Murkowski Viewed More Favorably Than Palin

Awww, that's okay Sar, just keep on refusing money for the poor and children, they'll get over it. Seems she's not that popular other places also, and such.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) is in a strong position should Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) try to challenge her in a Republican primary in 2010, according to a new Hays Research Group poll.

A stunningly high 72% of Alaska residents view Murkowski favorably while 60% view Palin the same way.

Poll Tracker: "The two lawmakers are up for re-election to their respective offices in 2010. Palin, widely regarded as a potential 2012 presidential candidate, has yet to officially confirm whether she will run for a second term as governor in 2010. Political observers in the state continue to speculate on whether Palin will challenge Murkowski in the GOP primary in the hopes of winning a seat that will boost her profile in Washington."

MSNBC reporting Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand to replace Hillary

Feh.

Gillibrand is considered a highly talented politician and a rising political star, but her appointment apparently would not sit well with many New York liberals and progressives; two New Yorkers are already openly talking about a primary challenge.

So far, no fewer than two of Gillibrand's fellow Democrats and a group of progressive advocates are threatening to primary the upstate congresswoman, who routinely touts her Blue Dog status, if she is elevated to the Senate by Gov. David Paterson.

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, a staunch gun control advocate who was propelled into politics by the 1993 LIRR massacre in which her husband was killed, told City Room she is "very upset" by the idea that "a senator representing the NRA for New York" and would be willing to challenge Gillibrand if no one else does.

Gillibrand was endorsed by the NRA in 2008.

UPDATE- Keith says just now that all potential Senators are invited to the announcement tomorrow, but all other rumours point to Gillibrand.

Senator Dick Durbin's Daughter Christine Dies

Ugh, big hugs to a great man. No words.

Christine A. Durbin, the oldest daughter of Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, died Saturday at age 40, according to a spokesman for the Democratic senator.

Christine Durbin died in a Washington, D.C.-area hospital from complications relating to a congenital heart condition. She had been hospitalized for several weeks, Durbin spokesman Joe Shoemaker said.

Sen. Durbin was with his wife, Loretta Durbin, and family in the Washington, D.C., area on Saturday.

Bush Administration, FEMA hiding Ike devastation?

It sure sounds like it. Via freepress4all's diary on Kos, we find out that there has been declared a "No Fly Zone" over the worst hit parts of the coast of Texas, but no one knows who declared it. No media at all is able to view the destruction. Chertoff and cronies are also trying to shift blame for lack of supplies and access to local government (not of course Bush BFF Gov Perry).

Channel 13 in Houston is going to be all over this story. They are fighting mad that they are being kept away from the disaster areas and that the Federal Government is trying to control the media and the story.

To see the story unfolding, go to http://abclocal.go.com/... and click on the link for Watch live streaming video of our coverage of Ike's aftermath . Keep an eye out for reports by Channel 13 investigative reporter Wayne Dolcefino, who is saying that the Federal Government is trying to keep the media and American people from seeing images reminiscent of New Orleans and Waveland, Mississippi until they have a chance to control the story and what we see.

Watch the video titled: "Wayne Dolcefino confronts Gov. Perry."

Democrats Will Easily Pick Up Senate Seats

Slow moving this am. Thank g-d Taegan's awake.

"Even the top Republican in charge of the party's Senate campaigns concedes that the GOP will lose seats this year -- the only question is how many," Associated Press reports.

"Democrats have solid chances of winning five seats, according to strategists in both parties and public polls, and realistic shots at picking off another three to five Republican senators. Republicans have only one good opportunity for replacing a Democrat, in Louisiana."

Meanwhile, "the scent of defeat threatens to become a self-fulfilling prophecy: Republican donors are sitting on their hands, giving Democrats a nearly 2-to-1 advantage in fundraising that limits the GOP's ability to defend key seats."

CQ: Senate Seats to Watch.

Ten female senators try to prevent women's shift to McCain

By GottaLaff

It's reassuring that we have 10 pro-active female senators who are taking the initiative to move quickly on this:

With Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) out of the presidential race, 10 female Democratic senators made an urgent appeal Tuesday to try to prevent women from flocking to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in November.

The only things that could possibly be flocking to John Sidney McDoubleTalk are the turkeys who believe he, of all people, represents change.

The senators unveiled a “checklist for change” that included ensuring that women receive equal pay; keeping jobs in America; making healthcare more affordable; providing benefits for military veterans; and protecting the environment.

They forgot "getting Republicans out of the White House". But wait a minute... where's Hillary Clinton been? This is a genuine push for momentum and Democratic unity. I'm sure she's all over this! Oh, Hillary-y-y! Yoo-hoo-o! Where a-a-are you?

::cricket cricket::

Clinton, who has not returned to Capitol Hill after she conceded the race to Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) this month, was absent from Tuesday’s event. Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), who supported Clinton’s presidential bid, said that the former first lady would return “later this summer” and supports the checklist.

Oh. Hm. I guess she needed a rest after all that leadershippy emphasis on women's rights and her support for Obama and stuff. I hope she enjoys her summer vacation. From my liveblog of her concession speech:

"So if you think, If only, or What if, please don't go there. Every moment looking back keeps us from moving forward. Life is too short, time too precious. We have to work together for what still can be. I will work my heart out to make sure Obama is our next president...join me in that effort."

Back to those 10 women who are actually doing something to make sure women will see the illogic of defecting:

Democrats said that their checklist would unite the party, and plan to repeat the agenda on the Senate floor, at campaign rallies and the Democratic National Convention in August.

I can't say for certain, but I'm relatively confident that the convention is something for which Hillary will interrupt her vacation to attend.