Thursday’s political round-up

January 11, 2007

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:

* CNN is reporting that the DNC has picked Denver as the host city for its 2008 national convention.

* Former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-Mass.) was embarrassed, again, when a video of a 1994 debate between himself and Ted Kennedy surfaced. Romney is seen touting his belief that abortion should be “safe and legal,” and adding, “I was an independent during the time of Reagan-Bush. I’m not trying to return to Reagan-Bush.” Romney appeared on Glenn Reynolds’ radio show yesterday afternoon saying that “of course” he was “wrong on some issues back then,” adding that he’s “not embarrassed to admit that.”

* Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) announced this morning that he will run for president in 2008, saying problems at home and abroad meant it was time for him to “get out of the bleachers and onto the arena floor.” Dodd said he has about $5 million on hand for his run. He’ll be in Iowa later today, and South Carolina over the weekend.

* Former Rep. Harold Ford (D-Tenn.), fresh off a disappointing showing in a Senate race in Tennessee last year, will soon become the new chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council. Ford will replace Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack (D), who recently announced a presidential campaign.

* The first Democratic presidential candidate debate isn’t until April, but the first candidate forum will be just three weeks away, when the Democratic National Committee convenes for its winter meetings. The New York Daily News noted that “all the presumed candidates are being invited, but the source was unable to say who has accepted and who hasn’t. ‘I expect they’ll all be there. These meetings have launched candidates in the past,’ the source said.” In 2003, Howard Dean’s appearance at this event helped catapult him into the top tier.

* And in Illinois, State House Speaker Mike Madigan (D) is reportedly interested in moving the state’s primary up to early February to help Barack Obama’s possible presidential campaign. In 2004, the Illinois primary was held on March 16.

It’s interesting with Dodd running (whom I know little about other than the occasional appearance on Imus when I used to listen occasionally) – yet another Dem in what seems to me to be a pretty large field.

For the GOP on the other hand, it seems rather limited. Brownback is in way over his head and Romney just appears to be awash in contradictions. So is it really only down to McCain and Giuliani already? McCain, of course, has been Mr. Consistency himself, as CB has demonstrated on earlier posts.

Giuliani is probably not conservative enough for the GOP base, although perhaps more electable and with a decided authoritarian streak that I witnessed when I lived in NYC in the 90’s. That said, Giuliani always knew when to back down on those issues (anyone remember the hot dog vendors?) making him a good politician who knows how to say/spin things. I think he’s probably more electable in the general election since most will simply associate him with strength, etc., based on 9/11 but he may not be conservative enough to get the nomination.

  • Btw, that is by no means an endorsement of Giuliani, just trying to give a reasonable estimation of how he’ll be perceived.

  • Probably a good call by the DNC on Denver. As a New Yorker who had to suffer through the 2004 Celebration of Tragedy convention, it might have been nice to have the party I support in town, but the Dems will carry our state anyway. The future of the party is out west, and Colorado is definitely winnable for ’08.

  • * CNN is reporting that the DNC has picked Denver as the host city for its 2008 national convention.

    I second dajafi point about the future of the Dem party being out West, specifically the mountain states. This is a great move by the DNC.

  • * CNN is reporting that the DNC has picked Denver as the host city for its 2008 national convention.

    Didn’t have much choice, did they, with Bloomberg pulling NYC out of the running?

    Still, I think it’s great news; always thought Denver was the right way to go, once the Repubs nailed Minneapolis. And I bet Denver will do its best, which will be quite good, despite all the worries about whether it has the capability.

  • Denver is definitely an excellent call. The entire midwest-mountain region is the Democrats’ for the asking (and working), thanks to John Dean’s 50-state strategy. Between the two coasts and the heartland, we may yet hang Richard Milhouse Nixon’s “southern strategy” around the GOP’s neck and sink them with it. It would be nice to those red-blue maps in 2008 with a minuscule GOP claim solely in the archest of the Old Confederacy.

    Hanging the “flip-flop” label on Mitt should sink him, too.

  • Mitt Romney says, “Of course, I was wrong on some issues back then. I’m not embarrassed to admit that. I think most of us learn with experience.”

    I would dearly love to hear him explain what experiences he’s had in the last 12 years that have so sharply changed his positions on “some issues.” Why, he might even be able to change people’s minds, so persuasive were these unnamed experiences of his.

  • Thomyboy is quiet all of a sudden today, unless he’s still reeling from that boring, deer-in-the-headlights speech last night.

  • Stephan
    … thanks to John Dean’s 50-state strategy. Between the two coasts and the heartland, we may yet hang Richard Milhouse Nixon’s “southern strategy” around the GOP’s neck…
    Been reading about RMN much, lately? It’s Howard Dean, not John Dean (who was RMN’s White House Counsel).

  • Marve,

    …deer-in-the-headlights speech last night.

    I couldn’t bear to watch all of it, but what I did watch was exactly as you describe it: deer in the headlights. It was one of the most lackluster speeches from a man who has given all but a few lackluster speeches. I wonder what gives?

  • Grumpy,

    Romney’s emergence on the national stage is short-circuiting my joy at being rid of him as governor.

    The guy is a class A schmuck – everything he says comes out of both sides of his mouth at the same time.

    He has no more interest in governing than does Prince Georgie – he just want to be next to get his eager little mittens on the crown.

  • The ’08 convention is coming to Denver! What a way to drive a stake through the heart of the notion that the Democrats only do well on the two coasts. Barbeque at my house for those who want to come out for the converntion!

  • Thomas had the electricity to his computer down in the basement turned off by Thomas’ Mommy when she got a phone call from CB telling her what little sonny-boy was doing in her name. 🙂

    Back to important “conversation that pushes things forward” (Thomas’ crime for failing to do) – Harold Ford takes chairmanship of the DLC. That guy can’t win for losing, can he?

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