Sarah Palin has endorsed Christine O’Donnell in the Republican Delaware Senate primary. This follows an endoresement by The Tea Party Express earlier in the week. The Tea Party has sent 10 leaders to Delaware to help in the get-out-the-vote drive. Republican Mike Castle was a big favorite in the race but O’Donnell has the momentum.
To read a related Roll Call article, please click here:
http://www.rollcall.com/news/49665-1.html
James Sutliff
Republican John Boehner has proposed a two year extension for all of the Bush tax cuts. Previously, the Republicans opposed a short term extension and instead wanted the tax cuts to become permanent. A two year extension would delay an increase until after the next Presidential election. Currently, the Obama administration is opposed to any extension of tax cuts for the top two tiers.
To read a related Wall Street Journal article, please click here:
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2010/09/08/boehner-offers-concession-on-tax-cuts/
Jim Sutliff
The Wall Street Journal has a report that breakdowns House, Senate, and Governor races across the country. The political wave seems to indicate that the Republicans can expect to have major gains in Congress. Governor races are also leaning in favor of the Republican candidates. Democrats have the advantage of ground troops and still have the lead in fundraising.
To read the Wall Street Journal report, please click here:
James Sutliff
The Obama administration is set to release a new infrastructure plan on Wednesday. The plan is expected to include new construction as well as repair work. Funds for the project will still have to be allocated because most of the original stimulus has already been spent.
To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:
Jim Sutliff
An increase in private payrolls helped the stock market before the holiday weekend. The positive payroll data may keep the Federal Reserve from taking measures to add a monetary stimulus later in the month. One concern is that a slow response by the Fed to economic conditions could worsen the long term outlook.
To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:
James Sutliff
John McCain still has millions of dollars in a compliance fund from his Presidential campaign. Republican strategist are looking at the fund as a possible source of funding for midterm House and Senate races. More races are becoming competitive and could use the funds to balance the Democrats fundraising advantage.
To read a related Congressional Quarterly article, please click here:
http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docid=news-000003727742
Jim Sutliff
The National Association for Business Economics released a survey that showed a majority thought there should be more focus on economic growth than deficit reduction. The majority of the 242 respondents also believed that the 2003 Bush tax cuts should not expire at the end of the year. Also, the financial bill is thought to have almost no effect in preventing another financial crisis.
To read a related Bloomberg, article, please click here:
Jim Sutliff
Senate primaries were held in West Virginia on Saturday and there was low voter turnout. Governor Joe Manchin will be the candidate on the Democratic line and John Raese will be the Republican. Currently, Manchin is favored but that could change as we get closer to the November election. Polls have been trending Republican in many states and West Virginia could do the same in the weeks ahead.
To read a related Wall Street Journal article, please click here:
James Sutliff
Real Clear Politics has a breakdown of every Senate race this election cycle. Republican and Democrat Senate seats are placed into different catgories based on the chances for victory in the November election. Real Clear Politics also has polling data for most races for Senate and Governor. High profile news articles are another source of information on the site.
To visit the Real Clear Politics Senate map, please click here:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2010/senate/2010_elections_senate_map.html
Jim Sutliff
The Republican primary between Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski and Joe Miller is still too close to call. Miller is ahead by 1,960 votes with approximately 7,600 absentee ballots remaining to be counted. Miller was backed by the Tea Party movement and Republican Sarah Palin.
To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:
Jim Sutliff
The Congressional Quarterly Senate race ratings now have 13 races in the toss-up category. This marks the first time in the election cycle that control of the U.S. Senate is considered a toss-up. The Republicans have 39 seats listed as leaning, likely, or safe. Currently, Connecticut is rated as leaning Democrat but they may change in the near future. A self-funded Republican candidacy in Connecticut is likely to make that race a toss-up in November.
To view the CQ Politics ratings, please click here:
http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-senate
James Sutliff
Charlie Cook is predicting a GOP wave in the November 2010 elections. Currently, there are 53 Democrats in Congressional seats that were held by Republicans only four years ago. Republicans need to pick-up 39 seats to take back the House. Cook has forecasted that Republicans will win 35-45 seats and has stated that the number could actually be higher in November. Republican Senate and Gubernatorial candidates are also likely to benefit from the wave of support.
To read the Wall Street journal article, please click here:
Jim Sutliff
A recent Forbes article discusses the wide range of propsed taxes that may be waiting for individuals and the business community. Election year politics may soften the tax hikes with Democrats attempting to win back voters. Republicans are expected to oppose most tax increases by Congress.
To read the Forbes article, please click here:
http://www.forbes.com/2010/08/16/estate-tax-oil-carried-interest-business-washington-tax-hikes.html
Jim Sutliff
Currently, Republicans have 24 of the 50 Governorships but that number is expected to rise this year. Stuart Rothenberg, a political anaylst for Roll Call, predicts that Republicans should win at least an additional 8 Governorships. There are 37 Gubernatorial races this election cycle which is a record number. The importance of holding the Governorships this term is more than usual due to the redistricting of Congressional seats. States with a strong chance of having a Republican Governor are also likely to have well funded Republican Congressional candidates. Democrats are also more likely to fund Democratic Congressional candidates running in states that are likely to have a Democratic Governor. The reason is that the seats are less likely to be altered in redistricting.
To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:
Members of Congress are starting to focus on the November election and one topic that is the focus of attention is th estate tax. Possible revisions to the estate tax are the subject of numerous articles and discussions. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal discusses the bill proposed by Republican Senator Kyl and Democratic Senator Lincoln. Lincoln is facing an uphill battle for re-election this year.
To read a related Wall Street Journal article, please click here:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB128061726722322927.html?mod=WSJ_Taxes_MoreHeadlines
Jim Sutliff
