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When the lefty site Daily Kos makes a mention on this race between Craig Huey and Janice Hahn in California Congressional District 36 that something is going on, one has to wonder.

Democrat Janice Hahn has two new “contrast” ads out — spots which start by attacking Craig Huey for his extremism and finish by touting Hahn’s own credentials. Something must really be up in this race, because the second ad (both are available at the link) focuses on Hahn’s “non-partisan” credentials and both shy away from mentioning her party affiliation. If an out-and-proud Democrat is having a hard time winning in this district… just oy.

Well, there has been little buzz about this race lately and no “leaked” internal polling. I suspect this race is close.

Remember this is a July 12th special election and Craig Huey WILL turn out his conservative/Republican voters even though they are badly outnumbered in CA-36.

An upset in the making?

According to the latest PPP Poll.

PPP has polled the key early Republican contests of New Hampshire, Nevada, Iowa, and now South Carolina over the course of the last two months and they all have one thing in common: Mitt Romney with the lead. Romney and Sarah Palin may be closely matched in the national Republican polling right now but Romney’s considerably stronger in the states that matter most. Our most recent polls have him leading by 6 in Iowa, 15 in Nevada, and 23 in New Hampshire. And today’s numbers find him up by 9 in South Carolina at 27% to 18% for Palin, 12% each for Herman Cain and Newt Gingrich, 9% for Michele Bachmann, 7% for Ron Paul, 4% for Tim Pawlenty, and 2% for Jon Huntsman.

Romney’s formula for success in South Carolina is the same as in Iowa: dominate with the middle, lead with the center right, and avoid getting completely blown out of the water with the far right. Voters describing themselves as ‘very conservative’ are the largest segment of the Republican electorate in the state at 41% and Palin leads with them at 21% but Romney is at least right there at 20%. With moderates Romney leads by 26 points, getting 41% to Palin’s 15%. And with ‘somewhat conservative’ voters Romney gets 27% to 15% each for Gingrich and Palin.

The question: Is Mitt Romney starting to pull away from the rest of the field? Can he be considered the front runner?

Another question: Are Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann too late in the running to be the anti-Romney candidate?

Third question: What would throwing a Rudy Giuliani in the mix to compete for moderate Republican do to the race?

Last question: With Christie and Ryan favorables so high, would they become a viable anti-Romney candidate?

The entire poll is here.

Here is the favorable vs. unfavorable table:

Well, if he announces it will.

Governor Mitch Daniel’s possible run for president continues to gain national support. A political website announced Monday that Daniels is definitely throwing his hat into the ring.

Even though Governor Daniels has yet to make an announcement, it hasn’t stopped newspapers or fellow politicians from endorsing him nor has it stopped political websites like pculcpa.com from making the decision for him.

At the American Enterprise Institute last week, Daniels tip-toed around the issue, telling reporters he didn’t think it was too late to enter the ring.

“I really thought it might become too late somewhere along the line. If it had it would have been that. But for whatever reason I think it is a happy surprise,” Daniels said.

The Governor’s wife Cheri is scheduled to give an Indiana GOP speech this Thursday but reportedly this is being downplayed by Daniel’s insiders. Frankly, with Cheri’s aversion to politics (she is actually a sane politico’s wife), if Mitch is going to go, then he should annoounce today or tomorrow and spare her the grief of all of the press questions.

But, on the other hand, maybe that is the point. Announce after her speech and spare her the follow-up questions.

On Thursday, Daniels’ notoriously politics shy wife Cheri will keynote a dinner for the Indiana Republican Party, and it has been suggested that that would be the venue for Daniels’ big moment. But people familiar with the Hoosier governor say that it’s likely to be a bit more of a wait.

“I don’t want to oversell it by any means,” said one Indiana Republican familiar with the situation of the dinner Thursday. “I don’t expect an announcement of any kind to come that night (if it does, it would be a surprise).”

A more reasonable time to look for a decision, the Republican suggested, would be closer to Memorial Day.

Governor, time to fish or cut bait – soon.

Dilbert by Scott Adams

Prioritization of resouces, no doubt.

Santa Monica at Daybreak, originally uploaded by flap.

This photo was taken looking south towards the Santa Monica pier.

I was waiting for the LA Running Club to begin and then a 12 mile easy run to the Marina Del Rey Jetty and back.

Los Angeles Running Club – Looking at Malibu, originally uploaded by flap.

A Long run today at the LA Running Club.

This photo is looking north to Malibu  from Santa Monica.

Fundamentals of Restorative Implant Dentistry, originally uploaded by flap.

This has been a great course today, especially since it is at my Alma Mater.

What a difference in class composition – good to see the younger next generation of dentists.