Republican Announcements

by: Chris Bowers

Fri Aug 31, 2007 at 12:33

1. Fred Thompson To Announce Candidacy at 12:01 a.m. on September 6th
   Fred Thompson will announce his candidacy at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, September 6th in front of the dumpster in the parking lot of the Chick-fil-A on Bush River Road in Columbia, South Carolina. Click here for directions on how to attend. Why 12:01 a.m. on September 6th? This way, he doesn't have to file a campaign finance report until January 31st

   If Thompson waits until September 6 to formally declare his candidacy, he wouldn't have to disclose any of the cash given to his campaign until January 31 -- after many major contests are over, including the Iowa and Nevada Caucuses, and the New Hampshire, South Carolina, Michigan and Florida primaries.

   Why is he choosing that particular Chick-fil-A to make this announcement? Well, Chick-fil-A is owned by major right-wing donors, South Carolina is a key early state, Bush road has a nice ring to it, and that franchise also is easily accessible from routes 20,.26, and 126. Also, the Chick-fil-A's near the college and universities in Columbia will be swarming with drunk 20 year olds that time of night.

2. VA-Sen: Awaiting Word From Warner
   At 2pm today, John Warner will announce if he is seeking another term in the Senate, or if he is retiring. According to the Examiner, he is retiring. If he does retire, and if Mark Warner runs for the open seat, as has been widely rumored, this would immediately become a top Democratic pickup opportunity. Even without Virginia, Democrats already seem to have at least five other good pickup opportunities in Oregon, Colorado, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Maine.
   
   
3. ID-Sen: Larry Craig expected to retire soon
   To no one's surprise, Larry Craig is receiving a huge amount of pressure to resign, and probably will either today or tomorrow. The homophobic double standard between Vitter and Craig would usually allow me to have some sympathy for Craig, except that the guy is so homophobic himself that I can't be moved to care at all.

I will provide updates in this space when more information is available on Warner's decision.

Update: Tony Snow is stepping down, too. Apparently, he didn't make enough money serving as press secretary.

Update 2: John Warner is retiring. Virginia now has an open seat in the US Senate for 2008. If Mark Warner runs, this becomes a clear Democratic pickup chance.