Tuesday’s campaign round-up

February 12, 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:

* CNN reported last night that “two sources close to Al Gore tell us not to expect the former vice president to endorse either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama any time during the primary season.” Apparently, Gore has decided that with John Kerry and Bill Clinton having weighed in on competing sides, it’s up to him to remain the neutral elder statesman in the party.

* Obama was scheduled to travel to North Carolina last night for a meeting with John Edwards at his home, but the get-together was scrapped. The NYT reported, “The two have been talking on the phone and will meet soon, people close to both men say, but for now the media attention has become too intense and is out of control, with stake-outs at Mr. Edwards’s home.” In response to a voter’s question in Maryland, Obama later said of the meeting, “It will be rescheduled. We’re gonna make it happen.”

* Yesterday, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who was rumored to be leaning in Mitt Romney’s direction, endorsed John McCain.

* Speaking of high-profile endorsements, Clinton is set to pick the support of former Sen. John Glenn, who ran his own presidential campaign in 1984. Glenn, also known for being the first American to orbit the Earth, remains a popular figure in Ohio politics.

* In 2000, Karl Rove offered an interesting description of McCain’s temperament: “Dan Quayle’s well though of, you know Senator McCain desperately tried to get the endorsement of other candidates, particularly Elizabeth Dole as they withdrew. And When he failed to get their endorsement because they thought Governor Bush was a better person to nominate and to be president. And now he turns around and belittles them, this is his style, if you’re not with him he belittles you, he makes fun of you, he disparages you but that not the mark of a leader who can unite the party and win the White House.”

* The Obama campaign accepted a debate invitation yesterday, and will once again go toe to toe with Clinton on Feb. 21 in Austin, Texas. The event will be broadcast on CNN, and will be co-sponsored by CNN, Univision, and the Texas Democratic Party.

* Ron Paul apparently will not endorse McCain’s campaign. “I can not support anybody with the foreign policy he advocates — you know, perpetual war…. I think it’s un-American, unconstitutional, immoral, and not Republican,” Paul said.

* Mike Huckabee continues to pick up some high-profile support from leading conservatives who just can’t stomach McCain’s candidacy. The latest is uber-activist and Moral Majority founder Paul Weyrich. Weyrich had endorsed Romney.

* Obama held a campaign event near the University of Maryland last night, and more than 17,000 people showed up. New Hampshire proved that crowd-size doesn’t always translate to victory, but that’s a lot of people.

* And in Kentucky, Democratic hopes of beating Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) in Kentucky this November suffered a setback when Andrew Horne (D) announced he is dropping out of the race. Businessman Greg Fischer and two-time gubernatorial candidate Bruce Lunsford (and prototypical DINO) remain in the race.

Why no mention about Chelsea Clinton going out on a date with a 21 year old super delegate, Rae, a junior at Marquette University.

I won’t call that “pimping” her out, because that would upset people. But this is pretty sleazy of Hilldawg to use her daughter in this fashion.

  • Steve, I think you downplay exactly what Obama did in NH. This is the second time you’ve done this. First you said that Iowa momentum didn’t help in NH, and today you say that his large crowds didn’t help in NH.

    Obama wasn’t even a contender in NH around New Year’s. He was 3rd behind Hillary and Edwards, and a good deal behind. But he closed the gap and tied for delegates. The crowds he drew and momentum from Iowa was HUGE in NH. HUGE.

    It is similar to his surge in California and Mass. He narrowly lost the states, but he was 30 percentage pts down a week prior to their primaries.

    This seems like some pro-clinton pandering/excuse making for Hillary.

  • “you know, perpetual war…. I think it’s un-American, unconstitutional, immoral, and not Republican,” Paul said.

    Without disagreeing, I gotta say it’s pretty ballsy for a former Libertarian to be telling Republicans what they’re supposed to be about, especially when nobody else believes that Republicans are averse to perpetual warfare.

    As to unconstitutional… in principle, Congress could declare a perpetual war, I suppose. As for un-American… as many wars as this country has fought, momentary peace is more unusual.

  • Is Rove talking about GB or JM?

    Can’t tell the knaves and bullies apart without a scorecard!

  • Apparently, Gore has decided that with John Kerry and Bill Clinton having weighed in on competing sides, it’s up to him to remain the neutral elder statesman in the party.

    I get the snark. I am even less sanguine.

    Gore has never had much political courage.
    Everyone in the country is picking sides, even Carter in an oblique way.
    But not this milksop.

