Obama In February: Oppo Research Should Focus On Issues, Not Ad-Hominem Attacks

Ben Smith unearthed a question and answer session with Barack Obama from February, in which he asked the candidate what approach he would have to opposition research. Obama said there would be an important role in being able to "compare and contrast where we stand on issues," but also said he would take pains in "not making ad hominem attacks toward other candidates." Smith notes, "Hard to see how attacking Bill Clinton's finances fits framework."

McCain To Campaign In Iowa With Former POW Cellmate

John McCain will be campaigning in Iowa this weekend with Ret. Col. George "Bud" Day, a Sioux City native and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. During the Vietnam War, McCain and Day shared a cell as prisoners of war.

Obama's Father's Day Message: Do Not Shirk Responsibility

Barack Obama delivered a message to a Baptist church in South Carolina, to coincide with Father's Day weekend: "Let's admit to ourselves that there are a lot of men out there that need to stop acting like boys; who need to realize that responsibility does not end at conception; who need to know that what makes you a man is not the ability to have a child but the courage to raise a child." Obama discussed his own childhood, marked by the absence of his biological father, whom he only knew about through stories from his mother and other relatives.

Lots Of Applause At Right To Life Convention

Mitt Romney defended his about-face on abortion as a genuine conversion at the National Right to Life Conference in Kansas City. He earned a standing ovation for his remarks, but Sam Brownback garnered yet more applause. Brownback attacked Romney: "In the past, he has said unequivocally he’s pro-choice. He’s saying now he’s pro-life ... That seems to me to be an inconsistency where you’ve been in one position in the past and you’re different now."

Bloomberg Has Dinner — In New Hampshire

New York City Mayor Mark Bloomberg is headed to New Hampshire for his girlfriend's college reunion. He will also travel to California to have appearances with Governor. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and at Google, which is coincidentally also hosting presidential candidates. The mayor dismissed any speculation about a possible presidential bid, however. "I don’t think the country’s quite ready for me," Bloomberg said.

Tancredo Lauds Cutting Security Funds For Sanctuary Cities

The House passed an amendment 234-189 to the homeland security appropriations bill cutting funding for cities with policies and laws giving sanctuary to illegal immigrants. Tancredo, who sponsored the measure, hooted and cheered with his staffers in his office. "The times, they are a changing," Tancredo said in a statement.

Richardson Raising Cash In Twin Cities

Indian donors, Latino leaders and bloggers attended a Bill Richardson fundraiser today, netting the Democrat $75,000. Barack Obama and John McCain plan visits to Minneapolis in the coming weeks.

New Jersey GOP Votes For Winner-Take-All Primary — Seen As Pro-Rudy Move

The New Jersey Republican State Committee has officially adopted a winner-take-all rule for the state's February 5 primary, as opposed to a system under which presidential delegates would be distributed proportionally to the GOP candidates' vote percentages in the state. The rule is widely seen to be done to benefit Rudy Giuliani — hailing from neighboring New York and being a socially liberal Republican, he'd be heavily favored in the state primary, and this rule would give him all of the state's delegates.

Mike Huckabee Doesn't Like Miniskirts

In an interview with the magazine Marie Claire, Mike Huckabee had an exchange in which he talked about his distaste for miniskirts. "If a person dresses provocatively, they're calling attention — maybe not the most desirable kind — to private parts of their body," Huckabee said. Huckabee is now complaining that the interview is being taken out of context, and he was joking around. In Huckabee's defense, when asked if he owns a miniskirt, he said he owns a thong. So this was probably a joke — at least, we sure hope it was!