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CLINTON

The Perks of Being President

Clinton had a lucrative 2011.
Bill Clinton "commanded the largest speaking fees of his career in 2011,
earning $13.4 million and exceeding his previous record by 25%." The
"former commander-in-chief has earned $89 million from paid speeches
since leaving the White House."
"The most lucrative" was a Nov. speech "in Hong Kong to Swedish-based
telecom giant Ericsson -- $750,000. Clinton also earned $700,000 for a
March speech to a local newspaper publishing company in Lagos, Nigeria,
and $550,000 for ... a speech to a business forum in Shanghai."
Clinton, at a forum in South Africa: "I never had any money until I got out
of the White House, you know, but I've done relatively well since then"
(Yoon, CNN Political Ticker, 7/5).
GINGRICH

Pleasure Before Business

Gingriches vacation in Italy despite campaign debts.
Newt Gingrich's wife, Callista Gingrich, "has been occasionally
sharing pictures" of the couple's "Italian excursion - of vineyards, of lunch
overlooking St. Peter's Basilica - since June 25. Meanwhile creditors have
been waiting for" $4.7M of unpaid campaign debts "and, in rare cases, for
disputes over bills to be settled."
"Gingrich is taking a breather - and yet the mop up remains. In order to
tackle the debt, Gingrich may have to use some of his own funds in
addition to the money brought in by the campaign's broader strategy of
email appeals and fundraisers. Gingrich spokesman R.C. Hammond says
these "will occur over the next six months."
Hammond: "These processes take years. ... That's all the campaign is doing
is trying to figure out how it's going to pay off debt. That's why the
committee is not suspending. That's why it still exists" (Steinmetz, Time,
7/5).

MASSACHUSETTS

The Kitchen Candidate

Both Sen. Scott Brown (R) and ex-CFPB adviser Elizabeth Warren (D)
have "championed the virtues of public disclosure - but each has limits
when it comes to their own records and history."
Brown "has released a three-decade long military record, pushed an
'insider trading' law banning members of Congress from profiting from
nonpublic information learned on the job, and penned a biography that
detailed a troubled childhood and sexual abuse at the hands of a camp
counselor." But he opposed a bill "requiring more detailed finance
disclosure requirements, kept hidden all but one of a committee that
hosted a ... fundraising event for him and declined to publish his tax
returns on his website." Brown also "declined to release the names of
lobbyists he's met with in his Senate offices."
At the same time, he has "been quick to fault" Warren "for a lack of
disclosure over her claims of Native American heritage. Warren, in turn,
"has been unable to produce any documents to support" her heritage claim,
and "she hasn't responded to Brown's call that she release full employment
records from the colleges where she taught."
Brown: "The best way to satisfy these questions is for Elizabeth Warren to
authorize the release of her law school applications and all personnel files
from the various universities where she has taught. ... As candidates for
high public office, we have a duty to be transparent and open."
Warren has responded by attacking Brown "for his opposition to the
'DISCLOSE Act.'" Warren: "Without transparency in elections, our
democracy is in danger of being hijacked by shadowy organizations with
deep pockets. ... We've got to make sure the big corporate interests are held
accountable for their actions and voters have the information they need."
Brown denounced the bill as an effort by the Dems to "gain a tactical and
political advantage" (LeBlanc, AP, 7/1).

Family Man
In a recent TV ad, Brown is seen "at the stove, preparing bacon and cheese

