CIVIL UNIONS: When it comes to state civil union legislation for same-sex couples, you could say Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Mitt Romney were each for it before they were against it. For years Giuliani was a vocal supporter of gay rights. He marched in gay pride parades each year, appointed out gay persons to prominent positions, supported hate crimes and domestic partner legislation, and even lived with a gay couple during his last divorce when his wife kicked him out of NYC's mayoral mansion. That didn't stop Giuliani from doing a total reversal, announcing his opposition this weekend to New Hampshire's new civil union law which will give same sex couples the same legal rights under state law as those accorded to married couples. "Mayor Giuliani believes marriage is between one man and one woman. Domestic partnerships are the appropriate way to ensure that people are treated fairly. In this specific case the law states same sex civil unions are the equivalent of marriage and recognizes same sex unions from outside states. This goes too far and Mayor Giuliani does not support it," said a written statement given to the New York Sun in response to questions. Compare this week's statement to what Giuliani told FOX News in February 2004: "I'm in favor of … civil unions ... That's why you have civil partnerships. So now you have a civil partnership, domestic partnership, civil union, whatever you want to call it, and that takes care of the imbalance, the discrimination, which we shouldn't have." And, FYI, McCain likewise flip-flopped on the civil union issue this weekend. In November 2006, McCain told ABC News he was not in general against civil union legislation. On Friday, McCain tried dodging the issue entirely, saying he was a "federalist ... [and] recognizes the right of the state of New Hampshire to regulate the institution of marriage and to pass civil union laws." By Sunday, in a conference call with political bloggers, McCain jettisoned his former position of support. "I am opposed to that legislation ... If I were a citizen of New Hampshire, I would oppose it. ... Anything that impinges or impacts the sanctity of the marriage between men and women, I'm opposed to it." Romney, as a candidate for Massachusetts Governor and US Senate, supported civil union legislation. He shifted his social positions sharply to the right as Governor, once he decided to run for President. "Governor Romney opposes the New Hampshire bill. He is a champion of traditional marriage. As Governor of Massachusetts, he has a clear record opposing same sex marriage and civil unions," explained Romney's campaign spokesperson to the Sun.
LOUISIANA: With former US Senator John Breaux (D) no longer looking at this year's gubernatorial race, rumors are afoot that Governor Kathleen Blanco (D) may jump back into the contest. It was believed she exited the race a month ago to pave the way for Breaux to run. But, since Breaux ran into legal obstacles which blocked him from running, the picture has changed. Congressman Bobby Jindal (R) remains the solid frontrunner. The overt support the Louisiana Republican Party gave to Jindal prompted State Senator Walter Boasso last week to switch parties to continue his run for Governor as a Democrat. State Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell is also running, and is currently the leading Democratic candidate. When WAFB-TV asked Blanco about the rumors she was reconsidering her retirement decision, Blanco offered some very cryptic comments. "This is Louisiana and lots of exciting things can happen between now and the election. But, I'm certainly enjoying my current status and expect it to be the same ... This is Louisiana and there are no written scripts before play day," said Blanco. Candidate filing closes September 6.
TEXAS: Former Frisco Mayor Kathy Seei announced last week she will challenge Congressman Ralph Hall in next year's GOP primary. "I have a very strong sense this is the year I'm supposed to run ... This is more about me and my desire to serve than anything about Congressman Hall," she explained to the Dallas Morning News. "She's a nice lady, and she was a good mayor," responded Hall, who said he doesn't understand why Seei is challenging him as he believes she agrees with him on most issues. Hall, 83, says he intends to seek re-election to a 15th term in 2008. "I like what I'm doing. I want to go ahead and finish it," said Hall. A conservative Democrat, Hall switched to Republican on the last day of candidate filing in 2004. Some speculate that Hall was planning to retire and Seei wants to get a jump on what will likely be a crowded field. However, Seei's early start -- and stepping on Hall's toes in the process -- may just force Hall to seek one more term.
ARIZONA: Despite a tidal wave of rumors to the contrary, Congressman Rick Renzi (R) says he will not resign his seat. Renzi and his family are the target of an FBI corruption probe that raided his home two weeks ago in search of evidence. The probe is related to allegation Renzi accepted an unreported $200,000 payment from a business partner and political supporter, possibly because it related to other improper conduct required in exchange for the cash. The Phoenix Business Journal reported US Senator Jon Kyl (R) and other leading Arizona Republicans are holding regular meetings to plan for holding the seat in the special election they also believe will follow the rapidly approaching resignation. According to the newspaper, Kyl and others are also pressuring Renzi to resign sooner rather than later. A large number of Democrats and Republicans are already positioning themselves to run in the special election.
CALIFORNIA: Congressman Elton Gallegly (R) totally botched his attempted retirement in 2006. In an effort to block GOP political rival Tony Strickland from jumping into his open seat race, Gallegly waited until just after filing closed to announce to the media he was going retire due to "health reasons" and quit the race immediately. Gallegly mistakenly thought he was unopposed in the primary and state law would allow the local party to pick an ally as his replacement on the ballot. Unfortunately, a little-known lawyer also filed in the GOP primary at the last minute, meaning the lawyer would have become the nominee if Gallegly quit. After several embarrassing days of attempting to stage the most inept retirement in Congressional history, Gallegly announced his doctors told him he had "recovered" and was now healthy enough to run again. Thus, Gallegly announced he'd run "one more time" before retiring -- and won an easy re-election victory. Miracle of miracles, the mystery illness must now be in completely gone as Gallegly announced last week he plans to seek re-election in 2008. Unless, of course, he's really planning to quit again at the last minute. Fortunately, Gallegly now knows the correct way to choreograph the surprise switch: withdraw his papers and file someone else's qualifying papers just before the filing deadline. Of course, it won't be so much of a surprise to his Republican rivals if he tries it again this time.
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