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Subscribe to RSSWhat party is Joe Donnelly again? The Indiana congressman is a Democrat, but he doesn't want his constituents to know that. He's running for re-election in the second congressional district, ranked 49th most likely takeover in our First Read Field of 64.
From watching his ads this cycle, one would think he was an independent. It's no accident. Donnelly calls himself "independent" twice in his latest ad. And he takes aim at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's "energy tax" (and former President Bush for wanting to privatize Social Security.) Calling the controversial cap-and-trade bill an "energy tax" has been a talking point used almost exclusively by Republicans and their surrogates. Donnelly earlier went up with an ad derided the "crowd in Washington," which included President Obama, Pelosi, and Republican Minority Leader John Boehner.
Part of what an announcer says of Donnelly: "Joe Donnelly is Indiana's most independent Congressman. Joe opposed President Bush's attempts to privatize Social Security. And voted against Nancy Pelosi's energy tax on Hoosier families. ... Joe Donnelly is the independent voice who protects Hoosier families."
Hat tip: Hotline.
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Get used to it, First Read.
Separation from the Obama Administration and the Democratic leadership will increasingly be viewed as the smart play for incumbent Democrats ahead of November's midterms.
Do any of you actually read the generic congressional midterm polling?
Mixed
You said MORE then enough when you referred to the polling as "generic" We will see how things turn out in November. And NO most Americans do NOT want to go back to the way we were before President Obama came into office. We can't AFFORD you or your politics!!!!
Shouldn't you be talking to Joe Donnelly, MAC?
Don't shoot the messenger, eh?
Nice spot, though...
Mixed Bag - One of Pat Toomey's ads getting a lot of time in Pennsylvania plays up the notion that he's supposedly not going to march in lockstep with the rest of the Republican establishment, either.
Saying you're an "independent" and "not a Washington insider" in a tv ad is about as new and exciting as saying you'll create jobs, work hard for those middle-class American families you've never met, reduce crime, improve education, and clean up Washington (or Harrisburg or Albany or Indianapolis, as the case may be).
Nobody wants to align themselves with anyone else already in office, because EVERYONE's approval ratings suck.
This may be the only part of politics where there actually is any "transparency", because you could be as blind as a bat and still be able to see through these ads.
Democratic candidates across the country are flocking to show how they are not the same as Democrats in Washington and the President. Like it or not, these candidates read the polls. They have seen the horrible number for the Democratic Congress and the falled numbers of the President. Running away from the Democratic establishment is their only hope.
They see the lowest rating for republicans in Congress also. They are all running scared. They should be scared. This will be an election with all kinds of promises from both side. we just have to cut through all the crap and see whats left.
A little off topic, however -
Rocket Man
Seven-time Cy Young award winner Roger Clemens will be indicted for perjury for lying at a U.S. House of Representatives hearing about his use of steroids, The New York Times reported Thursday.
An announcement is expected to come later Thursday, according to the report.
Clemens appeared at a hearing before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in Feb. 2008, repeatedly denying that he had ever used steroids.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Feds-to-indict-Roger-Clemens-on-perjury-charges-081910?gt1=39002
Not good...........not really big news here in Florida, is it big up there?
Yep, since Clemens pitched 13 years for the Red Sox (who won't make the postseason. I'm sorry, but it's true.)
Mixed Bag is an idiot! She, he, whatever, only posts dribble and nonsense, and when put to task to state what are the republican solutions to fixing the economy, and how will they work for all americans, he just keeps posting hate and dribble...baby need his diaper changed too? Too bad your mother didn't get an abortion when she found out she was pregnant with you!
Way classier post from you than usual, pat...I actually believe you're mellowing over time.
Inarticulate...but, undeniably sincere.
Let's chat again.
I'm all for listening to anyone who has anything intelligent to say but your last statement is way out of line for anyone anywhere.
How can you argue the original statement? It's happening everywhere on multiple fronts, denial does not make it any less true and personal attacks like this are appalling. Shame shame.
The thing is, this Joe guy learned his lesson well from all the Repubs during the last election cycle that woudln't display their party affiliation lin their ads. Ain't that right, Mixed Bag?
You all must be crazy not to want to go back to the Bush years. This administration is an embaresment to all Americans that truly want to work. Obamas unfriendly attitude towards buisness keeps THE Money people from investing in expantion of buisness (which creates JOBS). Not too many unemployed welfare Dems hireing right now
So then the reason Republican candidates aren't tripping over each other trying to associate themselves with the Bush administration or clamoring for his endorsement or a photo op with him in their ads would be because......?