omelets" and "tossing eggshells into the sink with hardly a glance." His
wife, TV reporter Gail Huff "is at the breakfast table, reminiscing about
her early days as a TV reporter," and "talking up her husbands cooking. But
the star of the show is the fridge, ... plastered with snapshots and magnets,"
and "stocked with store-brand groceries and domestic beer," a "bit like the
Browns, unpretentious but camera-ready."
Brown is "campaigning heavily on personality. But he is no longer the
candidate who defined himself as the guy with a truck and a barn jacket.
He is Scott Brown, suburban family man." Now, "the women in his life are
front and center - daughters who in the last, compressed campaign were
only occasionally visible, and a wife who was deliberately absent."
Brown "sometimes embroiders accomplishments of his children that need
no embellishing," and, in "his book, Brown" focuses on the importance of
being a good father to his children. "Brown's wife and daughters," in turn,
serve as "apolitical ambassadors of the Brown brand" (Moskowitz,
Boston Globe, 7/1).
Boston Herald's Fitzgerald writes, "Doesn't anyone on your [Brown's]
staff have the foggiest idea of how infuriating those idyllically homey
commercials are to anyone looking for a smidgen of insight into why you
ought to be sent back to Washington?"
One's "wedded bliss is not a criterion for having a say in how to run the
country. ... So please, take off the apron and put down the frying pan"
(6/30).
Boston Globe's Weiss writes, "There's something missing, and I know
what it is. What this race really needs is some super PAC ads. ... Advocacy
groups, large and small, are at this very moment standing on the sidelines,
checkbooks at the ready, aching to weigh in."
"Would it get ugly? Sure. The ads would ... be obnoxious, contentious,
sometimes grossly mistaken, and yes, a fair share of them would be about
Cherokees. But I'm guessing that some ads would also be about issues, and
that in the subsequent fact-checking and truth-squadding and handwringing, the voters might actually find some illumination. Most
importantly, we'd shake the race out of this boring, controlled push-andpull that isn't nearly living up to its promise" (7/1).

How About This, SCOTUS?

Brown "made a pitch" June 29 "for his Stolen Valor Act of 2011, a bill
proposing to modify the Stolen Valor Act of 2005 that was ruled
unconstitutional this week" by SCOTUS." Brown's bill "would punish
people who misrepresent their military service in order to profit."
Brown staff's official statement: "Based on the Supreme Court's ruling,
Senator Brown's bill would be constitutional because it focuses on those
who seek to benefit from their misinterpretations."
Warren "said she favors modifying the original act." Warren: "My three
brothers served in the military, so I understand how important this is. I
hope that Congress looks closely at the Supreme Court's decision and fixes
it."
Both Brown and Warren also "hailed" the Senate vote June 29 "to extend
the 3.4 percent interest rate on Stafford student loans for another year."
Warren "attacked Brown, however, for initially sliding twice with
Republican leaders in votes against the rate extension" (Johnson, Boston
Globe, 6/30).
Boston Herald's Braceras writes, "June 28 just may have been Scott
Brown's lucky day. ... Two years ago," MA "shocked the political world by
electing Brown to fill the seat left empty by the death of" ex-Sen. Ted
Kennedy. "In 2010, Brown campaigned on a promise to cast the decisive
41st vote against Obamacare."
The ACA ruling "throws the issue back to Congress and to the voters perhaps providing the ... boost Brown needs to win" (7/2).

Good While It Lasted

Atty Marisa DeFranco (D), who was "ousted" from the race at the party's
state convention June 2, "thanked her supporters in an email this
weekend," writing, "the fight for justice never ends."
DeFranco: "I am grateful to all of you for your dedication to our attempts to
change the calculus of money and politics and our efforts to talk about
solutions and substance and make politics about more than just talking
points" (Rizzuto, Springfield Republican, 6/30).
MASSACHUSETTS

Cruel Poseidon

Brown says MA fisheries are poorly regulated; Warren defends

Cape Wind.
Sen. Scott Brown (R) "made a sweep" through southern MA July 2 where
he picked up the endorsement of ex-Bristol Co. DA Paul Walsh (D).
There, he "was escorted" through Precix, Inc., a successful O-ring
manufacturer in New Bedford, where he claimed that the ACA "is bad for"
MA. Brown: "It's the largest middle-class tax increase that I can
remember."
"Later with reporters, Brown" focused on his involvement with the "local
fishing industry in it dealings with the" Commerce Dept. He offered words
of support to ex-Commerce Sec. John Bryson, but said that "when
Bryson is replaced, he wants to see someone who will better include the
fishing industry in the department's regulations."
"Ideally, said Brown, fishing regulation would move to the" Interior Dept.
Brown, who has also "been frustrated by the slowness of receiving
documents from NOAA, said 'There is a tremendous lack of trust on the
science, on NOAA, in particular with increasingly ridiculous fines they
impose folks.'" He said that NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco
should be fired (Urbon, New Bedford Standard-Times, 7/3).
Brown also "backed a federal probe into Cape Wind ..., saying its the only
way to address alarming safety concerns and raising questions about
whether the project was approved thanks to 'backroom deals.'" Brown: "If
there's any interference of any backroom deals, like they did with the
federal health care bill ... there should be an independent investigation to
verify if those things are true. ... I remember that during the whole
conversation, there were concerns about the plans and the transmissions
and the ability to travel safely back and forth."
Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), who investigated "the failed solar energy
company Solyndra," expressed interest in conducting a "similar probe into
Cape Wind."
"Brown brushed off concerns from some Democrats that the investigation
would be too costly" (Chabot, Boston Herald, 7/2).
Meanwhile, ex-CFPB adviser Elizabeth Warren (D) was in Martha's
Vineyard over the weekend where her "itinerary included meeting with
supporters" and a "major fundraiser" in Edgartown. In an interview, she
said that if elected she would "put people to work" in the short-term

