You heard of RINOs but is Jim Matheson a DINO?

Congressman Jim Matheson (D-UT) has not been voting with his fellow Democrats in the House of Representatives, voting against them 40% the time. (As of June 16th). Matheson, who represents the Fourth Congressional District in Utah pulled off an enourmous win for Democrats in the 2012 House General Elections, winning by only about 800 votes (0.3%), However it may not be a total win for the House Democrats. Matheson, who holds the most Republican-leaning district than any other Democrat in the house is voting against his party on many bills including important ones like the repealing of Obamacare. He has voted with the GOP on many minor bills as well. He is not a total DINO (Democrat in Name Only) though. He voted with his own party on the Violence against women act, Sandy relief bill, and the Ryan budget.

A term you often hear through around politics is RINO. (Republican in Name Only). A classic example of this is New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Many tea party Republicans do not like him and think that he's too moderate and too liberal. Many think that he's not a real Republican, as he has many moderate policies. There has never really been a DINO, but Jim Matheson may be our nation's first.

Jim Matheson is only voting with the Republicans to get reelected. He is in a very conservative district in very conservative state, and in order to get reelected in 2014 keep getting reelected after that, he will need to side with the Republicans on some issues, even if that goes against what he believes in. Democrats may have thought about replacing him, but it is probably not a good idea. While he does not vote with them a lot, a Republican, especially a conservative Republican from Utah would not vote with them at all. With the House of Representatives currently narrowly controlled by the Republicans, and the Democrats try to take it over in 2014, or greatly narrow the margin, they need every vote that they can get and running someone other than Matheson would not be a good idea.


Link to Matheson's Website

Congressman Matheson's Congressional Portrait

From Disgraced Congressman to NYC Mayor?

     Fmr. Congressman Anthony Weiner is back, and he’s running for mayor of New York City. He announced on Tuesday in a video/ad made with his wife and child, announcing his candidacy. Weiner, who was forced to resign from congress after he tweeted pictures of his weiner to underage college girls, says the he “made mistakes, but has learned from them.” Weiner’s announcement may have been sparked by Mark Sanford, another disgraced politician, involved in a scandal, being elected to congress a couple of weeks ago. It seems that voters are forgiving politicians for their previous mistakes.

     While I agree with many of Weiner’s policies, I do not think he is fit be the Mayor of New York. He has made some major wrong decisions in the recent past, and is not ready to be mayor of the most populous city in America. He is still young, and has most of his political career ahead of him. If he wants to jump back into the political game he should start again, at the bottom of the totem pole. He should run for New York City Council, The New York State legislator, or even the USA congress, but NYC Mayor is to far of a leap for Weiner.    

What the heck is the DNC doing?!?!?!

The 2013 New Jersey gubernatorial primary is on June 4th in just two weeks. State Senator Barbara Buono is the leading Democrat in the Democratic race, and the only elected official running. So far she has not received any help from the DNC. There has not been a single newspaper, radio, or TV ad yet. Half the state doesn't even know who Barbara Buono is! As a resident of NJ I have only seen ads for Gov. Chris Christie, who is running unopposed in the GOP primary. The DNC needs to get off their ass and support Buono otherwise someone like Troy Webster, an unexperienced politician may win the race. What shocks me even more is that the DNC still hasn't done anything, when they understand how important it is to win this election. Not only would they be unseating Chris Christie, a likely 2016 GOP presidential candidate, but they'd be taking back the executive branch in an extremely blue state with a Democratic dominance in the state legislator.

Sanford Wins!!! South Carolina South Carolina's First Congressional District's Special Election Review

Mark Sanford has just defeated Elizabeth Colbert Busch in South Carolina's First Congressional District's special election. He won 54% - 46%. Sanford, who was exiled by National Republicans when word got out that his ex-wife is suing him for trespassing. Sanford said that even though they originally didn't accept him he will "have friends in Washington." including  John Boehner, who sent his congratulations to Sanford on his big win. His win could be a sign for other politicians that were involved in scandals, such as former Congressman Anthony Weiner. Wiener, who may run for New York City mayor in 2013 is looking more like he can have a come back after he sent pictures of his Weiner to underage girls, ruining his congressional career. If a very conservative South Carolina can forgive Sanford for what he did, then a liberal upper West side can easily forgive Weiner.

In my opinion South Carolina just elected a creep who may appear in court the same day he is sworn into congress. He ruined his kids lives and does not deserve to be in congress. Elizabeth Colbert Busch is a proven leader, who deserves to be in congress, and South Carolina made a horrible decision. As an American I am ashamed that he is one of our lawmakers.

South Carolina's First Congressional District Special Election Preview

     The special election for South Carolina's First Congressional District is tomorrow. Democratic candidate Elizabeth Colbert-Busch, and Republican candidate Former Gov. Mark Sanford are squaring off in a tight battle.  In the beginning of the race Colbert-Busch did not have much going for her, other than that she was the sister of Steven Colbert, the star of Comedy Central's The Colbert Report. She was going up against a very popular former governor in a very republican district. She decided to run once the seat was vacated by Sen. Tim Scott (R – SC). It's been an uphill battle ever since and latest polls only have her trailing by one point (47% – 46%). She received a lot of help from her opponent when word got out that his ex-wife was suing him for trespassing. Sanford said that the claims are false. If the Democrats were to win it would give them a lot of help in a very Republican-controlled House. It would only put them down 20 seats something that House Minority Leader Pelosi House Minority Whip Hoyer, two very experienced politicians, could handle. The race will be a very close one and a good one to watch. Either of them can win and we can only wait until tomorrow to find out.

