Election Central Labor Day Roundup
Edwards Receives Two Union Endorsements
The John Edwards campaign marked the occasion of Labor Day by announcing the endorsements of two unions, the United Steelworkers and the United Mine Workers of America. Together, the two groups have 1.8 million members. A prediction: The mineworkers endorsement will be politically useful, in light of the current controversies involving mine safety and the Utah mine collapse.
Thompson Advisor: Jay Leno Better Than Republican Debate
Fred Thompson advisor Mary Matalin, appearing yesterday on Meet The Press, justified the candidate's decision to skip this Wednesday's Republican debate in New Hampshire and instead appear on Jay Leno. "Who do you think has the largest audience at that time? Jay Leno has 31 percent of the audience at the time immediately preceding the video," Matalin said, referring to the candidate's announcement video set for 12:01 a.m. ET that night. "This is a message-driven campaign, and we want to drive people, and the biggest place to do that was Jay Leno."
The Clintons Go To New Hampshire
Bill Clinton joined his wife yesterday in New Hampshire, promoting her candidacy. "In the forty years I have been voting in presidential elections, Hillary is the best prepared to be president of any non-incumbent I ever had a chance to vote for in my life," he told a crowd. Presumably this statement includes himself, back in 1992 — making it an even more ringing endorsement.
Congressman Leaves Threatening Voice-Mails With Constituents
Via Kos, Congressman Doug Lamborn (R-CO) took an interesting approach to responding to constituents who wrote a negative letter about him to a local newspaper: Lamborn personally called them at home and left intimidating voice-mails. "And like I said I'd rather resolve this on a Scriptural level but if you are unwilling to do that I will be forced to take other steps, which I would rather not have to do," Lamborn said, seeming to threaten legal action against them. Classy.
McCain Criticizes Primary Frontloading, Backs Iowa And New Hampshire
Appearing yesterday in Iowa, John McCain supported the positions of Iowa and New Hampshire as the first nominating contests, and criticized the movement by other states to break into the January territory. "I'm disturbed by the crowding of primaries earlier and earlier," McCain said.
Republicans Ganging Up On Doolittle
A diverse group of Republicans are lining up to challenge scandal-plagued Congressman JOhn Doolittle in the 2008 primary. Auburn city councilman Mike Homes, a moderate who took 33% in the primary last year, says he's in. Also in the race are state Assemblyman Ted Gaines, a conservative and former Doolittle ally, as well as Iraq War veteran and pro-war activist Eric Egland. Doolittle defeated Democrat Charlie Brown by only 49%-46% last year in a Republican-leaning district, and Brown is running again.
Comments (24)
Richard L. Adlof wrote on September 3, 2007 2:07 PM:Good for Edwards. It is good to see a candidate from an Union family get Union nods. It is a candidate who walked Union pick lines get Union nods. It is good to see a candidate who regularly speaks to retaining American jobs and builing the economy and the middle class get Union nods. It is good to see a candidate who will work towards getting all Americans the health services they need get Union nods.
Daniel wrote on September 3, 2007 2:26 PM:Edwards's anti-establishment message is one that many (such as myself) have been looking to hear from a Democrat for quite some time, but Edwards has been suffering a lack of credibility, as some question whether he is the right person to carry this message. With most Democrats right now hesitating between Clinton and Obama, the Edwards campaign has been increasingly frustrated as to why the Democratic base is not responding to his economic populism and anti-DLC positions -- the very same base that was angry at the Clinton Administration for his rightward shift. After all, Edwards has been taking stances that Democrats have shied away from for a long time now. I myself am unclear why Edwards's often amazing positions on issues have not sealed the deal for me in his favor.
But there is no question that with endorsements like today's, Edwards's populist credentials are going to be taken much more seriously by many progressives.
More on CampaignDiaries.com
LeftistAddiction wrote on September 3, 2007 2:30 PM:These past two days, developments in the Democratic race have led many to argue that Clinton wouldn't be able to gain anything from her edge in Florida. But the damage to Clinton's campaign will probably not end up being as severe as many expect. The pledge that all candidates signed to not campaign in MI and FL hurt Clinton more than they do other candidates. But there are some factors that could still allow Clinton to get some edge out of those states.
