Tuesday’s Primaries: McCain’s Faustian Bargain, Hugging Ted Stevens Tight and the Gift of Ben Quayle

The theme of this Tuesday’s primaries is: if you’re an incumbent and you love your base and you hug it close — really, really tightly — you might just win your party’s nomination. Though, some might argue that running so hard to the right (or the left) might be a Faustian bargain from which you risk never regaining your soul (ahem, John McCain).

Voters on Tuesday will go to the polls in Arizona, Alaska, Florida and Vermont. One race was already decided long ago: when Charlie Crist pulled out of the GOP Senate primary in Florida to run as an Independent punting all the drama from Tuesday to Nov. 3. Others are looking pretty predictable: as a McCain staffer put it, the Arizona senator’s GOP rival, former Rep. J.D. Hayworth, “is deader than Elvis.” And in Alaska, Lisa Murkowski’s loving embrace of Alaska’s fallen uncle, Ted Stevens, looks to help her to an easy victory over Tea Party fave (and Sarah Palin Papa Grizzly) Joe Miller.

But, that’s not to say there won’t be drama. In Florida, the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate still looks close, though Rep. Kendrick Meek looks like he’ll eke out a victory over billionaire businessman Jeff Greene. And the race for the GOP gubernatorial nod in the Sunshine State seems muddled with a Mason Dixon poll showing Attorney General Bill McCollum ahead and a PPP poll showing businessman Rick Scott leading. My money’s on Mason Dixon being right. No one in these two Florida races seems to be doing themselves many favors ahead of the general, though, if this Orlando Sentinel story about voters getting turned off by all the mudslinging is right.

In Vermont, the Dem primary for governor will be closely watched as the winner, whomever he or she is, will likely become the front runner in this blue state. It’s a rare wide-open five-way primary with no one championing the outsider or establishment mantles. In fact, everyone seems to love all five, which could make choosing rather difficult.

And National Journal’s Hotline has a good primer on the top five House races to watch on Tuesday: Florida 02 where Democrat Allen Boyd is fighting for his political life; the seven way GOP primary to take on the always colorful Alan Grayson in Florida 08; the three-way Republican race to go up against freshman Democrat Suzanne Kosmas in Florida 24; the classic (for 2010) Tea Party versus establishment GOP candidate storyline to take on sophomore Democrat Gabrielle Giffords in Arizona 08; and my personal favorite, Ben Quayle’s Monthy Pythonesque run for the GOP nomination in Arizona 03 that has included porn websites and borrowed kids. I kinda hope he wins as I suspect he’d be a gift that would continue to give in the General, though that looks unlikely.

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Related Topics: alaska, arizona, Florida, primaries, vermont, 2012 Election, Congress, Democratic Party, Republican Party, Senate, State Governments
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  • newfreedomblog

    If there was ever a TIME.com reporter / jounalisto who demonstrated their clear and concise BIAS it is this post by our Jay FigNewton-Small.
    .
    You are purely the most DISGUSTING, most biased reporter in the entire United States.
    .
    Why don’t you go to Huffington Post or Daily Kos where you belong. At least people can know before hand that by visiting those two sites they can be guaranteed to read the crap you liberals write.

  • deconstructiva

    Thanks, Jay. Are earlier anti-establishment primary themes officially gone now and we’re back to in-house “base hugging” food fights …esp. among the R’s (Tea Party vs. corporate)?
    http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columns/TimothyCarney/The-Republican-divide-K-Street-vs-Tea-Parties-101270244.html
    Would you also post a “1000 words” later tonight or tomorrow, Jay? Thanks.

  • gysgt213

    Why oh why Rusty do you hate freedom of the press?

  • deconstructiva

    …or just hate women journalists. Rusty, who’s worse in your “mind”: Newton-Small, whom you call a Communist + Socialist (can post link if desired), or Pickert, whom you wish in jail with a lesbian cellmate? Too bad Tumulty didn’t ban you before leaving.
    http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2010/04/14/jail-time-for-insurance-evaders-yes-said-fox-news/comment-page-2/#comment-155680
    (apr and kbang, sorry for breaking the no-reply rules for toxic algae pond scum like rusty, but…)

  • nflfoghorn

    What with all the homophobic references we’ve seen today, I think he saw the word “porn” and blew a gasket.

  • centfan

    If Ben Quayle wanted to fund the Ministry of Silly Walks or introduce a bill regulating the air-speed velocity of an unladened swallow I’d vote for him. He’d be the most sane person in Congress.
    -
    Help, help, I’m being repressed!