Massachusetts Special Election Primary

      Congressman Ed Harkey has defeated fellow Congressman, Stephen Lynch in the Democratic primary in the Massachusetts special election to fill Secretary of State John Kerry's Senate seat. Former Navy seal Gabriel Gomez will be the GOP candidate, winning the Republican primary. Many  assume that in very democratic states, like Massachusetts, the Democratic primary is pretty much the actual election. However, Gabriel Gomez is in his own words "a new kind of Republican". He is a very likable man, and does not associate himself with the Tea Party. Ed Harkey and the other Democrats may feel like this election will be an easy win, but expect Mr. Gomez to put up a strong fight.

2013 White House Correspondents Dinner

     Saturday night was the 2013 White House Correspondents Dinner. The event was hosted by Conan O'Brien, and as always was a hilarious night of politics. The dinner started with a parody of Netflix's House of Cards, featuring the show's s star Kevin Spacey, along with notable political figures such as Sen. John McCain, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, and House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer. The night continued on with a speech from President Obama, who entered to DJ Khaled's "All I do is Win". The president made several remarks that stirred the crowd with laughter, including his claim that he wasn't the "strapping young Muslim socialist he used to be".  After that host Conan O'Brien took over, made sure that he didn't leave anyone out when it came to making fun of them. The night, as always, was a resounding success and a great break from all the politics that go on in Washington.

O'Brien's Speech


Obama's Speech

With Democratic Senators dropping like flies what does 2014 mean for the Democrats?

     With Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) announcing his retirement on Tuesday the Democrats are starting to worry as he is the sixth Democratic Senator to announce his retirement at the end of his term in 2014. He is the fourth Senator from a "red" or "swing" state. With Tim Johnson (D-SD), Jay Rockefller (D-WV), and Tom Harkin (D-IA) all retiring with Sen. Baucus, the Democrats keeping the Senate in 2014 does not look like a probability. The other two Democrats retiring are from "Safe Democratic" states. (Carl Levin D-MI and Frank Lautenberg D-NJ). The Democrats will keep these these two seats no matter who runs, while the other four seats are up for grabs. Three of the four states voted for Republican nominee Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election and the other state (Iowa) was considered a "swing" state, sided with president Obama.

      The main thing that kept these Senators from being unseated was that they were incumbents. Without incumbents running in these states it will be an uphill battle for the Democrats. The Democrats currently hold a 53-45 lead in the Senate. They also have two Independents caucusing with them which  rounds it out to 55-45. With close battles in these four states and battles in other states such as Alaska, where  Sen. Mark Begich is up for reelection, the Democrats may lose their majority in the Senate.

     The Democrats main concern for 2014 has been regaining the House, but they may have to now focus their attention on keeping The Senate. Historically, keeping the Senate is a much more realistic task. The incumbent President's party has not gained seats in the House of Representatives since FDR, and Obama lost the most seats back in 2010, losing 63 seats. With the Republicans holding a 31 seat lead in the house (possibly soon-to-be 30 with South Carolina's first Congressional District's special election leaning Democratic) it seems highly unlikely that the Democrats will retake the House. If I was the DNC I would focus more of my attention, and money on keeping the Senate, (even gaining seats in the Senate), than retaking a house that seems impossible to conquer.

Gun Control Filibuster

A crucial vote about gun control is coming up in the Senate, and several Republicans are considering another filibuster. Some of the senators who said they would support the filibuster are Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rand Paul (R-KY), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Mike Lee (R-UT). The filibuster would be the second Senate filibuster for the 113th Congress. The White House and other Democrats responded to the possible filibuster by showing  a video of Obama's recent State of the Union Address. In the video it shows  when he speaks of gun violence and says that the people of Newtown deserve a vote that Gabby Giffords deserves  about the people of Tucson deserve a vote an that any victim of gun violence deseves a vote, the entire house chamber rises. The filibuster may not occur anymore with senate voting 68-31 in favor of having a debate/vote on universal background checks. Another factor that may stop the filibuster is the bipartisan gun control bill recently proposed by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA), and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV).

Where in the world is Frank Lautenberg?

     Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) has been absent in the Senate for over 2 months (as of April 7.) the 89-year-old senator has been suffering from a leg pain and has been advised by his doctor to stay home and rest. He has missed 75% of the Senate votes for the 113th congress, including Rand Paul's filibuster, and several budget votes. With a vote on a gun control bill, that is partially sponsored by Launtenberg, rapidly approaching Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) is expected to begin the push for the Democrats instead of Lautenberg. Democrats in New Jersey and in D. C. are getting very concerned about when his return to the hill will be. (If there is a return)  If Lautenberg were to retire (which he has said he will at the end of his term in 2015) before 2015 New Jersey law dictates that Governor Chris Christie would appoint a new Senator. Christie would most likely pick a fellow Republican taking the Democrats' slim 55-45 lead in the Senate to 54-46. The newly appointed Senator would be up for reelection this Nov. in a special election. This is only if Lautenberg gives up his seat before late August. If it is after August the newly appointed Senator would wait until Nov. 2014 to be reelected. This would give him/her a chance to solidify themselves as an incumbent politician, and give them time to plan a strong campaign vs current Democratic front runner Newark Mayor Cory Booker.

Welcome

Welcome to Political Stories and Strategies. Here I plan to share any political stories that happen, expressing my opinion on them, and sharing the importance of them. However this is an open forum, so I would like to hear your opinions too. I will also be sharing strategies about upcoming elections, votes in congress, and anything I noticed going on in politics. Remember though; Open Forum. My opinions will mainly be liberal, since I am a Democrat. But I will try and be as fair as possible, and open to all opinions and ideas. Thank you for reading and I hope you will follow and read more.