Issue 2 - Midterm Elections

The

The Horace Mann Review Issue 2, Vol. XVI

Horace Mann Review Midterm Elections

Congressional Tussle House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D) and Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R) vie for the gavel.

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The Horace Mann Review

The

Horace Mann Review Election Special Issue 2, Vol. XVI

28 Jim Talent and

Trouble for the GOP

38 An Uphill Battle:

By Jon Katerai

Democrats in Red Territory

30 The End of the

40 New Jersey

By Binchan Luo

Christian Coalition?

Senate Race

By Dan Temel

By Ben Mishkin

32 Lieberman

42 Tom Suozzi

vs. Lamont

By Nancy DaSilva

By Katherine Dubbs The 2006 midterm elections will take place on November 7, 2006.

34 The Lesser of Two Evils?

By Belle Yoeli

35 Minority Rules

4 State Profiles

A look at the upcoming elections state by state

20

By Will Dubbs

36 You’re Such a...

Racist!

By Thomas Hwang

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field to the Office

By Alice Kissilenko

Presidential Candidates

45 Incumbents on

Congress On Fire

50 The Times, They

Who’s who for 2008

48

43 From the Battle-

Interview with Douglas E. Swchoen: Political Advisor and Consultant Interview with Douglas E. Schoen: Political Advisor and Consultant

the Defensive

By Zach Malter

Are a Changing?

By Sam Shelley

The Horace Mann Review Issue 2, Vol. XVI

Letter From the Editor The Horace Mann Review Volume XVI , Issue II

A Journal of Opinion on Current Events, Politics, Public Policy, and Culture Charles M. Stam Editor-in-Chief

Kunal Malkani Anoushka Vaswani Executive Editors

Diana Greenwald

Carl Case

Managing Editor

Production Manager

Jed Feiman Lindsay Gellman Josh Parker Tal Shachar Rachel Siegel Jake Sloane

Dexter Richard

Senior Editors

Director of Technology

Gopal Das Director of Operations

Ted Sumers Director of Photography and Design

Robby Shapiro Contributing Editor

Neal Poole

Andreas Sakellaris Foreign Correspondent

Director of Subscriptions and Communication

Naomi Mishkin Layout Editor

David Messenger Assembly Coordinator Associate Editors Benito Fernandez, Venkat Kausik, Will Kim, Alice Kissilenko, Zachary Malter, Ben Mishkin, Sam Shelley, Kimya Zahedi Contributing Writers Jarett Bienenstock, Amanda Cole, Nancy DaSilva, Rumur Dowling, Katie Dubbs, Will Dubbs, Benito Fernandez, Elizabeth Goodstein, Thomas Hwang, Ben Jacobson, Venkat Kausik, Michael Kurtz, Jon Katiraei, Will Kim, Alice Kisselenko, Binchan Luo, Zachary Malter, Eliza Montgomery, Ben Mishkin, Sonja Perl, Joseph Pomp, Gaurav Saxena, Sam Shelley, Jason Sunshine, Daniel Temel, Belle Yoeli, Kimya Zahedi

Dear Reader, Here it is: our second installment of the Review. We move from the disaster issue to an issue that could spell disaster for the United States, mid-term elections. This year’s election season has been particularly divisive and contentious. The races of this election cycle will affect our policies and determine our future leaders.

As promised, we have broken up this issue into sections. The first profiles every state in the union, discussing its elections and political climate. The second looks ahead to 2008 and potential presidential candidates. The third section offers an in-depth look at key elections from our the country.

Our staff has poured over research and polls to craft succinct, yet thorough profiles for every state in the United States. In this issue, we have tried to cover both a wide variety of subjects while still examining the most significant and potentially revolutionary races.

Unfortunately, The Review sees a large amount of partisanship and divisiveness in the country; many of our articles demonstrate how many elections are focused on politics and personal attacks rather than the issues facing the country.

Our next issue will be smaller and more focused in its scope. We welcome any comments or suggestions that you may have. If you have not already, we ask you to consider subscribing to The Review (see back).

Thank you for your continued support and readership. Expect our next issue in a month.

The Board of Trustees Bharat Das, Raj Hathiramani, Shaan Hathiramani, David Katz, Daniel S. Levien, Sabeel Rahman, Eric Todrys, Mark Todrys, Maximilian D.C. Thompson Zachary Fryer-Biggs Faculty Advisors Mr. Gregory Donadio, Ms. Sharon Kunde Dr. Barbara Tischler TheReview@horacemann.org

Charles M. Stam

The Horace Mann Review is printed throughout the academic year. The Review is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the American Scholastic Press Association, and the National Scholastic Press Association.

Please contact The Horace Mann Review for information on advertisements at TheReview@horacemann.org. Editorials represent the majority opinion of the Editorial Board. Opinions expressed in articles or illustrations are not necessarily those of the Editorial Board or of the Horace Mann School. Š 2006, The Horace Mann Review

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State Profiles

Profiles By:

Thomas Hwang Sonja Perl Elizabeth Goodstein Belle Yoeli Amanda Cole Jason Sunshine Joseph Pomp Katie Dubbs William Dubbs Rumur Dowling Page

The Horace Mann Review Issue 2, Vol. XVI

State Profiles

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State Profiles

Alabama

Official Senate Portrait

Alabama, historically a red Deep South state, will most likely remain as such in the upcoming elections. According to Rasmussen Reports, the incumbent governor, Bob Riley (R), has an approval rating of 62%, representing an increase of nearly 10% since April, 2006. The frontrunner of the Democratic Party, Lucy Baxley, defeated Don Siegelman, who withdrew with 35% of the votes in the primary. Riley faced a primary challenge from Roy G. Moore, the former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. Morre, who garnered national attention when he defied a court order to remove the Ten Commandments from his courtroom, won around 35% of the vote. The most recent poll by Survey USA, conducted on September 28, shows that Riley (R) leads Baxley (D) 54% to 38%. Alabama continues to be a Republican stronghold, and conservatives can expect resounding victories in 2006..

Incumbent Governor Bob Riley

Alaska

Official Senate Portrait

Incumbent Governor Frank Murkowski

Arizona

Democrats have maintained their control of Arizona government, with incumbent Janet Napolitano, the former Arizona Attorney General, maintaining an approval rating of 61%. Her Republican opponent, Len Munsil, has run a good campaign in spite of Napolitano’s popularity.

Polls show that Napolitano leads Munsil 56% to 38%. Meanwhile, John Kyl, the incumbent Republican Senator, has an approval rating of 44% and is predicted to win the Senate elections with opposition from Jim Pederson (D) and Richard Mack (L). Some Democrats think that Kyl could be unseated , since he only has a nine to seven point lead in most polls. Nevertheless, Kyl is a respected and effective Senator who has been recognized for his work as director of the Republican policy committee.

Arizona’s Senior Senator, John McCain, is among the most visible Senators and is a serious presidential contender. McCain is not up for reelection this year. Despite Napolitano’s popularity, Arizona is very much a red state.

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As George Bush’s popularity continues to drop, the upcoming November elections seem promising for the Democrats, who are making inroads into formerly red states. Alaska’s incumbent governor Frank Murkowski (R) has been plagued with declining popularity and lost in the primary; polls showed that going into election his approval rating was a meager 19%. Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin challenged Murkowski in the Republican primary. Murkowski was first elected Senator in 1981 and has served in that capacity until 2002, when he ran for Governor. Murkowski came under fire after he appointed his daughter to fill his Senate seat and began using a plane at the taxpayer’s expense. Meanwhile, the frontrunner of the Democratic Party is former governor Tony Knowles and state Representative Ethan Burkowitz, who withdrew from the race to be Knowles’ running mate for Lieutenant Governor. According to Rasmussen Reports, Palin leads Knowles 51% to 38%. Although Republicans are still expected to control the governorship, Murkowski’s stunning fall from grace does not bode well for the party..

Arkansas

Arkansas’ incumbent governor, Mike Huckabee (R), is term limited, opening the dorr for other candidates.

Huckabee, among the most popular governors in the nation, is mentioned as a possible presidential contender. Looking forward, the Republican Party has thrown its support behind Asa Hutchinson, a former Arkansas State Republican Party Chairman, U.S. Attorney for Western District of Arkansas, and U.S. Congressman. The winner of the Democratic Primary, Mike Beebe, is the Arkansas Attorney General, a former Arkansas State Senator, and a U.S Army veteran.

Also on the ballot are Rod Bryan, an Independent, and Jim Lendall, an ex- State Representative of the Green Party.

The race has focused on Beebe and Hutchinson, with surveys indicating that the race will be a close one. Polls show Beebe (D) leading Hutchinson (R) 49% to 41%.

The Horace Mann Review Issue 2, Vol. XVI Official Senate Portrait

Colorado

The Democratic Party continues to surge in Colorado. In the Governor’s race, Bill Ritter (D) enjoys a strong lead over Congressman Bob Bearuprez (R). Barbara O’Brien (D) currently leads the Lieutenant Governor race against Jane Rowland (R). The Republicans, however, have taken the lead in the Secretary of State race, in which Treasurer Mike Coffman (R) is heavily favored. Incumbent John W. Suthers (R) will have an easy win over Fern O’Brien in the Attorney General election. This year’s Treasurer race is very competitive. Mark Hillman (R) and Cary Kennedy (D) are dead even in terms of polls, but it will be interesting to see who wins in November. This year there is no open seat for the Senate, but in 2008 there seems to be a Democrat Billl Ritter good chance that Democrats will take the position. In 2004, the Democrats managed to capture a US House seat, a US Senate seat, and two houses of legislature. Now in 2006, with the US Senate seat still occupied by Democrats, they are planning on adding the governorship. Although the Republicans still have control over several seats in Congress, it is safe to say that Colorado is slowly becoming more and more Democratic.

California

The incumbent governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has been nominated for re-election and is seeking reelection after winning a crowded and at times bizarre recall election.

Schwarzenegger faced very little opposition (90% in favor) within the Republican Party, defeating Robert Newman II (3.6% in favor), Bill Chambers (3.4% in favor), and Jeffrey Burns (3.0% in favor). Meanwhile, the victor of the Democratic primary is Treasurer Phil Angelides, who defeated Comptroller Steve Westly by a 4.8% margin. The third Party candidate is Peter Camejo, Ralph Nader’s former running mate, who has been nominated by the California Green Party.

Although Schwarzenegger has been successful within his own party, his approval ratings have decreased to a paltry 39% as of April, 2006. The decisions Schwarzenegger has made regarding teachers’ and nurses’ unions, supporting taxes on Californians and refusing to sign a bill allowing gay marriage have contributed to his fall from dominance in California elections. Many Democrats are now optimistic about their chances to oust Schwarzenegger, and polls show that Official Senate Portrait Schwarzenegger (R) leads Angelides (D) 47% to 39%, a turnaround from a Feb. 25 Field Poll showing Schwarzenegger leading Angelides 52% to 35%. The same polls show Camejo is trailing Angelides and Schwarzenegger, by only 6.1%. In Senate race, incumbent, Dianne Feinstein (D), has an approval of 56% and is expected be reelected.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Connecticut

Perhaps the most talked about race in the nations this year is the US Senate race in Connecticut. Senator Joe Lieberman (D) lost to Ned Lamont (D) in the primaries, but is now running as an Independent.

Ironically, he now has a comfortable lead over both Lamont and Alan R. Schlesinger (R). Linda Roberts (R) is not posing a threat to Denis L. Nappier (D) who is looking for a third term as Treasurer of Connecticut. Governor M. Jodi Rell (R) has stiff competition from John Destefano Jr. (D), Mayor of New Haven.

Susan Bysiewicz (D) is looking for a second term as Secretary of State and it looks as if she will get it. The race for Lieutenant Governor is leaning toward the Republican Michael Fedele. A noteworthy house race is unfolding in Connecticut, with Chris Shays (R), the powerful and long standing representative from the fourth district struggling against Diane Farrell, whom he narrowly defeated in 2004. Shays, a moderate Republican, is in the fight of his political career and is virtually tied with Farrell in the polls. His struggles underscore a turbulent electoral cycle for Connecticut.

Delaware

Democrats continue to dominate politics in elaware this year.

Since the next gubernatorial elections are not until November 2008, Governor Ruth Ann Minner (D) and Lieutenant Governor John C. Carney Jr. (D) remain in control. In Congress, it may be the end of Congressman Michael N. Castle’s (R) tenure. He is trailing behind Dennis Spivack (D). Incumbent Jack A Mackell (D) is greatly favored to win the Treasurer’s election. The only election in which a Republican is currently leading is for Attorney General. In the Senate election, Thomas R. Carper (D) is expected to beat Jan C. Ting (R). Republican Ferris Wharton is the consensus choice for Attorney General due to the lack of experience of his opponent, Beau Biden (D). Democrats are expected to hold more than half of the US Congress seats allotted to Delaware starting in January 2007. However, Republicans may take advantage of the gubernatorial elections in 2008 and surprise the Democrats with an equal number of seats.

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State Profiles

Florida

Official Senate Portrait

Republicans in Florida seem to have taken the lead in most of the major state and national races, demonstrating the Republican Party’s increasing appeal in this southern state. Charlie Crist (R), the current Attorney General, leads Jim Davis (D) in the race for governor. Incumbent Governor Jeb Bush (R) is term limited. Crist is expected to hang on to his lead, despite questions surrounding his sexual orientation and his qualifications as an attorney. The Democrats’ Senatorial hopes lie in the hands of incumbent Bill Nelson, who is cruising to victory against Rep. Katherine Harris, who lacks the Republican backing.

Harris (R) trails eighteen percentage points behind Nelson. She is no stranger to controversy, having presided over the controversial 2000 election in Floria when she was Secretary of State. Her frustrating and badly run campaign is only compunded by Nelson’s popularity in the state. In fact, Harris has had to go through multiple campaign managers over the course of the election. As evidenced by the upcoming elections, Florida will continue to be Republican leaning state, in spite of Harris’ campaign..

Charlie Crist

Georgia

In the conservative state of Georgia, no party has been able to forge a clear advantage.

Karen Handel (R) has a small lead over Representative Gail Buckner (D) who is finishing off her last year in Senate. The most competitive race in the state is the one for Lieutenant Governor. Neither Jim Martin (D) nor Casey Cagel (R), both of whom are former members of the General Assembly, are able to maintain a strong lead over the other. Probably the most talked about race in Georgia has been for US House of Representatives. Hank Johnson (D) won the primaries over incumbent Cynthia McKinney and is now favored to win again against Catherine Davis (R).

Official Senate Portrait McKinney was the subject of controversy after she attacked a security official outside the house chambers. The only candidate who has a strong lead is Gov. Sonny Perdue (R) who is running against Lieutenant Governor Mark Fletcher Taylor (D). Thirty years ago, Georgian politics was dominated

by Democrats. Most of Georgia’s General Assembly seats were taken by Democrats, and governor were almost always Democrats.

However, for the past twenty-five years or so, this trend has been slowly changing, and Georgia has had an increase in the amount of US Congress seats Republicans have held. The elections this year continue to demonstrate this trend.

Sonnny Perdue

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Hawaii

Hawaii, although usually perceived as a Democratic state, is making way for viable Republican challengers in the upcoming 2006 elections. Governor Linda Lingle (R) is expected to beat her opponent Randy Iwase (D) with ease. In the Lieutenant Governor’s race, James Aiona (R), up for re-election with the current Governor, is expected to easily defeat his challenger Malama Solomon (D).

Senator Daniel Akada (D) has an approval rating of about 50%, and is expected to hold his seat in the Senate over challenger Cynthia (R) Thielen. An interesting race in the House of Representatives is in Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District, where former Lieutenant Governor Mazie Hirono (D) is running against State Senator Bob Hogue (R).

Hirono will likely be elected because of her former nomination for governor. However, Hogue is seen as a respected challenger and an involved local politician. The elections in Hawaii will most likely lead to a combination of Democratic and Republican nominations, but the Democrats are expected to hold most of the positions aside from the Republican Governor.

The Horace Mann Review Issue 2, Vol. XVI Official Senate Portrait

Indiana

In Indiana, current Governor Mitch Daniels (R) is not up for re-election until 2008. The Senatorial elections in Indiana are more interesting this election season. Evan Bayh (D) is not up for re-election and is maintaining his seat in the Senate as well as weighing a presidential run in 2008, but the other Senator, Richard Lugar (R), is up for re-election and is being challenged by a Libertarian candidate, Steve Osborn. There is no Democratic candidate in the election, making this is the only race in the Senate where the Republican incumbent is facing no challenger from the other major political party. Needless to say, Lugar will have an easy win in this race. In the House elections, polls are leaning in favor of the Republicans. In the upcoming elections, Indiana seems to likely be sharing an almost equal amount of positions between the two major political parties. The dynamics of the race speak to Indiana’s ability to breed moderate and thoughtful candidates that appeal to mainstream America.

Republican Ricahard Lugar speaking at the podium

Iowa

In Iowa, potential 2008 presidential candidate Governor Tom Vilsack (D) is retiring after serving two terms. Secretary of state Chet Culver (D), is running against Congressman Jim Nussle (R). Most polls have Culver leading Nussle by four points, so the election could go either way, making this a closely watched and comptetitve race.

For Lieutenant Governor, Patty Judge (D) is running with Culver and Bob Vander Platts (R) is running with Nussle. In the Senate, Senators Chuck Grassley (R) and Tom Harkin (D) are in the midst of serving their terms.

Since Congressman Nussle running for governor, his seat is now available. In Iowa’s first congressional district, voters will have to make some difficult choices. Mike Whalen (R) is running on a platform which focuses on border security. His opponent is attorney Bruce Braley (D). This race is very competitive and the polls seem to be about dead even.

Illinois

In Illinois, Democratic Governor Rod Blagojevich is running for re-election against challenger Judy Topinka (R).

Blagojevich is the lacking the “safe zone” approval ratings for an incumbent governor, but is still the favored candidate in the elections. In the Lieutenant Governor’s race, current Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn (D) is up for reelection with the current Governor and is being challenged by Joe Birkett (R), a state’s attorney and formal nominee for Attorney General. Quinn is the likely candidate to return to office under the current Governor. Democratic Senators Barack Obama and Richard Durbin are not up for re-election and are maintaining their seats in the Senate. Illinois, a predominantly Democratic state, is expected to nominate mostly Democratic candidates in the upcoming elections.

Official Senate Portrait

Rod Blagojevich

Idaho

In Idaho, Governor Jim Risch is stepping down to run as Lieutenant Governor. Risch was Lieutenant Governor when Gov. Dirk Kemptorne resigned to become Secretary of the Interior in May 2006, a move which opened the job up to Risch. Since Risch was appointed only months away from the election, he was not able to mount a serious campaign, opening the door for Rep. Butch Otter (R). Otter’s opponent is Jerry Brady (D), a newspaper publisher. Otter is expected to easily beat Brady in the race, being the strong favorite in the state. In the Lieutenant Governor’s race, current governor Jim Risch (R) is being challenged by Larry LaRocco (D). In the Senate, Republicans Larry Craig and Mike Crapo are not up for re-election this fall and are maintaining their seats in the Senate. Idaho, considered a Republican state, will stay that way in 2006.

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State Profiles

Kansas

In the state of Kansas, Republicans have a large advantage. However, Democrats are leading in many key races that could determine whether or not the Republicans keep that advantage.

The first race is between incumbent Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D) and Dr. Jim Barnett (R). Ms. Sebelius is a popular governor and is well known to Kansas voters. She has promoted the war in Iraq but has also taken action with Kansans’ “sensitivity” towards taxes.

Ms. Sebelius has a significant fundraising advantage and will most likely win. The two Republican United States Senators from Kansas, Sam Brownback (R) and Pat Rogers (R), and will not be running again until 2010 and 2008.

The other major race in Kansas is for Attorney General between incumbent Phill Kline (R) and District Attorney Paul J. Morrison (D). Kline has not been getting support from Kansas voters due to his anti-abortion campaign and strong religious ties. Morrison has recently changed his party affliation and has gained the support of Kansans because of his attack campaign that highlights his opponent’s hiring of Phill Kline of Bryan Brown, who has spent sixty-eight days in jail, has never paid his $61,000 fine for an abortion clinic blockade and was arrested during the 1991 Witchita Summer of Mercy protests.

In the House of Representatives, Kansas has four Representatives, Jerry Moran (R), Jim Ryun (R), Dennis Moore (D) and Todd Tiahrt (R), that are all likely to retain their seats.

