Liebermania!

August 10, 2000 -- Getting Their Money's Worth

: On August 3rd the Hotline reported the results of a new poll that showed that a clear majority of the public (65 percent) believes that the government's antitrust case against Microsoft is "politically motivated by competitors" and that roughly twice as many voters would be less likely (33 percent), rather than more likely (17 percent), to vote for a politician who supports the government suit.

But the folks at the Hotline left out one detail. The poll was, in essence, a poll Microsoft had commissioned about itself. The organization that sponsored the poll is Americans for Technology Leadership. And as the Prospect reported in its July 17, 2000 issue, ATL is really a front group for Microsoft, technically independent, but really a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft, run out of the company's PR department.

August 10, 2000 -- Lieberman's Coattails

: Al Gore may not have any coattails this fall. But some House planners think Joe Lieberman just might. Democratic Representative Jim Maloney was first elected to Connecticut's 5th District, narrowly, in 1996. He won reelection by only 2 percentage points in 1998 (which turned out to be a very good year for Democrats, especially in the Northeast). This year Maloney again faces his 1998 challenger, Mark Nielson. And the race looked to be one of the GOP's best shots for a pick-up.

But not anymore. Lieberman's nomination for veep is expected to nail down the state for the Democrats, and more than likely buoy Maloney to another reelection victory.

It's only one seat. But this year in the House, one seat means a lot.

August 10, 2000 -- The House Maybe, But the Senate?

: There's more than enough time for the conventional wisdom to swing back toward the GOP between now and election day. But while few expect Democrats to recapture the Senate this November, many now believe the Dems could seriously erode the GOP's margin in the upper chamber.

A small part of the story is the untimely passing of Republican Senator Paul Coverdell of Georgia. Democratic Georgia Governor Roy Barnes appointed his predecessor Zell Miller to replace Coverdell for the remainder of the year. But Miller is arguably the most popular politician in modern Georgia history. And he is considered a very strong favorite to win election in his own right this fall.

But this is only part of the story. A Democratic pick-up in Florida now appears likely. And Chuck Robb could well hold onto his seat in Virginia -- something that seemed almost impossible only six months ago.

With Southern Democrats doing so well, now it's just up to their Northern brethren to get their act in gear. Hear that, Hillary?