  • m0mentom0ri

    “demonstrated their clear and concise BIAS it is this post”
    .
    Rusty thinks predicting Tea Party losses based on prevelent polling is proof of bias.
    .
    Also: The weatherman has been predicting more hot weather. I think this is proof he has a bias against cooler temperatures.

  • Jim, Foolish Literalist

    some might argue that running so hard to the right (or the left) might be a Faustian bargain from which you risk never regaining your soul (ahem, John McCain).

    He made that bargain almost exactly two years ago, when he unleashed the Palin. It’s just taken folks in your world a while to notice.

  • kevin

    Rusty’s the type who sees conspiracies in the bus schedule and thinks the scores on SportsCenter are really a secret code.

  • sacredh

    “when he unleashed the Palin”
    .
    That’s kraken me up.

  • 3xfire3

    newfreedom,
    .
    “If there was ever a TIME.com reporter / jounalisto who demonstrated their clear and concise BIAS it is this post by our Jay FigNewton-Small.”
    .
    Truer words were never spoken.
    .
    Jay doesn’t even try to cover up her extreme Bias. She does an injustice to journalism. She writes to promote her biased political views and thinks that Americans are so dumb they will accept what she says as if she knew what she was talking about.
    She is the worst of the worst of swampland journalist in showing her total bias against Republicans.
    .
    She would be a great PR person for some third world Dictator. She doesn’t belong in a Democracy. Journalist are supposed to communicate facts not promote their own political agenda.

    .

  • maverick2k9

    3x, This IS a free country and you are free to leave swampland if you don’t like it…
    -
    I suggest that you can go to RedState.com. But don’t expect newfreedom to follow you there, because he has been banned there. Oh..that reminds me – Nobody gets banned in swampland for disagreeing with bloggers like Jay.

  • gysgt213

    RedState is far too liberal for Rusty. LOL

  • kbanginmotown

    Hey decon:
    .
    That’s OK, thanks for trying. Hang tough on Thursday, tho’…

  • Cliff

    Why don’t you go to Huffington Post or Daily Kos where you belong.
    .
    Oh good lord no, we don’t want her. Send her over to Politico or whatever Tucker Carlson’s outfit is called.
    .
    Also, I’m not really sure why a post about primaries is bringing all this venom out.
    I mean, I’m certainly no JNS fan, but there’s nothing really to object to in this instance.

  • michaelfury
  • stuartzechman

    That’s interesting.
    .
    Of course Jay Newton-Small is heavily biased, but not against Republicans.
    .
    She’s heavily biased toward Village Conventional Wisdom, and toward the national press corps’ professional ideology, which tends to be wildly out of step with either the popular left or right, and more in line with how elites conceive the political and policy world.
    .
    Do you think that Jay Newton-Small is as biased against Republicans as, say, Fox News is against Democrats?

  • nflfoghorn

    Thanks for realizing that Flush, Bleck, O’Really and Shannity – as much as you worship them – are not journalists.

  • kevin

    OT, but I thought this might get buried in the last thread:
    .
    I highly recommend tonight’s episode of the Daily Show.
    .
    They had a clip of Dan Senor on “Fox and Friends” this morning, where the crew spent a great deal of time talking about the Kingdom Foundation in Saudi Arabia, claiming it was a force for funding terrorism and hinting darkly that it was behind the Burlington Coat Factory Community Center.
    .
    As Jon Stewart noted, the Kingdom Foundation’s leader — whom the F&F twits were careful never to name — is none other than Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, who just so happens to be the largest stockholder in Fox News after the Murdoch family.
    .
    These idiots were engaging in a game of guilt by association in which the evil, evil, evil man behind the entire “Ground Zero mosque” conspiracy was … their own boss.
    .
    The Daily Show correspondents then engaged in a debate over whether Fox News was truly evil, or just simply very very stupid.
    .
    And the closing clip — Fox and Friends condeming Al-Waleed bin Talal as an evil terrorist mastermind, and a quick cut to Neil Cavuto interviewing him and calling him a wonderful philanthropist. Classic.

  • apr2563

    decon: Glad you spoke up. Sometimes they are just too vile and you have to.

  • apr2563

    I think the Maverick moniker was invented by McCain’s traditional press cult and he latched on to it. He had a modicum of honor until he lost to Bush. At first he spoke out about the bigotry of the Evangelicals and then the lure of power was just too much. When he spoke at Hagee’s church he gave up any soul he had left.

  • apr2563

    Wasn’t that great. Being that it was Fox and friends, I sided with John Oliver, of Team Stupid. However, Dan Senor is evil. He was part of the original invasion and occupation of Iraq, of course. He knows darn well what he is saying.

