The latest person floating his name to run for President as an independent is former Georgia Democratic Senator Sam Nunn.  He was one of the founding members of the DLC and the author of Don't Ask Don't tell.  Of all the candidates think about a third party run I believe he has the best ability to make an impact and maybe even win a state.  I do not think he could win but he could be on par to George Wallace in 1968 and Ross Perot in 1992.  If he runs it could change to the current body politic.  It may well need changing, but is he willing to run a race he is very likely to lose just to that?  

There's more...

Rumored to be think about running for Governor as a Democrat LA Senator Walter Boasso about an hour ago confirmed he had filed the paper work making him a Democrat.

Here is the story
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/poli tics/4752038.html

He can self fund his race and is rumored to have the backing of many Democrats in the state.  Foster Campbell is also running as a Democrat, Rep Bobby Jindal is the lone Republican in the race.

There's more...

Last week the Chairman of the Wake County GOP Mens Club quit became a Democrat and is rumored to be running for the state house.  Daily Kos has a blog on it, but the folks on Kos do not get it.  There is nothing sinister by Chris Mintz, and the State GOP is controled by millionaire Art Pope a former state house member.  Pope groupies are called COPAM and COPAM is crazy.  Expect some more Republicans to jump ship in 2006.  Here is the story

http://wakedems.org/node/5664

On a related note 3rd District US Rep Walter B. Jones, Jr. a Republican has picked up primary opposition from the right.  Greg Dority the 2002 and 2004 nominee for the 1st district is running agaist him.  Jones has recently been distancing himself from the Republican party, something he did to the Democrats 12 years ago as a state house member.  Walter Jones Jr. though is not a Republican or a Democrat to his district he is the son of the late great Congressman Walter B. Jones, a conservative Democrat.

Rep Earl Pomeroy, (D-ND) on an interview said the best thing Howard Dean could with his opinion on Iraq is to stop making it public.  

Here is the link.
 http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2005/12/09/news/state/106702.txt

In 1976 the United States brought back the Death Penalty.  Tonight in North Carolina the 1000th execution is scheduled to happen.  The only one who can stop it now is Gov Mike Easley, a Democrat and death penalty supporter.  The press is flocking to our state to cover this but should Gov Easley decide to commute, not lilkely though, they will not have far to go Friday South Carolina is scheduled for 1001.

Here is the story.http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/13298316.htm

Sen Max Baucus, D-Montana has announced he will vote to confirm Judge Roberts as Chief Justice of the US Surpreme Court.  Rumor has it the Sen Ben Nelson is close to doing the same but as of now Baucus is the only one.

http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?tl=1&display=rednews/2005/09/20/build/state/25-baucus-r oberts.inc

It has been reported that Mayor Bloomberg has come out agianst John Roberts.  I doubt it will have any affect on the voting, but here is the story.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/16/AR2005091601153.html

http://www.strategicvision.biz/political/pa_poll_0802.htm
For the last few months PA Senate Polls have shown State Treasurer Robert Casey, Jr over incumbent Rick Santorum by double digits.  So to have one come out this week saying the same thing would not be a surprise, but this poll is a strategic vision poll which is a GOP pollster.  The poll also has Gov Rendell leading but by a smaller margins over both Swann and Scranton his supposed GOP opposition.  Rendell is trying to squelch rumors that he will replace his runnigmate but the rumor still persist.

There's more...

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-vanhollen0711,1,2989645.story?coll=bal-home-head lines&ctrack=1&cset=true

It has been reported that Von Hollen has decided to seek re-election and not run for the US Senate citing family matters.  He is not endorsing anyone at this time but most obeservers say it is good news for Ben Cardin, he still has a primary, but this is a major bump he has avoided, as for Von Hollen he will have to wait but in 2010 there may be another senate seat open.

In 2003, when Barbara Hafer switched to from the Republicans to the Democrats it seemed like a matter of time that she would seek a seat for something.  At first it was thought to be the US Senate in 2006 but the party is fixed on Robert Casey Jr. to do that, much to the dismay of some on this board.  Then a Lt Governor race was thought to be the move, which would have made sense becasue it was current Lt Governor Catherine Knoll was unseated by Hafer in 1988 for the state Treasurer position, and bad blood still runs with those two, but Hafer does not appear to be interested, also with Sen Specter ailing and many feel that he will not finish his term Hafer would be the likley choice to be appointed for that seat, of course Sen Specters is still their and may finish anyway.  Now a new runor, she is looking at the 18th US House seat, where she is still a registered voter in that district.  One of those pushing the candidacy is another former Republican US Rep Mike Doyle who became a Democrat to seek his house seat in 1994.  Also the Democrats tried to get Chris Hienz, another former Republican to run for the house but he declined but has said a future run is likley.  Here is the link to the story, but is the Keystone state party becoming a refuge for disenchanted Republicans.

 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05184/532430.stm