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:
* John McCain’s new “tied up” commercial is drawing fire from an unexpected source: Fox News. Because the senator used footage from a Fox News debate as the basis for the commercial, the Republican network has ordered the McCain campaign to cancel the new ad before it reaches airwaves. The campaign has rejected the network’s claim, arguing “fair use.” Fox News executives say they have faxed a cease and desist letter to McCain’s campaign. Stay tuned.
* With most of the Democratic field already having unveiled healthcare plans, Joe Biden and Dennis Kucinich joined in yesterday, sketching out two very different forums sponsored at the Kaiser Family Foundation. As expected, Kucinich articulated a single-payer, not-for-profit system. Biden focused on a policy focusing on catastrophic medical bills and expanding S-CHIP to cover every child in America. Biden concedes that, unlike the other Dems, his plan is not a mandate for universal health care.
* In the ongoing story about Barack Obama’s gospel concerts in South Carolina, the campaign issued an open letter from 16 leaders from the gay rights and religious communities. The argument, in a nutshell, is that Obama is reaching out and bringing together people who have very different theological beliefs: “We believe that Barack Obama is constructing a tent big enough for LGBT Americans who know that their sexual orientation is an innate and treasured part of their being, and for African-American ministers and citizens who believe that their religion prevents them from fully embracing their gay brothers and sisters. And if we are to confront our shared challenges, we have to join together, build on common ground and engage in a civil dialogue even when we disagree.” From what I hear, critics who wanted McClurkin to get the boot aren’t satisfied.
* Chris Dodd fans will be glad to know that the Connecticut senator will be on Meet the Press this weekend, getting the full hour.
* Hillary Clinton’s campaign will get a $1 million boost tonight, at a 60th birthday party in New York City, hosted by Billy Crystal. The event follows a similar party hosted by Rob Reiner in Los Angeles a few days ago, which brought in $500,000.
* As of now, it looks like the Iowa Democratic Party will hold its presidential caucuses on Jan. 3, the same day as Iowa Republicans (who urged Dems to pick the same date). The NYT reported, “The state central committee of the Iowa Democratic Party will convene Sunday evening by telephone to set the official date of the party’s caucuses, Carrie Giddins, a party spokeswoman, said Thursday.” Still no word on what New Hampshire might do.
* There was a flurry of attention yesterday when the AP reported, “Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama says Al Gore would play a key role in his administration if he wants one, but he won’t say whether he’d ask him to be his running mate.” A New Hampshire voter asked the senator about naming Gore as his running mate before the nomination is decided “as a way to take the wind out of Hillary’s sails.” Obama responded that Gore would be involved in his administration in a “very senior capacity, if he’s willing” but joked, “I will also be honest with you: having won the Nobel Peace Prize and an Oscar, being vice president again would probably be a step down for him.” I suspect most of the Democratic field would probably offer the same answer.
* And Rep. Michael McNulty (D-N.Y.) is reportedly set to announce that he will retire next year. It’s a very Democratic district, which is not expected to be a GOP pick-up opportunity, though local observers expect a tough primary fight. McNulty is the first House Dem to announce his retirement this cycle, though two (Colorado’s Mark Udall and Maine’s Tom Allen) are running for the Senate.