Friday’s campaign round-up

June 27, 2008

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:

* When it comes to helping Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama is putting his money where his mouth is: “Senator Barack Obama said on Thursday that he had written a personal check of $2,300 to Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, a good-will gesture intended to nudge his top donors to help ease Mrs. Clinton’s campaign debt and help the two Democrats move beyond their rivalry to focus on the fall contest.” Michelle Obama also contributed $2,300.

* More unity: “A key hire by the Obama camp: He reportedly signs up senior Hillary policy adviser Neera Tanden, one of her top loyalists, as his new Director of Domestic Policy. Tanden, a fixture on many a Hillary campaign conference call, was a key architect of her health care plan, which was probably the one domestic policy proposal of hers that was most often compared favorably to Obama’s.”

* The unity efforts must be going at least relatively well — Terry McAuliffe told a national television audience this morning, “I love Barack Obama.”

* While some recent national polls have shown Obama with a big lead over John McCain nationally, a new Time magazine poll shows a much closer race, with Obama enjoying a five-point lead, 43% to 38%. Time added, “When undecided voters leaning towards Obama and McCain are accounted for, the race narrows to a mere 4 percentage points, barely above the poll’s 3.5% margin of error.”

* Given Obama’s height advantage, this is generating a surprising amount of attention: “Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama would sit at a table at two of three presidential debates this fall, according to a formal proposal unveiled Thursday, which, perhaps unintentionally, would neutralize Obama’s height advantage. The Commission on Presidential Debates proposed the less formal, more conversational talk-show format for two of three 90-minute debates it’s seeking this fall. The third debate would be a town hall-style session in which the candidates would be free to get up from high stools and walk around the stage.”

* Tennessee probably won’t be one of the Obama campaign’s key targets. A Rasmussen poll now shows him trailing by 15. That’s better than the 27-point margin McCain enjoyed in April, but it’s still pretty big.

* Obama’s team is seriously thinking about campaigning in Alaska this year, which would make Obama the first Democratic presidential candidate to appear in Alaska since JFK.

* Eric Kleefeld has an item on a bunch of new Senate polls, including Dems looking good in Colorado, and New Jersey; struggling in Minnesota; and competitive in Mississippi and Texas.

* A couple of Mississippi Dems — Reps. Gene Taylor and Travis Childers — apparently won’t show up for the Democratic convention this year. (thanks to Libra for the tip)

“Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama would sit at a table at two of three presidential debates…”

John Smally McCan’t really must not want to be seen standing next to Barack SoTall Obama.

But really, the campaign will demonstrate the true stature gap.

  • Given the right leaning way TIME has of administering surveys, the numbers don’t surprise me. Survey results oft times rely on the manner in which the question is asked. TIME has gone to the right over the past decade and was a major reason I dropped my subscription. I’ll be more satisfied when I see the Wall Street Journal survey. That one will be even closer and will cement my suggestion that TIME is has become just another right-wing appendage of the GOP.

    That this race is this close given the flip flopping of McAce is nauseating…

  • Time added, “When undecided voters leaning towards Obama and McCain are accounted for, the race narrows to a mere 4 percentage points, barely above the poll’s 3.5% margin of error.”

    Ah, yes. The media must have its horse race. Hundreds of millions of dollars depend on this remaining a close race (at leat in appearance, because that will drive the actual polls). Billions are at stake if Obama actually follows through with the media re-regulation he has spoken of.

    Beware the media, people. Do not underestimate them. Go ye therefore and register new voters.

    We will bury them.

  • “was a key architect of her health care plan, which was probably the one domestic policy proposal of hers that was most often compared favorably to Obama’s.”

    The wording of this (from TPM) is odd. As I recall, Clinton’s health care plan was considered better than Obama’s, not “compared favorably” to Obama’s. Actually, Obama’s health care plan was being compared unfavorably to Clinton’s. And, as I recall, Clinton had a number of policies that were considered better than Obama’s.

    This is what happens when people inject a point of view into a simple statement of fact. All of a sudden it sounds like Obama’s policy was the standard and Clinton was doing just fine in comparison, when she was setting the standard, and not just for health care. Phooey on this kind of garbage. (Yes, I know that the victors get to rewrite history.)

  • When it comes to helping Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama is putting his money where his mouth is…

    Now if we can just get that her phalanx of 18 million worshipers supporters to throw some chump change at their cult, we can get those stiffed vendors paid.

    Ante up Clintonistas. Do the right thing.

  • I’m pretty sure contributing to her debts and hiring her former advisors is a slap in the face to Hillary. Somehow.

