Washington Post: Allen Tells Supporters His Focus Is Reelection

By Michael D. Shear

U.S. Sen. George Allen (R) formally asked Virginia voters to reelect him yesterday, even as he travels the country in search of support for a presidential bid that could begin soon after he would start a second six-year term in Congress.

Flanked by his wife, his three children and Northern Virginia Republicans, Allen, 54, called for a national taxpayer bill of rights and a renewed focus on national security, economic opportunity and conservative values.

In front of a biotech facility he helped lure to Prince William County as governor in the mid-1990s, Allen urged about 100 supporters to “reach out to all people,” saying that “if they work for a living, if they pay taxes, if they care for their families, they ought to be on our team.”

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April 12, 2006 | Filed Under DSCC, News Mentions | Comment 

Congressional Quarterly Today: People on the Move

By Laura Blinkhorn, CQ Staff

• Federico de Jesús has joined the Senate Democratic Communications Center as director of Hispanic communications. De Jesús was press adviser for Hispanic media outreach for House minority leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. He replaces Fabiola Rodriguez-Ciampoli, who left to become vice president for Hispanic outreach at the Edelman public relations firm.

• Steve Forde has been promoted to communications director from press secretary at the House Education and the Workforce Committee. Susan Ross has joined the committee as director of education and human services policy. Ross was vice president for B&D Consulting. Rich Stombres has been promoted to deputy director of education and human services policy. Stombres was a professional staff member with the committee.

• Karl Frisch has been hired as press secretary at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Frisch was communications director for Paul Hackett’s senatorial campaign in Ohio.

April 11, 2006 | Filed Under DSCC, News Mentions | Comment 

Ohio: Hangin’ with Mr. Ney

National Journal: The Hotline

Sen. Mike DeWine (R) “got some heat” 4/7 from Dems “over his plans to attend a fundraiser this weekend for” Rep. Bob Ney (R-18), who’s linked to Jack Abramoff. DSCC spokesperson Karl Frisch: “The people of [OH] are tired of the scandal, corruption and cronyism they see in Columbus and Washington. Sen. DeWine’s decision to raise money for one of the principle architects of that corruption is proof positive that he’s part of the problem. Mike DeWine should cancel the fundraiser and join with Democrats in fighting for the return of ethics, honesty and accountability in government.”

DeWine “said he was not planning to cancel his appearance at the fundraiser.” DeWine: “I’ve known Bob Ney — he’s been a friend of mine — since he was in the Legislature and I was [LG]. He and I worked on things back then. He’s a friend of mine” (Rulon, Cincinnati.com, 4/7).

April 10, 2006 | Filed Under DSCC, News Mentions | Comment 

Cleveland Plain Dealer: DeWine to Help Ney

Mike DeWine plans to appear with Bob Ney and Pat Tiberi at a Republican dinner in Licking County tomorrow night - and at a fundraising reception for the controversial Ney beforehand. This was confirmed to The Plain Dealer by the dinner sponsor, the Licking County Republican Patriots Club, and by DeWine’s campaign spokesman.

Let’s see . . . Ney’s under an FBI investigation involving claims by a lobbyist who says he tried to bribe the congressman. DeWine’s in a tough reelection battle. His opponent, Sherrod Brown, already likes to link DeWine to the party of Bush, Taft and Ney, knowing that in Ohio, that’s a heck of a trifecta. This is almost too easy.

“Sen. DeWine does support Bob Ney,” DeWine campaign spokesman Brian Seitchik said. “Sen. DeWine is going to run a campaign based on his accomplishments, and he’ll be judged on his 11 years in the United States Senate come November.”

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April 7, 2006 | Filed Under DSCC, News Mentions | Comment 

Allen: Announcements Announcements Announcements

National Journal: The Hotline

Sen. George Allen (R-VA) will deliver the commencement address at James Madison Univ. in Harrisburg, VA. JMU spokesperson Andy Perrine: “He’s always been a supporter of JMU, dating back to his term as” Gov (Coniff, JMU Breeze, 4/6).

Allen will join a Sen and House presser of the Congressional Task Force on U.S.-India Trade today to discuss the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation agreement (release, 4/5).

In a release, the DSCC announced that Allen would keynote the NC Conservative Leadership Conference’s first conference in Durham, NC, this weekend. DSCC spokesperson Karl Frisch: “How many votes can” Allen “possibly expect to find for his flailing reelection campaign in” NC? More: “Allen’s dueling campaigns have undercut his ability to serve” (4/5).

April 6, 2006 | Filed Under DSCC, News Mentions | Comment 

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