  • apr2563

    Everynight Stewart discredits the bogus news reports comng from Fox and other outlets. Do you think the traditional media could just admit, at least, that Fox is a propoganda arm of the far right? There is certainly enough proof.

  • http://www.ghostnote.com Cookie Puss

    “Also, I’m not really sure why a post about primaries is bringing all this venom out.”

    I’m guessing that a minority cut the Sleeping White Giant(TM) off in traffic.

  • powerpoultry

    Like the shadow of a great golden eagle against the bright Alaska sunshine, the sublime silhouette of Gov. Sarah Palin will loom above the polling stations & ballot boxes across this country.

  • Paul-no not that one

    That’s just beautiful.
    .
    And perhaps a touch creepy.

  • Paul-no not that one

    “I kinda hope (Ben Quayle) wins as I suspect he’d be a gift that would continue to give in the General”
    .
    Apple don’t fall far from the tree.

  • kevin

    Do you think the traditional media could just admit, at least, that Fox is a propoganda arm of the far right? There is certainly enough proof.
    .
    Well, aside from the $1,000,000 donation from Fox News to the Republican Governors’ Association, and the initial branding of the Tea Parties as “Fox News Tea Parties,” and the placement of Republican presidential contenders like Palin and Huckabee on the Fox News payroll, and the evidence in the documentary “Outfoxed” and the leaked memos from Fox News management about how to push the conservative line and every single hour of programming they have, I really don’t think there’s much proof.

  • kevin

    You spelled it wrong — A-P-P-L-E-E.

  • kevin

    Well, at least someone has noticed:

    A coalition of watchdog groups is asking the White House Correspondents’ Association to reconsider Fox News’s front-row seat assignment in light of a $1 million donation by its parent company to the Republican Governors Association. [...]
    .
    “What message does it send to reward a ‘news outlet’ that ideologically and financially supports the Republican Party with a place of distinction in the White House briefing room?” the letter said. “How is the country better served by continuing to disregard Fox News’ unabashed partisan tilt even as it becomes more and more obvious?”
    .
    The letter was signed by the nonpartisan Public Campaign, the Center for Media and Democracy and the progressive group Media Matters for America.
    .
    The $1 million donation from News Corp. — which also owns the New York Post and the Wall Street Journal — was reported from IRS filings last week. The media company is one of the GOP’s largest corporate donors this election cycle.

    http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/115447-groups-protest-foxs-front-row-briefing-room-seat-in-light-of-gop-donation?page=2#comments

  • Paul-no not that one

    Which occurred to me just as I hit “submite”

  • kathy

    The good news here in Vermont is that the Democratic primary has been as civil as it’s possible to be: one accusation of flipflopping, one accusation of “you shouldn’t have used Pat Leahy’s photograph in your ad without permission.” That’s it, from 5 people running against each other. In other words, more civil than 99% of the threads here.

    And whichever Democrat wins, we’ll all pull together for November.

  • newfreedomblog

    I truly am not surprised at the vitriol from the rabid leftist. But, just in case they are still foaming at the mouth about my comment, I will post the various statments by Ms JNS as to why it is biased on her part. Then I shall challenge each of you to find similar statements in this post which reflects otherwise against any of the liberal candidates she has pointed out in this post.
    .
    1. “Though, some might argue that running so hard to the right (or the left) might be a Faustian bargain from which you risk never regaining your soul (ahem, John McCain).”
    .
    2. “the Arizona senator’s GOP rival, former Rep. J.D. Hayworth, “is deader than Elvis.” And in Alaska, Lisa Murkowski’s loving embrace of Alaska’s fallen uncle, Ted Stevens, looks to help her to an easy victory over Tea Party fave (and Sarah Palin Papa Grizzly) Joe Miller.”
    .
    3. “Ben Quayle’s Monthy Pythonesque run for the GOP nomination in Arizona 03 that has included porn websites and borrowed kids.”
    .
    I challenge any of your retards as to how Ms JNS equally made snarky comments about any of the liberals she cited. But, I’ll save you the time. You can’t.

  • kbanginmotown

    Q: What is the “real” “Tea Party”?
    .
    “Real” Tea Partiers say that they are independent. But, when a Tea Party that isn’t 100% conservative GOPers tries to get on a ballot, they cry foul.
    .
    http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129389125

  • kevin

    I challenge any of your retards
    .
    Priceless. You’re always worth a laugh in the morning, Rusty.