through a "jobs bill." She also expressed support for Cape Wind and for the
use of drones in Pakistan (Sigelman, Martha's Vineyard Times, 7/2).

Warren The Radical?

In a video released by the MA GOP July 2, "Warren is labeled 'too radical,'"
as a result of her "purported support of a single-payer health care system."
But "it is unclear whether Warren does, or did, support the concept of a
single-payer health care system." When asked to clarify, "Warren's
campaign reiterated its statement that the focus needs to be on the current
law, while calling the debate over a single-payer system a distraction"
(Rizzuto, Springfield Republican, 7/2).

Nice Of You To Say Anyway

Pundits were shocked when on July 2 Brown praised MA AG Martha
Coakley's (D) 2010 SEN bid. Through Coakley was "roundly mocked by
left and right alike for bungling the 2010 special election, Brown defended
her saying, "contrary to what I read, Martha was a very, very hard
campaigner. She may have taken a little time off during the holidays, but
she was a very well-respected, hardworking attorney general."
Even Dems were having a hard time "taking Brown's praise with straight
faces." Dem consultant Scott Ferson: "You got to give Scott Brown credit,
he really goes after every vote. ... He ran against her for the first time and
won, why wouldn't he want to run against her again?"
Brown did not "weigh in on whether Coakley is a better campaigner than
Warren." Brown: "Both are hard workers, they're both formidable
candidates, opponents" (Chabot, Boston Herald, 7/3).

Plan B
Even if Warren doesn't win Brown's Senate seat some pundits are
speculating that she could be Sen. John Kerry's (D) "successor" if Pres.
Obama "wins a second term and appoints Kerry" Sec/State. Boston
Phoenix's Bernstein during a "reader Q-and-A": "I could easily see this:
Elizabeth Warren acquits herself well in the 2012 campaign but narrowly
loses; Kerry is appointed SoS;" Gov. Deval Patrick (D) "appoints Warren
temporary Senator; she runs for the permanent seat and waltzes to victory"
(Mahtesian, Politico, 7/2).
MASSACHUSETTS

Verbal Fireworks
Warren, Brown campaign at Independence Day parade.
In his July 4 "Independence Day statement," Sen. Scott Brown (R) tried
to "capitalize on the spirit of bipartisanship," calling upon "citizens to set
aside political differences and embrace what unites us, not what separates
us." Brown: "We are all blessed to live in the greatest country in the world,
but we face serious challenges right now that require us to work together.
It's going to take American solutions - not just Republican or Democratic
ideas - to tackle these issues and move our country forward."
Brown's statement comes "just one day after winning support from" Bristol
Co. DA Paul Walsh (D) - "the latest Democrat to publicly endorse" him
(Berry, Springfield Republican, 7/5).
Brown's bipartisan rhetoric wasn't reflected MA's Independence Day
festivities. Although both ex-CFPB adviser Elizabeth Warren (D) and
Brown "marched ... in Wakefield's Fourth of July Parade," the "candidates
never even greeted each other," nor did they greet each other "at a
Plymouth parade" July 3 (Sege, Boston Globe, 7/5).
In fact, "at the .. Plymouth parade," both candidates "shot verbal bottle
rockets at each other over Obamacare."
Warren: "The Republicans' announcement that they want to repeal it all
and go back to years of fighting over health care is just wrong. ... We need
to move on. There are real issues to address now, jobs, education, roads,
bridges and transportation; and more years of fighting over health care is
not going to help our country."
Brown retorted that "the universal health care law will hurt local jobs,"
saying "Professor Warren is in favor of these job-killing taxes. I'm not"
(Chabot, Boston Herald, 7/4).

