Just In - Vilsack Appointed Agriculture Secretary

According to a local Iowa television station, Barack Obama will announce Tom Vilsack as his cabinet choice for Agriculture Secretary tomorrow.  From ABC affiliate, KCRG-TV...

Democratic sources say President-elect Barack Obama has selected former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack as agriculture secretary and will announce the appointment on Wednesday.

Two sources familiar with the selection process spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the selection.

Vilsack sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008 but dropped out after poor showings in early primries. He endorsed Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and campaigned actively for her in the long primary campaign against Obama. After Obama defeated Clinton in the primaries, Vilsack endorsed him.

Vilsack served two terms as governor of Iowa, a major farm state. He was first elected in 1998.

Three weeks ago, the Des Moines Register headlined a story that read "Vilsack won't be ag secretary" and quoted Vilsack as never having been contacted about the position.

Speculation that Vilsack might run for Senate in '10 may now be put to rest. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), who is up for reelection, will be 77 in 2010.  

Senator Sebelius? It's only been 80 years!

That's how long it's been since a Democrat represented the state of Kansas in the U.S. Senate.

We speculated a few weeks ago about the possibility of Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS) running for Brownback's seat in 2010. Adding to our curiosity, just days ago she removed herself from being considered for an Obama cabinet post.  Politico picks up this story along with a few clues about GOP frontrunners, Jerry Moran and Todd Tiahrt.

Just three Democrats have ever been elected to the U.S. Senate in Kansas, the last being George ("Gloomy Gus") McGill in 1932.  More good reading on McGill here.

Ohio Republicans Seek To End Early Voting

After losing an appeal to Democrats in the the Ohio Supreme Court back in September, Ohio Republicans will try once again try to block one-stop voting in future elections, this time by changing the law. The AP recently reported that Republican lawmakers in Ohio are doing all they can to quickly pass legislation that would end early voting procedures as we know them. Time is of the essence however as Republicans have only one month left of their majority stake in both the state's upper and lower legislative chambers.

While Republican officials were scrambling in Columbus last week, Ohio Secretary of State, Jenniffer Brunner, was focused on hosting an election summit where a few hundred election officials from around the country provided input as to how Ohio can improve in the future.  From the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

There was important conversation about provisional voting, registration problems, data bases, poll-worker training, early voting and the merits of touch-screen vs. optical-scan balloting. Not everyone agreed on everything, but one line of consensus did emerge:

Election practices are complex and interrelated, so beware of quick fixes. They tend to cause unexpected problems down the road.

This is the otherwise known as "unable to win by the rules, so let's change the rules" tactic in politics.  There's just one problem however...

Democratic Governor, Ted Strickland, is likely to veto the bill if passed.  Whewww.

Barack Obama won Ohio's 20 electoral votes this year, beating John McCain by more than 200,000 votes (+4%).

Florida's Martinez Won't Run In 2010

Republicans won't be taking chances with weak candidates in 2010, even if they are incumbents. According to the St. Petersburg Times, Republican Senator Mel Martinez will not seek reelection in 2010.

Here's one good reason why.

A new Quinnipiac poll released this morning shows that just 36% of Floridians would vote for Martinez if they election were held today.

Republican Governor, Charlie Crist, will appoint a replacement if Martinez retires before his term ends.

Update

A statement from Martinez's office.

"So today, with deep love for this country and with sincere gratitude to the people who placed their trust in me, I announce that I will not run for reelection to the United States Senate.

“I thank all of those who helped me reach the highest elected office that an immigrant can hold in this great country. And I especially thank my family, who has supported me every step of the way – especially Kitty, who has sacrificed much more than me and without whom none of this would have been possible.

“Some might try to characterize this decision in terms of political affairs. Some will say a re-election campaign would have been too difficult. But I’ve faced much tougher odds in political campaigns and in life. My decision was not based on reelection prospects, but on what I want to do with the next eight years of my life.

“So with two years left in my term, I make this announcement today in order to give the many qualified individuals who might choose to try to succeed me an opportunity to organize and gather support.

“I look forward to serving out these next two years. There are big problems facing Florida and the nation, and I will continue to do what I think is in the best interests of the people whom I represent.

“Thank you; God bless you; and God Bless the United States of America.”

Florida 2010: Martinez In Deep Trouble

Republican Senator Mel Martinez woke up this morning to some bad news. He's in deep trouble according to a Quinnipiac poll released this morning. Just 43% of Floridians approve of the job Martinez is doing and only 36% say they would vote for him if the election were held today. 

Charlie Crist's approval rating remains high (68%) although just 50% of Floridians today say they would vote for him if the election were held today.