  • newfreedomblog

    Yes 3xfire3, it is not only disappointing how TIME.com with their gaggle of so-called reporters love to put down every Republican or Tea Party candidate, but when the other side does or says something equally stupid, they make it sound like they are nothing short of Einstein in thier mential IQ’s.
    .
    Stuart as usual you shout out against the medias “Centrist” meme, when in fact they are merely being lapdogs for the centrist of your party. Nothing more.

  • kevin
  • newfreedomblog

    Eat $hit and die quickly, kevin. You are the number ONE retard from the left on this blog.

  • sevenoaks07

    kevin: I mentioned this yesterday in another post. This is the same guy who offered $10m to Rudy immediately after 9/11 and his cheque was refused. Fox/Murdoch has a lot of Saudi/Gulf money (as do our major banks). The Saudis don’t mind making a profit off Murdoch. Maybe, just maybe, some of that heads off to Waziristan. Now can we have a Rolling Stones piece on how Murdoch is enabling Islamic terrorism?

  • kbanginmotown

    kevin: Thanks for the tip!
    .
    Simply. F*cking. Amazing.

  • 3xfire3

    Stuart,
    .
    “Do you think that Jay Newton-Small is as biased against Republicans as, say, Fox News is against Democrats?”
    .
    FOX News at least makes an effort to be balanced. They always have a liberal on their shows to express the liberal point of view. That makes them a hell of a lot less biased in their presentation then Jay. She makes no effort to appear balanced. She is pure Bias.

  • kevin

    This is the same guy who offered $10m to Rudy immediately after 9/11 and his cheque was refused.
    .
    Yep. If you watch the clip, you’ll see that Dan Senor actually points this out and makes a big deal about it — but never mentions that while Rudy Guiliani refused $10 million from the guy, Rupert Murdoch happily took his $2.5 billion investment.

  • kevin

    Aww, did baby have his feelings hurt?

  • deconstructiva

    FTW! I’ve wondered if they’re trying to take over the GOP or be independent as noted.

  • 3xfire3

    Kevin,
    .
    “A coalition of watchdog groups is asking the White House Correspondents’ Association to reconsider Fox News’s front-row seat assignment in light of a $1 million donation by its parent company to the Republican Governors Association. [...]”
    .
    “The letter was signed by the nonpartisan Public Campaign, the Center for Media and Democracy and the progressive group Media Matters for America.”
    .
    This is really weak Kevin. Media Matters????
    .
    FOX News did not make the donation. It was made by Newscorp who does own FOX News and many other Media outlets.
    .
    GE, who as you well know, owns NBC News and MSNBC has donated much more to influence both political parties, although the current management of GE has strongly supported the Obama Administration and the Democrats.
    .
    Now come back with more BS and try to justify your comments. Wrong as usual.

  • 3xfire3

    Little Kevie,
    .
    Can’t answer the questions so he resorts to mocking the commenter as usual. Thinking or admitting he’s wrong is so difficult.
    .
    No B*lls Kevie.

  • 3xfire3

    kathy,
    .
    That sound great. Maybe there will be at least one Democrat elected in November.

  • clearvoice

    So Joe, its historic what he has done. You probably will be right. As the black president, Obama has made history. He will also make history as the worst president ever. The fall from grace is outstanding. In fact, I hear Jimmy Carter was dancing in his bedroom, I’m not the worse, I’m not the worse… Stimulus Failed, Housing Plan Failed, You can choose and keep your heath care plan, “You Lie” love those words… Lend money to banks who didn’t want it and now they are keeping it without making loans.. Great Plan… Money to schools who don’t need it. 8 billion in debt in 18 months, OUTSTANDING! Let’s not forget GM who now can say we made a $41,000 Electric Car which you know liberals don’t drive American Cars.. hypocrites to the max. What you rather buy, a $30,000 Nissan or a $41,000 Electric car made by GM… Hit a Nerve did I.
    At least this will the last liberal president ever as this country won’t forget how they were lied too. The other thing Obama transformed is more hate than ever, more debt than ever and a nail in the coffin for dems…
    The last one is a good one.

  • clearvoice

    The Obama Effect. Black Teen feeling embolden. Could be. Lets start another Mosques controversary. Hey Obama, right up your alley! Lets hear what you have to say. A mob of Iowa black teens lead by a Iowa Hoover Basketball Star attacks white kids at a fair. Before that they attacked a white teen in front of a bar walking.
    They called it, you ready…
    “Beat Whitey Night” It’s on “You Tube” ok everyone click on over and see the Obama Effect.
    Than a black police oficer tried to get another officer to squash the charge against the Balck Iowa Hoover Basketball Star.

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