Official Senate Portrait

Jim McCrery

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Official Senate Portrait

Kentucky

Democrats are gaining ground in Kentucky, due in large part to the illegal activity of scandal plagued Gov. Ernie Fletcher (R). The Governor and members of his staff have been indicted by a special grand jury on allegations of political discrimination, criminal conspiracy and violating state employees’ rights. Mr. Fletcher could soon be impeached and is not up for reelection until 2007. Senators Mitch McConnell (R) and Jim Bunning (R) are not up for reelection until 2008 and 2010. However, Kentucky has an important race between former Congressman Ken Lucas (D) and incumbent Geoffrey Davis (R). The New York Times Geoffrey Davis predicts Mr. Davis will win the seat, although the Cook Political Report calls the race a “toss-up.” Ben Chandler III (D), Hal Rogers (R), Anne M. Northup (R), Ron Lewis (R) and Ed Whitfield (R) are all returning Congressmen are expected to win back their seats. With Ernie Fletcher’s support declining because of corruption charges and Ken Lucas possibly regaining his former seat, the Mid-West will play a key role if the Democrats hope to win back the House of Representatives.

Maryland

Official Senate Portrait

Maryland will be a key state in the upcoming election due to the retirement of Senator Paul S. Sarbanes (D). The two candidates to replace him are Rep. Ben Cardin (D) and Lt. Governor Michael Steele (R). Political analyst Chuck Todd calls it the “8th most vulnerable Senate seat” and the Roll Call analyst calls it a “toss-up.” Mr. Cardin has a slight edge because of his Congressional experience.

Attorney John P. Sarbanes (D) and businessmen John White (R) have emerged as the leading candidates for the House seat formally occupied by Mr. Cardin. Barbara Mikulski (D) already holds a seat in the Senate and is not up for reelection. Governor Ben Cardin Bob Ehrlich Jr. (R) has been attacked for his “no electronic ballots” platform and his veto of the “Wal-Mart” bill. Democrat Martin O’Malley has emerged as the top Democrat suitable for Maryland Governor and his heavily favored to win the election. Maryland will not break wth tradition and vote in Democrats in 2006.

Louisiana

Louisiana Democrats are facing serious problems this election cycle, specifically in the race for Governor. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco (D) is under fire for her decision to decline federal funding in the wake of Katrina. There is an important race for the House of Representatives between incumbent Charlie Melancon (D) and State Senator Craig F. Romero (R). Mr. Melancon is running on a “rebuild and prevent Hurricanes” platform in an effort to win a greater percentage of votes this year than the 50.4% he won in 2004. Experts predict a narrow win for the Democrats. The incumbent candidates who are running for reelection in the remaining 6 districts, Bobby Jindal (R), William J. Jefferson (D), Jim McCrery (R), Rodney Alexander (R) Richard H. Baker (R) and Charles Boustany Jr. (R), are the favorites to win their respective seats. Louisiana has been dominated by Democrats in the past, but is now in the process of becoming a Republican state. The Republicans will need to take advantage of Ms. Blanco’s woes in order to regain control of Louisiana, which is an important state in this coming election.

The Horace Mann Review Issue 2, Vol. XVI Official Senate Portrait

Michigan

Although Michigan is usually a blue state, there are many close races leading up to this year’s elections. In the governor’s race, incumbent Jennifer M. Granholm (D) and challenger Richard M. DeVos Jr., who is a billionaire, (R) are locked in a tight battle, with Granholm leading 52% to 42%. DeVos’s inexperience in politics is taking its toll, but he has spent more than ten million dollars in a television campaign.

In the Senate race, incumbent Debbie Stabenow (D) has pushed ahead of challenger Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard (R), and is now leading in the polls by 50% to 42%. In the House, Republicans have the majority with nine incumbent congressmen. Michigan’s races will be close, and with high unemployment, the State will be looking for strong leaders. Granholm is failing to widen the gap in the polls against DeVos, and is constantly being attacked by DeVos supportersin one instance, one of DeVos’s supporters dressed in a chicken costume and paraded into Granholm’s office. Stabenow and Bouchard’s race will also be close.

Jennifer M. Gramholm

Massachusetts Maine Democrats continue to thrive in Massachusetts and are predicted to hold Senate and House seats as well as the governorship and the Attorney General position. In the race to replace outgoing Governor Mitt Romney, who is preparing for a presidential bid, Democrat Deval Patrick easily won the primary with 63% of the votes, and is currently leading by double digits in the general election against Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey. If elected, Patrick will be Massachusetts’s first black governor. In the Attorney General’s race, Middlesex District Attorney Martha Coakley (D) is also predicted to triumph over Lawrence Frisoli (R) to replace outgoing Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly (D). Incumbent Edward M. Kennedy (D) faces token opposition in his Senate race. Senator John Kerry (D) will not be running again until 2008.

In the House, Massachusetts’ Democrats are coasting over Republicans, with six unopposed Democrats in ten districts. With conservative Mitt Romney (R) stepping down after one term, not only to consider running for the presidency, but also because of the weak support from the state last year, Republicans are struggling to hold their own. Although Healey is using her data strategy of “micro-targeting” specific individuals to vote for her on November 7th, Patrick still has a solid lead in the polls. Massachusetts will retain its usual status as a predominantly Democratic state, and now it will most likely have a Democratic governor to go along with its Democratic senators.

This year, Maine has two major races- the United States Senate race and the Governor’s race. Incumbent Olympia J. Snowe (R) will be Official Senate Portrait running against Jean Hay Bright (D). Ms. Snowe is one of the most respected and popular senators.

She is also notable because, rather than being a hardcore conservative, Snowe has not always stuck to party lines. Polls predicts a solid win Olympia Snowe for Ms. Snowe. The governor’s race is between incumbent John E. Baldicci (D) and Chandler E. Woodcock (R); Mr. Baldicci is favored to win. Tom Allen (D) and Michael Michaud (D) are both in the lead for their respective races and are expected to win them.

Senator Susan M. Collins is not up for reelection this year.

Minnesota

In Minnesota, incumbent Tim Pawlenty (R) is trailing in the polls against challenger Attorney General Mike Hatch (D) by 45% to 44% in the gubernatorial race. The race, which currently looks like it end with a Pawlenty victory. In the Senate, County Attorney Amy Klobuchar (D) is leading in the polls over Congressman Mark Kennedy (R) despite Kennedy’s attempt to name Klobuchar a duplicate of retiring, one-term Senator Mark Dayton, who was labeled “The Blunderer” by TIME magazine (Dayton was known for his bizarre. behavior during his Senate tenure) Klobuchar, however, leads by a strong 54% to 39%, and is likely to win the Senate seat and replace the retiring Dayton. Lori Swanson (D) leads over Jeff Johnson (R) in the race for Attorney General despite both parties’ ineffective, negative campaigns.

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State Profiles

Mississippi

Contrary to conventional wisdom, the political effects of Hurricane Katrina have appeared to assist incumbents in their quest for re-election. Incumbent Trent Lott (R) is expected to keep his seat in the Senate against challenger Erik Fleming (D). This, in part, is due to Lott’s raising raising 1.8 million dollars to Fleming’s meager fourteen thousand. There is no gubernatorial election in Mississippi this year, so Haley Barbour (R) will remain as governor. In the House, incumbent Roger Wicker (R) is predicted to win against challenger Ken Hurt (D) since Wicker spent more money on his campaign than Hurt by more than two-hundred thousand dollars. In the 2nd District, incumbent Bennie Thompson (D) is leading in the polls against challenger Yvonne Brown (R), also spending almost $870,000 more than Brown. In the Third District, incumbent Charles Pickering (R) has little competition from Jim Giles (I), and in the Fourth District, incumbent Gene Taylor (D) will likely win over challenger Randy McDonnel (R). In short, in Mississippi incumbents are expected to have an advantage in the races, despite the disaster of Hurricane Katrina. Fox News and University of Mississippi professor Richard Forgette also agree that Katrina has actually improved the status of political office holders.

Montana

Montana is a red state, but Conrad Burns may still run into trouble in the upcoming senate election. Having won the Republican nomination, Burns faces stiff competition from Democrat John Tester, the state senate president, and polls indicate that Burns is losing ground in the race after Tester’s impressive display of creativity during recent debates. Burn’s racially insensitive comments and his involvment with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff haven’t helped his candidacy. Governor Brian Schweitzer (D) will hold office until at least 2008 and enjoys consistently high approval ratings. Polls indicate that the state senate and state legislature may have a Democratic majority. With the midterm elections approaching fast, Montana will host a competitive senator race centering on taxes, which both candidates acknowledge as a critical issue. While Tester supports tax cuts for small businesses and the middle-class, Burns insists his opponent will vote against President Bush’s tax cut.

Missouri

In the Senate, Missouri State Auditor Claire McCaskill [D] and incumbent Sen. Jim Talent [R] are tied in the polls.

Talent is seen as one of the most vulnerable incumbents in the Senate elections, although he has raised more money than McCaskill. The race has been extremely competitive, and harsh advertisements against both campaigns have aired on television along with heated debates. Matt Blunt (R) will remain the Governor in the state since he is not up for re-election this year. In the House of Representatives, nine districts are open for election with five Republican incumbents and four Democratic incumbents. In the House of Representatives, the incumbents will likely remain in office as some were elected as early as 1976. Democrat Jay Nixon will remain Attorney General. Because not many elections are occurring in Missouri, all of the attention is cast on McCaskill and Talent and their fierce struggle for the Senate seat.

Official Senate Portrait

Nevada

Junior Senator John Ensign

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Nevada’s rapidly growing cities, especially Las Vegas and Reno, are constantly redefining the state’s political landscape. A contested issue in Nevada is the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository. The plan, which has been hotly debated by voters, calls for nuclear waste to be buried deep beneath the water table. Upcoming Nevadan elections include the senate race between incumbent Junior Senator John Ensign (R) and Jack Carter (D), the son of Jimmy Carter. Ensign is leading the race. In the governor’s race, Republican Representative Jim Gibbons is building his lead over Democratic nominee and current State Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus. Though Republicans currently have the edge, Nevada has never consistently backed candidates from one party or another. Often, candidates supported by the gaming industry are elected, as are candidates opposed to the Yucca Mountain plan. This plan has been center of debate for over a decade, and remains a hot issue for candidates and voters alike. Voters have contrasting, fluctuating opinions on this topic, so neither party has developed a foothold in this state, though the Republican presence will likely endure.

The Horace Mann Review Issue 2, Vol. XVI

Historically known as a Republican state, Nebraska’s small population can nevertheless support a Democrat in high office. Incumbent Junior Senator Ben Nelson (D) has a 73% approval rating, making him one of the most popular Senator in the country. Due to his popularity among both Democratic and GOP voters, Nelson currently holds a comfortable lead over Republican challenger Pete Ricketts. Fairing even stronger than Nelson, are Governor Dave Heineman and Lieutenant Governor Rick Sheehy. Heineman, who ascended to his position last year when thengovernor Mike Johanns was appointed Secretary of Agriculture, holds a large lead in the polls, and even has the support of many Democrats. Moderate Senior Senator Chuck Hagel (R) has a strong support base and is a potential candidate for a Presidential Nomination for 2008. Agriculture is the backbone of Nebraska’s economy, and Nelson’s lead in the polls is due in large part to his ideas regarding ongoing drought have excited the farmer population. However, Democrats have traditionally suffered in Nebraska; the state’s unicameral Senate contains a Republican majority, while Republicans also occupy the state’s five offices. Additionally, no Democrat has held any of Nebraska’s three congressional seats since 1992.

New Jersey: Corruption Extortion-Braker, ex-Hudson County

Freeholder passing bribes- Davila-Colon, ex-Hudson County Freeholder misuse of campaign funds-Impreveduto, Hudson County assemblyman money laundering and tax evasion Lee, New Jersey’s ex-Chief of Boxing

NewJersey

Nebraska

Official Senate Portrait

New Jersey voters consistently elect members of the Democratic Party, as reflected in the state legislature.

However, in the Senate race, Republican Tom Kean Jr. , scion of New Jersey’s most powerful political family, holds a slight lead in a toss up election with incumbent Junior Senator Bob Menendez (D), who has suffered due to corruption charges and accusations of misconduct.

Since New Jersey relies on New York and Pennsylvanian television networks, the state does not receive much state political broadcast, which gives distinctive candidates an advantage. Self funded Democrat Jon Corzine benefited from this and will hold gubernatorial office through 2010. With Frank Lautenberg in office, With Frank Lautenberg in office, Democrats will also retain the Senior Senator Office through 2009. Democrats hope to build on their strong foundation in New Jersey with the reelection of Bob Menendez for Senate. New Jersey suffers from a net loss of $31 billion from federal taxes, as well as some of the highest tax rates in the country, and taxes will be an important issue for both Menendez and Kean.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire is known as a political battleground, featuring intense campaigning every two years for both mid-term and presidential elections. President Bush lost New Hampshire by only a one percentage point in 2004, despite a Republican majority in legislature. John Lynch (D) won the governorship in 2004 by a two percent margin, thanks in most part to his oppositioin of state income tax. In the Senate, Republican Senators Judd Gregg and John E. Sununu will hold office until 2011 and 2009, respectively. Throughout its history, New Hampshire has been known as a predominately Republican state; nevertheless, it is continually a campaign focal point for both Democrats and the GOP. Current issues important to the people of New Hampshire are education and creating jobs. Governor Lynch’s success can be attributed to his history of creating jobs as CEO of Knoll, Inc., as well as his bills which require students to graduate high school. Bradley also stresses the importance of creating jobs through supporting small businesses. Though Republicans hold most high offices, Democrats continue to push forward.

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State Profiles Official Senate Portrait

Democrat Bill Richardson

New York

New Mexico

Democrats have taken over New Mexico, and it looks as if it’s going to stay that way through 2006. I n the gubernatorial race, incumbent Bill Richardson (D) is expected to cruise to victory against Former Secretary of Economic Development and Tourism John Dendahl (R) . Jeff Bingaman (D) is expected to remain the junior senator of New Mexico and crush his competitor, Allen W. McCulloch (R), in the senatorial election. There is, however, a tossup between Attorney General Patricia Madrid (D), and Rep. Heather Wilson (R), in the race for New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District, which is an important election because of the Democratic ambition of taking the majority in the House. Having control over New Mexico is critical if the Democratic Party hopes to regain control of Congress.

The Democrats have the majority in both the State Senate and Legislature. Though not the focus in the midterm elections, New Mexico promises to be a pivotal state in the Democratic bid for Congress, with two congressional districts are up for grabs this November.

Although a majority of New York’s registered voters are Democrats, Republicans have controlled the state senate for many years. However, this year’s elections are expected to change that. In the gubernatorial race, New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer (D) is expected to win in a landslide against former Minority Leader of the Assembly John Faso (R), Senator Hillary Clinton (D) is facing weak opposition from John Spencer (R), the former mayor of Yonkers. The only competitive election is between Andrew Cuomo (D), former Housing and Urban Development secretary, and Westchester District Attorney Jeanine Pirro (R). Pirro’s campaign has been plagued with scandal , and Cuomo seems to be leading the race, despite repeated criticism of his thin prosecutorial record. New York politics is features two distinct voting bases, as public officials have to appeal to both farmers in an agricultural based north, and a commercial south. These midterm elections are showcasing New York as a progressively Democratic state.

Governor George Pataki (R), who is preparing for a potential presidential campaign, is not seeking reelection, and the Democrats are expected to replace him. The outcome of the coming elections is expected to be a huge blow to the New York Republican Party, deminishing Republicans’ chances at keeping control over the state senate.

Eliot Spitzer is the new face of New York Democratic politics, and New York might bring out the first female president in Hillary Clinton.

New York is a model for Democratic politics.

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North Carolina

Despite its history of electing rightwing conservatives to office, North Carolina has become more moderate in recent years: It has both a Democratic governor and a Democratic majority in the General Assembly. However, North Carolina still tends to vote Republican in federal elections, as both of its Senators are Republicans. In the house, Robin Hayes (R) is running for reelection in the 8th Congressional District against Larry Kissell (D) and is expected to win in a landslide. In the 11th District, incumbent Charles H. Taylor (R) is making his bid for reelection against former professional football player Heath Schuler. It isn’t looking good for Taylor, as recent polls show Schuler up about 10%. North Carolina politics are split racially. African Americans tend to vote Democratic, and Caucasians tend to vote Republican. In the past politicians like Jesse Helms led North Carolina. But recently new political figures, such as Governor Mike Easley, have been paving the way for North Carolina’s minorities With such rapid change occurring, how long will it be until an African American gets elected to congress or sits in the governor’s chair?

New Mexico: Illegal Immigration New Mexico is at the epicenter of one of the most contested issues in this election. For border states, the issue of illegal immigration is a top priority.

Recently, Congress and the President have approved the construction of a multi-billion dollar, 800-mile long fence on the Southern border with Mexico. The bill also calls for increased funding and manpower for Border Patrol agents. This move may play a role in increasing support for Republicans in Washington.

The Horace Mann Review Issue 2, Vol. XVI

North Dakota

Official Senate Portrait

A state that voted overwhelmingly for George W. Bush in his 2000 and 2004 elections, North Dakota has been a Republican state in national elections but elected two Democrats to the senate and a Democrat to the House.

Incumbent Senator Kent Conrad (D) is expected to win easily against Anderson town councilman Dwight Grotberg (R).

Another Democrat, Representative Earl Pomeroy is expected to cruise to victory against Matthew Mechtel (R). Meanwhile, Governor Wayne Stenenhjm (R) faces weak opposition Incumbent Senator Kent Conrad in his bid for reelection. There are more registered Republicans than Democrats, but Democrats should win the majority of House and Senate elections. On the other hand, Republicans dominate both the State Senate and legislature, North Dakota politics have been inconsistent at best, making it hard to say which way the tables will turn in the coming midterm elections.

Oklahoma

Rep. 1994, and his

Democrat Brad Henry seems to be on his way to a second term as governor of Oklahoma. Henry has an approval rating of 69%, and is running against Republican Ernest Istook. Henry has improved public schools education, safety, and decreased the cost of health care. Current Attorney General of Oklahoma, Democrat Edward Edmonson, is running against Republican James Dunn. Edmonson has gained popularity since his election in accomplishments include improving safety and lowering drug costs.

Rhode Island

This year, Rhode Island’s most interesting election features incumbent Republican Senator Lincoln D. Chafee against Democratic challenger and former Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse II. Chafee has raised around $2.8 million, while Whitehouse has raised almost double that, at about $4.1 million.

Whitehouse is skeptical of what he perceives as Chafee’s Washington insider dealings, and his main concerns are Senior Citizen health problems and medical issues. On the other hand, Chafee, known as a liberal Republican who votes with Democrats, has worked in the senate to fix and eliminate not only problems in Rhode Island, but on the national level as well. His main accomplishments include preserving the environment, keeping the economy on the rise, creating more job opportunities, and improving the quality of education. Both candidates seem to have completely rational and well-thought out ideas for Rhode Island, but voters may want a candidate such as Whitehouse, as Rhode Island traditionally prefers Democrats to Republicans.

Official Senate Portrait

South Carolina

In South Carolina, the governor’s race is between Democrat Thomas L. Moore and the current governor, Republican Marshall C. Sanford Jr. Moore believes that the main issues hurting South Carolina are health care, employment, and education. He claims that fixing these three problems will lead to a better and stable economy. To do so, Moore wants to make intelligent investment decisions, investing more in the citizens of South Carolina, so that they can give back to the economy. In contrast to Moore, Sanford believes that the only way to make South Carolina’s economy better is through decreasing income taxes. However, Sanford also wants to make more jobs available and improve education. He has already helped to improve education throughout South Carolina and has also raised the salaries for the hard-working teachers within the state. Sanford has a double digit lead.

Marshall C. Sanford Jr.

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State Profiles Official Senate Portrait

Oregon

Democrat Ted Kulongoski, the current governor of Oregon is running for re-election against Republican Ron Saxton, the former head of the Portland School Board. Kulongoski has encounetered problems with several other members of the Democratic party, as well as with the state’s budget. Despite these bumps in the road, he remains ahead of Saxton in the polls, 47% to 36%. Each candidate seems to have his own fair share of political blunders: Kulongoski lost the votes of the labor unions because he raised taxes and decreased benefits for a lot of workers. Meanwhile, Saxton is viewed as a liberal Republican, which definitely does not speak to the rural parts of Oregon, a Republican stronghold. The central topics in Oregon elections should prove to be environmental issues, the fluctuation of taxes, and individual rights to land. Kulongoski seems to be successful in addressing and fixing these issues by dealing with them head on.

Ted Kulongoski visits firefighters who fought the B&B fire

Ohio

For 16 years, Republicans have dominated Ohio state politics.

