Tuesday’s political round-up

December 12, 2006

Today’s installment of campaign-related news items that wouldn’t generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers:

* Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) has been a steadfast supporter of John Kerry’s presidential ambitions, but yesterday began to hedge, saying that he won’t wait “indefinitely” for Kerry to declare his intentions while the Democratic primary field takes shape. Kerry had initially planned to announce in early 2007, but announced last week that he’d push off the decision until the spring. “I was under more of the impression before that he was going to run and was waiting in time [to declare his candidacy], but now he’s deferred that decision,” Kennedy said. “I have no plans of supporting anyone else at this juncture. I’m also not going to just wait indefinitely until he’s made a judgment or a decision.”

* Rudy Giuliani (R) offered a subtle dig at John McCain (R) yesterday, saying, “I’m more firmly committed to tax cutting than he is.” On Iraq, Giuliani said he has “pretty much” the same view on the war as McCain, “as best as I can tell.” No one’s quite sure what that means.

* Gov. Mitt Romney’s (R) 10-year-old comments in support of gay rights is causing some consternation in the far-right GOP base, but not from one of its top leaders. James Dobson has made no public comments and his ministry said yesterday the Focus on the Family president will remain silent on the issue. For Romney, that’s no doubt a good thing.

* Speaking of Romney, the Massachusetts governor will reportedly form a presidential exploratory committee in early January. There was some talk that Romney would skip the exploratory committee and simply announce that he’s running.

* Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D) will officially kick off another quixotic presidential campaign today.

* And Barack Obama appeared in the opening segment of Monday Night Football last night, playing off of interest in his presidential plans. It was pretty amusing and the clip is online.

I think Kerry is likely to find the field kind of crowded with far superior candidates. Why he imagines he has a chance?

I’m just waiting for Joe Lieberman to announce to make it all seem sureal.

There CB, no seven hour wait.

  • Only a matter of time before all the naysayers come out – Obama has no experience, he stands for nothing, he elicits strawmen to perpetuate Democratic myths, etc. etc.

    Who cares? America won’t elect a policy wonk. Barack is the man, the Manheim Steamroller of modern politics. There’s no stopping him.

  • Kennedy said. “I have no plans of supporting anyone else at this juncture. I’m also not going to just wait indefinitely until he’s made a judgment or a decision.”

    Ok – I don’t get this at all. I can understand why the candidates need to declare early, so as to line up the money and the staff, etc. But why should Kennedy feel compelled to have to make an endorsement early in 2007? If Kennedy feels Kerry is the best qualified to be President, what difference to him if Kerry announces in January or July? What difference if Kennedy gets to endorse in January or July? What am I missing.

    Btw, I remember when McCarthy declared in November 1967 (Nov 30th, if my memory serves) and it was considered extremly early and premature. Neither Bobby Kennedy nor Hubert Humphrey declared until March and April 1968 – well after the primary season had started. It’s unfortunate that the days when politiicians could afford to wait and see what the mood of the country is when they actually started voting, instead of having to declare years in advance are over. If they are going to spend a year in advance campaigning now, what is the rationale for having the primaries staggered on separate dates?

  • ALL HAIL THE DENNIS!

    Hey—quixotic is a whole lot better than “the bipedal infestation” we’ve got in the White House right now….

  • I don’t think the far right will put up much of a fight over Romney. For all the talk about how powerful they are (and to some extent they are) they bow to political expediancy and “the best candidate for them.” They seem to be doing the requisite sabre rattling right now, but if Romney is the nomination they will jump in with both feet.

  • * And Barack Obama appeared in the opening segment of Monday Night Football last night, playing off of interest in his presidential plans. It was pretty amusing and the clip is online.

    As a long time football fan that missed the opening of MNF last night, let me just say that clip is great! If Obama and his advisors/writers can keep up stuff like that, he may indeed just be our next President. If that happens, I really hope he puts Clark in as his Sec State or Sec Defense.

  • Rudy Giuliani (R) offered a subtle dig at John McCain (R) yesterday, saying, “I’m more firmly committed to tax cutting than he is.”

    Finally, someone who know what this country needs…MORE fiscal irresponsibility.

  • Remember when Bill Clinton played the sax on Arsenio Hall’s show? A lot of people credited that with winning the election for the Big Dog.

    Obama just had his first “Arsenio” moment, and probably just the first of many.

    Obama rocks. The other candidates just sink like one. 🙂

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