    The end for Gore wasn’t so much that he stood down in Oct of 2000.
    But rather, years later when he had the gall to declare on the Daily Show that he had won.
    Mister October? I think not.
    He fanned then. He fans now.
    What a mooncalf.

    http://rawstory.com/news/afp/Carter_praises_Obama_stops_short_of_01302008.html

  • NH Resident,

    I’ve followed the race pretty closely and as a former Edwards guy, who’s now an Obama backer I can honestly say that I don’t ever remember seeing Edwards at more than 12-15% in any NH poll in Dec or Jan. Obama was always in 2nd.

    I think the point Steve was making was more along the lines of saying that large crowds don’t necessarily translate into votes and they actually led the MSM to believe Obama would win NH in a walk, which actually ended up diminishing his comeback there for 15 or 20 points down to 2 or 3 points on election day.l

  • Jason Rae is a 21 year old who ran for DNC member in state of Wisconsin and won. That’s how he’s a superdelegate.

    It is obvious why Hilldawg was so offended ab out the “pimp” comment. It his too close to home. She really was planning on sending her daughter to the streets to earn some pay. Let’s just hope young Chelsea didn’t have to give Jason any Lewinskis to earn that vote ;-).

  • Another tidbit I just realised.

    With Clinton, Obama and McCain being the only serious contenders, we are assured that a sitting Senator will be President in 2008.

    The last time a sitting Senator became president? JFK. The ONLY one before that? Warren Harding 1921.

  • What inquiring minds want to know:

    Will Hillary give Chelsea a job and a desk in the West Wing just like Big Dog did for her?

    It is a exceedingly fair question.
    I am waiting for a reporter to ask it.

  • Happy, the talk about Chelsea is over the top. You sound like a GOP troll looking to fan the flames.

  • Just saw a totally unofficial poll at CNN.com.It doesn’t mean anything, but I DID find it surprising.

    Question: Who do you like best for president?
    Answer:
    John McCain 23% 27346
    Mike Huckabee 12% 14124
    Hillary Clinton 24% 27779
    Barack Obama 41% 47846
    Total Votes: 117095

  • #11. Thanks for the link. Interesting kid, to be sure: “Both have good positions, but it’s about who can win,” he said. I agree! I don’t care WHO the dem is, I will proudly pony up my vote for them. Yes, I have a preference, but at this point, all I care about is getting the most corrupt of the corrupt out…and that’s BushCo and anyone who can even think of singing a single praise. This administration has done more to damage our country than any in my living past and we are going to feel it for years to come.

    Fuck goopers and the broom, horse, or bat they flew in on.

  • “Why no mention about Chelsea Clinton going out on a date with a 21 year old super delegate, Rae, a junior at Marquette University.

    I won’t call that “pimping” her out, because that would upset people. But this is pretty sleazy of Hilldawg to use her daughter in this fashion.”

    Its not mentioned because its a dumb point. And by what information do you conclude that “Hilldawg” is “using” her daughter this way?

    I have happily concluded recently that the rest of the country is viewing this primary differently from the comment boards on these blogs. The snark, the vulgarity, the nastiness, the rudeness, is limited to these blog boards and the cable talking heads. Out there, no one is paying attention to the comments boards or the cable talking heads.

    Good luck to all Dems, including Barrackdawg.

  • Hillary sending her daughter out on dates to “earn” superdelegate votes is now over the line? I think that is a huge issue, especially after the crying Hilldawg did over the msnbc “pimp out” comment (when it turns out to be true).

  • chrenson (14) – The most interesting thing about this poll is that they didn’t include Ron Paul, since the purpose was to get the most hits. That’s what “the most trusted name in news” does. I suppose it is interesting that that many Democratic leaning people watch CNN, though.

  • Danp, those numbers don’t show that many democratic leaning people. Wake up.

    24% hillary
    23% mccain
    41% obama

    There is a huge portion of that 41% obama who would vote for mccain over hillary. The clinton name is hated by many. There are a ton of obama supporters who still hate the clintons and would gladly vote for mccain over hillary

    The clintons have done great damage to the democratic party. Time for the house of clinton to fall and restore the moral standing of the democratic party.

    We have been warned about false hope (by bill clinton himself). But in the unlikely story that is america, there has never been anything false about hope.

  • Danp [18] Valid point about RP. Perot would have been on the list. Still, my guess is they’re looking for primary participant numbers so they can declare the winners by lunchtime.

  • CB it’s “interesting” that you find these Rove comments “interesting”, yet ignored so many of his words over the last 8 years or so, I’m sure Karl Rove had absolutely no agenda in 2000 when he commented on McCain.

