for Sebelius. The Republicans need to clear the field. Toss-up.

Oklahoma: Brad Henry is very popular, but he needs to be very careful in this heavily Republican state. Any one of the Republican congressional delegation would be an excellent candidate, and President Bush won every county in Oklahoma in 2004. For now this leans Democratic, but it is in the GOP’s interest to defeat Henry or hold down his margin. Lean Democratic.

Texas: Governor Perry had some very big shoes, or should I say cowboy boots to fill, and he has failed to fill them. There is talk of a primary challenge from the state’s senior Senator, Kay Bailey Hutchinson. She would easily defeat Perry and hold the Austin mansion for the Republicans. Moreover she could appoint Henry Bonilla to fill her Senate seat. Democrats have zero chance of winning here, no matter what happens. Solid Republican.

Idaho: This is Idaho, and Republicans will win again. Solid Republican.

Wyoming: The Governor is a popular Democrat, but Senator Thomas, if he still wants to be Governor, could wrest it from the Democrat. Were Thomas to run, it would be a toss-up. For now, I say it leans Democratic, pending his decision. Lean Democratic.

Colorado: This was the big disappointment of 2004 as we lost a Senate seat and both houses of the state legislature. Governor Bill Owens, his Presidential ambition shattered, is term-limited. Republicans will need to regroup if they are to hold this seat. I believe they will, but someone needs to step up now and unite the party. Lean Republican.

Nevada: Senator Ensign is considering a run for Governor, and he would be our strongest candidate. Attorney General Sandoval also is considering a run. In any event, I expect us to hold this seat. Solid Republican.

New Mexico: Richardson is popular, and he will win re-election unless Heather Wilson challenges him. I wish we could have pre-empted this 2008 threat, but it doesn’t look too good.

Arizona: Congressman J.D. Hayworth would become a GOP star if he denied Governor Napolitano a second term. I think he will run, and I think he will defeat her. For now though I rate this a toss-up. Toss-up.

California: If anyone thinks this race is even going to be close, please consult a head doctor. Governor Schwarzenegger will win a landslide re-election. Solid Republican.

Oregon: Oregon has a slight Democratic edge that Republicans have a hard time overcoming. This is a likely Democratic retention. Likely Democratic.

Alaska: Murkowski should win re-election. Likely Republican.

Hawaii: Lingle has presided over an economic miracle. She is a 2008 Vice Presidential possibility. Likely Republican.

— Alexander K. McClure

Now that’s a Thanksgiving dinner worth having.

— PoliPundit

Jonathan Chait, who’s admitted to “hating President Bush,” is not at all happy with the Democrat prospects for 2008.

— PoliPundit

I will be updating you on New Jersey and Virginia as we approach the New Year and the beginning of the primary campaigns in both states.

At present, the GOP seems likely to hold 29 Governorships, representing 65% of the population. However 2006 features several tough races, especially New York. Therefore the GOP, to maintain its advantage, needs to take back Virginia and New Jersey, mansions we lost in 2001.

In New Jersey, the GOP has been shaken by the loss of its three strongest candidates - Chris Christie, Tom Kean, Jr., and Diane Allen. However Doug Forrester and Bret Schundler are tested candidates, both of whom seem to have learned from earlier failures. The Democrats are playing a game of chicken, as Jon Corzine and Dick Codey seem to be waiting for the other to announce their intentions. Forrester and Schundler would start a general election behind either Democrat, especially Corzine, but I see the race being tight.

In Virginia, the GOP frontrunner is Attorney General Jerry Kilgore, and the Democratic frontrunner is Lieutenant Governor Tim Kaine. A Mason-Dixon poll released during the Presidential campaign showed Kilgore leading Kaine 40%-35%, with 25% undecided. I believe that Kilgore has the slight advantage in this race. He is a much stronger nominee than Mark Earley, and the Republicans seem to have recovered from the Gilmore debacle.

Please remember that the GOP controls every Southern Governorship with the exceptions of Virginia, North Carolina, Louisiana, and Tennessee. A Kilgore victory in Virginia would deal another blow to the already shattered Southern wing of the Democratic Party and dispel any notion that the Democrats are having a renaissance in the Old Dominion.

John Behan, a friend and fellow blogger, updated me about another poll, this one by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, showing Kilgore 9 points ahead, 34%-25%. Obviously the Democrats have a steep climb in the Old Dominion.

— Alexander K. McClure

Happy Thanksgiving to all our readers and my fellow writers at Polipundit.com.

We as Republicans and conservatives, but above all as Americans, have much to be thankful for this year.

1. President Bush won re-election on election night.
2. Republicans picked up seats in the Senate and the House.
3. The GOP picked up Governorships in Indiana, Missouri, and probably Washington State.
4. The economy has really taken off this year, with over a million jobs created.
5. Iraq became a sovereign country, and its soldiers fight alongside ours in Fallujah.

Let us look forward to the Christmas season and to the future with confidence. God bless all of you and America.

— Alexander K. McClure

A late in the day (actually evening) Happy Thanksgiving to all the Polipundit readers out there. I waited to blog not only until after the Thanksgiving dinner was over, but until after the turkey, mayo, salt & pepper sandwich supper was over, too.

I am thankful today, and everyday, not only for my wonderful family, but also for my wonderful blog family which consists not only of my four brothers here at Polipundit, but also the wonderful friends I have made who read this blog. Thanks so much for your warm wishes and comments and for all the wonderful information you all have provided me with over the past seven months. I am enormously thankful also for my fellow bloggers outside of Polipundit that have given me so much encouragement, inspiration and friendship. I am afraid if I start naming names I will leave someone out since the tryptophan is starting to kick in, but you all know who you are. Thanks to you all.

I checked in on the laptop briefly and found that some bloggers have not been as lazy as I have today. Betsy Newmark has a great post on Keith Olbermann’s obsession. Athena cooked sweet potatoes (and some other stuff) in Jordan. Not only did the Instapundit cook a turkey on the grill, but he also blogged up a storm today. And last but not least, Poli and Jayson posted some excellent stuff today. If you haven’t read it yet, scroll down and read it all.

One last observation before I give in to the tryptophan – the girls and I watched the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special on television tonight and I was a little startled when the characters talked about God. I had forgotten that in the days of Charlie Brown it was okay for cartoon characters to talk about God. We watched it on ABC and they didn’t bleep it out or anything. Maybe the Desperate Housewives channel is throwing a bone to us Red Staters. Or maybe those at ABC realize, as Charles Schultz did, and Power Line pointed out today, for most of the things we are thankful for, we are thankful to God.

Thanks be to God, and to all of my family and friends, for a year of blessings and a pretty good Thanksgiving Day at the Byrd house.

— Lorie Byrd

Curious as to how your President spent his Thanksgiving Day?

Scott Lindlaw of the Associated (de)Press(ed) has all the juicy details.

Land of the free.

Home of the brave.

— Jayson

According to Democrat Christine Gregoire, and regardless of GOP Governor-elect Dino Rossi’s 42-vote winning margin, the Evergreen State gubernatorial contest is – quote – “a tied race.”

Hmm.

Okaaaay.

So, by that logic, Smarty Jones actually won the Triple Crown this year.

And Maurice Green won the gold medal, in the 100 meter dash at the Olympic Games.

And Al Gore actually . . . Oh, never mind.

— Jayson

Following in the wake of this report, perhaps Chris Matthews will switch gears and start explaining to himself, er, I mean to his “audience,” that Iraq really is part of the global war against terrorism.

Nah . . .

— Jayson