Recently, however, Democrats have been making up lost ground… and fast.

Fighting controversy and scandal, Republicans face an intense battle for the governor’s seat and both houses of the state legislature.

In the gubernatorial race, Representative Kenneth Blackwell Ted Strickland (D) is ahead against former mayor of Cincinnati and current Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell (R). Incumbent Senator Mike DeWine (R) is in a dead heat with Representative Sherrod Brown (D). Democrats in Washington are intent on winning that seat in an effort to regain the senate. In the last presidential campaign, winning Ohio was Bush’s key to victory. However, Recent polls show a Democratic resurgence in almost every election. With Governor Bob Taft (R) being found guilty of ethics violations, and Congressman Bob Ney (R) abandoning his bid for reelection in the midst of a corruption investigation exposing his ties to former lobbyist Jack Abramoff, it seems as though Ohio’s Republican voters have lost faith in their party, and are starting to vote Democratic. The Democrats have been so resiliant that Republican funding of its Ohio candidates has waned in the weeks nearing the election; nevertheless, as a pivotal state for the Democrats to gain control over if they plan to retake Congress, Ohio is sure to be a key battleground.

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Pennsylvania

Official Senate Portrait

The Pennsylvania Senate election is one of the most important in the country. Incumbent senator Republican Richard J. Santorum has raised around $17.2 million, while his opponent, Democrat Robert P. Casey Jr., the current treasurer, whose father was prominent in Pennsylvanian politics, has raised only $10.8 million. According to Santorum, the main issues of the election will be illegal immigration.

Santorum, the son of an immigrant, claims that there is a definite alternative to amnesty.

In addition, Santorum has been a very active senator: he concentrates on maintaining of Pennsylvania’s land, increasing the economy and improving education. In addition, Santorum is the Chair of the Republican Senate Committee, the third highest rank within the party. But Santorum’s conservative values are at odds with the public opinion in Pennsyvania, and the moderate Casey, who is pro-life, is a viable alternative to Santorum. Even though Santorum Official Senate Portrait is powerful and well liked by his party, he will face an uphill battle against Casey, who has at times led Santorum by double d i g i t s .

Left: Incumbent senator Republican Richard J. Santorum Santorum’s f.

The Horace Mann Review Issue 2, Vol. XVI

Washington

Washington’s elections are proving to be intriguing. In the House elections, the Democrats hold six of the nine districts, while in the State senate, more than half of the seats will stay Democratic. In the primaries for Senate, both parties chose their candidates by a vast majority. Mike McGavick (R) is the challenger to incumbent Senator Maria Cantwell (D). Washington is in an anti-incumbent mood: though Cantwell would seem to be the front-runner, her seat is one of the three the Democrats could lose. McGavick, the former CEO of Safeco Insurance, is certainly hoping to reclaim one of those seats for the Republicans. Cantwell, who is notorious for her support of both the Patriot Act and, until recently, the war in Iraq, may have lost supporters amidst her flip-flopping. McGavick seems determined to take on the challenges that face his state and nation, such as making health care affordable, and winning the war on terror. Indeed, he could be his state’s new voice, although Cantwell will likely hold on by a less than comfortable margin.

South Dakota

Incumbent�������������� Senators Tim Johnson���������������� ��������������� and John Thune were elected in 2004������������������� ,������������������ so t������������� �������������� here �������� will be� no Senate race in South Dakota this year���. � Incumbent Governor Republican M i k e Rounds had a 75% approval rating, making him one of the most popular governers in the US. However, more recent polls show his approval rating has dropped to 58%, with 38% disapproving of his job performance.

Following his signing of a state-wide abortion ban. Polls indicate that, South Dakota is divided on the issue..

Official Senate Portrait

Utah

In the Utah race for US Senate, Republican Senator Orrin Hatch, is expected to win re-election against Democrat Pete Ashdown, an internet compant executive, and several minor party candidates including, Julian Hatch (G), Scott Orrin Hatch Bradley (C),Dave Seely (L), Roger Price (PC) and Joe Labonte (PC). The controversial issues in the race are ������������������� en����������������� ergy, education, and Iraq. There will be no race for governer in 2006.

Official Senate Portrait

Tennessee

Current Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is not seeking reelection this November. His absence from the ballot will allow for a race���������������������������������������������������� between Bob ������������������������������������������� Corker (R)����������������������������� and Harold Ford (D). Ford, who, if elected, would be the first black Senator from the South since Reconstruction, has been portrayed by Republican advertisements in an extremely negative light. The ads included a woman who told viewers she met Ford at a “Playboy party” and asked him to call her. Though Ford did not view the advertisements as racist, he deemed them “foolish,” and many experts believe the advertisements will backfire on Corker. Ford believes the government must reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and, while Corker disagreed with Ford’s suggestion to partition Iraq, he did say “new strategies” are needed in the war. This will be a polarizing and interesting race to watch, but Corker will likely hang on by a few points to win the seat.

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State Profiles Official Senate Portrait

Vermont

Incumbent �������������������������������������� Senator Jim Jeffords������������������ (I)�������������� is retiring��.

His departure leaves Vermont with a��������� Senate race featuring ��������������������������������������� Republican ����������������������������� candidate Richard Tarrant�������������������������������������� and Bernie ��������������������������������� Sanders (D)��������������� . Sanders����� won t�������������������������������������������� he Democratic nomination�������������������� ������������������������������ but decline�������� d������� ������ it in favor of������������������������������������ running as an independent���������� .��������� Sanders has already received major endorsements from prominent politicians including New York Senator Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, and Vermont Governor Howard Dean. In the governer��� ’��s race, Republican Jim Douglas is running for reelection against Demcorat Scudder Parker. Parker has been a State Senat������� or����� for eight years�������������������������������� and i�������������������������� ��������������������������� s focusing on issues such as health care, the economy and energy.

Although Douglas has a strong lead in this Democratic state, and will coast to victory..

Bernie Sanders declined the Democratic nomination to run as an independent

Wisconsin

One thing remains almost certain in a messy election cycle for Wisconsin: Herb Kohl (D), the incumbent senator, will be re-elected.

Republican challenger Robert Lorge barely filed his candidacy in time. Incumbent Governer, Democrat Jim Doyle, the incumbent governor, looks to be re-elected, with Republican Mark Green trailing behind him. They are both tackling the issues of making healthcare affordable, reforming education, and creating jobs. Doyle has a 47% approval rate on his side, so his chance to stay in office seem quite reasonable. The same can be said of Kohl in the Senatorial race. On the other hand, Lorge, an alleged child molester is probably not the best candidate the Republicans had to offer. These allegations support that the Democrats will likely strengthen their hold in Wisconsin.

Virginia

In the past, neither the Democratic nor the Republican party has had a clear advantage in Virginia. However, in recent elections, Republicans have taken charge. Senator George Allen (R), has an approval rating of 53% and seems to have control over his opponent, James Webb (D). However, Allen has recently lost some ground after he called a volunteer working for Webb a “macaca,”. . Nevertheless, the election will be decided on the candidates’ different stances on the important issues, now primarily the American economy, job market, homeland security, and the war on terror. With these issues in mind, Republicans maintain a stronghold in Virginia, where they hold 8 of the 11 House seats. George Allen is certainly one of the elite Republican politicians, is under some consideration to be one of those nominated by the Republican Party for the 2008 Presidential Election. However, there is a notable Democratic presence in the state government, as Tim Kaine (D) was recently elected to the governorship, and former governor Mark Warner was one of the most popular politicians in the state’s history. So, while Virginia has been, for the most part, considered a red state, the upcoming elections will likely greaten the Democratic presence.

New York • Dubai • New Delhi • Mumbai Page 18

The Horace Mann Review Issue 2, Vol. XVI Official Senate Portrait

Texas West Virginia

Despite Republican voting in recent years, polls show that West Virginia will remain a Democratic state. In the senatorial election, Robert Byrd, a Democrat who is 88 years old and has been on the Senate longer than anyone else in American history, looks to win by a landslide. Recent polls indicated he has a 63% to 30% advantage over Republican challenger John Raese. This competition exhibits the major issues in West Virginia: Iraq and taxes. Byrd, vocally against the Robert C. Byrd war and budget cuts, is taking an edge on Raese who adamantly supports the war and budget cuts. Nationwide elections include those for the House of Representatives, where the Democrats hold all three seats. In West Virginia, the Democratic Party is currently emerging in what used to be an undecided territory to a strongly leftist one. Governor Joe Manchin (D) won his election in 2004 by a landslide, and will likely be re-elected. Although John Byrd may not be around for much longer, he will stay in office for now. Dominating the Senate and House of Representatives, the Democrats are taking over the state.

Wyoming

In the senate race, incumbent Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R) is running for reelection after 12 years in office and an approval rating of 60 percent. The Democratic nominee is Barbara Ann Radnofsky, a��������������������������� ������������������������� Houston attorney who has never run for public office������������� before.����� She is facing a battle against a very popular Republican candidate in a state that h������������������������������������ a����������������������������������� s not voted Democratic since 1994.

The main issues in the senate race are education, transportation, defense, and foreign policy.��������������������� The 2006 governor��� ’��s race, is a large race with six candidates��:� Rick Perry, the Republican incumbent, Kinky Friedman, a country music singer who is running as an independent, Carole Keeton Strayhorn, a Republican facing Perry as an independent, Chris Bell, the Democratic candidate, and James Werner who is the Libertarian Party candidate.

Perry is expected to win, along with most of the Republican candidates.

Wyoming is considered to be one of the staunchest Republican states in the nation.

Craig Thomas (R) is the incumbent Senator and has always received great support from his constituents. It is doubtful that his opponent, Dale Groutage (D), will change that.

The same applies to all other elections, including that of the House of Representatives, where Barbara Cubin (R) is favored. However, Democrats have succeeded in winning gubernatorial elections, with Dave Freudental (D) currently holding the position with a 66% approval rating. Although he is criticized for being ineffective and negligent of problems such as methamphetamine and a non-diverse economy, he is well received in his state.

While the Democrats may gain power in the state, it cannot be denied that Wyoming is rooted in right wing idealogy. Republican Senator Craig Thomas, one of the most powerful politicians in Wyoming, received 74% of the vote in 2000. In the 2004 presidential election, 69% of the Wyoming vote went to re-electing Bush.

Although Groutage is challenging Thomas on more national issues, such as oil and Iraq, voters seem to relate more to Thomas’ concerns on wildlife and the middleclass. In short, little can be done to change such a strong preference in parties.

Official Senate Portrait

Kay Bailey Hutchinson

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Heading

John Edwards North Carolina

Policies Born: June 20, 1953 Birthplace: Seneca, South Carolina Education: B.A. North Carolina State University, J.D. University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Religious Affiliation: Methodist Occupations: Director of The Center of Poverty, Work and Opportunity at the University of North Carolina, Political Consultant Vice Presidential Candidate, Senator, Chair of the One America committee, trial lawyer

Abortion: Edwards supports women’s right to choose.

Iraq: Although he voted for the war in 2002,

Edwards says, “I was wrong.” He has supported “reducing the American presence” in Iraq.

Homeland Security: Edwards calls for

securing nuclear material and improving intelligence to counter terrorism.

Illegal Immigration: Edwards supports earned citizenship for illegal immigrants.

Education: Edwards opposes school vouchers, supports charter schools, and supports increased funding for No Child Left Behind.

Environment: Edwards opposes drilling in the ANWR and supports the Kyoto treaty.

Economy: Edwards supports “an economy that works for everyone” through, among other things, increasing minimum wage.

Social Issues: Edwards supports affirmative action. He is also in support of the death penalty.

Edwards believes that states should create their own legislation concerning marriage and civil unions between gay couples. He also wants to expand health care.

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Y

ou can be disappointed, but you cannot walk away. This fight has just begun.” So ended John Edward’s 2004 campaign for vice-president of the United States, following his loss to John Kerry in the Democratic presidential primaries. Since his loss in the 2004 elections, John Edwards has stepped out of his senate seat but has not stepped away from politics. He remains a prominent democrat and he may run in 2008. Edwards the son of a mill worker and a post office worker, was the first in his family to go to college, earning his B.A. from North Carolina State University. He also earned a law degree at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, where he met his wife, Elizabeth, whom he married in 1977. John Edwards quickly rose to fame as a prominent personal injury lawyer. In 1996, however, he suffered “the most important fact of [his] life,” when his first son, Wade, was killed in a car accident. In what his wife calls Edwards’ “own personal journey,” Edwards came back to the legal field six months later, winning the most important case of his career- a $25 million dollars verdict for the parents of a child killed due to a pool drain. Perhaps due to his son’s death or his personal fortune, John Edwards left the legal field in 1998, having amassed a net worth estimated to be between $12.8 and $60 million dollars. In 1998, Edwards ran a successful campaign for senate against incumbent Republican senator, Lauch Faircloth. From the moment Edwards stepped into the political world, he was surrounded by buzz and speculation. In 2000, the senator was rumored to be one of presidential candidate Al Gore’s top choices for vice president; it was later shown that Edwards was second on the list, after the eventual selection of Joe Lieberman. In less political news, he was named People magazine’s “sexiest politician alive.” In his senate term, Edwards sponsored about 200 bills and served on the United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Judiciary Committee. He was also one of the most prominent Democratic supporters of the Iraq War, although he later stated, “[he] was wrong.” John Edwards’ campaign for the presidency in 2004, notable due to its appeal to working America, was announced in a unique way: on the set of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

In addition , it was noteworthy that he was not also seeking reelection to his senate seat. While John Kerry would go on to capture the presidential nomination, Edwards remained in the campaign longer than other notable candidates, such as Howard Dean and Wesley Clark. Finally, after he conceded defeat in the presidential race, Edwards was nominated as Kerry’s vice presidential candidate on a ticket that would ultimately lose. As a lawyer and as a politician, Edwards has had no trouble appealing to Americans. It seems likely that this coming election, Edwards will again try to capture the heart of America. However, the reality is that in order to win the Democratic nomination alone, Edwards will have to run a near flawless campaign against dynamic candidates. While Edwards will surely be a noteworthy candidate in the upcoming 2008 elections, it is doubtful that he will win the national vote.

Edwards for President (2004)

Presidential Candidates

The Horace Mann Review Issue 2, Vol. XVI Massachusetts Governor’s Site

Mitt Romney

H

Massachusetts

e’s photogenic. He’s articulate. He’s got money. New Hampshire likes him. This guy . . . you watch him,” said Bill O’Reilly about Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. After George Allen’s rapid, well-publicized demise, Mitt Romney emerged as the candidate most appealing to traditional conservatives. With the importance he places on religion and his stances on issues like abortion and gay marriage, Romney hopes to rally up enough of the conservative base to win him the election. As the candidates prepare for the 2008 election, Romney’s prominence seems to have consistently grown. Mitt Romney was born in Detroit, Michigan, the son of future Republican Governor of Michigan, George Romney. He was accepted into Stanford University, but before his first year was over, he left to go to France and serve the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 2½ years. He then returned, receiving his Bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in 1971 and he earned M.B.A and a J.D. from Harvard. After leaving college, Romney became Vice President and CEO of a strategy consulting firm, Bain & Company. As CEO, he was able to make the company a leading competitor in its field. In 1994, Romney dove into politics, capturing the Republican Party’s nomination to run for senate against incumbent senator Ted Kennedy. Romney did remarkably well for a challenger to Kennedy, although the end result of 58% Kennedy to 41% Romney fell short of what some polls had predicted. Through this election, Romney established himself as a noteworthy Massachusetts political figure. In 1999, Romney became president and CEO of the Salt Lake City Games, in preparation for the 2002 Winter Olympics. He was charged with the task of fixing initial chaos caused by bribery and other scandals. Romney and the Salt Lake Organizing Committee were able to fix the situation, enabling the Winter Games to earn $100 million in profit. Romney received praise from numerous people, including President Bush, for his work in fixing the crisis. In 2002, Romney ran for governor, and although some questioned his eligibility and experience, he was able to win the election. Since then, Romney has initiated various policies. Of note are his proposal to give one free laptop to every Massachusetts child, his work in balancing the budget, and his health care proposal to cover everyone in Massachusetts. While Romney does not enjoy national name recognition like Rudy Giuliani and John McCain, he is emerging as a candidate who, unlike Giuliani or McCain, can appeal to the conservative base. While he started his campaign as a relative unknown in the national spectrum, more and more people- as shown by Bill O’Reilly’s endorsement of him- are beginning to believe that Romney is the one candidate who will uphold the traditional values of the conservative base. With George Allen out of the picture, Romney must focus on establishing name recognition and his conservative reputation. If Romney emerges as the traditional conservative’s answer to John McCain and Rudy Giuliani, he could have a shot at winning the Republican primaries through the support of a traditional conservative base. Like President Bush, Mitt Romney must rely on the conservative base to carry him through the Republican primary and the general election.

Policies Born: March 12, 1947 Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan Education: B.A. Brigham Young University, J.D. M.B.A. Harvard University Religious Affiliation: Latter-day Saint Occupations: Governor of Massachusetts, The Chairmen of the Republican Governor Association.

Chair of the Commonwealth PAC, CEO Salt Lake City Olympic Games 2002, CEO of Bain Capital

Abortion: Romney is against abortion in all

cases excepting those of rape, incest, or if the life of the mother is in danger.

Iraq: Romney has been supportive of the President, saying, “We toppled the government...walking away would mean a humanitarian disaster. We’re there and we have a responsibility to finish the job.”

Homeland Security: Says Romney, “We

should be doing more in terms of intelligence and counterterrorism in the state to protect ourselves from terrorists.”

Illegal Immigration: Romney has stated that he is against amnesty for illegal immigrants; he has also refused to grant drivers licenses or other accommodations to illegal immigrants.

Education: Romney supports charter

schools, school vouchers, and, in Massachusetts, has campaigned for better pay for science and math teachers, and free laptops for all students.

Environment: Romney has worked to reduce

greenhouse gas emissions, but is in favor of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Economy: As governor, Romney placed

importance on balancing his state’s budget and cutting down on the deficit. He also vetoed legislation that would have increased the minimum wage.

Social Issues: Romney supports the death

penalty. He opposes cloning in stem-cell research and opposes gay marriage and unions.

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John McCain Arizona

Policies

J

ohn McCain is one of the most interesting figures in congress.

The senator from Arizona has received national name recogniBorn: August 29, 1936 tion as he has spoken about controversial issues such as deBirthplace: Coco Solo, U.S. Panama Canal tainee treatment, illegal immigration, and campaign finance Zone reform. McCain is a Vietnam War veteran and would be the Education: B.A. United States Naval Academy oldest president ever if he were elected. However, the most distinguishReligious Affiliation: Episcopalian able trait of John McCain is one that both his supporters and opponents Occupation: Senator, Congressman, Soldier can’t stop talking about, that of all the members of congress John McCain is most famous for his frequent straying from party lines. John McCain III was born on August 29, 1936. Both his grandfather and his father were admirals in the navy, and following in their footsteps, McCain graduated Abortion: McCain is pro life and has voted for from the United States Naval Academy, going on to become a U.S. naval legislation that would restrict abortions. aviator and fought in the Vietnam War. In 1967, John McCain’s plane was Iraq: McCain supported the invasion into Iraq, and shot down in Northern Vietnam. Although McCain survived the crash, he while he has offered constructive criticism, he has was captured by North Vietnamese and held as a P.O.W. in the Hanoi Hilstill sided with the Bush administration in terms of ton prison. At the prison, McCain was subject to interrogation and severe the importance of completing the mission. beatings, and suffered permanent shoulder injuries. He was released from the prison in 1973. McCain’s political career started in the early 1980s, Homeland Security: McCain wants increased and more efficient intelligence agency work when was elected as the representative of Arizona’s 1st congressional district. In 1986, when Senator Barry Goldwater retired, McCain ran for and and supports the PATRIOT Act. was elected to the senate. McCain’s early years in the senate are marked by Illegal Immigration: McCain is a his involvement in the Keating Five scandal, in which he was accused of supporter of guest worker programs, and cosponsored a bill to implement guest worker programs. “questionable conduct” by an aid to Charles Keating, who was convicted of fraud. McCain states that campaign finance reform, one of his main Education: McCain is a supporter of intelligent issues, is important to him partly because of this scandal. In his years on design and evolution in schools, charter schools, and the Senate, McCain has served on committees such as the Committee on school vouchers.