Flexing The Bipartisan Muscles

Brown "seemingly undercut two mainstays of conservative presidential
campaign rhetoric" July 4 - "putting his faith" in Pres. Obama "to thwart a
nuclear Iran."
Brown, when asked if Obama should intervene militarily in Iran: "That's up
to the president. That's why he's the president" (Chabot/Cassidy, Boston

Herald, 7/5).
Brown also "came to agree" July 3 "that the national health care mandate -is not a 'tax' - a departure from conservative talking points." Brown, at an
event in Quincy: "It's not a tax. But for me, it's even deeper than just the
mandate. It's about the 18 other taxes that are being imposed as part of the
national health care bill The real difference between professor Warren and
me is the fact that she, for some reason, is in favor of these 18 taxes, plus
the half a trillion in Medicare cuts for our seniors."
Warren: "What the real fight is going to be over in the Senate, at least
according to the Republicans, is whether to repeal health care outright.
And they've said they want to make that a priority, and I'd say they're
wrong. ... Scott Brown has run on the promise that if he gets the chance, he
will repeal the health care act, and I will fight to keep it" (Stout/Johnson,
Boston Herald, 7/4).
Brown is also co-sponsoring the "Empowering States to Innovate Act"
along with Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR). For the "Obama White House,"
which is "pushing" the act, " the amendment has a number of politically
appealing aspects. The most obvious is that it provides an avenue to the
type of federalist approach that the Republican Party, and its standardbearer Mitt Romney, has argued should have been adopted in the first
place" (Stein, Huffington Post, 7/3).

Politics Is Still Local

Brown "chatted with residents and ate lunch at Heritage Coffee Shop"
during a July 3 "campaign stop ... in Auburn." Brown, on the visit:
"Sometimes people forget about some of the communities out in this
region, but I'm not going to, and that's why I'm here."
He was welcomed "at the coffee shop" by state Rep. Paul Frost (R)
(Sobey, Leicester Daily Voice, 7/4).

Skeletons With 'High Cheekbones' In The Closet

"Newly uncovered documents posted" on "Cherokee genealogist Twila
Barnes'" blog reveal that "Warren's 'Aunt Bea,'" and Warren's mother,
Pauline Herring, "were listed as 'white'" on government forms.
Warren once "cited her Aunt Bea's characteristically Native American 'high
cheekbones' as evidence of her American-Indian ancestry" (Pappas, Daily

Caller, 7/2).

The Personable Professor

Salon's Jacobs writes, since "hitting the national stage in 2009" Warren
"has become a strange amalgamation" of Obama and ex-AK Gov. Sarah
Palin (R), "combining Ivy league smarts and a down-home folksy touch."
"In the flesh, Warren seems to crave physical contact with voters. She
greets everyone with 'glad to see you' and combines a handshake with a
shoulder pat. Even with those wearing gloves, she goes for a fist bump or,
even if that's not possible, an elbow bump." Rep. Jim McGovern (D-03)
"goes as far as to call Warren 'a natural'" (7/5).
MASSACHUSETTS

Stand by Your Man

Brown brushes aside Fehrnstrom's miscues.
Sen. Scott Brown (R) defended the "embattled campaign staffers he
shares with Mitt Romney, the same Boston team that national
conservatives blasted this week for fumbling the GOP presidential
hopeful's message." Romney strategist Eric Fehrnstrom, who "called the
Obamacare individual mandate a penalty and not a tax" July 2, also "serves
as campaign mastermind in Brown's re-election fight."
Brown "declined to weigh in on the recent firestorm surrounding
Fehrnstrom," but he "said he doesn't plan on making any changes after
Fehrnstrom's bad week."
Brown: "I have an amazing campaign team, a lot of folks who are just
wonderful, and it's a pleasure to get up in the morning and work with them
all" (Chabot, Boston Herald, 7/6).
MILLER, YVONNE

End of an Era
Yvonne Miller dies at 77.
Ex-state Sen. Yvonne Miller (D-VA), 77, died July 3 after a battle with
stomach cancer. She was "the longest-serving woman in the Virginia

