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Grits
By Hastings Wyman
Southern Political Report
October 20, 2008 — Texas: Jindal Raises Money for Olson In Texas 22 (Sugar Land, etc.), where the contest between US Rep. Nick Lampson (D) and former Phil Gramm aide Pete Olson (R) is getting close, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) is set to headline an Olson fundraiser in Houston. Meanwhile, a pro-Democratic group is charging that Olson cast some illegal ballots due to his peripatetic residential status. Olson then released documents showing he was in route from Washington, DC, to Texas on the day his critics say he was voting in Connecticut, reports Roll Call newspaper. Lampson, as an incumbent, has managed to corral some conservative groups into his corner, including the Texas Farm Bureau and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), which recently gave Lampson its “Guardian of Small Business Award.” Leans Democratic. Oklahoma: Cash Sticks with Inhofe The 3rd Quarter Federal Election Commission reports show that US Sen. James Inhofe (R) has raised a total of $6 million and as of September 30, had some $2 million cash on hand for the closing weeks of the campaign. By contrast, state Sen. Andrew Rice (D) has raised $2.3 million, with $450,000 on hand. Meanwhile, it’s Inhofe 53%, Rice 37%, says in a September 28-29 SurveyUSA poll. Inhofe’s point spread is impressive, but 53% for an incumbent is not. Still, Likely Republican. Louisiana vs. Oklahoma The Senate’s stalwart fiscal conservative, Tom Coburn (R-OK) put a hold on a $1.1 billion bill by Mary Landrieu (D-LA) to provide emergency relief for farmers hurt by recent hurricanes. Coburn thus doomed the measure, to Landrieu’s chagrin, reports the Washington Post. Meanwhile, it’s 54% for Landrieu to 41% for John Kennedy (R), says Rasmussen Reports. Likely Democratic. Florida: Feeney Ad Scores, but… Three-term US Rep. Tom Feeney (R) is campaigning for re-election with some serious baggage: A federal investigation into a golfing trip he took to Scotland paid for by none other than convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff. In response, Feeney aired a television spot, entitled “Honest,” in which he admitted his mistake and apologized for it. According to research by Wilson Research Strategies, Republicans, Democrats and independents who viewed the ad have rated it positively, reports The Hill newspaper. Nevertheless, SPR still rates Feeney’s battle with former state Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D) as Leans Democratic. Alabama: Two Congressional Updates ● 2nd District (Dothan, etc.) A poll taken for Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright by Anzalone-Lizst (D) in early October showed a tight race, with Bright leading state House Minority Leader Jay Love by one point -- 46% to 45%. In August, the same pollster showed Bright with a 50%-40% lead. Another district poll reportedly shows McCain leading Obama 62% to 28%, which could boost Love. Meanwhile, US Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC), a former NFL quarterback and a moderate Southern Democrat, has stumped the district with Bright. Toss-up. ● 5th District (Huntsville, etc.) Businessman Wayne Parker’s (R) TV spots have attacked state Sen. Parker Griffith’s (D) medical practice record, citing 1987 reports by the Huntsville Hospital Board that questioned the treatment cancer patients received at Griffith’s clinic. Griffith responded that his clinic provided competition for the Huntsville Hospital, which led to the report. Nevertheless, word is that Griffith’s polling numbers dropped after the ads were aired. Griffith got a significant boost, however, especially for a Democrat, when he was endorsed by the influential Alabama Farms Federation (ALFA), which cited the state senator’s record on agricultural issues in the legislature. He also has the support of other business and professional groups, including the Alabama’s Realtors Association, the American Medical Association and the Professional firefighters Association of Alabama. Leans Democratic. |
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