Armed Services and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransporEnvironment: McCain has worked to tation. In 2000, after his book, Faith of My Fathers, was published, John introduce legislation about global warming, saying, McCain ran for president. In the 2000 race, McCain appeared at first to be “I’m concerned about climate change. I’m going to the frontrunner, winning the New Hampshire primary. However, McCain do something about it.. became engulfed in conflicts with the religious right, and was unable to hold on to his momentum. In the end, George W. Bush was able to preEconomy: McCain has voted against Bush’s vail and receive the Republican nomination. Since his loss in the 2000 2001 and 2003 tax cuts and is known by many as a presidential election, McCain has been a vocal supporter of Bush’s foreign “Republican in Name Only.” policy, although he has suggested some changes. However, he became the Social Issues: McCain has introduced center of national attention when congress debated treatment of detainees, campaign finance legislation. He supports stem cell research, the death penalty, and the right to own guns. and McCain worked to ensure basic rights to detainees in Guantánamo He does not support the federal marriage amendment Bay and other facilities. The real factor that threatens a McCain presidential run is McCain’s reputation as a liberal Republican. If his opponents to the constitution. are able to convince enough people that McCain will not support basic party values, McCain will not have much of a chance in the primaries.

While McCain will be the favorite in a general election, he will have to work very hard to win the Republican nomination, as both Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani will draw many conservative votes away from McCain.

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Armed Services Committee

Presidential Candidates

The Horace Mann Review Issue 2, Vol. XVI Official Senate Portrait

Evan Bayh Indiana

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van Bayh is not a nationally-recognized figure. He has not been the subject of controversy, nor has he been the subject or great praise. However, in the political world, Evan Bayh has become an increasingly important figure as Democrats try to seize more seats in the 2008 election.

The son of former senator Birch Bayh, Evan is considered to be a man who will carry the party on his shoulders as he rises to increased prominence and importance in the United States. Evan Bayh was born in Shrikeville, Indiana, in December 26, 1955. As the son of senator Birch Bayh, who ran for the Democratic nomination for president, Bayh grew up around intense politics. In 1978, he graduated from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. In 1986, Bayh followed his father into politics, becoming the Secretary of State of Indiana. Afterwards, Bayh became the governor of Indiana. Bayh’s tenure as governor was marked with considerable popularity, and in 1992, he was reelected as governor with the highest percentage of the vote in Indiana’s recent history. In 1996, Governor Bayh gave the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. In 1998, after leaving the governor’s seat in 1997, Bayh ran for and was elected to the U.S. Senate. Being a young and promising member of the party, Bayh immediately captured the attention of interested Democrats, and in 2000 he almost became the Vice Presidential candidate with Al Gore. In his senate terms, Bayh has served on various committees, including the Senate Committee on Armed Services. He also served for four years (2001-2005) as the chairman of the DLC (Democratic Leadership Council). Bayh seems to have a good chance of being elected for a number of reasons. Firstly, Bayh is from Indiana and is a moderate democrat. While others such as Hillary Clinton may be ostracized from southern states, Bayh has been able to thrive in the traditionally Republican Indiana. Bayh’s ability to appeal to generally Republican states will serve him well in a general election.

If Bayh is able to win over a couple of red states such as Indiana, Bayh’s chances at winning the election will dramatically increase. In order to be elected, Bayh should work on establishing name recognition and making people recognize him as a viable candidate. Now that moderate democrat Mark Warner has said that he is not running, it seems like Bayh will have an increased chance of winning the general election. Bayh must advertise himself as a liberal just enough to appeal to democrats in the primaries, and yet retains a piece of his roots as an Indianan politician enough to appeal to voters in a general election. Though a victory over Hillary Clinton will undoubtedly be tough to accomplish as more people become aware of other candidates besides Senator Clinton, many candidates such as Senator Bayh will have a much better chance of winning the election.

Policies Born: December 26, 1955 Birthplace: Shirkieville, Indiana Education: B.A. Indiana University, J.D. University of Virginia Religious Affiliation: Episcopalian Occupation: Senator

Abortion: Senator Bayh has voted pro-choice, excepting a vote to ban partial-birth abortions.

Iraq: Senator Bayh originally voted for the war

but now criticizes the Bush administration for its handling of the war and the CIA for false intelligence about, among other things, WMDs.

Homeland Security: Senator Bayh

most recently voted for the PATRIOT Act. He has supported abridging business with groups with suspected terrorist ties.

Illegal Immigration: Senator Bayh

supports a guest worker program, allowing guest workers to earn citizenship, and giving social security to illegal immigrants.

Education: . Senator Bayh opposes school

vouchers, supports charter schools, and has voted for financing to educational agencies

Environment: Senator Bayh has supported research into new energy resources besides oil..

Economy: Senator Bayh’s web site states that

he supports “fiscally responsible policies” using the middle class and small business to “drive economic growth.” He was responsible for the largest state tax cut in the history of Indiana.

Social Issues: Senator Bayh has supported stem-cell research and voted against a constitutional ban of same-sex marriage.

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Wesley Clark Illinois

Policies Born: December 23, 1944 Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois Education: B.A. West Point, M.A. Oxford University Religious Affiliation: Roman Catholic Occupation: General, NATO Supreme allied commander, Presidential candidate

Abortion: Wesley Clark is pro-choice but

wants to implement a partial-birth abortion ban with exceptions if the mother’s life is in danger.

Iraq: . “We need an Iraq that stays together,”

said Clark last Democratic Convention. “We need something like some kind of a representative government. We need an Iraq that’s strong enough to protect itself from Al Qaeda, but not so strong that it threatens its neighbors.

Homeland Security: During the last

Democratic Convention, Clark said, “The safety of our country demands urgent and innovative measures to strengthen our armed forces. The safety of our country demands credible intelligence. The safety of our country demands cooperation with our allies..

Illegal Immigration: Clark supports

tightening borders but allowing earned citizenship

Education: Clark opposes school vouchers, supports charter schools, and calls for increased funding to No Child Left Behind

Environment: Clark opposes drilling in the ANWR and calls for alternative energy sources.

Economy:. Clark supports a balanced budget by limiting tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans

Social Issues: Clark supports affirmative action and equal rights for gay couples.

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never said I won’t run,” said Wesley Clark about the 2008 presidential election. General Clark, who ran for president in 2004, is now being considered as a possible candidate in 2008. Clark’s qualifications - namely his clout as a general - give him important advantages over other democrats such as Hilary Clinton by adding appeal to traditionally conservative voters.

Wesley Clark was born on December 23, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois. He was raised by his mother due to his father’s untimely death. In 1962, Clark enrolled in the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY. After marrying his wife, Gertrude Kingston, Clark converted to Catholicism.

Clark also studied as a Rhodes Scholar in Oxford University, graduating in 1968. After his graduation, Clark was summoned to fight in Vietnam, having already led a company (about 100-200 soldiers) in Kansas. During Vietnam, Clark’s performance earned him a promotion to the title of Captain. In 1970, Captain Clark was shot four times in a sniper attack. Clark survived and was awarded the Bronze and Silver stars for his courageous actions during the attack. After he recovered, Clark rose up the military hierarchy. He ended up becoming a four-star general, the highest position in the military. After Vietnam, Clark participated in numerous other military endeavors. Of these, the most notable is his work to establish the Bosnian Peace Accords. After retiring from the army in 2000, Clark had a career as an analyst of international affairs. However, he also began preparing for a presidential campaign by visiting New Hampshire in 2002.

In September 2003, Wesley Clark announced his belated decision to run for the presidency. Even before he announced his race, Clark had a large internet following. However, his support never quite reached enough to defeat John Kerry. Clark’s ability to appeal to traditionally conservative voters enabled him to win the Oklahoma primary and became the only candidate to win a non-home state besides John Kerry. Clark was not able to win any other primaries, however. While this may in part be due to the rising prominence of John Kerry, it is still attributable to Clark’s handling of the election and his inability to capitalize on the downfall of Howard Dean as John Kerry did. After he pulled out of the election, Clark endorsed John Kerry. He became an analyst for Fox News in 2005.

Just like in 2004, many people are supporting a possible Clark run for president in 2008. Clark has said that he will decide whether or not he will run after the midterm elections. If Clark decides to run, he will have a good chance at some primaries and possibly the nomination. Clark has the potential to do remarkably well in a general election, and if he is able to advertise both his liberal policies and his military record effectively, he should have a good mix of support from both red states and blue states.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Presidential Candidates

The Horace Mann Review Issue 2, Vol. XVI Clinton’s Senate Webpage

Hillary Clinton New York

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enator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) has long been in the spotlight of America. She was put in the spotlight as the First Lady to a husband surrounded by sex scandals, namely that involving Monica Lewinsky. After her husband left presidential office, Clinton ran as the Democratic candidate for the New York Senate. She won and has been serving on the senate since 2001. Senator Clinton is one of the frontrunners in the 2008 presidential election. Hillary Rodham Clinton was born in 1947 in Chicago, Illinois. Since high school she has been active in politics, even earning an award for her work in supporting Republican Barry Goldwater’s presidential run in 1964. Clinton’s political views changed, however, after she attended Wellesley College and was influenced by Professor Alan Schechter. She soon became a member of the Democratic Party. In 1969, she attended Yale Law School, where she met her future husband Bill Clinton, whom she married in 1975. She filled numerous important posts, including partnership at the Rose Law Firm, before becoming the First Lady of Arkansas in 1978 after her husband was elected governor.

In 1980, she had her first and only child, Chelsea Clinton. National Law Journal listed Hillary Clinton, who continued to work with the Rose Law Firm, as one of the 100 most influential lawyers in America in 1988 and 1991. In 1993, Clinton became the First Lady of the United States. During her husband’s presidency, Clinton supported health care reform, women’s rights, and continued her lifelong commitment to children. In 1998, however, she received the greatest attention of all after the Monica Lewinsky scandal. She originally supported her husband, but their marriage grew tense as the First Lady had to come to terms with the fact that her husband had committed adultery. In 2000, Hillary Clinton decided to run for New York Senate. She faced a well-funded and supported candidate in Rick Lazio, but was able to win the election with 55% of the vote. She started her term as senator in 2001. Since being elected, Clinton has become a member of various committees, including the Committee on Armed Services. Her upcoming 2006 election is expected to be an incredibly easy win. Senator Clinton is one of the most important and well-known candidates for the presidency in 2008. If she does follow through with the likely run, she will be one of the frontrunners for the Democratic presidential nomination. President Clinton’s hardest obstacle will be overcoming her reputation as a polarizing public figure. If she is not able to remove her liberal reputation, she will have trouble appealing to many Americans during the general election. Then again, if Senator Clinton plays her cards right, she will have one of the best chances at the presidency.

Policies Born: October 26, 1947 Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois Education: B.A. Wellesley College, J.D. Yale University Religious Affiliation: United Methodist Occupation: Senator, First Lady of US and AK, lawyer

Abortion: Senator Clinton is outspokenly pro-choice, supporting women’s right to choose an abortion.

Iraq: Senator Clinton supports building alliances and beginning to bring troops home, but she opposes setting “a date certain.”

Homeland Security: .Senator Clinton supports “improvements in the security of our nation’s transportation infrastructure, including aviation security, air cargo security, and port security.”

Illegal Immigration: Senator Clinton supports a Guest Worker program, a path to citizenship for guest workers, and social security for immigrants.

Education: Senator Clinton supports charter schools and more federal funding, but opposes school vouchers and teaching intelligent design.

Environment: Senator Clinton opposes drilling in ANWR and supports research into alternative energy resources and the Kyoto Protocol.

Economy:. Senator Clinton seeks to “pay down the national debt, save Social Security, modernize Medicare with a prescription drug benefit, and provide targeted tax cuts to the families who need them most.”

Social Issues: Senator Clinton supports reformed health care and affirmative action, but opposes gay marriage

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Russ Feingold Wisconsin

Policies Born: March 2, 1953 Birthplace: Janesville, Wisconsin Education: B.A. University of Wisconsin– Madison, B.A. Oxford University, J.D. Harvard University Religious Affiliation: Judaism Occupation: Senator

Abortion: Senator Feingold is pro-choice,

voting against bans on abortion (including partial birth abortions).

Iraq: Senator Feingold voted against entering Iraq.

“We are better off Saddam Hussein is gone, but we are not safer,” he said..

Homeland Security: Senator Feingold

has voted against the PATRIOT Act and was the only senator to vote against it in 2001. He has also voted to restrict business with organizations having terrorist links.

Illegal Immigration: Senator Feingold supports a Guest Worker program, allowing illegal immigrants Social Security, and establishing a method for Guest Workers to earn citizenship

Education: Senator Feingold has voted

against school vouchers and has voted for funding educational agencies.

Environment: Senator Feingold has voted

against drilling in the ANWR and opposes the Bush Administration’s energy policy

Economy:. Senator Feingold has worked for

restrictions in corporate welfare and pork barrel spending (government spending aimed at benefiting specific constituents)

Social Issues: Senator Feingold supports same-sex marriage and universal health care.

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mericans…want both security and liberty, and unless we give them both – and we can if we try – we have failed.” Russ Feingold, a recipient of the Profile in Courage Award, has been noted by supporters for statements like this, in which the senator shows a passionate allegiance to America. Supporters have praised Feingold for his vote against the PATRIOT Act in 2001 (he was the only senator to do so), his support of campaign finance reform, and his call to censure President Bush. Feingold, noted as one of the most liberal members of the senate, now has his eyes set on the 2008 Presidential election. Russ Feingold was born in Wisconsin in 1953. His interest in politics started at a very young age, as JFK and RFK were two of his idols. Feingold was a Rhodes Scholar, and after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1975, went on to both Oxford University and Harvard University, finally ending his studies in 1979. Feingold joined private law firms after he graduated from college. However, he had not lost his interest in public affairs, and in 1982 he was elected to Wisconsin’s state senate.

In 1992, he was elected to the United States Senate in a surprise victory over two opponents who had more money and name recognition then he had. Portraying himself as a loyal member of Wisconsin, Feingold was able to draw votes away from his opponents. His campaign was notable due to Feingold’s humorous advertisements, which included an advertisement proving that Feingold did not have skeletons in his closets. While his two opponents in the primary used smear tactics to try and win their campaigns, Feingold capitalized on the situation by positioning himself as a competent alternative. This tactic proved successful for Feingold as he won the primary with 70% of the vote. In the general election, Feingold defeated incumbent Bob Kasten and became Wisconsin’s junior senator.

Feingold was reelected to the senate in 1998 and 2004. The most notable aspect of Feingold’s tenure on the senate so far has been his involvement in the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, nicknamed the McCain-Feingold bill. The bill outlined a series of limits on how campaigns could be supported, and it took seven years for this bill to pass. In his 1998 bid for reelection to the senate, Feingold abided by the bill even though it had not passed. Another notable aspect of Feingold’s tenure on the senate is his voting against the PATRIOT Act in 2001. Feingold was the only senator to do so, and while many suspected that he would come under fire for his decision, his vote was regarded with great popularity when the PATRIOT Act underwent great criticism, especially after the domestic spying scandal. Feingold was elected to the senate by proving the idea that he is a competent leader whose first priority is looking out for his constituents’ interests. Feingold needs to exhibit this reputation if he plans on winning a general election, in which his liberal record could come under fire.

Official Portrait

Presidential Candidates

The Horace Mann Review Issue 2, Vol. XVI Official Portrait

Newt Gingrich Georgia

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ewt Gingrich has always been a figure of controversy, but in 1995, he reached the height of his media attention.

In giving out TIME magazine’s 1995 Person of the Year award to Gringrich, Nancy Gibbs and Karen Tumulty wrote, “The qualities that brought Gingrich this far are also the ones that are bringing him down: militance, arrogance and a lot of nerve.” Although Gingrich is credited with the Republican congress victory in 1994 during which Republicans won 54 congressional seats even during his prime he was never a candidate for president. However, beginning with the release of his book, Winning the Future, in 2005, there has been more and more speculation about a possible Gingrich run for president. In fact, based on recent actions by the former Speaker of the House, it seems likely that Gingrich will run for president. Gingrich has been involved in the political world for at least the last thirty years. In 1974, 1976, and 1978, Gingrich ran for congress as the representative of Georgia’s sixth district. He lost the first two elections against incumbent Democrat Jack Flynt, but finally was elected in 1978 when Flynt chose not to seek reelection. After his election, Gingrich quickly ascended the congressional rankings becoming more and more influential. He was in part responsible for the resignation of Democrat Speaker of the House Jim Wright, who had violated campaign finance and House ethics rules. After Dick Cheney became Secretary of Defense in 1989, Gingrich replaced him as minority whip. Gingrich, along with the Gang of Seven, called attention to alleged Democratic corruption. In 1994, Gingrich’s political influence reached its climax with the famous Contract with America. The contract, which outlined House Republicans’ promises if elected, was a huge success for both Gingrich and the Republican Party.

In the election, Republicans gained 54 seats and took control of congress for the first time in forty years. Following the Contract with America, Gingrich was involved in a budget battle with President Bill Clinton. During the conflict he was the subject of a scandal involving his statement concerning Republican stance on government budget. He accredited his stance to his being “snubbed” by President Clinton when he was told to leave Air Force One through the rear entrance. In 1996, Gingrich was the target of ethics charges, and although all charges were dropped, Gingrich paid $300,000 for prolonging the House Ethics Committee investigation. A phone conversation was later leaked in which Gingrich said that he did not plan to follow out on his agreements with the Committee thereby causing another scandal. In 1997, Gingrich was almost ousted as Speaker, and amid growing disapproval, stepped down from his House seat soon after. His actions regarding the Monica Lewinsky scandal and his constant bickering with Clinton played a large part in the disapproval, which lead to his resignation.

Gingrich’s chances in the presidential election don’t seem good. Although he maintains consistent numbers in the polls, he has never been a popular, president-elect type candidate, and it seems unlikely that this will change.

Policies Born: June 17, 1943 Birthplace: Dauphin, Pennsylvania Education: B.A. Emory University, PhD. Tulane University Religious Affiliation: Roman Catholic Occupation: Former Representative/Speaker of the House, currently a political commentator

Abortion:. Gingrich is fervently against abortion Iraq: Gingrich believes that we must try to return Iraq to the Iraqis as soon as possible; however, we should not rush through the process.

Homeland Security: Gingrich maintains

that we need to confront terrorism and security threats from countries like North Korea and Iran.

Illegal Immigration: Gingrich supports

greatly tightening border security, “enforcement against unlawful employment,” and an “outsourced worker visa program.”

Education: Gingrich has been an outspoken

supporter of school prayer, supporting a constitutional amendment enabling prayer

Environment: Although he has opposed the Kyoto treaty, Gingrich supports research into new energy sources.

Economy:. Gingrich supports expansion of free trade, a balanced budget and fiscal responsibility.

Social Issues: Gingrich supports health care reform, but opposes gay marriage

All Candidate Profiles Reported on By Venkat Kausik Page 27

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The Horace Mann Review

Bush Factor

Jim Talent and Trouble for the Republican Party

T

By Jon Katerai

ime to toss up that coin, because the race for legislation that prevented unwed mothers under the age of 21 Senate in Missouri looks as if it will be too from getting welfare benefits. In 2000, he supported an anticlose to call. Democratic State Auditor Claire poverty bill that received bipartisan support; the bill gave tax McCaskill and Republican incumbent Jim breaks, initiated government programs, and supplied regulatory Talent are, for the time being, locked head to relief for citizens in some of the poorest cities in America. He head in a race that might as well be decided in the final hours joined committees that reflected his interests. One such group before November 7th, the date of the long-anticipated midterm was the House Committee on Small Business. Talent believed elections. The public has been dithering between the two can- that encouraging people working in small businesses would didates since the Republican and Democratic primaries. Recent boost the morale and economic state of Missouri citizens. events within the Republican Party have made Talent’s re-elecTalent’s policies and character have earned him 22 years tion bid particularly difficult to achieve, leading some to be- thus far in the political scene. Unfortunately, McCaskill’s parlieve that he GOP ty knows the may end up stakes of this a victim of election, and the end of the Democrats Republican both in her R evo lu tion . home state J i m and across Talent has the country had a long are counting political hison her to win. tory. He was The Demoelected to crats need the Missouri to regain six House of seats if they Representahope to take tives in 1984 control of when he was the Senate. only three Missouri, years out of by its nature law school. and history, From 1989 to is a place 1992 he was where DemJim Talent has tried to appeal to the voters with both local and national security issues. the Minority ocrats see Leader in the most potenMissouri House, during which time he opposed all tax increas- tial for victory. es. Although he failed to move up to the House of RepresentaMissouri has selected the winning presidential cantives in 1990, he succeeded in doing so in 1992, when he won didate in all but one election in the past century, making it the tight race with 51% of the required vote. He remained in as powerful a swing state as any. In the Senate election of the House until 2000, when he ran for Missouri governorship. 2000, incumbent John Ashcroft lost by 2% to Mel CarnaAfter losing to Democrat Bob Holden by just 21,000 votes, he han who died in a plane crash days before the election, rereturned to office in 2002, clinching a seat in the Missouri Sen- quiring his wife Jean to take his place. In the special elecate as the replacement of the deceased Mel Carnahan. On Au- tion of 2002, Talent defeated Jean by less than 23,000 votes. gust 8, 2006, Talent won the Republican primary for the Senate His 50% of the vote outweighed her 49%. This year, polls and will face McCaskill in the general elections next month. have shown that the two current candidates, both of whom A conservative Republican who has progressively won won more than 80 % of the vote in the primaries, are runthe hearts of Missouri citizens, Talent is pro-life and supports ning neck-and-neck. Could the margins be any narrower? scholarships for students. His congressional campaigns foUnderstandably, the Democrats are doing everything in cused on how he was a welfare, budget, and urban renewal their power to clinch this election. In July, the Democratic Senreformer. He voted against the minimum wage and introduced atorial Campaign Committee pledged about $6 million to add

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The Horace Mann Review Issue 2, Vol. XVI Talent For Senate

Jim Talent has tried to appeal to the voters with both local and national security issues. to McCaskill’s original sum of $2.78 million. At that point, Talent had roughly $7.12 million in the bank. The only candidate who will receive more from the Committee is Sherrod Brown, the candidate running against Senator Mike DeWine in Ohio.