  • Perhaps McCain prefers to be seated for the debates because it’s hard for any 72-year-old to remain standing for 90 minutes. This neutralizes not only Obama’s height advantage but also some of his age advantage. But what can McCain can do about his continuing confusion over his deeply-held beliefs on matters of national policy?

    Let’s start a pool for the debates – the closest guess to the number of McCain’s flubs wins the prize. I can hardly wait.

  • The story said some Clinton staffers were pushing for more help from Obama on debt reduction. I guess those would be the grossly overpaid ones like Mark Penn.

    Unity? Birds of a feather.

    Draft Al Gore. I wonder if Al had waited till now whether he would have given Obama an endorsement.

  • I’m rather glad that it said the Obamas wrote personal checks, since I know I didn’t make donations to his campaign in order to make donations to Clinton’s now defunct-one. It’s petty, I know, but I’m glad the contributions seem like they’re being kept separate. If at some point I have money to contribute to both of them, I will, but for now… Obama’s campaign is a higher priority for me, and that’s where I want my money going.

  • While some recent national polls have shown Obama with a big lead over John McCain nationally, a new Time magazine poll shows a much closer race, with Obama enjoying a five-point lead, 43% to 38%. Time added, “When undecided voters leaning towards Obama and McCain are accounted for, the race narrows to a mere 4 percentage points, barely above the poll’s 3.5% margin of error.”

    You can’t steal an election if you don’t set up the Closeness factor first. If you are expecting a blow out, a slim win won’t cut it. But within that margin of error? Welcome McBush – and another stolen election.

  • The TIME poll is probably more accurate, Rasmussen shows the same margin and Gallup shows it tied.

    Newsweek and LA Times were polls for crack addicts.

  • HUSSEIN Obama will never get any Hillary supporters.

    Are we supposed to forget HUSSEIN’s rape of Hillary for 7 months?

  • No way this Dem chick is voting for Obama. The unvetted, flip-flopper who has virtually no experience will finally get his come-uppance this November for how he treated the Clinton camp. Donating to Hillary now is like trying to buy votes.

  • Hey, hey, hey, Denise @15 – Let’s ease up on the Black Man as Terrorist/Rapist speach.

    If you dislike him, fine, but please try to refrain from using inaccruate language and clear racist/sexist language.

    Thankee.

  • Nice to see Denise the Dingbat Deadender come along and give some comic relief.

    With Denise and Mary to hold up the show, I demand better Dingbat Deadeners – the lack of frontal lobes and opposable thumbs on these two is too obvious!!

  • Mary sez – This is what happens when people inject a point of view into a simple statement of fact.

    She oughta know – though she probably couldn’t/wouldn’t see how her entire oeuvre during the primaries was built around this principle.

  • Dingbats? Another SEXIST comment from a HUSSEIN Obama supporter.

    Are you proud that HUSSEIN Obama ran sexist pig campaign against Hillary? No shame.

  • Donating to Hillary now is like trying to buy votes.

    And my question is answered without ever having to leave this blog! Teh awsum.

  • When he gaver the check was it one of those giant ones people get when they win something on tv?

  • * While some recent national polls have shown Obama with a big lead over John McCain nationally, a new Time magazine poll shows a much closer race, with Obama enjoying a five-point lead, 43% to 38%. Time added, “When undecided voters leaning towards Obama and McCain are accounted for, the race narrows to a mere 4 percentage points, barely above the poll’s 3.5% margin of error.”

    To quote Prof. Hugo Farnesworth, “Sweet Zombie Jesus!” Why must the media always strive to demonstrate their complete and total ignorance when it comes to mathematics and statistics? Every political journalist in the country ought to be required, at gunpoint if necessary, this article. Then, maybe, we can put to bed this ignorant notion of results being within the margin of error as them being essentially tied!

  • I have been hideously disappointed in Senator Obama over the past couple of weeks, but no question, he lacks the maniacal, doughy evil that is the essential John McCaim. I don’t think it matters whether they stand, sit, or lie down when they debate, Obama is going to look a lot better. He’s young and attractive, while McCain is old, doughy, and pasty. Also, I think Obama’s a lot longer-waisted than McCain, who tends to hunch over anyway, so he’s still going appear taller.

  • Denise & Jaye & Nancy & Helena

    Holy Troll Country Batman!
    It must be a slow day down at RNC World Domination HQ

  • Also, I think Obama’s a lot longer-waisted than McCain, who tends to hunch over anyway, so he’s still going appear taller. — Helena Montana, @24

    I expect that McCain will demand a booster seat (the same way he demanded a little lift to stand on behind a platform) to minimize the difference. And also, there are camera angles to explore…

  • Dingbats? Another SEXIST comment from a HUSSEIN Obama supporter. — Denise, @20

    “Dingbat” is a sexist term? How about “dongbat”, you little bigotette (bigotitty)?

