Oregon Elephant

Romney endorses McCain ... It would seem, especially with all the comments from McCain about traveling the country with Romney, that our man Mitt will have a prominent role in the fall. It's interesting, earlier, with the acrimony between them and the chumminess between McCain and Huckabee, most people thought Huck would fill this role. But Mitt has the support of the right, and he knows how to raise campaign cash, so Mitt is McCain's guy. It's possible, but unlikely Mitt would be a VP pick. However, I could easily see Mitt running the RNC. There's nothing to improve a political relationship like mutual need...

Here is a link to some shots McCain and Obama took at each other in what is looking more and more like the matchup in the fall. Funny line from Keith Olbermann tonight...he said all candidates should set a rule to speak BEFORE Obama rather than afterward. No kidding! Whether someone is for Obama or against him, you have to admit - this guy is good.

From Jim Geraghty at National Review ... In Maryland, McCain 57 percent, Huckabee 31 percent. In Virginia, the second wave of data shows an extremely close race, less than a percentage point between McCain and Huckabee. But I warn you, at this point, or even a little later a week ago, the data was saying McCain and Romney were tied in Arizona, and McCain won comfortably.No word on the Democrats yet, and no word on D.C....

Politico.com has a pretty interesting article about the 5th district election. It seems there is a difference of opinion as to how viable Mike Erickson is as a candidate. One name floating to the top as a challenger is Kevin mannix... Because he remains an active political presence in the state, Mannix would be the presumed primary front-runner if he ran. “Kevin Mannix’s name recognition is immense,” said political analyst Jim Moore, a professor of political science at Pacific University. “If Kevin Mannix steps in, there’s no way Erickson’s the front-runner. If [Mannix] doesn’t get in, Erickson will be among those who have a shot at it. He may have spent a lot of money, but it didn’t get him very far.” Some of this trepidation might be due to the fact that while Erickson hasn't had a problem loaning his campaign money, he hasn't been raising alot of it himself...last quarter he only raised $73,000 according to the article, well below other candidates. Not everyone is expressing...

Has anyone noticed Mike Erickson's website doesn't really say much at all about where he is actually at on the issues? As a center-right Republican, I'd love to look at what he thinks so I can support him, but there isn't really any information on where he stands concerning the issues of the day. It strikes me as a little strange that he's accepting online donations and asking for volunteers, but not saying anything about where he is on the issues.

Here are some random thoughts on today... Democrats Saw Obama's speech...wow. I don't agree with much of what he says, but you have to admire his ability to work a room. He reminds me of a young Muhammad Ali...so graceful, so smooth, so quick, that you forget how powerful his shots are. We have our work cut out for us...I think he's going to be the nominee, and he's going to be tough to beat. Clinton isn't out of it...but she's really behind the 8-ball. There's tremendous momentum for Obama, and if it goes to the convention there will be tremendous push for Obama to be the nominee. Republicans Not a good night for Republicans. McCain shows real weakness, yet he's inevitably going to be the nominee. So at this point the nomination process has shown there are three candidates, and three factions that have yet to come together: Romney with the economic conservatives, McCain with the national security conservatives, and Huckabee with the social conser...

This blurb in the Oregonian by Jeff Mapes quotes an aide to Ron Wyden as indicating they'd love Steve Novick to run for Darlene Hooley's 5th District Congressional seat. Here's what he has to say about it: My favorite comes from Josh Kardon, chief of staff to Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore. He talked up the idea of U.S. Senate candidate Steve Novick moving over to the 5th CD race. "This is probably the only race where their bench comes close to ours," said Kardon. "The only potential candidate we could run with high name recognition across the district is Steve Novick and I have no idea if he has any interest." The article goes on to say Novick has no stated interest in giving up his Senate run. Of course, things can change. He could use the money he's already raised. He's also the highest-profile person the Democrats could get at this late notice. Right now, it sounds like Vance Day is supporting Mike Erickson on the GOP side, even though there are s...