Senate."
Gov. Robert McDonnell (R), in a statement: "Yvonne was a history
maker and a trail blazer. ... Yvonne made history when she was elected to
the General Assembly. But she made the biggest difference in what she did
when she got there."
State Sen. Mamie Locke (D): "The Commonwealth of Virginia has lost a
great Virginian, a great legislator and a great humanitarian. ... That
irreplaceable voice will be truly missed by all who knew and loved Yvonne
B. Miller. She was and will forever remain a giant among women and a role
model for us all" (Kumar, Washington Post, 7/3).
NEVADA

The Dean of Debating

Berkley, Heller begin debate negotiations.
NORTH CAROLINA

The NV "Broadcasters Association is already planning" an Oct. 18 debate

between Sen. Dean Heller (R) and Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-01), two
days "before early voting starts ahead of the Nov. 6 election."
"Now the group has to get" the two candidates "to agree to show up." NV
Broadcasters Group pres. and CEO Bob Fisher: "I go back 18 years with
both Shelley and Dean, and they certainly trust and respect the integrity of
the NBA to produce a fair and unbiased debate."
Berkley comm. dir. Xochitl Hinojosa confirmed it is considering the
debate, saying "The campaign is in talks."
Heller has said he'd be willing to debate Berkley, "perhaps more than once,
but plans aren't yet set." Heller: "I am not going to put a number on what I
think is the right amount. ... But as we go into these communities I am
more than happy to sit down and have discussions between her and I and
any moderator" (Myers, Las Vegas Review-Journal, 7/2).

Shoe Ready To Drop

Reno Gazette-Journal Hagar writes: By July 9, the House Ethics Cmte
"will decide if a review" of Berkley "will escalate into an investigation.
Berkley is being scrutinized by the 10-member panel... for advocating on

kidney health matters that appeared to help her husbands medical

practice." The cmte "could very well vote for an investigation." House
Dems "are running for re-election, too." Little will change in Berkleys
camp "if this 'investigation' is extended. She has already been mocked by
super PAC ads referring to investigations, so it wouldnt change those
attacks."
"Theres been a big change in Berkleys campaigning style about this ethics
thing. She used to pivot away from any questions about it. Lately, she has
been open about it" with Myers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal and
Jon Ralston on his Face to Face TV show. "Shes convincing about her
sincerity in support of kidney health when she tells her side." We live in
NV. "Much of our culture and economy is still fueled by 24/7 gambling,
where drinking and smoking are welcome ancillary pleasures. Berkley has
represented" NV's economic engine, "the Las Vegas Strip, for more than a
decade. Any help in kidney health cant be a bad thing" (7/1).

To Frack or Not To Frack...

Dalton, McCrory disagree with Perdue over fracking.
LG Walter Dalton (D) says he "disagrees" with Gov. Beverly Perdue's
(D) "veto of a bill that would authorize ... fracking" in NC.
Through Dalton agrees that the legislation is imperfect, he says it would
have been a "'proactive step' that contained environmental safeguards."
'08 nominee/ex-Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory (R) said he was also
"disappointed by the veto and accused Perdue and Dalton of doing nothing
over the past four years to advance energy exploration" (AP, 7/2).
NORTH DAKOTA

Close, but No LG
Riemers won't appear on the ballot.
'04 nominee/'06 SEN nominee/'72 MN-05 GOP nominee/'76 MN SEN
GOP candidate Roland Riemers (L) "will not be listed on November's
general election ballot." He "received more than the necessary 300 votes in
June's primary," but "his name was listed without" a LG candidate.

Though he "filed the paperwork to appear together" with Richard Ames

(L) "on the primary ballot," Ames' "application was missing a page and was
invalid."
Riemers said he would be meeting with his attys July 9 to "decide how the
proceed."
Riemers: "I suppose we'll be seeking some sort of injunctive relief. ... At
least we have time to pursue this" (Bieri, Grand Forks Herald, 7/5).
OBAMA

Mixed Opinion
Freeman says Obama is not the first black president.
During an interview on NPR, actor Morgan Freeman claimed that Pres.
Obama "is 'mixed race' and not African-American."
Freeman, on Obama: "First thing that always pops into my head regarding
our president is that all of the people who are setting up this barrier for
him ... they just conveniently forget that Barack had a mama, and she was
white very white American, Kansas, middle of America. ... There was no
argument about who he is or what he is. America's first black president
hasn't arisen yet. He's not America's first black president he's America's
first mixed-race president."
Freeman went on to "blast the GOP for reflexively and programmatically
opposing Obama's every move" (Daunt, Hollywood Reporter, 7/5).
TENNESSEE

