As Geithner struggles to explain his bank bailout, money seems to be on the mind.
John McCain is using his opposition to the stimulus package to help him raise funds for his 2010 campaign. And savvy congressmen should be digging up some cash of their own. “The campaign pace for targeted freshmen, with the exception of the holidays, doesn’t really stop,” says consultant John Rowley. By the way, Gillibrand’s torrid fundraising may have earned her that Senate seat.
Cornyn changes NRSC fundraising expectations: No more dues—now just parties. That you have to come to. And donate money at. Sort of like you have to pay dues.
Connecticut Senators are in trouble: a bare majority say they won’t re-elect Dodd in 2010. And after Lieberman’s quixotic 2008 campaigning, he’s faring far worse—but at least he has until 2012 to figure his way out. He’s already falling (back) into Democratic line: “It’s a great thing about life that I was raised to believe that so long as you’re alive, the possibilities for doing things and change are limitless,” he said in explaining his stimulus vote. My parents’ generation just seems to love them some Facebook: 70-year-old* former California governor—and 2010 gubernatorial candidate—Jerry Brown lets us know “25 Random Things” about him.
Minnesota comes to Washington: Franken gets ready to join the Senate. Coleman raises money to continue his campaign. I hope the performance-enhancement scandal doesn’t spread: Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) sets an all-time record with his 19,420th day in the House. Congress is sort of like high school: Republican Rep. Aaron Schock (Ill.-18) is voted the hottest freshman. *(Okay, Mom, I know you’re not that old.)