A month will have gone by between contests in Iowa/New Hampshire and the February 5th primaries (which is almost entirely due to Michigan and Florida's going forward in the first place). Clinton will have plenty of time (and money) to recover from poor results early, and a triumph in Florida would put to rest talk of a faltering Clinton campaign. And by the time California and New York go to the polls, is it more likely that voters have in mind one-month-old results from small sized states? Or is it more likely they remember the outcome of a primary that just happens to be a beauty contest, in one of the most populous states and that happened a week before?Read full analysis here. NJ Lawyer wrote on September 3, 2007 2:56 PM:
Few people lie with impunity as often as Matalin.
Richard L. Adlof wrote on September 3, 2007 3:17 PM:SIDE NOTE INQUIRY:
Just what the farg is up w/ Jay Leno and mediocre Republican acters (the word "mediocre" modifying both REP & acting) running for office?
Tom wrote on September 3, 2007 4:02 PM:John Solomon is up to his usual foolery on the front page of the WaPo today. Yep, it's obvious to JS that anyone who donates to a Democrat is a shady character.
Indeed, any donation to a Dem is a scandal in itself.
Ah, well, Happy Labor Day.
From New Hampshire:
Hillary Clinton joined her husband yesterday as they campaigned for their third term. "In the forty years I have been voting in presidential elections, Hillary is the best prepared to be president of any non-incumbent I ever had a chance to vote for in my life," Bill Clinton told the crowd, grimacing as a beaming Hillary twisted his arm behind his back. "Smile when you say that," she whispered, "paybacks are hell."
Edwards talked about health-care coverage for everyone last week. 120 billion.
The no reporter left behind math-challenged education system in the usa produced no reporters willing to ask him how much health coverage can you get for 400 dollars per person?
The va spends about 35 billion on 9 million folks---4000 dollars per person.
I am a liberal who believes single-payer national health care is doable---but people like Edwards should be challenged when their math is so ridiculous.
Jeff Winchell wrote on September 3, 2007 4:56 PM:"By the time California goes to the polls..."
more Californians will have already voted by mail.
Perhaps more than have voted in every state that had gone before.
The west coast votes by mail. It won't be long before most of the country does, and these "specific dates" won't mean much. They already mean less and less but few pundits (or anyone writing/speaking about this stuff) is paying attention to this.
CalD wrote on September 3, 2007 4:59 PM:Oh, I wouldn't be too concerned about the implications of MI and FL for Clinton's campaign. My guess is the strong leads she currently enjoys in NH, NV, and SC (in addition to MI, FL, NY, CA and of course, nationwide) will probably help to keep "talk of a faltering Clinton campaign" to a minimum for the time being. ;-)
DonnaG wrote on September 3, 2007 5:30 PM:Nothing about the news from yesterday's left-coaster site giving a heads up and excerpts from the Mother Jones artice coming out tomorrow?
'Faith and Hillary' is the topic....interesting perspective and background information about Hillary Clinton, especially for folks who are still trying to discern her positioning.
Stephen H wrote on September 3, 2007 5:41 PM:Edwards: Too bad Unions don't have the political power they once did. That's why we end up with candidates like Clinton.
Thompson: Why doesn't Thompson just skip the election and get on a better TV series instead? The size of the audience seems to be his only goal in life.
Threatening Emails by the Republican Congressman: I do wish we could resolve the situation on a sciptural level. The Mosaic Law says about public officials recieving contributions (Ex 23:8) "And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous." The Biblical penalty for taking bribes was, of course, death.
CalD wrote on September 3, 2007 5:47 PM:Man, Mary Matalin really just defines the word "dour" these days, doesn't she? But she may be right about getting a message out by doing the Leno appearance instead of the debate. I for one am getting a message loud and clear that Thompson would very much prefer to skate on debating Romney and Giuliani for as long as he can possibly get away with it. (Or maybe that's more his handlers' preference.) It will be interesting to see how Leno treats him. But speaking of ratings, I hear those Law and Order spin-off shows get pretty good ratings too. Maybe Thompson could a spot on one of those instead of showing up for the next debate.
jen wrote on September 3, 2007 5:49 PM:Daniel @ 2:26 PM:
Speaking for myself and many people I know involved in politics, we just don't trust Edwards. He has shown consistent lack of judgment, and his words today don't match up with his voting record.
Biggest problem for me is his IWR vote. Was he fooled? Was it to look strong? I know he apologized, but I'd like him to come clean on why he not only went along, but co-sponsored the bill and was an active cheerleader for the invasion.
Personally, I see him as someone who made his fortune in part due to his charm and ability to convince people he was speaking truth. To me, he's little more than a very good actor, with zero FP and/or diplomatic experience/ability.