  • SteveA said: “You being headstong and nieve I have included the 2 reasons I could not consider her for president.”

    You know, when you insult people you should always check your typing and spelling.

    ‘Headstrong and naive’, not ‘headstong and nieve’.

  • Height advantage didn’t matter when Kucinich was in the race. May be the debates could go on around an 8 course formal dining meal because talking too long would allow one’s food to get cold.

    What a looad of crap. I want the debates run by the “Womens’ League of Voters” again with on stage podiums the particapants can stand behind. Quit trying to turn these most crucial election events into informal social gatherings down playing that these nominees stand in stark contrast to each other. Like holding a boxing match in a swimming pool allowing candidates to walk around the stage (doing what…performing?).

    Whatever please don’t allow the likes of Charlie Gibson clones to moderate. NO MEDIA DARLINGS, PLEASE. Instead of “questions” only categories should be presented.

    Iraq
    Torture and Justice
    National security
    economy
    Energy
    Health
    Education
    Government corruption
    So much to choose from that rather than answer specific questions allow candidates to talk about their stands over broad categories. Just saying, allow the candidates to debate the issues and not the “questions” (no who loves America more or lapel pins or preachers opinions etc.) This informal round table debate will only decrease discussion in favor of civility at all costs. there should be some distance maintained to allow for individuality and not “please pass the sugar” civility. Hell maybe I’m not saying this right.

  • I think this staged mutual admiration rally came across as an artificial attempt at perceived unity.
    It was full of pandering, patronizing, and platitudes to each other, and to the crowd. Just another step in the packaging and marketing of Obama to the American people.
    The DNC, Pelosi, and the Obama’s patronizing and phony
    praise of Hillary Clinton are nothing more than insincere steps
    to get some of Hillary’s 18 million voters to vote for Barrack.
    These people are so pitiful. maybe some of Hillary’s supporters
    will fall for it, but most of us see it as adding insult to injury,
    and we are voting for Senator John McCain in November.

  • Denise,

    I don’t think that response was sexist. I think your casual use of the word “rape” where it was not warranted was insensitive and wrong. Obama did not rape her. He simply didn’t. Did he run a squeaky clean campaign against her, no, but he never raped her or did anything even analogous. And before you jump on me, I am a woman and I was absolutely disgusted by the sexism against Hillary. I cried when I read her concession speech. I also voted for Obama.

    Please consider those who may read your words who have actually experienced rape. It’s not a concept to be taken lightly.

    Oh, and as to why Obama didn’t donate to the Clinton campaign when she needed it, Grumpy? HE WAS RUNNING AGAINST HER THEN. A gesture of goodwill is one thing; actively undermining your own victory is quite another. Can you imagine the headlines if he had done that? I know I wouldn’t have known what to think.

  • 30 forcible rapes have occurred in the US since CB published this post this morning. -Dale

    And, coincidently Denise, not a single one of them involved Obama or Hillary.

  • Mr DeBakey, you must be dreaming if you think that I am a Republican. Sorry, sweetie – I’ve been a registered Dem who happened to work in the Clinton WH for 6 years. So stay home and clean out the garage instead of criticizing our right to free speech. You Obama supporters must think that we will all swoon at his royal lowness. Sorry – this man stole the election from Hillary. But he will have one hell of a surprise come November. Obama and the DNC will get what they deserve.

  • I find it hard to forgive Hillary after 7 months of her horsewhipping Obama for being too uppity, and all her little white girlfriends shouting “whip ’em again! HARDER!”

    ah, fun with words.

  • Is there some reason why you didn’t also mention that the Clintons have maxed out their donations to Obama?

    Slappy, your fantasies reveal too much about you. Way, too much info, bro.

  • Okie said: “it’s hard for any 72-year-old to remain standing for 90 minutes”

    Okie, you apparently aren’t aware of the woman who repeatedly hiked the entire length of the Appalachian Trail in her 70s and 80s, with no fancy equipment beyond tennis shoes and a walking stick.

    Lots of seniors do stuff like that and lots of people in their 40s are too out of shape to stand behind a podium for 90 minutes. There are faculty who teach multiple 2 hr classes each day where I work, who are 70+. Please stop this kind of generalizing because it hurts the employment chances of older people when negative stereotypes like this float around so freely.

    I wish McCain were younger so that I wouldn’t have to keep reading all the ageist garbage that shows up in comments here. You people should be ashamed of yourselves.

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