I don't understand this"going back to the Bush years", who is saying this? Post the source......
If you think losing 500,000 jobs is a good thing, maybe a new change is in order. The Bush blaming is getting old and it's costing the Dems votes. If you don't think so, look at Obamas and Congress approval rating.
Joe Donnelly is on his way OUT.
pat..... juat like a demwit to make such a mean remark, I think your mother did get an abotion unfortunately you survived.
Paul, Obama is saying the "going back to the Bush years" bit. And Pelosi, and Reid, and most any other Dem that's not currently running for office or is tied to the Democratic leadership. It's been going on since before Bush left office, don't you remember?
The dems are running from Obama faster than the annointed one ran from Reverend Wright during the presidential campaign. Obama is toxic to any candidates re-election and I'm guessing that most of those libs up for re-election are happy that the annointed one will be gone for two weeks (on yet another "vacation") at Martha's vineyard.
To Mac and Pat, I''ve got a bottle of champange cooling in the refrigerator and will be popping it come November. Have an even better bottle of wine aging until 2012 when when sweep "hope and change" out of the White House; how sweet that will be!
"....sweep "hope and change" out of the White House; how sweet that will be!"
Is it just me, or does this sound wrong somehow? Kind of like "sweep good and decency out of the White House; what a great thing that would be." or something....
How about "kill the kittens and puppies, cuz I voted for hamsters". Hey, yeah- that sounds pretty much the same.
drive by, obviously you bought into the snake oil of "hope and change". I'll I can say is you are naive and probably vote based on your "feelings" and not on facts. How'd that snake oil work out for you?
Probably greased the skids for his pet hamster.....if you can dig what I'm sayin'....
My guess is Mr. Donnelly won't be expecting Ms. Pelosi to be showing up any time soon for a fundraiser?
The Democrats tried that same technique in 1994 and it did not work.
No surprise here. Donnelly doesn't want to be asociated with either party so he goes after the one in power.
I am constantly railling on about the 'blue dogs'; it just shows that Joe Donnelly is a blue dog. I have no use for him and his ilk who want it both ways....OOPs! That's a Republican talking point, isn't it? ...Sorry...
Go Obama~!!!
Half of the Dems for sale this November, are throwing Obama and Pelosi under the bus now. I guess there wasn't enough room for Harry Reid?
What comes around goes around - Dems are always good for throwing each other under the bus. One day throwing, the next day thrown.
Try this again.
Democrats running from Democrats. Republicans running from Republicans. Tea Party"Movement" being used and slammed by both sides. Professional politicians will do anything to win.
Keep voters arguing about who is to blame. Meanwhile business as usual.
Get into the financial and real estate sections people. Find out what is going on while we are calling each other names. Freddie and Fannie, are at it again.
We the people better open our eyes, There taking our country apart and WE ARE PAYING THEM TO DO IT!!!!!!
Pelosi has got to go.
While the country goes down the crapper, those idiots in congress are trying to divert our attention with Roger Clemens. I'm a Boston baseball fan, but I don't give a crap about a retired player. Congress should be doing the countries business instead of this nonsense.
.........down the crapper ahhh.......... does it get any more picturesque??????? Too bad we cant get any politicians for using steroids ...or not .. seems at least they have to do some JAIL TIME what a bunch of losers... that is POLITICIANS
Being from Indiana, I can honestly say Donnelly is someone we need in the Senate. He hasn't been in congress long enough to be considered a "Washington insider". Given the choice between Donnelly and Dan Coats (former IN Senator, moved out of IN, made MAJOR money as a lobbyist, and now moves back to IN just to run for the Senator seat?.....) I have no hesitation voting for Donnelly.
Gov Daniels is not as popular in his own state as the picture the national media paints. There was A LOT of irony in him referring to Soc. Security and Medicare as "Child Abuse" given what he does in underfunding K-12, DCS, etc....in this state. The so-called surplus Indiana has is because of the stimulus money the state received that was held back, rather than distributed.
It should be an interesting Nov. for this state. Indiana actually went Blue in 2008 and has a Governor who used to work for "Duh-bya" flushing this state into the toilet w/ MONTH AFTER MONTH "surprise" revenue shortfalls brought on by his own policies. Indiana was seeing economic downturn 6 - 8 months PRIOR to the national economy. You'd think after the 4th month it wouldn't be as much of a surprise for a former budget director.
Unfortunately, A LOT of teabaggers have gotten much more vocal these past 2 years howling at the moon. I'm praying common sense will still prevail in November, but I'm not holding my breath.