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May 1, 2008 — Kentucky: Lunsford Leads Fischer

The two millionaires battling out for the Democratic nomination to oppose US Sen. Mitch McConnell (R) in November aren’t in a close race, at least not yet. A recent SurveyUSA poll showed Bruce Lunsford, who has run two statewide races previously, leading businessman Greg Fischer by 43% to 18%. That’s after a spate of Fischer TV spots which narrowed the gap a bit, from 47%-9% two weeks ago.

Obama Leads in Dixie Congressional Supporters

Hillary Clinton has a narrow 97-to-93 lead over Barack Obama in endorsements from members of Congress, according to The Hill newspaper. But Obama leads among Dixie lawmakers, with 22 Southern endorsements to Clinton’s 17. Moreover, Obama’s support is spread over eight Southern states, while Clinton’s is concentrated in four states. For Obama: AL: Davis; FL: Castor &  Wexler; GA: Barrow, Bishop, Johnson, Lewis & Scott;  KY: Yarmuth; NC: Butterfield, Price & Watt; TN: Cohen & Cooper; TX: Doggett, Edwards, Gonzales, Green & Johnson,  VA: Boucher, Moran & Scott. For Clinton: AR: Sens. Lincoln & Pryor, US Reps. Berry, Ross & Snyder; FL: Sen. Nelson, US Reps Brown, Hastings, Meek & Wasserman-Schultz; TN: Tanner; TX: Cuellar, Green, Hinojosa, Jackson-Lee, Ortiz & Reyes.

GOP’s Young Guns Back Five Dixie Challengers

Congressmen Eric Cantor (R-VA), Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Paul Ryan (R-WI) have formed a GOP team to provide financial support to Republican challengers and candidates for open seats in this fall’s elections, reports The Hill newspaper. Among the 17 challengers selected for Young Guns’ support are five Southerners: Rick Goddard in GA8 (vs. Jim Marshall [D]); Lyle Larson in TX23 (vs. Ciro Rodriguez [D]); Anne Northup in KY3 (vs. John Yarmuth [D]); Pete Olson in TX22 (vs. Nick Lampson [D]); and whoever wins the primary in FL16 (vs. Tim Mahoney [D]).

North Carolina: Clinton, Perdue, Hagan & McCrory Ahead

InsiderAdvantage’s latest poll was the first to show Hillary Clinton had taken the lead -- albeit a narrow one -- among North Carolina Democrats, who vote next Tuesday. It was 44% for Clinton to 42% for Barack Obama. The survey was taken on April 29. Although most eyes will be on the Clinton-Obama battle, several other important races will also be on the Tar Heel ballot. According to a Public Policy Polling (PPP) survey taken April 26-27, in the Democratic gubernatorial race, Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue now has a 47%-33% over state Treasurer Richard Moore. And in the Democratic race to choose a foe for US Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R), state Sen. Kay Hagan leads investment banker Jim Neal by 36% to 8%. In the Republican gubernatorial race, Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory continues to lead, but state Sen. Fred Smith is closing the gap. The PPP poll showed McCrory with 36%, Smith 31%, lawyer Bill Graham 6% and former state Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr 5%.

North Carolina: Easley Slurs Gays at Clinton Endorsement

Appearing before a crowd of students and faculty at North Carolina State University on Tuesday, Gov. Mike Easley (D), long a non-team player among Tar Heel Democrats, endorsed Hillary Clinton for president, asserting that Hillary’s stamina “makes Rocky Balboa look like a pansy.” Old Hil, a committed supporter of gay rights (but not same-sex marriage), just kept on smiling.