Gentleman's Error
Dems and GOPers attack Corker for complimenting Dimon.
Both Dems and GOPers "took aim" at Sen. Bob Corker (R) "after he held
a hearing to investigate more than $2 billion in trading losses at JP
Morgan," and then "used the occasion to heap praise upon CEO Jamie
Dimon." Corker called Dimon "one of the best CEOs in the country for
financial institutions" and deemed the losses a "blip on the radar screen."
"Those statements" have fueled claims by Corker's "challengers" that the
"senator's allegiances lie with big campaign donors and not ordinary
Tennesseans."

JP Morgan "has contributed more to Corker's campaign than all but two
other organizations. ... His No. 1 contributor is Goldman Sachs. Still,
"Corker dismissed claims that he is too closely allied with big banks," and
said he was "just being a gentleman" when he praised Dimon. Corker: "I
tend to ask very tough questions and end up in a place of supporting very
good policy in our nation."
Actress/environmentalist Park Overall (D) called Corker a "hollow suit."
Overall: "He goes to the highest bidder."
Corker's GOP challengers say "the senator's financial ties to large
corporations partly explain why his voting record isn't as conservative as
they think it should be. Army vet/technology consultant Zach Poskevich
(R): "Just look at whose contributing to his campaign."
Corker has said that Dodd-Frank went too far, but "he thinks there is a role
for government in regulating financial institutions and markets." Next
term, he wants to "unwind ... Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and clamp
down on loopholes in new rules targeting risky derivatives." He added that
"Congress should consider strengthening Dodd-Frank's capital
requirements."
The Dems also complain that "Corker has neglected certain social and
economic issues." According to Christian Counseling Centers of America
CEO Larry Crim (D), Corker "hasn't focused enough on education and
road funding."
Still, neither Crim nor any of the other challengers from either side of the
aisle are likely to have a chance against Corker during the election. Middle
TN State Univ. prof. Steve Livingston: "No one running against him has
a (political) background - they're not heavyweights. ... I just don't see any
of them on their own generating the momentum to get the money and the
profile necessary to mount a credible campaign" (Bewley, Nashville
Tennessean, 7/3)

Another Joins The Fray

Ex-engineer Mark Twain Clemens (R) announced his candidacy for the
Senate June 29. "His platform is to reduce the $15 trillion dollar deficit by
cutting government spending" and raising "tariffs to a reasonable amount."
He also suggests "ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan" and building a
"100 percent made-in-America transcontinental passenger rail system."

Clemens says "he does not accept contributions in order to separate his
'higher moral, political standard from the rest of the riff rate'" (Shelbyville
Times-Gazette, 6/29).

HOUSE RACE HOTLINE

FLORIDA 19 (R/MACK -- FORT MYERS)

Money Problems
Records show multiple candidates in debt.
"At least" one FL-19 candidate "took a huge financial hit during the
recession." State Rep. Gary Aubuchon (R) "earned more than $400,000
last year from his multiple business interests and the $29,697 salary he
was paid as a member of the" FL legislature. But he "also accumulated
some sizable debt." Most of that - "as much as $850,000 - was borrowed in
2005-06 to purchase land when his company, Aubuchon Homes Inc., had
become a big player in the local housing market."
Aubuchon, on his finances: "It is not an overwhelming amount of debt. ...
All of it is secured by our assets. Our company's net worth has increased
the last couple of years and we are generating income to pay down the
debt. ... It is all within manageable means. ... Three years ago, it kept me up
at night. ... Today, wwe have worked through it."
"The youngest competitor in the race," atty Joe Davidow (R), "is still
paying off student loans," and "that liability is between $120,000 and
$230,000."
Businessman Byron Donalds (R) is also "still liable for student loans.
Coupled with a credit card consolidation loan, Donalds lists liabilities of
between $45,000 and $150,000" (Rathgeber, Ft. Myers News-Press,

7/3).

