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.