To promote her image, McCaskill has campaigned beside famous supporters such as former President Bill Clinton, former Attorney General Janet Reno, and even country music star Willie Nelson. She has also attracted attention from several national committees such as the Washington-based National Women’s Political Caucus, which endorsed McCaskill in 2004 and 2006.

McCaskill herself is a popular candidate in Missouri. Now 53 years old, she has served a total of 23 years in politics and state service. Between 1983 and 1988 she served as a state representative. She then served two terms as the first female prosecutor for Johnson County, an area that surrounds Kansas City. McCaskill is in her second term as State Auditor, a position to which she was re-elected in 2002. Guided by a liberal point of view, she endorses two ballot initiatives that presently push her ahead of Talent according to summer polls. 60-70% of voters support her on the basis of the minimum wage and stem-cell research.

One of McCaskill’s initiatives is increasing the federal and state minimum wage. According to McCaskill’s campaign web site, http://claireonline.com, McCaskill is quoted as say-

ing, “You just can’t make it in America on $5.15 an hour.

We must increase the minimum wage. Too many Missourians are working too hard at too many jobs just to scrape by. I strongly support rewarding their hard work. It’s immoral for full time workers in America to live in poverty.” McCaskill, along with 68% of voters, according to a St. Louis Post-Dispatch Poll, supports an increase in the minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.50 an hour, adjusted annually to reflect inflation. Talent has not taken a public position on the wage issue.

Another significant discrepancy between the candidates concerns the issue of stem cell research. Last April, Talent opposed a proposed ballot measure protecting embryonic stem cell research that McCaskill supported. His explanation, announced on Sunday, October 8th during Meet the Press, was that he is “opposed to human cloning.” On the other hand, he supports scientific “alternatives which will allow us to get all the stem cells that we want without having to clone an embryo or destroy an embryo.” So far the public seems to be supporting McCaskill on the issue. McCaskill is taking a more liberal stance, “I come down on the side…of supporting science,” she said.

Claire McCaskill and Jim Talent will run a highstakes, close-call midterm election. Both sides are backed with heavy money and support, making Talent’s reelection bid one that is not exactly easy to achieve. Expect to see a

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The Horace Mann Review

Ralph Reed Is Over The End of the Christian Coalition?

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he religious right will be short one candidate in the upcoming midterm election: Ralph Reed. The former executive director of the Christian Coalition lost his bid to the Republican candidacy for Georgia Lt. Governor to state Senator Casey Cagle. Reed lost in the July Republican primary and collected only 44% of the vote while Cagle collected 56%. This loss was the first election in which Reed appeared on the ballot. He has been an advisor for many other campaigns for religious right candidates such as former Presidential candidate Pat Robertson, former U.S. Senator Jessie Helms, former Georgia Lt. Governor candidate Mitch Skandalakis, Former President George Bush Sr., and current President George Bush Jr..

Reed was once considered by many to be a “shoe-in” for this election due to his tremendously energetic following within the Georgia evangelical community, but his ties to Jack Abramoff, combined with strong dissension in the Jewish and moderate communities, a weak campaign, and general disinterest in the campaign has many pundits believing that this will be the first and last election in which Reed will run. Reed’s supporters, however, disagree.

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By Dan Temel “The state lost an opportunity. But he will be back. He has far too much to offer,” said Sally Fields, who represents Georgia’s branch of the Christian Coalition.

Reed started off his political career as a young Republican at the University of Georgia, and quickly joined the activist group known as the University of Georgia College Republicans. Reed became skilled in street protests and negative campaigning and soon became an intern for Jack Abramoff, the new head of the College Republican National Committee (CRNC). Abramoff, Reed and another young activist, Grover Norquist, referred to themselves as “the AbramoffNorquist-Reed triumvirate” and they consolidated power in the CRNC while elevating their status and importance.

Subsequently, at a bar in September of 1984, Reed had a religious experience during which god told him to “come to Jesus.” After this, Reed became more involved in the religious side of politics. In 1984 Reed started the Students for America campaign which supported Senator Jessie Helms, and in 1985 Reed was arrested for bursting into the waiting room at an abortion clinic during a rally.

The Horace Mann Review Issue 2, Vol. XVI Reed was appointed to the position of executive director of the Christian Coalition in 1989 by then presidential candidate and evangelical preacher Pat Robertson.

While in this position, Reed developed many connections and made powerful allies. He gained national attention and was featured on the cover of Time Magazine in May of 1995, but he later resigned as the head of the Christian Coalition in 1997 due to a campaign finance scandal. Reed started off on his own again by founding the public relations firm Century Strategies. His company worked on improving the image of Republican candidates such as Skandalakis, and negatively campaigning against their opponents. Century Strategy soon took on corporate clients such as Microsoft, Enron, and Channel One News. Although the company started off weak, Republican political strategist Karl Rove arraigned contracts with corporate accounts, assuring Reed as much as $30,000 a month from Microsoft. In the 2000 election, Reed was responsible for the smear campaign against Senator John McCain (R-AZ) on behalf of George Bush.

Century Strategies also received $4.2 million from Jack Abramoff to lobby against the opening of new Indian casinos in Alabama. In 2001 Reed ran for the State Chairman position of the Georgia Republican Party and won despite the numerous “anyone but Ralph” campaigns mounted against him. Reed won the election, but in 2002 his job was taken from him because he and the newly appointed Georgian Republican Governor Sonny Perdue had philosophical differences. When Reed began his campaign for Lt. Governor he had little support from the Georgia Republican Party, and his opponent Cagle

seemed a lock to win. After the Abramoff Indian Casino lobbying scandal, which Reed was linked to, Reed’s popularity started to decline. Endorsements and campaign donations from prominent party members eventually ceased, and Reed resoundingly lost the election.

Reed’s loss in the Lt. Governor primary has many affects both on Reed personally and the country in a whole. First, this is probably the last election that Reed will personally run in because it is clear that he has alienated his constituents in the religious right. Second, any credibility among political allies and powerful lobbyists that Reed gained in his past has been lost because he is unable to win what is seen has only a menial election. Third, Reed is linked to the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandals which have tarnished his image. He has been mocked by his friends and has lost all of his influence. “[Reed] is a bad version of us!” said Jack Abramoff in an e-mail sent to lobbyist Michael Scanlon. Reed’s loss affects the entire country because it shows that the religious right doesn’t necessarily vote for the candidate who claims to represent them. Reed’s loss could be the start of a much larger movement in which a significant portion of the Christian population will shift its support from Republicans to the Democrats. The scandals of Republican congressmen and senators will likely be uncovered in the next few months; they will fall in the same way that Reed did. Although this is most likely the last you will hear of Reed as a candidate in an election, he will probably continue effecting elections from behind the scene, working his magic in smear campaigns for conservative Christian candidates in the South.

Christian Coalition of America

whitehouse.gov

whitehouse.gov

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Beyond Iraq:

The Bitter Race Between Lamont and Lieberman

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By Katherine Dubbs

n the Connecticut Senate race, recent polls have said that Lamont would be “the key to changing the course shown that three-term Senator Joe Lieberman (I), in this country.” Clark accused Lieberman of having “rubber who lost in the August 8th Democratic primary, is stamped” the Bush administration’s Iraq policies and questioned now ten points ahead of newcomer Ned Lamont his understanding of military issues. “We’re not winning the (D), and has pulled further ahead in the polls from war on terror,” argued Clark. “George Bush says stay the his original 2 point lead. The Republican candidate Alan course; how can you stay the course when you’re in a ditch?

Schlesinger has support from a mere 6% of likely voters in Joe Lieberman—he’s been a part of that ditch. The truth is, the polls. What some once believed to be an important race he didn’t exactly control the steering wheel, but he was sort of centered on the Iraq war has become a battle based on negative supporting the elbow of the guy who drove us into the ditch.” attacks that could swing In response, voters to either candidate. Ned Lamont for Senate Lieberman stated that Challenger Clark’s portrayal was Ned Lamont, a “just wrong,” and multimillionaire pundits criticized Clark businessman who for reusing Lamont’s founded Lamont Digital favorite phrase, “rubber Systems in 1984, is new stamping.” Lieberman to the political arena. claims that he has His campaign has been never supported the based on his strong, antiBush Administration’s war views and his attacks handling of the Iraq on Lieberman. Calling War and says that he Lieberman “President was never satisfied Bush’s favorite with the failure to win Democrat” during the support of any of the Democratic Primary, United States’ allies.

Lamont ran television In addition, Lieberman advertisements showing says he has always Lamont spent millions of his own money to win the Democratic Primary.

Lieberman’s face demanded a final peace morphing into the face of President Bush. These tactics proved plan and further criticized the limited number of troops as effective in the Democratic primary. Lamont’s campaign well as the decision to take charge of Iraq’s oil supply. In backfired when Lieberman aired television advertisements the polls, citizens of Connecticut who “want the troops underscoring his record in the Senate and his competence in home” (about half of voters) poll 64 percent for Lamont working both sides of the aisle. Lieberman’s advertisements compared to only 14% for Lieberman. However, for the were not openly negative towards Lamont. The Lieberman one-third of likely voters who disagree, Lieberman polls campaign’s advertisements were crafted to plant doubt in the 74% of the likely voters, compared to only the 14% who minds of Connecticut likely voters about Lamont’s experience, voted for Lamont. Overall, 81% of likely voters state that and Lieberman began to call him “Negative Ned.” Lieberman national security is a “very important issue.” [“Election Poll actually sent a letter to the Lamont campaign requesting that 2006: Connecticut State.” Rasmussen Reports Newsletter.] it keep airing the negative commercials. Lieberman then aired Lamont also questions Lieberman’s decision not what was considered by political media strategists a “soft to force the resignation of J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of attack.” At that point, the political war had begun, and from that the House, in light of Hastert’s alleged knowledge of the point on, little time would be spent discussing important issues. moral issues surrounding the resignation of Congressman Lamont, concerned about the October 3rd poll results, Mark Foley. “The truth is,” Lieberman answers, “unless brought out retired General Wesley K. Clark to chastise he knows what he saw and he saw something he should Lieberman. Clark, a 2008 Democratic presidential hopeful, have acted on, he deserves to have a fact-finder come in.”

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The Horace Mann Review Issue 2, Vol. XVI Liberman for Senate and Lamont Digital Systems

The focus of the campaign has widened from the Iraq War since the end of the Democratic Primary.

Lamont counters that Lieberman is “partisan.” Lamont claims, “the fact that Joe Lieberman says that calling for Hastert’s resignation is too ‘partisan’ demonstrates that he’s been in Washington so long that he can’t recognize the difference between what’s right and what’s partisan.”

As to the cost of this heated political war, Lamont has spent $6,751,500 of his own money to unseat the eighteen-year incumbent.

Of that total amount, Lamont spent $4 million before the Democratic Primary.

Lieberman’s prior electoral record has been impressive. When he was elected to the Senate in 1988, the race was considered the biggest political upset of the year, with Lieberman winning by only 10,000 votes. In his run for re-election six years later, Lieberman won by the biggest landslide in the history of Connecticut state races by winning 67% of the total votes and beating his opponent by more than 350,000 votes. For his third term, Lieberman overwhelmed his opponent and won 64% of the votes. Although he lost in the primary this year, Lieberman has come back strongly in the polls and might very well win re-election to the Senate.

Lieberman’s platform aims “to benefit the middleclass,” and adding to his American Dream Renewal Plan by offering a refundable tax credit of $3,000 to college and graduate students as well as by tripling the tax deduction for college tuition. He also wants to increase the maximum Pell Grant, a form of financial aid to undergraduates, to $11,600 by 2009. Lieberman claims that the funding for these programs will come from eliminating tax breaks for people whose annual income is greater than one million dollars.

Notwithstanding these proposed programs, Lieberman is still attacked because of his support of the Iraq War. Many people see the general election as a re-run of the primary, and another referendum on the Iraq War. In fact, Lieberman continues to be attacked more than other Democrats such as Hillary Clinton, a potential 2008 Democratic presidential nominee, who has also shown support for the war. For example, David Corn, editor of The Nation, wrote, “Clinton has not cozied up to Bush the way Lieberman has on the war. She

has tried to have it both ways by criticizing the execution of the war but not the mission.” Not only is Clinton’s race two years away, but her tactics have also been wilier than those of Lieberman, who is known to talk bluntly and unscripted.

Lamont tries to blunt the view that he is a one issue, anti-war candidate. Like Lieberman, he wants to improve Connecticut’s health care system and advance schools. Lamont also wants to focus on Iran and North Korea, two countries currently testing nuclear weapons, and wants to disengage the war in Iraq.

Despite all the criticism he has received concerning the war, Lieberman has dramatically altered his position based on the polls and turned around his campaign since his loss in the primary. Of Lieberman’s supporters, 73% are considered pro-Lieberman while 24% are considered anti-Lamont.

A strong 41% of Lamont’s polled likely voters are antiLieberman while 52% are pro-Lamont, a fact that suggests Lieberman’s supporters are not just one issue, anti-war voters.

Alan Schlesinger, gaining a total of only 6% of likely votes, is entangled in a gambling scandal where he used the false name “Alan Gold.” This has led him to be viewed by observers as an extremely weak candidate who will win only the votes of those who automatically vote Republican regardless of the candidates.

Lieberman continues Connecticut’s political tradition.

He adds to the history of qualified independent candidates who are not present in most other state races. For example, in 1970, Senator Thomas J. Dodd ran as an independent candidate in Connecticut for re-election against Rev. Joe Duffey (D) and U.S. Representative Lowell Weicker [R], after Dodd dropped out of the Democratic primary because of a heart attack. Although Dodd lost to Weicker, he received more than 266,000 votes and his reputation helped his son Chris Dodd become the current Senator along with Lieberman.

The Democratic struggle between Lieberman and Lamont is close.

With no credible Republican candidate, Lieberman has turned an election originally focused on the war in Iraq into a smear campaign contest that attempts to drive the electorate toward experience and away from concerns about the war.

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The Lesser of Two Evils?

I

By Belle Yoeli

n the midterm elections this year, one of the most of 2001 and 2003. In 2005, he was the only Republican controversial races is the senatorial race in Rhode to vote in favor of reinstating the top federal tax rate on Island. Senator Lincoln Chafee (R), the incumbent, upper-income payers and, in June of 2006, he was the only is up for re-election and Democratic nominee Shel- Republican to vote for the Levin amendment which called don White House is his challenger. Senator Chafee, for a timetable for a withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. the son of former senator John Chafee, was first appointed as The main issue in this election concerns what a party senator when his father died in October of 1999. He was then should do when their candidate has the same political views as elected in 2000 and is now running to serve his 2nd full term. the opposition. Lincoln Chafee may be a Republican, but the Lincoln Chafee is known as one of the most liberal Republican Party considers him a dangerous candidate. While Republicans in the Chafee for Senate it may be helpful to Republican Party. have a Republican In the Republican in the senate that can primary, Chafee was attract bi-partisan challenged by the voters, many of his Mayor of Cranston, actions go against the Stephen Laffey. conservative views One of the main of the party, causing points of Laffey’s him to be viewed as a campaign was confusing pro-liberal criticizing Chafee’s representative. constant liberal Although the voting in the Senate.

Republican Party Laffey was not the wants to obtain as first Republican many positions in to disapprove of the government as Chafee’s actions in possible, it might be the senate. In fact, in the party’s best most Republicans interest to hope that take notice of the seat is given to Chafee has diverged from party lines, but would a Democrat be better for the GOP? a liberal democrat. the reality that Chafee’s votes on S h e l d o n important issues tend to reflect liberal to moderate ideals. White House is the former state attorney general of Rhode This record of liberal voting causes many of his adversaries Island. Although he is a Democrat, he has not had a long to refer to him as a RINO, ( a Republican in name only), enough political career to have individual issues with a term used to describe a member of the United States the Republican Party. He is liberal, but in the eyes of the Republican Party whose political views are considered Republican Party, his being elected the senator of Rhode to be too far outside the party’s conservative ideology. Island, a state that is already leaning towards the Democratic The complaints of the Republicans come from Party, would be safer than having a liberal Republican remain key issues on which Chafee voted against the traditional in office and continue to pursue his own ideals. Many say that conservative ideals of the party. Abortion has been a hot topic politicians like Chafee give their parties a bad name and cause in the senate for the past couple of years. Chafee is one of difficulty and confusion for voters as well as party members. the few Republicans who continues to support legal abortion.

The race for this seat in the senate is neck-andHis senatorial re-election was endorsed by the usually neck and the election could go either way. It will be interDemocrat-supporting NARAL Pro-Choice America because esting to see how Republican voters respond at the polls, of Chafee’s support for the “right to choose.” Chafee is one and whether they will elect Chafee the liberal Republican, of the only Republican senators who takes a traditionally support White House the new liberal Democrat, or abstain. liberal view on gay marriage and encourages not only equal Many politicians are following this race very closely berights for gays and lesbians but also same sex marriages. cause it is predicted to be one of the most influential races Chafee demonstrated liberal views when he voted not only in the Senate, but within the Republican Party itself. against eliminating both the estate tax and the tax cut bills

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The Horace Mann Review Issue 2, Vol. XVI

Minority Rules

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ccording to the United States Census Bureau, as of July 1, 2005, Hispanics are the nation’s largest ethnic minority constituting 14% of the nation’s total population. By July 1, 2050, the Census Bureau projects that Hispanics will constitute 24% of the nation’s population, making it the fastest growing minority in the United States. In the state of New Mexico, which is the only minority majority state, where Hispanics and African Americans outnumber Caucasians, New Mexico’s Hispanic population will play an important role in the election in First Congressional District of New Mexico. In order for the Democrats to take back the House, the Democrats must win New Mexico 1, which includes Albuquerque and the surrounding area, where the Hispanic minority is nearly as big as the majority. Thus, the key to taking back the House may lie in this unlikely State and turn on our nation’s growing minority votes.

According to the Hill, a paper aimed at Washington insiders. “Several political analysts…consider the race between Rep. Heather Wilson (R) and Democrat Attorney General Patricia Madrid to be the most competitive in the country” (Jonathon Kaplan, The Hill :September 26, 2006). On October 2, 2006, Reuters showed Heather Wilson and Patricia Madrid dead even to win New Mexico 1. To understand how important this race is, one must look at it from a nationwide standpoint. According to the New York Times, there are 57 races that are “in play” meaning they could go Republican or Democratic. The Democrats hold a slim lead with the races that are not “in play” 191 to 187.

To keep their position in the house the Republicans need to win at least 31 of those 57 “in play” races. The Democrats need to win at least 27 of those 57 “in play” races. From those numbers, one can see how important each race is in these mid-term elections and of these the Wilson- Madrid race is certainly the tightest.

