Ron Paul In 2001: My Old Newsletter Was Largely Ghost-Written
Yesterday we highlighted a 1996 Houston Chronicle article about offensive remarks about blacks and other minorities, contained in Ron Paul's newsletter from the early 1990's.

But TPM reader "midnightrunner" has now pointed out to us that Paul has addressed this controversy before. In an article about Paul in the October 2001 issue of Texas Monthly, Paul gave a confession about his newsletter, five years after it got him into trouble during the 1996 campaign: Paul claimed that much of the newsletter was ghost-written, and he did not write or know about certain offensive remarks about the late Congresswoman Barbara Jordan (D-TX).

"They were never my words, but I had some moral responsibility for them ... I actually really wanted to try to explain that it doesn't come from me directly, but they [campaign aides] said that's too confusing. 'It appeared in your letter and your name was on that letter and therefore you have to live with it,'" Paul said. Was Paul's claim true, and does this mean he didn't actually write the offensive comments about blacks being criminals and other remarks?

Reid Attacks McCain For Absenteeism
The Hill reports that Senate Maj. Leader Harry Reid's office has attacked John McCain for missing many key votes (He has not cast a single vote since early April, including four missed votes about Iraq this year). "Sen. McCain has spent considerable time defending the president on Iraq and catering to the Republican base on immigration, but has only managed to show up for four of the last 14 Iraq votes and parachute into [yesterday’s] immigration press conference at the last minute," said a Reid spokeswoman. "Who is the real John McCain?" McCain spokesman Danny Diaz hit back — but without any detailed defense of McCain's missed votes. "John McCain has continued to stand up for what he believes: victory in Iraq and improved protection of our nation through comprehensive immigration reform," Diaz said. "It is unfortunate that the Senate majority leader is more focused on partisan attacks than solving the serious problems confronting our nation."

Immigration Compromise Gets A Mostly Negative Verdict From GOP Presidential Candidates
The newly announced immigration compromise is getting a mostly negative reaction from GOP Presidential contenders. Mitt Romney has a press release out slamming the deal, while potential candidate Fred Thompson is also calling for rejection of the bill. Meanwhile, Rudy Giuliani's campaign has a press release out that doesn't give a straight answer: "Rudy's top priority and main objective is to ensure our borders are secure and to stop potential terrorists and criminals from coming in ... We need to know who is coming in and who is going out of this country if we are going to deal with those who are here illegally." Only John McCain, himself a sponsor of the compromise, is unequivocally supportive.

Michelle Obama Finding Place On The Trail
The New York Times reports that Barack Obama's campaign has been working to find the right place for the candidate's wife Michelle, in an environment where her husband will not only be campaigning to be the first black President, but she would be the first black First Lady. And above all, the job for her and the campaign is to find the right approach to take for a woman who is leery of politics and her husband's image, but is also intensely competitive. "Mrs. Obama dislikes politics, friends and family confirmed, but not as much as she dislikes losing," the Times writes.

Edwards And Giuliani Claim Not To Have Known About Sudan Holdings
The Associated Press reports that John Edwards and Rudy Giuliani — two of the wealthier candidates in the Presidential field — have financial holdings in businesses that do work with Sudan, the country facing international scrutiny for the genocide in Darfur. An Edwards aide said that the candidate did not know about the Sudan-related holdings, and will divest. The Giuliani campaign also said their candidate was unaware of the matter, and will review his portfolio and "take appropriate action."

Rudy Pays Wife $125,000 A Year For Speechwriting
The New York Daily News reports that Rudy Giuliani has been very supportive of third wife Judith Nathan Giuliani's role in his political work, and has been paying her a salary of $125,000 annually as an official speechwriter since before they were married — though this is only about 2% of the money he has made for giving paid speeches since leaving office as Mayor of New York City. "Mrs. Giuliani made a professional contribution and the mayor recognizes and respects her efforts," an aide said. "He is merely acknowledging both her time commitment and her professional value." GOP Strategist Nelson Warfield, however, was critical of the arrangement: "It just looks odd. Most spouses view supporting their significant others as part of the package, not part of the compensation package."

Richardson: Americans Should "Sacrifice For The Common Good" On Energy
The Hill reports that Bill Richardson has unveiled an energy plan calling carbon emissions reductions of 20% by 2020 and 80% by 2040, with a focus on promoting electric cars and strong mandates to cap emissions — a strong step towards asking the average American to, in Richardson's words, "sacrifice for the common good." "On energy policy, we need to change fast or sink slowly," Richardson said.

McCain Raising Money In Rudy's Backyard
The New York Times reports that John McCain held a $200,000 fundraiser in New York yesterday, hosted by New York Jets owner Woody Johnson. And McCain is coming back to New York tonight for a fundraiser aimed at younger voters, featuring his daughter Meghan McCain, a new graduate from Columbia College.

Duncan Hunter's Site Says Son — A Candidate For His California Seat — Lives In Idaho
Duncan Hunter may need to speak to his campaign staff, and tell them to stop giving ammo to his son Duncan D. Hunter's opponents in the GOP primary for his House seat: His Presidential campaign site says of the younger Duncan: "Duncan D. and his wife, Margaret, have three children, Duncan Lee, Elizabeth Grace and Sarah Louise, and reside in Boise, Idaho." Duncan D. Hunter is running for the elder Hunter's House seat from San Diego.