The New Guy

Ft. Myers Press-News' Rathgeber writes, Donalds is a "political anomaly
- a black man, preaching arch-conservatism in a largely white district" and
a "newcomer to the Southwest Florida political scene." He has "emerged as
an articulate speaker and has won three straw polls sponsored by ... Get
Out of Our House, a nonpartisan group that wants to replace the career
politicians in the House with what it calls 'true citizen representatives.'"
Collier County tea party co-founder/ex-Westinghouse Internat'l pres. Jack
Tymann, on a Donalds speech: "I had never heard him speak before. ...
This young man comes out and 20 minutes later he had the audience on
the edge of their seats. He has this incredible brain to put things just in the
right place."
However, not "all tea partiers are Donalds fans. He "has plenty of
competition ... from" radio host Trey Radel (R), "who has been endorsed
by the Lee County tea party" (7/4).
GEORGIA 10 (R/ATHENS -- BROUN)

I Can Explain That!

Broun defends his vote against animal cruelty legislation.
During a radio debate between Rep. Paul Broun (R) and Army vet
Stephen Simpson (R) on WGAU July 2, one caller "quizzed Broun about
his 2010 vote against making it a federal crime to make videos of graphic
torture and killing of animals." Broun was "one of only three members to
do so."
Simpson: "If I were one of three out of 535 who said it was OK to have
cruelty to animals, wouldn't that say I was out of touch."
Broun retorted that "the 'crush videos' are already illegal in all 50 states
and he wants to scale back the Justice Department and federal power."
"Later on," Simpson asked Broun why "he voted against a small business
tax cut that passed the House this year but failed in the Senate when Broun
had spoken favorably about the bill." Brown responded that "there was
probably a provision inserted into it that made the bill unsatisfactory but
he could not remember the specifics of the bill."

Simpson, in response: "If you don't remember this bill, there's something
wrong" (Malloy, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 7/2).
HAWAII 02 (D/OAHU -- HIRONO)

Sun Exposure
Kia'aina gets some airtime.
Ex-Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chief Advocate Esther Kia'aina (D)
stopped at a community television office in Kaua'i July 5 "to tape her three
minute message" for local viewers "before heaving to the Kaua'i Veterans
Center, a talk-story lunch at the Tip Top Cafe and a two-hour radio show at
KKCR on the North Shore."
Kia'aina "said there will be a forum" July 11 "which will be aired live."
Kia'aina: "People may not know all of" the six "candidates, but there are
several says they can see how I can be an effective candidate.
Hawai'i News Now and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser are also
"coordinating a debate with the" candidates July 12 (Fujimoto, Kauai
Garden Island, 7/6).
MAINE

Bringing the Heat

Campaign strategies likely to turn negative.
Although ex-Gov. Angus King (I) is the "prohibitive favorite to win the
open Senate seat," being "the front-runner also makes him the punching
bag, and it is unclear whether" he "can sustain his lead as the campaign
unfolds."
Sec/State Charles Summers (R): "By the time Labor Day gets here, this
race will have a very different complexion. ... It's fair to say it will be
important to have thick skin."
State Sen. Cynthia Dill (D) also believes the dynamics of the Senate race
are about to change, saying "my poll numbers have nowhere to go but up,
but I believe Angus has reached his high-water mark."
Still, despite Dill's optimism, the national Dem Party is holding "back to

see if Ms. Dill can gain traction in the polls." Even some ME Dems have
thrown their support behind King recalling the 2010 GOV election "when
an independent candidate divided the Democrats and allowed the TeaParty backed" Gov. Paul LePage (R) "to squeak through" (Seelye, New
York Times, 6/30).

Money Problems
King has "received more than $350,000 over the past year and a half as a
consultant, trust executor, college professor, corporate director, public
speaker and author, and he and his wife, Mary Herman, hold millions of
dollars in assets that include stocks, bonds and mutual funds."
Meanwhile," Summers and Dill "have incomes that are notably smaller and
less diversified."
King mgr. Kay Rand: "People have known that Angus was wealthy. ...
When he was governor, wealth didn't influence the way he governed, and
it's not going to influence the way he votes in Washington" (Stone, Bangor
Daily News, 7/1).
In her financial disclosure report, Dill "didn't report making any money as
an attorney in 2011 or 2012," and she "withdrew $30,000 from a
retirement account furing that period." Overall, she reported "$35,654 in
earned income in 2011 and 2012 to date," much of it coming from her
position as a "legislator" and "an adjunct faculty member at Southern
Maine Community College."
"Summers ... reported only $70,000 in salary from his state job"
(Shepherd, Portland Press Herald, 6/30).
PENNSYLVANIA 17 (D/SCRANTON -- HOLDEN)

The Wright Man for the Job?