  • #11… doubtful… thanks for the link.

    and #17 happy… i think a 30 minute breakfast meeting to gain support of one’s candidate is what people working/volunteering on campaigns do. individuals also make phone calls, knock on doors, take part in rallies, etc, etc.

    using the term “pimping” in regards to a female volunteer/worker engaging in such activity is unacceptable. it is misogynistic. the msnbc was wrong to use that term.

  • “the msnbc was wrong to use that term”

    Was Olbermann wrong to use it with Petraeus? Or is that comment acceptable when describing a man’s actions?

  • I don’t see anything wrong with Chelsea having breakfast with super delegates to advocate for her mother. In fact, it is wise, because she’s closer in age to Jason Rae and more likely to connect with him on issues he cares about. Obviously, this is an age group Clinton has trouble with, so it is actually nice to see her try a different approach.

    What I don’t get is how one becomes a power player in the Democratic primary at the tender age of 21.

  • Well Happy just earned herself 40 cents from the RNC at the going rate. Twenty cents for Jr. ROTFLMLiberalAO and Hot Dog got a dime.

  • Ohioan mentioned Warren G. Harding…who certainly doesn’t get nearly the press that he deserves. But i’m here to help correct that failing. I ran across a quote from him, from a speech delivered after WW I:

    “Here is the chief difficulty of the world today. In the turbulence and upheaval of World War, when all humanity was distracted and distressed, the vandals who operate amid calamity have sought to hoot suffering civilization.”

    Take that, Barack Obama. As a side note, Harding was the first President to employ a speech writer full time.

  • ROTFLMLiberalAO said:
    Will Hillary give Chelsea a job and a desk in the West Wing just like Big Dog did for her?

    If she does Chelsea will could end up with 16 years of hard earned political experience for her presidential run!

  • #23… perhaps he was… i do not know the context…

    but whether he was or not… i have a question… do you believe it’s ok for a news commentator to say a candidate is “pimping out” their daughter (or son) when all the individual is doing is traditional campaign work!? why use such a base term?

    and, in the instance of chelsea clinton, i believe it was misogynistic. you may or may not agree with me…

  • “I think it’s un-American, unconstitutional, immoral, and not Republican,” Paul said.

    Which of these things is not like the others?

  • And in Kentucky, Democratic hopes of beating Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) in Kentucky this November suffered a setback when Andrew Horne (D) announced he is dropping out of the race. Businessman Greg Fischer and two-time gubernatorial candidate Bruce Lunsford (and prototypical DINO) remain in the race.

    I have several progressive friends in KY who tell me that Horne would have been another Webb in the race against McConnell. Once again, Charles Shumer manages to demonstrate another good reason for expelling the professional New York City Democrats from the party, as he snatches defeat from the jaws of victory once again and goes for his fellow DLC corporate-bendover, Lunsford. But it’s not surprising when you consider he supported Joe Lieberman. Also unsurprising that Lunsford is a member of the Israel Uber Alles crowd, which is Shumer’s real political party (which is why he supports Hillary).

  • Whoa whoa, Cleaver, you’re going overboard just a wee bit there. Schumer presided over the successful midterm election of 2006, which brought us Democrats from swing and blue-trending states like Ohio, Missouri, and Virginia . . . and even from bright-red Montana. It is baseless to blame Schumer for Horne’s withdrawal. Furthermore, do you have any evidence showing that Schumer is now supporting Lunsford? And, your use of the phrase “Israel Uber Alles” is beyond offensive. If you are going to weigh in against a particular candidate or party leader, please do so without engaging in name-calling and provocative statements that reek of prejudice. And also, please provide links if you are making an assertion about a candidate’s endorsement.

    (it is a sad, sad day when a proud Jewish citizen like myself feels uncomfortable in a left-leaning forum).

  • Happy,

    Like all Clinton bashers you assume that you can read Hillary’s mind and it is all about evil intent. You have no proof that Hillary even knows about Chelsea’s “date” (which sounds more like lobbying to me), that Chelsea is interested in the guy, that Chelsea will perform sexual favors for a vote, or that the young man is corruptible. A lot of arrogant assumption on your part – that if it is about a Clinton it must be sexual. Says more about you…

  • (it is a sad, sad day when a proud Jewish citizen like myself feels uncomfortable in a left-leaning forum).

    Why proud? You were born into a Jewish family. Why should you be any prouder of that than if you were born into a French family or anything else? It’s an accident of birth. Get over yourself. If more people would identify with their humanity than their ethnicity the world would be a far better place.

    I didn’t make you uncomfortable there, did I?

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