Heather Wilson, an Air Force Academy graduate and Rhodes Scholar with a PhD from Oxford in International Relations, is the Republican incumbent in this election. After her career as an Air Force Officer from 1978-1989, she entered politics and won her seat in 2002. In 2004, she beat back a challenge from State Senator Richard Romero by a margin of 10% in 2004. The numbers, however, are somewhat misleading. Romero kept the race very close until 2 weeks before the election when Wilson unleashed a negative ad campaign and this, combined with the lower-than-expected Hispanic turnout, led to Wilson’s victory by a 10% margin. Wilson serves on the House Intelligence Committee and is under fire for some of their decisions. Her opponent, Attorney General Patricia Madrid, has tied her to President Bush and to the corruption in Washington, based on Wilson receiving $10,000 for her campaign from former Congressman Mark Foley and receiving $8,000 from former Majority Leader Tom Delay. Even though she is facing a Hispanic woman, Wilson in 2004 received many Hispanic votes

By William Dubbs possibly because of her Air Force background and the fact that there is a large Air Force base in New Mexico, Kirtland Airbase.

Patricia Madrid is the current Attorney General of New Mexico. She was the first female District Judge of New Mexico before becoming Attorney General. In a recent phone interview with the Review, General Madrid stated, as to her qualifications, “As Attorney General I am the lawyer for the entire state. My job is to protect citizens of the state and I will protect people in my state. Bush has not followed the law when it comes to wiretapping, prisoners of war and proper trials. It would be helpful to send a lawyer who knows the law.” Recently, Madrid has been criticized by Wilson because of her alleged inaction regarding the indictment of Robert Vigil, the former Treasurer for the State who was accepting kickback funds. Heather Wilson did not respond to this writer’s numerous attempts to contact her.

The two most important issues in this Congressional District in this election, are: foreign policy, and the rising cost of Medicare. Heather Wilson voted for the war in Iraq and votes Republican 90% of the time. She wants to continue the U.S. presence in Iraq until Iraq is stabilized. Madrid, in my interview with her, said that she wants a “fast exit plan from Iraq.” “I think that a key issue is the war in Iraq and the fact that this administration has a failed foreign policy. There are no checks and balances in the House. I am running for Congress so we can exercise that oversight. So Bush can get us an exit plan so we can bring our men and women home.” Madrid added, “also, we are not safer after 9/11. Under this administration we aren’t. Our country in Iraq has created more terrorists. Our Administration failed to act in regard to the suggestions [made by] the 9/11 Commission.”

The other major issue in New Mexico is the cost of prescription drugs. Heather Wilson voted for Medicare B, a Medicare program to help seniors pay for their prescription drugs. Patricia Madrid, however, thinks that Congress needs to restructure Medicare B because it is “a scam that was written by and for the pharmaceutical companies to make profits for them and not to help the senior citizens. It is too confusing and it puts it does not help the seniors who need the drugs. It does not have enough financial benefits for senior citizens.”

This crucial race for both parties will come down to one thing: the turnout of the Hispanic population. Heather Wilson will get a lot of votes because of her ties with Kirtland Air Force base as well as other Republican votes in this evenly balanced district. Patricia Madrid, as a Latina will get the Hispanic votes but will also need other, urban, votes. If the Hispanic turnout fizzles as it did in 2004, Heather Wilson will win this election but Patricia Madrid is furiously trying to get these voters to the polls.

Thus, this extremely tight race in the 1st Congressional District of New Mexico not only may decide control of the House, it may also demonstrate that the Hispanic population is growing and influencing our nation through its votes.

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A

You’re Such A...

R acist!

By Thomas Hwang

lthough our Founding Fathers, proud Enlight- in America. I apologized a thousand times . . . and I don’t mind enment thinkers, had proudly declared, “All apologizing over and over again. I can’t erase what happened.” men are created equal… [and] are endowed by In stark contrast, the comments and actions of George Felix their Creator [with] certain unalienable rights,” Allen, a Republican Senator from Virginia, have generally stirred one can’t help but wonder. Does the term “men” outrage. In March of 2005, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution noted include blacks? Indians? Women? Immigrants? Latinos? Asians? that, “as governor of Virginia [George Allen] signed a ‘ConfederInarguably and undoubtedly, a history of prejudicial slurs ate Heritage Month’ proclamation while dubbing the NAACP an is unattractive to any politician’s record. Nevertheless, racism, ‘extremist group. ‘” Allen has, apparently, a long history of interest whether residual or inherent, remains ever present in today’s soci- in the Confederacy, the alliance of several slave-holding Southety, media and political arena. Such racism, however, is no longer ern states that had seceded from the Union. The May 8 and May limited to Pro-Slav- Byrd Official Site 15, 2006 issues of The ery vs. Anti-SlavNew Republic reportery, Pro- Jim Crow ed heavily on Allen’s vs. Anti- Jim Crow use of the Confederate or even Pro-KKK vs.

Flag: he displayed the Anti- KKK. Today, Confederate flag “on racism seems to take himself, his car, [and] the form of Robinside his house.” Alert Byrd vs. George len wore a ConfedAllen, Democrats erate flag pin for his vs.

Republicans. high school senior Democrat Robclass photo, adorned ert Carlyle Byrd, his vehicle with a West Virginia’s senior Confederate flag, and United States Senadisplayed a Confedertor, has openly adate flag in his college mitted participation room and in his famiin the Ku Klux Klan ly’s living room until as a child and orga1992. In fact, George nizing the first KKK Allen included a Conchapter in Crab Orfederate flag in his first chard, West Virginia. statewide TV camByrd has since then Byrd (D), a former Ku Klux Klan member, used the word “nigger” twice in an interview. paign ad for governor referred to his memin 1993. In response to bership in the KKK as a result of his naïveté and a mistake of the criticism in the media, Allen has claimed the flag was simply his adolescence. Nonetheless, Byrd has been accused of racism a part “of [his] flag collection.” The Sons of Confederate Veterand his critics point to his past KKK attendance, his filibuster ans, on September 28, 2006, stated that Allen had embarrassed (a tactic preventing/ delaying passage of legislation) of the civil Southern heritage by stating “he [Allen] had come to recognize rights act in 1964, and his 2004 opposition to some of George the Confederate Battle flag had negative racial overtones,” only W. Bush’s black judicial and cabinet nominees as clear evidence. after public outcry; the group stated that Allen had been slow One should note, however, that Byrd has not opposed other mi- to “grasp the pain that Old South symbols like the Confederate nority cabinet nominees, such as Secretary of State Colin Powell. flag” cause black people. Allen has, since then, removed the flag.

During a March 4, 2001 interview on Fox News, Byrd used In 2006, Allen has also “initiated contact” with the Council the derogatory word “nigger” twice when asked about race rela- of Conservative Citizens (CCC), one of the largest white supremations in the America of today. He quickly apologized, however, cist groups in the U.S. The CCC originated from the segregationand in response to criticism of his past affiliation with the KKK, ist White Citizens’ Councils of the Jim-Crow era in the South, Byrd replied, “I know now I was wrong. Intolerance had no place and is designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law

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The Horace Mann Review Issue 2, Vol. XVI Center and the Anti-Defamation League. During a 1996 Conservative Political Action Conference, attended by Allen and CCC leaders, Allen posed for a photograph with the group; the picture was then included in the CCC 1996 Citizens Informer newsletter.

Recently, fellow college football teammates and classmates have reported George Allen’s use of many racial slurs. Dr. Ken Shelton, who played tight end for the University of Virginia football team when Allen was quarterback, has told the press, “Allen said he came to Virginia [from Whittlier, California where Allen was born] because he wanted to play football in a place where ‘blacks knew their place,’” and that Allen “used the N-word on a regular basis back then.” Two other sources have confirmed the claims, including a third who remembered Allen’s use of “the word ‘nigger’” and that his “impression of [Allen] was that he was a racist.” Meanwhile, Allen has dismissed all of these claims as “ludicrously false,” and cites rebuttals from four other teammates who argue that Allen has never used the slur. On September 27, 2006, the New York Times published a report in which Ellen G. Hawkins claimed to overhear Allen using the word [nigger], saying “she heard Mr. Allen use the slur repeatedly at a party on election night in 1976.” The following day, MSNBC reported that yet another person had come forward to accuse Allen of using racial epithets and slurs; Pat Waring of Chesterton, Maryland heard “Allen repeatedly using the ‘n’ word to describe blacks at a rugby game in the late 70’s,” although Neal Brendel, who played rugby with George Allen says he doesn’t “recall ever hearing Allen use the ‘n’ word on or off the field.”

The most notorious of Allen’s comments is, by far, his use of the term macaca. During a speech on Friday, August 11, 2006, Allen referred to and called S.R Sidarth, who is of Indian descent, a macaca: “This fellow here over here with the yellow shirt, Macaca, or whatever his name is. He’s with my opponent. He’s following us around everywhere. And it’s just great. We’re going to places all over Virginia, and he’s having it on film and it’s great to have you here and you show it to your opponent because he’s never been there and probably will never come. [...] Let’s give a welcome to Macaca, here. Welcome to America and the real world of Virginia.”

Macaca is a Francophone epithet for North African indigenes, and some have suggested that Allen may have heard and learned the slur from his French Tunisian mother. In Italian, however, the word macaca (alternately macaco) means fool or simpleton. Allen said shortly after, according to the Washington Post, that he did not intend to insult Sidarth’s ethnicity when he singled him out: “I do apologize if he’s offended by that…I would never want to demean him as an individual.” Allen’s campaign claimed that Allen had used the word in reference to Sidarth’s hairstyleSidarth had been wearing a Mohawk at the time. Sidarth, during an interview that day on CNN, said, “I am disappointed that someone like a Senator of the United States could use something [so] completely offensive.” On August 16, the National Journal reported another theory of the use of macaca; the term, used by the Allen’s campaign staff, was a “neologism created from Mohawk and caca, Spanish slang for excrement… ‘In other words, [Sidarth] was a shit-head, an annoyance.’” As the media frenzy began to intensify by August 20, Allen claimed that he had “never before heard the word” and that he had “made it up,” contrary to explanations made by him and his staff a few days before. After a slew of public apologies, Allen called Sidarth on August 23 (12 days after the incident) to directly apologize for his remarks. The entire incident reduced Allen’s previously large lead over his opponent, Democrat Webb, to single digits. According to a Rasmus-

sen Poll, Allen is in the lead by a meager 4%, while a MSNBC poll conducted by Mason-Dixon has Allen and Webb tied at 43%.

Democrats Joseph Biden of Delaware and Hillary Clinton of New York have also been known to drop derogative comments.

While speaking to an Indian-American activist during a June event in New Hampshire, Biden said, “In Delaware, the largest growth of population is Indian-Americans…you cannot go to a 7/11 or a Dunkin’ Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent.” Biden’s comment contains underlying stereotypes that the nation’s convenience stores are staffed entirely by Indian immigrants and IndianAmericans. Although Joseph Biden did not personally apologize, his spokeswoman, Margaret Aiken, attempted to clarify Biden’s remarks: “The point Senator Biden was making is that there has been a vibrant Indian-American community in Delaware for decades. It has primarily been made up of engineers, scientists and physicians, but more recently, middle-class families are moving into Delaware and purchasing family-run small businesses.”

In any case, Biden’s racially intolerant comments were not reported in any major newspapers, with only Gannett News Service (owners of USA TODAY) and Biden’s home-state newspaper, the Delmarva Daily Times reporting on Biden’s gaffe. The president of the Indian American Republican Council slammed Biden for making “ridiculous comments” and that Biden has a “history of making insensitive and inappropriate remarks.”

The Delmarva paper noted that this was not Biden’s first blunder: during Biden’s first presidential bid in 1987, he told one New Hampshire voter who questioned his law school grades that: “I think I probably have a much higher IQ than you do.”

Senator Hillary Clinton has also been known to occasionally use racially charged words or phrases. She drew criticism at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day speech, in which she “told a mostly black audience at a Harlem church that Republican leaders have run the House ‘like a plantation’ and the Bush administration will go down as ‘one of the worst’ in U.S. history.” Republican Peter King, one of Clinton’s Republican congressional colleagues, said Clinton should be “ashamed” and that her comments were “definitely using the race card. It definitely has racist connotations [and] she knows it.” Activist Al Sharpton, the host of the event where Clinton made her remarks, defended Hillary and disagreed with the criticism: “I absolutely defend her saying it because I said it through the ‘04 elections.” Further, in 2004, Clinton jokingly referred to Mahatma Gandhi, an Indian nationalist leader who established India’s freedom through nonviolence, as a “gas station owner.”

Unfortunately, the Republican Party, the more socially conservative of the two major parties, has a great deal of bad credit; Dr. Raghavendra Vijayanagar notes, “A clear double-standard in the mainstream media will likely ensure [Democratic senators] get a pass over comments that would get a Republican in deep trouble if he ever made a similar statement.” However, the Republican Party itself is partly to blame, with its overwhelmingly white Christian supporters, hailing mostly from the Deep South, and its tough conservative stance. Further, the “liberal” Democratic Party has made close ties to immigrant and minority populations, including Rev. Al Sharpton, who defended Hillary Clinton’s comments. Regardless, the “double standard” in the media will ultimately, according to House Majority leader Dick Armey, “continue to divide our nation, polarize our political parties and do untold harm” [to] the lives of real people who are unjustly accused of conspiracy against the civil rights of [minorities and immigrants]” as well as those affected by the hateful, racist and

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Uphill Battle

Campaigning in Hostile Territory

T

By Binchan Luo

his year’s midterm elections are filled with the The Lieberman fiasco can be seen as a warning to those usual flurry of activity as candidates campaign, who loudly supported the war. In its aftermath, it can be seen debate each other, and smile at their adoring that Republicans running in “blue” states tend to stray from the public. However, this usual activity is filled issue and skate around it, while Democrats running in “red” with more urgency and tension than usual. For states tend to confront the issue and call for a gradual withdrawthe first time in over a decade, the Democrats may finally gain al of troops from Iraq. One such example is battle for New Jera majority in the House and the Senate. Republicans, under- sey, where incumbent Democratic senator Robert Menendez is standably, are very reluctant to relinquish their footholds and fighting a tough battle against Republican senator Thomas Kean are campaigning hard to retain their seats. It has become clear, Jr. Kean, whose father headed the 9/11 commission. Although however, that the candidates’ stance on the war in Iraq is the de- Kean himself is a fresh face in politics, many in New Jersey fining factor in this race. McCaskille Official Site support Kean because General trends have of his father’s accombeen noticed when lookplishments. Menendez, ing at the Republicans a Cuban-American who campaigning in “blue” was once mayor of the states and when looksecond largest city in ing at Democrats camHudson County, conpaigning in “red” states. tinually delivers rousAn event that ing speeches denouncset the trend for both ing the war in Iraq. In Democrats and Repuba state that is solidly licans was the defeat Democrat and where of former Democratic the war is increasingly Congressman Joseph unpopular, Menendez’s Lieberman at the hands fervent denunciations of businessman Ned have taken effect. Rapt Lamont, who waltzed listeners often applaud into the race and took Menendez’ anti-war a 51.8% of the vote at speeches loudly. Yet the Democratic primary.

Kean is still a competiThat was a staggering tive contender in this blow to Lieberman, who race largely due to his has decided to run as an father’s prominence.

Independent. It is clear He himself has been that Lieberman suffered quiet on the situation in Claire McCaskille is a Democrat campaigning in a solidly Republican state. the loss because of his Iraq. Recent polls have support for the war and his shown that the two canconstant scolding of his fellow Democrats for not supporting didates are neck-and-neck in this race. Yet the Demothe war. The Democrats, apparently tired of Lieberman’s lec- crats are on shaky ground. New Jersey might be the tures, chose a businessman with no prior political experience only state that the Democrats lose to the Republicans. to a seasoned incumbent with 18 years experience. Although Similarly, the Maryland Senate race involves the Demorecent polls do show Lieberman with a lead over Lamont and cratic candidate denouncing the Iraq war as well. The seat for Republican candidate Alan Schlesinger (who is not considered the Senate is open, and Lt. Governor Michael Steele is the Rea serious threat), Lieberman’s support of the war could cause publicans’ candidate while the Democrats’ candidate is Ben him to lose many Democrats’ votes in a blue state like Con- Cardin. Cardin, who enjoys a lead among the states’ black votnecticut. Although Lieberman appeals to Connecticut’s Repub- ers, favors a gradual withdrawal of the troops from Iraq in the lican and Independent voters, a victory for him is not certain. Democrat-friendly state. Steele, on the other hand, has been

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The Horace Mann Review Issue 2, Vol. XVI Steele for Senate

Michael Steele, a Republican running in a Democratic state, has tried to separate himself from the Republican Party. reserved; he has not openly declared his stance on the Iraq ments from clients and associates of Jack Abramoff, amassing war. In fact, he has been downplaying his ties to the Republi- about $150,000 over the years. Although the money has been can Party. Television ads feature Steele as a genial, engaging paid back, Burns is still tainted by the memory of that particular persona. They neither declare his stance on many key issues, incident. He is also being tainted by his support of the war while nor do they link him to the Republican Party. Thus, some vot- Tester loudly decries the war and calls for troop withdrawal and ers feel as if they are being kept in the dark. Steele’s refusal more focus on fighting the war on terrorism instead of the war to be a more aggressive and more open campaigner is costing in Iraq. In a poll conducted in May of 2006, 51% of Montana him votes, whereas Cardin’s direct and open opposition to the residents disapprove of Bush’s handling of the war. This develwar is giving him an edge over Steele. In recent polls, figures opment is shocking in a state that went to Bush in both the 2000 show Cardin leading Steele by a margin of at least 11 points. and the 2004 elections. It is clear that, if Burns continues in his However, not all candidates who campaign in a state dogged support of the war, he may lose voter support. Meandominated by a while, Tester, party other than with his antitheir own maintain war stance, a low profile; in the is leading race for the Senate Burns in the in Missouri, Dempolls 52% to ocratic senator 43% with the Claire McCaskill undecided has been chalnumber of lenging her rival, voters at 5%. incumbent RepubT h e lican senator Jim Republicans’ Talent. Talent is strategy while It can be very difficult for candidates to gain a foothold in the other party’s strongholds. facing tough comcampaigning petition from McCaskill, in blue states has who is leading in the polls. Despite being short of funding and been to downplay their ties with the Republican Party, while campaigning as a Democrat in a state that went to Bush in both Republicans campaigning in red states have loudly voiced their the 2000 and 2004 elections, McCaskill is an aggressive and con- support for the war. Neither strategy seems to sway the votfrontational campaigner. And once again, the key issue between ers. On the other hand, Democrats campaigning in both red the two is the war in Iraq. McCaskill, of course, disapproves of and blue states have condemned the war. Their strategy has the war and demands that the United States change course by been met with some success. It is clear that, if the Republigradually pulling out the troops over a two-year period. Talent cans wish to garner voter support, they need to do something disagrees and maintains that the troops should still remain in about the war in Iraq. A withdrawal of troops would be ideal, Iraq. Citing McCaskill’s position as “weak,” Talent wants the but it seems unlikely the Republicans would support such an troops to remain in Iraq until they have accomplished their task. action, although continued support of the war will cost the ReSimilar to McCaskill, Democratic senator Jon Tester, who publicans even more votes. However, the situation is not comis making a bid for the Senate in the solidly red state of Mon- pletely hopeless as this election is almost impossible to predict. tana, has the advantage over the incumbent Republican Senator Conrad Burns. Burns was on the receiving end of many pay-

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S y e e nate R a s r e J w e ce N

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By Ben Mishkin

his Election Day seems to be the Democrats’ elu- he was a typical Democrat, who supported abortion, lower taxes sive pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. So why for middle and lower classes, higher taxes for the upper classes, is it that of all the races in contention, what may stem-cell research and domestic partnerships for same-sex coube the toughest race, is in New Jersey, a state that ples. However, from the start his administration was accused of has been a Democratic stronghold for over three corruption involving pay-to-play deals and extortion scandals. decades? The New In 2002 during Official Sites Jersey Senate race the first mid-term between Sen. Robert election of George Menendez (D-NJ) and W. Bush’s presidenState Sen. Thomas cy, several shocking Kean, Jr. has proven new revelations in to be one of this year’s the New Jersey State bitterest and closest Senate led to upelections. To fully unheavel. Robert “the derstand the nature of Torch” Torricelli had this crucial and tight been a congressman election, one must unfrom Northern New derstand the nature of Jersey for 14 years New Jersey’s recent before successfully political history. That running for the Senhistory has often been ate seat vacated by plagued by a revolvformer New York ing door in the GovKnicks’ basketball ernor’s mansion and star Bill Bradley in corruption scandal af1996. Shockingly, ter corruption scandal. late in his term he In 2001, when became embroiled George W. Bush first in a corruption became President, scandal involving a he appointed ChrisChinese businesstine Todd Whitman, man, in which a then Republican govmember of his 1996 ernor of New Jerelection campaign sey to be the head finance commitNew Jersey Senate candidates Bob Menendez and Tom Kean Jr. of the Environmentee was convicted tal Protection Agency. of receiving illegal With that appointment in place, Whitman ceded her governor- donations in support of Toricelli’s re-election campaign. The ship to then-President of the New Jersey State Senate, Donald scandal was part of a larger scheme that involved Chinese donaDiFrancesco, a Republican. This would prove to be the first of tions to Democratic electors during the Clinton Administration. several unscheduled departures from the Governor’s mansion. Ultimately, the scandal forced Torricelli to drop out of the race Soon thereafter, in the wake of September 11th, the 2001 gover- after the ballot-filing deadline. That circumstance required the nor’s race pitted then-Democratic Mayor of Woodbridge Township New Jersey State Supreme Court to allow a replacement. LongJames E. McGreevey against Republican Bret Schundler, then-May- time Democratic Senator Frank Lautenberg was given the go or of Jersey City. Acting Governor Donald DiFrancesco had been ahead to replace Torricelli on the ballot. Lautenberg went on to forced to drop out of the race due to allegations of corruption. Pre- win the race over his Republican challenger Douglas Forrester. viously, McGreevey had been the Democratic candidate for GoverDespite the recent epidemic of scandal few could have prenor in 1997. Meanwhile, Schundler, a republican, had been an enor- dicted the next twist in NJ’s recently tumultuous political hismously popular governor of Jersey City, a Democratic stronghold. tory. In August of 2004, Gov. Jim McGreevey, disclosed that In the election, McGreevey won the election with 56% per- he was homosexual in a televised press conference. Allegedly, cent of the vote. McGreevey’s victory was a surprise due to the McGreevey had started a homosexual relationship with Golan State’s strong Democratic lean in federal elections. Moreveor, Cipel his Homeland Security Advisor. The affair ended when

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The Horace Mann Review Issue 2, Vol. XVI Cipel left his post. Under threat of suit, McGreevey,chose to officially step-down from office on November 15th, 2004.