Cartwright, Cummings race profiled.
The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader profiled the PA-17 nominees, atty Matt
Cartwright (D) and tea party activist Laureen Cummings (R).
Cartwright "has enjoyed some down time" since his "knock-down, dragout" primary fight against Rep. Tim Holden (D). But he "isn't relaxing too
much." Cartwright: "I like our chances, but we're not taking anything for

granted. ... People who go in the voting both still have free will."
In terms of his political positions, Cartwright says he "has been in favor of"
the ACA and "what it does," but he does not "feel" that it goes far enough.
"He said if elected, he will 'work to strengthen' the act." In terms of
immigration, he called "the president's order 'a stop-gap measure. I'm not
thrilled with it' but it moves the issue ahead until Congress can come
together and do the same."
He does not "share the president's opinion on gay marriage, saying, "with
respect to gay marriage, I'm not there yet. I'm very old-school and oldfashioned. ... I'm not saying I'll never get there." He does, however, support
civil unions (Seder, 7/5).
Cummings had no primary opponents, but "she's spending the summer
getting her name before voters and raising money to ... challenge the wellfunded" Cartwright. She says she "has a chance to win because she's
running on the economy and health care reform, two things she believes
are the main issues to voters this year." Cummings, on ACA: "Not only are
taxes enormous, but unemployment is above 8 percent. ... The decision will
reawaken the electorate and those Americans who not only want
government out of their lives, but also, refuse to give the IRS even more
power than it already has."
Cummings says that creating a link between Cartwright and Pres. Obama
would be a "good starting point for her campaign."
She has set a goal of "raising $400,000" by Sept. As of June 29, her
"campaign coffers" had about $5,500 (Seder, Wilkes-Barre Times Leader,
7/6).
RHODE ISLAND 01 (D/PROVIDENCE -- CICILLINE)

Bring in the Big Guns

Brown headlines an event for Doherty.
Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) "headlined" a July 2 "fundraiser" for ex-State
Police supt. Brendan Doherty (R).
Though Brown gave a "closed-door speech," Doherty "said afterward that
he was most impressed by the senator's call for bipartisanship." Doherty:
"It's important to never bend on your principles, but sometimes you need
to sit down and find solutions to problems. ... It can't be gridlock all the

time."
"With suggested contributions ranging from $100 to $2,500 per person,
the campaign said the event raised about $50,000."
'10 candidate John Robitaille (R), Cranston Mayor Allan Fung (R), and
ex-MA FairTax dir. Barry Hinckley also among the "guests" attending
the event (Marcelo, Providence Journal, 7/3).
TENNESSEE 04 (R/SEWANEE -- DESJARLAIS)

Ruling Rivalry
DesJarlais, Stewart spar over ACA.
Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R) on June 29 demanded to know state Sen. Eric
Stewart's (D) "position on Obamacare.".
DesJarlais mgr. Eric Lewis: "In the past, Mr. Stewart has sung the praises
of this job-killing bill that will wreck our economy and explode the deficit.
... Because our efforts are focused on reducing the debt, creating jobs and
getting the economy back on track, Dr. DesJarlais has pledged to repeal the
bill with this vote."
In an interview June 29, Stewart "countered that repeal would kill a
provision that fills in a gap in Medicare drug coverage for seniors known as
the 'doughnut hole.'" Stewart: "Given all those great things that are in it,
no, I wouldn't vote to repeal it. ... Now, it still needs some work. ... What we
need are leaders who can go up there and do the job they were sent to do.
... Nobody's willing to do that right now" (Sher, Chattanooga Times Free
Press, 7/2).

TEXAS 28 (D/LAREDO -- CUELLAR)

Abandon Ship!
Laredo joins the list of Dems skipping the Convo.
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D) told Politico July 3 that he is skipping the Dem

Nat'l Convo, although he still "backs" Pres. Obama's "reelection."

Cuellar: "I went to the Texas state Democratic convention in June. ... As I
get close to my election, I want to spend more time in my district and focus
on my reelection. Right now, I have no plans to attend" (Wong, Politico,
7/3).