POLITICS

Hotline Extra

by Maura O'Brien

Sat. May 3, 2008


Take the Money and Print

In a move that could test the limits of federal campaign finance rules, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, is considering using the $4 million remaining from his failed presidential bid to start a for-profit publishing company that would promote his political views.

Although former candidates have some leeway in how they use leftover campaign money, federal guidelines say that the money cannot be used to pay for vacations, mortgages, rent, household items--or to seed a for-profit corporation that benefits an individual or shareholder. "There's a provision that says you can use the funds for any lawful purpose, so long as it's not personal use for the candidate," said Bob Biersack, a spokesman for the Federal Election Commission.

According to Paul spokesman Jesse Benton, the congressman is weighing a number of options for using the extra money, including supporting like-minded candidates through Paul's Liberty PAC; donating it to Paul's FREE Foundation, which publishes his newsletter; trying to influence public policy by establishing a nonprofit group; or creating "something inventive and entrepreneurial," such as a for-profit publishing house.

Meanwhile, Paul is also sitting on another potential gold mine, his mailing list. According to Benton, the campaign has the names of 160,000 donors, as well as those of nearly 240,000 additional individuals who signed up to receive campaign information.

Kevin Shuvalov, a partner at the Austin-based fundraising and voter-contact firm Olsen & Shuvalov, estimates that the donor list would probably fetch $135 per 1,000 names for each use, or about $21,600 for the onetime use of the list. (Associated Press, 4/27)

The Stuff of Dreams

Sen. Michael Enzi, R-Wyo., announced that he will seek re-election, quashing speculation that he would retire after being passed over a second time for a seat on the Senate Finance Committee. (News-Record, Gillette, Wyo., 4/27)

"I'm asking the people of Wyoming to renew my contract," Enzi said in a speech in his hometown of Gillette, where he served as mayor. "I am prepared, I'm determined, and I have the experience and the ability to ensure the will of the Wyoming people is not only known but followed."

Enzi said later in an interview that he had seriously considered retiring after Republican leaders twice denied him a spot on Finance. "I really wanted to be on the Finance Committee," he said. "I wanted to be on the Finance Committee since I got to Washington. That's the accountant's dream."

Enzi most recently pushed for the committee post last year when the resignation of Sen. Trent Lott of Mississippi created a Republican opening. Party leaders instead awarded the seat to freshman Sen. John Sununu of New Hampshire, who is facing a tough re-election battle. (Casper Star-Tribune, Wyo., 4/28)

A Challenge Grows in Brooklyn

Rep. Edolphus Towns, D-N.Y., who survived a three-way primary in 2006 with less than 50 percent of the vote, is preparing once again to face a Democratic challenger. On April 27, activist and writer Kevin Powell, who was in the cast of MTV's The Real World during its inaugural season, announced his candidacy, calling the 13-term congressman invisible and ineffective.

"I'm running because I've been a community organizer and not someone who's been sitting behind a desk," Powell said in an interview after his announcement in Brooklyn. "I've lived in and have been involved in this district for 18 years." In contrast, Powell asserted, Towns "has missed nearly 1,000 votes in Congress since 1993. We feel that it is time to replace the man once and for all."

Powell, 42, ran against Towns two years ago but dropped out because he had become very involved in creating an organization to send volunteers to New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. This time around, Powell said, he is in the race to win.

Towns "hasn't held any major discussions about affordable housing or the mortgage crisis." Powell said. "He hasn't been heard of on any of the major health issues of the day. And Brooklyn has one of the highest rates of HIV and asthma."

Towns, 73, dismissed Powell as a newcomer who is little known to most Brooklynites. "I really don't know much about him," Towns said. "I've seen him at some events. But I really don't know him. Nor do I know anything that he has done as a person who resides in the district. I don't know anything that he's done." (New York Times, 4/28)

Shopping for a Sub

Robert Daskas, the Democratic establishment's anointed candidate, has dropped his challenge to GOP Rep. Jon Porter of Nevada, citing "family considerations." (Las Vegas Sun, Nev., 4/29)

Daskas's brief statement failed to elaborate on the reason for his surprise exit from the contest in which the political newcomer was thought to have a good shot. "The Daskas campaign has every confidence that another strong, viable candidate will enter the race and unseat incumbent Jon Porter," the statement said. "Daskas thanks everyone for their support and asks supporters to stay focused on the common goal of changing our representative." (Las Vegas Review-Journal, 4/29)

Democrats now face the problem of recruiting a high-quality candidate to run against Porter. Two weeks from the filing deadline, state and national party leaders began openly courting state Sen. Dina Titus, who made an unsuccessful bid for governor in 2006 against then-Rep. Jim Gibbons.

While the Daskas campaign was taking its last breath, Nevada Democratic Chairman Sam Lieberman issued a statement touting Titus, and Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., who is chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, hailed Titus's "unparalleled experience" and support among the district's voters. (Las Vegas Sun, 4/29)

Titus said she is "flattered" and is "seriously considering" jumping into the race. The 20-year state Senate veteran noted she is well known throughout the 3rd Congressional District, which overlaps a substantial portion of her Senate district. "I don't think anybody works harder than I do," she said, "so if I do it, I'll do it all the way."

Titus added, "I'm going to make this decision fast. If I'm going to do this, I have to do it gangbusters because I'd be starting late." (Las Vegas Review-Journal, 4/29)

Quotables

"You cannot do terrorism on other people and not expect it to come back on you. Those are biblical principles, not Jeremiah Wright 'bombastic' principles." --the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, during his appearance at the National Press Club (ABCNews.com, 4/28)

"Based on his remarks yesterday, well, I might not know him as well as I thought." --Barack Obama, on Wright (NBC/National Journal, 4/29)

"With an uncle like Reverend Wright, Obama's political opponents don't need any '527s.' " --House Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-S.C. (Morning Joe, MSNBC, 4/29)

"You know, if there was a magic wand to wave, I'd be waving it." --President Bush, on the nation's economic problems (Wall Street Journal, 4/29)

"Hillary Clinton now says she wants another debate with Barack Obama. She said the 48th time is the charm, I guess." --comedian Conan O'Brien (Late Night, NBC, 4/28)