The circumstances prevented a special election and instead the post when to then President of the State Senate, Democrat Richard Codey. Codey became very popular among voters, sponsoring legislation that banned smoking in public places, state-wide and speaking out publicly on the issue of mental illnesses, such as depression, from which his wife suffered terribly. When the 2005 governor’s election came around, many called upon Codey to run for a full term.

However those hopes were dashed when Senator Jon Corzine won the Democratic nomination using his enormous personal wealth. Corzine won the governorship over Republican challenger Bob Forrester. The election of Corzine vacated a Senate seat. Former Governor Codey was one of the leading candidates to fill the position, despite repeated statement that he did not want the post.

In light of that, Corzine appointed Robert Menendez, the House Minority Whip and the leading Hispanic in Congress to his former senate seat. Before then Menendez had represented the 13th Congressional district from 1993. The district includes Hudson County. As a representative Menendez earned the nickname “the Boss of Hudson County” due to his allegedly corrupt control of the district.

The 2006 New Jersey Senate race began with the party primaries in which Acting Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) won the Democratic Party primary with 86% of the vote, while State Senator Thomas Kean, Jr. won the Republican primary with 75% of the vote. Kean, Jr. is the son of former New Jersey governor Thomas Kean, Sr. who was most recently the Chairman of the 9/11 Commission. Mr. Kean, Jr. comes from a long line of Kean family politicians in the state, with extremely close ties to the establishment. The race has been extremely close, considering that there has not been a Republican Senator from New Jersey in thirty-four years. The main themes of the election have been Mr. Menendez’s alleged corruption and Mr. Kean’s close ideological ties to President Bush. Those ties are particularly dangerous in a state where the President has a 33% approval rating and could prove to be a serious liability for Mr. Kean.

The main focus Mr. Kean’s campaign has been the leasing of a building owned by Mr. Menendez to a non-profit, which then received thousands of dollars in federal grants. On September 7th, the Newark Star-Ledger reported that federal officials had subpoenaed records of the rental deal between Mr. Menendez and the North Hudson Community Action Corp. The Star-Ledger had earlier reported that Menendez had collected $300,000 in rental payments from the group, which he then helped to win millions of dollars in federal grants. Mr. Kean recently addressed this issue in a speech, which he delivered in Mr. Menendez’s hometown of Union City.

The most recent allegation of ethics violations regarding Mr. Menendez involves a friend and close ally’s attempt to persuade a Union City psychiatrist to share his county jail contracts with another doctor under threat of losing them. The doctor taped the conversation and is now suing Menendez’s friend. Menendez has said that he has absolutely no intention of dropping out of the race, even in light of the most recent allegations. He has also fired the lawyer Donald Scarinci, who was acting as an advisor to his campaign.

Besides the allegations of corruption the role of Mr. Kean’s father, Thomas Kean, Sr. has played a key role thus far. The senior Kean was a fairly popular governor of New Jersey during the eighties and most recently was Chairman of the 9/11 Commission.

In addition to his instant name recognition among New Jersey voters, the elder Kean has aided his son’s campaign and fund raising.

The younger Kean’s political legacy does not end with his father. Mr. Kean’s family is one of, if not the, most prominent political families in the state. Along with his father, the younger Kean’s grandfather was a U.S. congressman and his great-grandfather and great-grand uncle were both senators. Some Democrats have complained that Kean is running on his relatives’ legacies.

Those legacies have forged Mr. Kean’s close ties to the Republican party. However, despite those ties he has tried to market himself as an independent, most likely due to the Republican party’s current policies and the President’s unpopularity in New Jersey. Some of the most notable issues upon which Mr. Kean has tried to distance himself from the Republicans nationwide are stem cell research and abortion.

Twice during his career in the New Jersey State Senate Kean voted against a cigarette tax to help fund stem cell research, one of only fourteen senators to do so the first time. However, he then voted two times for stem cell research that did not include a cigarette tax. Mr. Kean has come out strongly in favor of stem cell research after then-Governor Jim McGreevey signed a bill into law in 2004 that legalized the controversial research. The legislation was an important step for stem cell research nationwide as many pharmaceuticals have important offices and research facilities in New Jersey. In fact Pharmaceutical spending in New Jersey accounts for almost one quarter of all private research and development expenditures nationwide. In similar fashion to his stand on stem cell research Kean broke party lines in his ardent pro-choice support. That stand echoes the beliefs of over two thirds of New Jersey’s population.

The War in Iraq has proven to be the most divisive issue.

Mr. Menendez opposed the war from the very beginning, opposing even the initial votes in the house supporting the war, while Mr. Kean’s position is more ambiguous. While he supports the concept of the war, Kean has been very critical of the handling of it and has repeatedly cited “serious mistakes” during the war.

He has been one of the growing number of republicans calling for the resignation of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

Kean is hoping that his ability to break party lines will save him from extensive voter backlash against the war. However, his voting record does not reflect the non- conformist image he has cultivated. While in the New Jersey state legislature, Kean voted with fellow republicans 93% of the time. Even more contrary to his image of an independent, is his record when 80% or more of republicans support one side. Mr. Kean has voted with them 99% of the time.

This election has been surprising and suspenseful. Many pundits speculate that Menendez would win soundly without the tarnish of scandal. They cite the fact that there has not been a republican senator from New Jersey in thirty-four years. If Menendez wants to win this race he has to show that he is right on the issues. Additionally, he must find a way to neutralize the noxious air of scandal that has hovered around him. On the other hand Mr. Kean must overcome the fact that he never run for office before, having been appointed to both his previous positions. In the end, New Jersey voters seem to understand the level of corruption statewide and have come to accept it. Without the voters’ vigilance towards fighting corruption Mr. Kean is going to have a hard time trying to convince a Democratic stronghold to change its views.

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Tom Suozzi

Good Candidate; Bad Campaign

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By Nancy DaSilva

homas Suozzi imagined himself spearheading a up programs with orphanages and adoption agencies. People acnew political movement that would overturn the cused him of being pro-life in order to win the Republican vote. stats quo and catapult him to the status of governor. In Suozzi’s eyes, he was a perfect candiThat year, he was re-elected to his position as Nassau Coundate for governor. He had both past experience ty Executive. In late 2005 after winning his reelection bid, Suozzi and a promising platform. Ironically enough, one of the most was named Governing Magazine’s Public Official of the Year self-assured New York state government candidates, led one of On February 25, 2005, Tom Suozzi declared that he the least successful gubernatorial campaigns in recent history. would be challenging Eliot Spitzer in the 2006 election for the Born in Glen Cove, New York, a small Long Island city, Suozzi Governor of New York. He was told by some of Spitzer’s pogrew up in a religious Roman Catholic family. Prior to entering poli- litical advisors to switch parties because Spitzer would be intics, he became a Certified Public Accountant and a lawyer. In 1992, credibly difficult to defeat. Suozzi insisted on staying loyal to Tom Suozzi (D) was elected to his first major government office as his party, and on July 6, 2006, Suozzi announced that he had remayor of Glen Cove, which he held for four terms or eight years. ceived enough signatures to be placed on the ballet, as a democrat In 2001 Suozzi ran for country executive on a platform known The two main focuses of his campaign were lowering propas the “Fix Albany” plan, Tom Suozzi for Governor erty taxes and fighting corin which he blamed the ruption. He asserted that state legislature for the as a county executive he economic problems withcreated affordable housin Nassau County. In an ing for senior citizens, Oped published on Februcleaned up hundreds of ary 22, 2004 in The New Long Island’s brownfields, York Times, he scathingly and passed a Medicaid cap wrote, “New York state’s to save hundreds of milsenators, assembly memlions of dollars. Although bers and governor conSuozzi had accomplished tinue to pass politically a good deal in Nassau popular programs and then County, his experience and shift the cost off the state’s name recognition was out books and onto those of matched by his opponent, the local municipalities.” attorney general Spitzer.

Suozzi also pointSpitzer refused to ed out that the state asdebate Suozzi multiple sembly consisted maintimes. Suozzi lacked the ly of powerful long backing of the democratic serving incumbents. Inparty, and was seldom Tom Suozzi was overwhelmed in his race for governor. cumbents, he claimed, had covered by the press. It made poor decisions without accountability. seemed that only Long Islanders could even recognize his name.

When Suozzi was elected he became the first Dem- Polls showed that in public appearances, he failed to connect with ocrat to hold the position of Nassau County Executive the voers. As a result, Suozzi fund raising efforts were disappointing. since 1971. It was remarkable that a democrat, gained ofThe bottom line is that regardless of how well Suozzi’s camfice in a County with a commanding republican majority. paign was enacted; Spitzer was unbeatable. But aside from that, When Suozzi gained office, he was leading the “worst run county his campaign were less than perfect. A close friend of his said, “I in America.” In order to make Nassau County successful once again, also think he did not have the best ear to what actually the voters he put effort into making the county far more efficient. He saved over were really thinking, in a way that could have translated into ac$100 million by passing a plethora of government reforms.” There was tion.” For example, his Fix Albany campaign mainly applied good reason for Suozzi’s impressive victory: He inherited a bankrupt to Nassau County and had little relevance to greater New York. county and [had] turned things around,” said The New York Post.

Suozzi had bitten off more than he could chew.

In 2005, Suozzi started to advocate a platform that gave When Suozzi entered this race he failed to realize that Elother options to pregnant women who wanted abortions. He set iot Spitzer would be nearly impossible to defeat.

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The Horace Mann Review Issue 2, Vol. XVI

From the Battlefield To the Office

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By Alice Kissilenko

he 2006 elections are proving to be a turning the White House and Congress for not having a realistic sense of point in the policies of both parties that may re- the war on the ground, while backing these statements with their vive a traditional American sentiment. Up until firsthand experience on one of the nation’s most pressing issues.

World War I, each successive military venture With polls showing a rising concern about our success in the produced a series of qualified and charismatic war, such comments may severely affect popular opinion of the candidates in the political sphere. After this campaign, however, government. While Kerry was the poster boy for veterans who military heroes turned political activists found little support in came home to denounce the war they fought, Iraq war veterans American voters and their numbers declined. After the Vietnam have set themselves apart from many Vietnam veterans with their War, respect for the military hit a low point, further aggravat- measured tone about the conflict that forged them. In fact, 55% ing the cause of such candidates. This year has shown a dra- thought the war had been worth it and that the troops helped more matic increase in the amount than hurt Iraq. The biggest of veterans or active military Ducksworth for House and US Army advantage, according to Iraq personnel running for ofNational Guard reservist fice, perhaps because of the Tammy Duckworth, the activities in Iraq. In fact, Democratic candidate for 25% of candidates for Senate Congress in Illinois’ 6th and Congress fall under this District, is that “being a vet category. Some have been gives you a platform, so that recruited by their parties, people will listen. Veteran but others decided to run on status doesn’t guarantee their own or were encourvictory. But it helps.” Military aged by supporters. Some personnel transitioning are motivated by opposition into the political sphere, to the Iraq war, while othhowever, “have to walk that ers are talking about health fine line that they’re not care, job creation, or enexploiting their experience.” ergy. Yet, for all the counMany disillusioned Ducksworth (D) is now running for office after her injury in Iraq. try’s reverence of military candidates have been left service – from George Washbehind when they assumed that ington to Ulysses S. Grant to Dwight Eisenhower to John their military service automatically qualified them for elected F. Kennedy – it still remains to be decided whether the office. A number more dropped out when they discovered that soldier – politician still sells well in American politics. the transition from a military career to the political scene was not All throughout American history, those who risked a smooth ride. The paths of those who have made it to these final their lives to support their country have been seen as a symbol elections are littered with whispering campaigns alleging war of strength, patriotism and resolve. Except the brief lapse atrocities and contempt for party leaders and the traditional rules. in the 1960s and 1970s, when veterans were all but branded As demonstrated with Kerry’s experience, McCain’s, Cleland’s, war criminals, military service was synonymous with instant and Hackett’s as well, attacking war heroes has been fair game. credibility and admiration. Voters are reassured of a candidate’s In fact, “military status might actually put a bull’s eye on our values and loyalties when they see the selfless choice made to back,” says Latas, a Democrat and gulf war veteran running in put patriotism into practice when it wasn’t popular, convenient, Arizona. Vietnam veterans also face the challenge of molding or even safe to do so. Non-veterans are then seen as “politicians to a new time and a different era if they are to maintain their who were too busy to serve America back then and have no place appeal. “What they did in Vietnam does not play out to what serving our country now, when it is more to their liking.” Iraq they have to do on the world stage now.” Iraq veterans, while veterans are using their military credentials to play a crucial role they do not face the same problem, lack the experience and tact in the upcoming elections as well. They are able to challenge of the older candidates. They are learning to expand their appeal

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Politicians hope to boost their appeal among voters by associating themselves with the military. and emphasize domestic issues in response to the challenge of being reduced to a one-issue candidate. To run in House races, which are primarily about pocketbook issues, they must develop credibility beyond national security and broaden their message.

No veteran candidates, however, will get anywhere without the proper funding. Iraq soldiers in particular have shown problems with fundraising by themselves in comparison to their opponents.

While there are support organizations, such as the Band of Brothers 2006 exclusively for Democrats, Operation Truth for all Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, and even one founded by Senator Kerry, this shortcoming severely impairs veterans’ campaigns.

Despite these numerous limitations, the biggest criticism armed forces candidates are facing is about their party.

While Democrats have a history of questioning Republican war heroes’ statuses and resurfacing minute records of war crimes, it is their party that is putting out the most soldier-candidates for the 2006 elections. Some see these veterans as “camouflage to erase the party’s image as being weak about national defense,” a repeat of placing former law enforcement officers to expunge their soft on crime image. “Democrats are trying to have it both ways, saying they’re tough on national security and running veterans disgruntled about the war. Kerry tried to walk that line.

It didn’t work then. And it’s no small challenge now.” Thus, Republicans are determined to paint Democratic veterans as single-issue candidates who are clueless on pocketbook issues.

Opponents also bring up the fact that in the past, Democratic veterans such as Carter advocated failed policies that would have prolonged the Cold War and lead to the proliferation of Islamism.

Democrats, however, respond that “the slate of veterans does not reflect a concerted attempt to run such candidates.

This was as organic a movement as there is in politics.”

Veterans, however, are only half of the threat when active military members running in legislative branches are accounted for. The rules governing this situation are easily subverted, however, as shown when Tamayo, from the House of Representatives as Hawaii, was called to fulfill her military duty

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in Iraq for the National Guard, or when Pennsylvania Senator Pippy was elected while on active duty in Kuwait. While the directive states that members of the army cannot “be a candidate for, hold, or exercise the functions of civil office,” this has been altered to mean only full time members rather than those on the National Guard. Those who have subverted this rule, however, are prevented from acting in dual capacities after being deployed for over 270 days and are also prohibited from “using their official authority or influence for interfering with an election; affecting the course or outcome of an election; soliciting votes for a particular candidate or issue; or requiring or soliciting political contributions from others.” They are allowed to cast votes electronically, to have a proxy vote in place of theirs, and to reschedule examinations. Such dual situations call for important decisions to be made both by the politicians themselves and the voters. While people appreciate the service that active military members are providing their country, many would prefer a representative who can be a strong voice in Congress and really make a difference. They must weigh the importance of having a better understanding of what is going on in Iraq or what is going on in Legislature. Most, however, agree that “they have to make a choice. Either serve the country in the military or as a politician.

I don’t think they should hold two jobs at the same time.”

Either way politicians twist the evidence to their own ends, history shows that military heroes have a relatively high chance of success and are able to attract a substantial proportion of the popular vote. The slight dip in their political activities can be explained by the shift in the nature of American participation in wars that denied generals the chance to gain the fame necessary for political preferment. In the 2006 midterm elections, however, most feel that “in the end, they are going to win and lose based on the strengths of their own candidacies. Veteran status is simply another credential to talk about.” Voters will not judge based on military service, but rather on how they best present themselves as competent leaders.

The Horace Mann Review Issue 2, Vol. XVI

Incumbents On the Defensive

Dissatisfied Voters Want Change

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n a recent debate on September 10th, Senator Conrad Burns, (R – Montana), seemed more constrained and less confident than ever before. The raucous crowd heckled him when he spoke about state debt and his unethical wrongdoings; when he said, “When you look at everything, maybe I’m the only one here who’s not a lawbreaker,” boos erupted.

Burns, a three-term Republican senator from Montana, is running for relection this year. He is the longest serving Republican senator in the state’s history. Moreover, he serves on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, along with being the chair of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee’s Communications subcommittee. In a state that voted 59-38% in favor of George W. Bush in the 2004 Presidential election, it would seem logical that Burns should have no trouble retaining his seat in the impending election.

But Burns is in the midst of a heated race up against a very formidable challenger. This contentious election season features some of the tightest Senate races in recent years. Eight out of the thirtythree races can be considered tossups, and only five are leaning in one direction or the other, according to the Cook Political Report, a non-partisan polling firm. One trend seems to be especially prevelent: incumbents around the nation are facing difficult challenges, which are proving to be the toughest competition of their careers.

One of the most obvious reasons for these struggling incumbents is congress’ dismal approval ratings: twenty seven percent according to a recent AP poll. Other controversies, from the Abramoff case to the recent Foley scandal, are not helping congressional incumbents’ chances either. The waning satisfaction with the situation in Iraq among politicians, military experts, and the public alike, along with President Bush’s other ostensible follies, is only showing the government to more be incompetant.

With gas prices reaching all-time-highs, health care becoming ever more expensive, and the cost of living rising, people generally feel that their quality of life has declined over the past several years.

Conclusive statistics, such as a recent poll by Newsweek showing that 67% of Americans are discontent with the direction of the country, should be diconcerting to the incumbents running for reelection this November. In the past, having congressional experience was advantageous, the average senate reelection rate is above 90%, but in 2006 incumbency, if anything, will hamper a candidates chances of winning.

Of all the incumbents, things are looking particuarly bleak for Conrad Burns, who in most polls trails his opponent, organic farmer and president of the Montana State Senate John Tester, by a slim margin. Burns has the lowest approval rating, 39%, in the entire Senate; furthermore, he was named one of the twenty most corrupt congressman by CREW, and one of the top five worst senators by Time Magazine. His campaign has been plagued by myriad of scandals, one of the most egregious being his seemingly explicit ties to convictied former lobbyist Jack Abramoff; Abramoff has been sentenced to

By Zachary Malter nearly six years in prison for his actions . The contributions that Burns recieved in total from Abramoff and his associates amounts to roughly $150,000, including a luxury trip to Super Bowl. It was confirmed that Burns had, in return, used his office to secure federal funding for many of Mr. Abramoff’s clients, when Abramoff proclaimed in a Vanity Fair interview, “Every appropriation we wanted from Senator Conrad Burns’ committee we got.” Burns has made deals with wealthy Indian Tribes, and has received substantial donations from these groups.