Don't mean to be harsh, but you seem curious as to why he doesn't have more support. Maybe that's part of it.
Asa wrote on September 3, 2007 7:28 PM:kjoe
The $120 billion is in addition to current spending. No-one thinks we're going to get national health care for $400 per person per year.
Fred Thompson: I'm not a leader but I play one on television.
Alan in CA wrote on September 3, 2007 9:34 PM:Let's see. Edwards voted for the invasion of Iraq, helped write the "Patriot" Act, and told Howard Dean at a nationally broadcast debate "The last thing we need in the South is people like you..." He has no political administrative experience, and served a single term in the Senate. I could go on, but that's enough.
Richard L. Adlof wrote on September 3, 2007 10:05 PM:kjoe @ September 3, 2007 4:50 PM
The $120 billion is the projected delta . . . The projected difference in direct healthcare costs for adding 30% folk. There is additional shake out in both directions for affected cursory areas. There is a lotta waste in the insurance industry that offsets the increased costs BUT INCREASED HEALTH will dramatically impact GNP to the positive.
kjoe wrote on September 4, 2007 2:43 AM:What on earth are you people talking about?
What current spending? On the VA and medicare? This is either way too little to do much with, or it leaves the bulk of insurance coverage with the insurance industry.
Can anybody get real?
The facts are that 9 million people are covered by the VA--I am one of them---and we cost taxpayers about 35 billion a year, or 4000 dollars each. The VA is not perfect, but it is more efficient than the insurance industry. Just what is 1 tenth of that amount per person supposed to accomplish?
wayneinky wrote on September 4, 2007 9:42 AM:So Edwards is getting all of the union endorsements? So did Dick Gephardt. How far did that get him?
bob wrote on September 4, 2007 10:50 AM:Really, Bill?
Hillary is better prepared than John Kerry?
Better prepared than YOUR OWN Vice President, Al Gore?
I will grant you that she may be better prepared than you were, since you are in the best position to know.
But better prepared than Dukakis or Mondale or McGovern or Humphrey?
Really makes you wonder what Bill Clinton thinks prepares one for the presidency.
bob wrote on September 4, 2007 10:52 AM:Mary Matalin is a lying thug.
She is not a credible person to appear on Meet the Press. Tim Russert knows better but can't help himself.
Also unfair to have a panel with people representing only two of the candidates (and the current Admin).
Richard L. Adlof wrote on September 4, 2007 11:33 AM:kjoe @ September 4, 2007 2:43 AM:
The VA's costs are inflated becuase it services a skewed sub-population. Vets tend to be older and have a higher percentage of injured. There is no offsetting healthy subset. But having pointed this out . . . The VA makes the perfect example for why this conversation needs to be translated into reality no matter the cost. Healthcare is a necessity and a right. The health of the folk of our nation is one of greatest Commons and to ignore it in effort to maintain a privatized industry is suicide. PLUS it is the right (moral) thing to do
The two most heinous words codified into law are 'over sixty-five' in the Medicare Act.
While the trimmest insurance company adds about thirty percent to the cost of healthcare, Medicare keeps overhead to less the four percent. Medicare spends less on the older folk of our nation by keeping them healthy. The insurance company driven privatized sector pushs up health costs by forcing folk to deffer treatment.
Healthy kids stay in school and learn better. Healthy kids become more productive and more capable adluts.
A healthy workforce aids in productivity. Controlling healthcare costs would dramatically impact America's GNP as it has in every other industrialized nation with better health outcomes.
Quibbling over projected additional DIRECT costs when the seventh of our nation without insurance could be largely covered by eliminating corporate waste . . . While not even figuring offseting benefits is ludicrous and a very Republican thing to do.
We owe our Veterans a debt for their service. We owe those who went before us for the toil of their minds and hands. We need to provide for those who follow us as it is our duty and obligation.
Our government is us. We designed it to protect and nurture us. By supporting those our government serves, we support ourselves.
Parrotting the right-wing understanding of the universe harms us. They are not correct. They are wrong.
Edwards and Kucinich are correct on this one.
Richard L. Adlof wrote on September 4, 2007 11:41 AM:bob @ September 4, 2007 10:50 AM:
Who said Bill Clinton voted for Kerry? Bill Clinton is telling us that his vote went to support the candidate of his party and not Kerry. Of course, Bill supports Guliani in a dress . . .