Burns has had a number of serious publicity gaffes in recent months. Burns said that terrorists, “drive taxicabs in the daytime and kill at night,” made deragatory comments about illegal immigrents, and, finally, was featured in a popular You Tube video sleeping during a hearing about a farm bill for his home state of Montana.

Because of these frequent controversies Burns’ chances of winning his reelection bid continue to diminish. In 2000, Burns lost by only four percentage points in a year where the Republicans were popular, so this year, with the Republican party tangled in such disarray, he may very well lose. The most recent poll by Zogby International, a polling firm, shows his opponent ahead by six percent, and another source shows Burns losing by seven percent. His opponent John Tester may be the ideal opponent for the Democrats; he is charismatic, appeals to both moderates and liberals, and has a strong following among the agricultural community, which accounts for more than half of the state economy. In order to win, Burns must avoid further controversies, continue his forceful advertisements, and make an effort not to be further affiliated with the Bush Administration or family.

Because of the growing disapproval of the Republican President and Congress, other Republican senators are vulnerable in their own reelection bids. Five additional Republican senators, Jim Talent in Missouri, Rick Santorum in Pennsylvania, George Allen in Virginia, Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, and Mike DeWine of Ohio, each face a tough road ahead.

The race in Missouri has been low profile and covered minimally by the press, but happens to be one of the closest races in the country. Both candidates are strong, well-known names in Missouri, and each has ample experience in state politics. The incumbent is Republican Jim Talent, who was elected in a special 2002 election that was required by Missouri law because the incumbent at that time, Jean Carnahan, won in 2000 when her husband Mel Carnahan tragically died, and had never held public office. Mr. Carnahan died before election day, although still managed to defeat his opponent, John Ashcroft who was subsequently named Attorney General when George Bush came to power. But Talent’s victory was narrow, and unlike Montana, Missouri as a state is decidedly moderate. For much of the 20th century, Democrats were favored in state elections, but in recent years the Republicans have captured the state legislature and governor position. In 2004, George W. Bush carried Missouri, but the approval ratings of his party have sharply decreased since that date.

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The Horace Mann Review Jim Talent has a huge advantage in fundraising, but only tepid ap- ber of the Gang of 14, a group of 14 moderate senators,who emerged proval ratings. The polls have oscillated back and forth between Tal- in 2005, concluding that none of the members would support a filient leading and trailing by a few percentage points. But in Missouri, buster of judicial nominees (the Democratic position) or the nuclear how people vote on the state ballot propositions plays a big roll in who option to break a filibuster, (the Republican position); the fourteen they support in the senatorial election, and the policies that voters sup- votes could determine the outcome of voting on these issues. In adport in pre-polls are the same as those supported by Mrs. McCaskill. dition, he is pro-life, in favor of the federal marriage amendment On October 8th, Talent and his opponent, state comptroller, proposed by president Bush, but at the same time, is an ardent supClaire McCaskill debated each other on Meet The Press, highlighting porter of gun control laws, and votes with the Democrats on eduthe differences between the two candidates. The two spent most of cation initiatives, drilling in ANWR and the minimum wage. This the debate discussing the Iraq war, and the arguably related war on has garnered him the reputation of being Republican in Name terror. Senator Talent attacked McCaskill for being weak on terror, Only. Dewine is admittedly low profile, but was titled “one of the endorsing a timetable for withdrawal in Iraq, backing the New York most respected members of the Senate,” and the Intelligence ComTimes’ release of “classified” information, and objecting to the Bush mittee, by one of the most respected senators, Olympia Snowe (RAdministration’s interrogation program. But McCaskill, was just as ME). Overall, he has a mixed reputation, and nothing particularly strong in her argument, asserting that Talent has wrongfully supported exciting going for him, but if Republican voters see that his views the continuation of the same policy in Iraq and has not adequately are dissimilar to those of the president, he might just have a shot. questioned the government about their failed plan. The rest of the de The races in Rhode Island and Pennsylvania raise the same bate focused on Stem Cell Research, which has become the race’s key questions of party identity, and whether the view of a candidate resoissue. McCaskill tends to gettyimages nates with the rest of the support stem cell research, party. In Pennsylvania, while Talent, who initially the incumbent Rick Sanbacked research, opposed torum is a staunch conStem Cell Research this servative and the far right past year, by voting for the of his party. Lincoln affirmative on an anti-stem Chafee, running as the cell research bill. The isincumbent in Rhode Issue of stem cell research land, votes more with the brought this race national Democrats than he does attention when an comwith his own party. Both mercial was run by Mrs. candidates may alienate McCaskill featuring actor some members of their Michael J. Fox, a victim own party; with Santorum of Parkinson’s Disease fearing that moderates shaking uncontrollably as will vote with the Demohe asked voters to support crats, and Chafee worrystem cell research by voting ing that Republicans will for McCaskill.In addition, Disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff has caused problems for many incumbents. not fully support him.

Talent faltered when he said that knowing what we do now, he would Rick Santorum is the third highest-ranking member of the have still supported the invasion of Iraq. The key to this race might Republican Party; as the chairman of the Senate Republican Commitjust be whether voters believe that Jim Talent is another incarnation tee, he organizes the party and their communications related endeavof the president; on Meet The Press he explained, “it all depends on ors, as well as often being the party spokesman. He is the youngest the issues you look at…you’ll find the president and I disagree,” but member of the Republican leadership, and sits on four committees it was none too convincing, considering that he voted with Bush 94% and chairs one subcommittee. He is facing unquestionably, the toughof the time, and that he has endorsed Talent on numerous occasions. est challenge of any Senator this season. This is partly because he is A similar race exists in Ohio, where incumbent Mike DeWine so out-of-touch with the mainstream in the moderate-liberal state of faces a rising young star, Congressman Sherrod Brown. Dewine is not Pennsylvania, and is one of the “poster boys” for the unpopular conan especially well-liked senator, with a 42% approval rating, and he has servative Republican congress. But additionally, Santorum has made the current “Coingate” scandal - in which the Ohio government’s Bu- incendiary remarks about homosexuality and Hurricane Katrina, and reau of Workers’ Compensation Fund invested millions into high risk has adamantly supported Intelligent Design and the privatization of vehical companies run by Republican allies who had made substan- Social Security. When polls were first conducted roughly six months tial contributions to many within the Ohio Republican Party - going ago, his opponent had a commanding lead, and the numbers have against him, even though he is not directly involved. The polls are dead stayed the same throughout the following months. His opponent, Bob even and all political projections are say it is simply too close to call. Casey Jr., the current state Treasurer, is a moderate Democrat, and he The essential question in this race, along with those in Rhode may be able to capture some of the moderate Republican vote.

Island and Pennsylvania, is, does the candidate fit the criteria to be Chafee, on the other hand, is notorious for consistently voting with a member of the party? In DeWine’s case, Republicans have ques- Democrats, on social issues such as, abortion, the environment, gay tioned if he is too liberal, and this may have hindered his contribu- rights, taxes, stem cell research, death penalty, to foreign policy istions and support from key Republicans. However in early October, sues; he was the only Republican to vote against the authorization the Republicans resolved to pay special attention on this heated race. of troops in Iraq. He did not even vote for the president in 2004 (in Dewine is a moderate voice within the party and a mem- stead writing in Bush’s fathers name), and for these reasons among

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The Horace Mann Review Issue 2, Vol. XVI house.gov

Discontent with the Federal Government is making incumbents’ jobs harder this election. others, he is clearly the most liberal Republican in the senate. Thus, unfortunately for him, his facing of steep opposition in the race can be attributed to his unconventional positions for a member of his party.

Republicans are hesitant to support Chafee, and Democrats have found a strong challenger in former state Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse. Whitehouse has attempted to frame Chafee as the typical Bush-loving Republican, but he has little to attack him on. In Rhode Island’s democratically leaning political climate, Whitehouse’s campaign has run smoothly; unlike Chafee, who faced a tough primary challenge from conservative Cranston Mayor, Steve Laffey, of which he won by only 54-46%. Laffey attempted to be the Republican version of Ned Lamont, claiming that Chafee was too moderate, but the Republicans, including President Bush stood behind Chafee, knowing that he would have a better chance of retaining the seat for the Republicans. After his primary victory, Chafee has still faced opposition from some conservatives including Ann Coulter and radio host Hugh Hewitt who have accused him of being a closet Democrat and a disgrace to the party. Mr. Chafee should be focused on appeasing the democratic moderates who will determine the outcome of this race.

The marginalization of incumbency has also affected the Democrats in New Jersey, where Republican nominee Thomas Kean Jr. is using the incumbent status against his democratic opponent Robert Menendez. Menendez, who previously served for seven terms in Congress, was appointed to his position just this January, by former Senator Jon Corzine (D-NJ), who stepped down after becoming Governor. If he wins, he will become the first Latino to be elected to statewide office in New Jersey, but he faces a harder battle than any other Democrat in the Senate. Even though Menendez has proven to be more articulate in debates, and has used the strategy of comparing his opponent to Bush, which should work, especially since Bush is widely unpopular in the state, the race is still a toss-up. Kean has successfully made himself out to be a big fighter of corruption, a serious issue in a state where corruption is rampant and angers many voters. His father, Thomas Kean, Sr. was a well-liked former governor, and Chairman of the 9/11 Commission.

The race has featured more mudslinging, allegations, and dirty politics than any other in the senate. They have each accused each other of being unethical and dishonest but the most pointed attack has

been from the Kean camp on Menendez’s questionable ethical record.

Some have claimed that he misspent campaign funds, and a complaint was filed against him for collecting $300,000 from a non-profit of which he had aided by allocating millions to their cause. Kean has been smart in isolating himself from the Bush administration, and Menendez should avoid being the aggressive character that the media has depicted him to be. Recent polls show Kean now leading. On October 9th, Menendez issued a bold statement about the North Korean threat, explaining that the nuclear test “illustrates just how much the Bush administration’s incompetence has endangered our nation.” At this point he is strongly denouncing the policies of President Bush, may be the best way of winning the votes of Democrats and the election.

One final election in Virginia has emerged as competitive in proceeding weeks, after Republican incumbent George Allen called a volunteer for his opponents campaign, who is of Indian descent, a “macaca,” a racial slur. It intensified into a full-fledged scandal, when it was reported that Allen insensitively used the “nigger” epithet frequently in college. Before the controversy, Allen was clearly ahead in the polls, and a possible 2008 presidential contender, but now he faces a closer race against conservative democrat James Webb. Virginia has been a conservative state in the past, with two Republican senators, but has recently become more moderate upon the governorship of popular Democratic, Mark Warner. Allen still seems poised to win; a recent Zogby polls shows him leading by nine percentage points. The big question is can a controversy of this scale lose the election for Sen. Allen. If he does end up losing, his presidential ambitions will be all but shattered.

Incumbents, mostly Republicans, have encountered difficult competition in this critical election year. Some face opposition because their ideologues do not reflect the views of mainstream Americans; others are challenged because there ideas are similar to those of the unpopular Bush administration. Some candidates have encountered damaging controversy and are being forced to untangle themselves from the mess. As the American people become increasingly dissatisfied with their government, being an incumbent is becoming more and more of a disadvantage. For both the Democrats and the Republicans, the future of their party is at stake. Because an unprecedented amount of elections are toss-ups, the 2006 senatorial elections will bring new meaning to the phrase “every vote counts.”

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The Horace Mann Review

Congress on Fire

Interview with Douglas E. Schoen: Political Advisor and Consultant

By Jarett Bienenstock What do you think will be the major results of the upcoming

What woud be the smartest way for Preident Bush to deal with a

November 7 election?

The Democrats will gain 25 to 30 seats and take control of the House. In the Senate, the Democrats will probably gain 4 or 5 seats, which will be short of the 6 seats they need to take control. The Democrats will win a majority of the country’s governorships. They will certainly take New York, where Eliot Spitzer will win. Andrew Cuomo will win as Attorney General of New York, and Alan Hevesi will probably narrowly win reelection as comptroller. The Democrats will sweep New York.

Democratic House of Representatives?

DS: Bush can run against the Democratic Congress.

Representative Nancy Pelosi (Democrat from California who will likely be Speaker of the House) will be quite unpopular.

Now, it’s hard for Bush to run against the Democrats because the Republicans control both houses of Congress. Once the Democrats control the House, Bush will be able to run against the Democrats in the same way that President Clinton ran against Newt Gingrich who was the Republican Speaker of the House in the 90’s.

Why do you believe the Democrats will take the House, but not

If the Republicans lose control of the House, what lessons should

the Senate?

Today, on a nationwide basis, 15% of voters are more likely to say they will vote Democratic than Republican. That’s huge. That dynamic will work to the Democrats’ advantage and allow the Democrats to pick up 25 to 30 seats. Senate elections, however, are less subject to national trends. Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island are solid for the Democrats to pick up Republican seats. The Democrats have potential gains in Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, and Montana. I’m assuming the Democrats will win 2 of those 4 seats.

they learn and how should they try to regain control in 2008?

You claimed that the Democrats will take teh House so after the election, what are the most important things you believe the

The Republicans’ mistake was to govern from the right; to be extreme in their decision-making. To regain control, they need to return to President Bush’ compassionate conservatism that got him elected. 55% to 60% of Americans will support that.

Do the Democrats have a better solution for Iraq than the Republicans? If so, what is it?

The Democrats talk about phased redeployment. It’s not clear they really have a better idea. So far, they have not provided a credible alternative.

Democrats will try to accomplish?

The Democrats will pressure the President to withdraw from Iraq.

They will launch investigations into how and why we went to war. The Democrats will push to make the prescription drug plan better for Americans and they will fight for more universal health benefits.

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Is there any way for Democrats and Republicans to work together better than they have the last 6 years?

DS: It would be very hard for the Democrats and Republicans to work together less well.

The Horace Mann Review Issue 2, Vol. XVI What do you think are the most important challenges facing America that the federal government can help solve?

First and foremost, the Democrats and Republicans must work together to fight terrorism. The primary responsibility of the federal government is to protect our citizens. Second, we have to educate our children. Third, we have to make healthcare more widely available and affordable. Fourth, we have to provide more and better jobs which allow our citizens to pay for the increasing cost of living. Fifth, since we’ll live longer, we need more social security and pensions that will meet our needs so you won’t have to support your parents as they get older.

How will the November 7th election change America the most?

DS: It will change our foreign policy. President Bush makes foreign policy decisions on his own. The Democrats rely more on the United Nations. There may be a fundamental change in our Iraq policy.

What will be the main difference between the administrations of Governor Pataki and Eliot Spiter?

Eliot Spitzer will put more emphasis on solving New York City’s problems. He will emphasize ethics and integrity in government.

And, he’ll show what a Horace Mann educated governor can do.

As someone who has consulted for Hillary Clinton, can you tell us why so many Republicans disliked her so intensely but she’s still a very strong candidate?

People felt at the beginning that Hillary would not work well with Republicans. But, she has worked well with her Republican colleagues. She sponsored a healthcare initiative with Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. She voted for the war in Iraq, though disagreeing with President Bush’ policy. The Democrats were unhappy with her about Iraq. Now she says she made the right decision based on the information then available, but the information was wrong.

In the upcoming election, what unknown candidates do you believe may emerge as potential national leaders?

Six months ago, I would’ve said Senator Lieberman’s Democratic opponent would prevail and be popular. Now, I think Senator Lieberman will win. Eliot Spitzer has the capacity for great leadership. It’s very possible that if we don’t elect a Democratic president in 2008, Eliot Spitzer will be on the Democratic ticket as the presidential or vice-presidential candidate in 2012.

Biography Douglas E. Schoen is one of the founding partners of Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates (PSB), which describe themselves as “an innovative strategic market research firm with offices in New York, Washington, D.C. and Denver.”

Partners Douglas Shoen, Mark Penn, and Michael Berland founded PSB in 1975. The firm has been involved in giving political services. The firm is also well known as a Democratic political polling firm closely related with both Bill and Hilary Clinton. However, the firm has worked for Republican Michael Bloomberg in his bid for mayor in New York City.

In 1996, Dr. Schoen worked closely with William Jefferson “Bill” Clinton during the 1996 presidential election and is credited by many to be the driving force behind the political success of Clinton. Dr. Schoen was named “Pollster of the Year” by the American Association of Political Consultants later that year for his work with Clinton during that election.

Throughout the past 20 years, Dr. Schoen has worked closely with politicians and representatives from a variety of locations including Greece, Turkey, Israel, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, Bermuda and Yugoslavia to create winning political slogans and messages.

He has authored two books, one on the topic of British politics entitled, Enoch Powell and the Powellites, and a biography of Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan entitled, Pat: A Biography of Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

He is a graduate of both Harvard College and Law School and has a doctorate in philosophy from Oxford University in England.

Douglas E. Schoen (HM ’70) is a principal in the polling and consultant firm of Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates, Inc. Mr. Schoen has successfully advised such candidates as William Clinton, John Corzine, Michael Bloomberg, and Hillary Clinton.

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The Horace Mann Review

The Times, They Are a Changing?

T

By Sam Shelley

he House of Representatives is the voice of data does not suggest that House legislation has no impact on daythe people in United States government. For to-day life, but rather seems to proclaim that the economic life of over forty years the Democratic Party con- the country seems to be impervious to the designs of either party. trolled this voice, often holding more than Those party designs conflict most fiercely on The War on 70% of the 435-seat body. In 1994 politics in Iraq. Many political commentators argue that war policy will America changed. Something happened which had not occurred change dramatically if the House majority flips. Democrats claim since before 1954, the Republicans took the house majority. that if they could gather enough support they would rescind the bill Control of the House translates into the ability to elect the that first authorized force in Iraq and withdraw from the country. chairs of the subcommittees, set sub-committee agendas, and Yet, despite these claims, when Republicans tested the Democrats’ control the bills that the House of Representatives passes. Mean- threat through the republican introduction of a bill to withdraw from while, the minority party is relegated to blocking; trying to keep Iraq, only a handful of Democrats lived up to their declarations. the other party from passing too gettyimages Therefore, it apmany bills that are inconsistent pears that perhaps both with their own policy agenda. parties essentially supOver the past several port similar policies months newspapers and news (in action even if not shows have been consumed in speech) on an issue with the question of whether as monumental as the or not the Democrats will reWar in Iraq. Additiongain control of the House after ally, if the economy this midterm election. But the is not affected by tax underlying question that comfluctuations depenmentators have been ignoring is dent on the majorthe following: “How much does ity party, does it really the majority/minority relationmatter which party ship of the two major parties afholds the majority? fect which bills are passed and If the Democrats which are rejected?” In other do achieve the majority words, does U.S. policy and the they seek, legislation quality of life in the U.S. hinge withdrawing troops or After all the campaign promises, what will the Democrats actually change? on who controls Congress? cutting funding will On key issues, the effect of most likely be introparty majority can be substantial. For example, with respect to eco- duced. However, it is important to remember that the American govnomic issues, there is an enormous disparity between democrats, who erning system is set up in such a way that no one body has complete generally support higher taxes in order to fund and subsidize social control over the country. The House is held in check by the Senate and programs and the Republicans. The Republican Party generally calls the President and vice versa, which means that even if the Democrats for lower taxes. Republicans believe that allowing people to keep do achieve the majority in the House they will still have to grapple more of their income to invest in whatever they see fit will improve the with a Republican majority in the Senate (assuming the Republieconomy and in turn generate greater tax income for the government. can party takes majority in the Senate) and a Republican President.

Many argue that the economic policy set by Washington is Second, election rhetoric is often left behind when canincredibly important in sustaining and expanding the economy. But didates leave the campaign trail and have to face the realities over the past fifty years the economy has seen consistent growth re- of governing. Generally, American politics requires debate and gardless of the majority party and their tax policy. From a marginal compromise. Our system of government has succeeded thus tax rate of 90% in the 1960s to 28% under Reagan, back up to 39% far in creating policies that are generally aligned with the maunder Clinton and back down to 33% under Bush, the economy has jority of the nation’s views. So, if the Democrats or Repubcontinued to expand despite drastically different fiscal policy. The licans take over the House this year…does it really matter?

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The Horace Mann Review Issue 2, Vol. XVI

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The Horace Mann Review Dear Reader, The Editorial Board of the Horace Mann Review is pleased to announce that The Review will be offering subscriptions this year. The Review, Horace Mann’s award winning political journal, is now its 16th volume. We are committed to publishing no fewer than six issues in this volume. Our original and unique content will continue to tackle politics, current events, public policy, and cultural issues. The Review has been honored with the American Scholastic Press Association award for best high school publication and is also a member of the National and Columbia Scholastic Press Associations.

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