Election Central Morning Roundup
WSJ: Clinton's Convention Role Still Being Negotiated
The Wall St. Journal reports that negotiations are still ongoing over a serious issue for the Democratic convention: Will Barack Obama be nominated unanimously, or will Hillary Clinton's name be put to a vote in order to not alienate her supporters? "There's nothing symbolically wrong to putting her name in," said Donna Brazile, but the danger is that an overly-enthusiastic reception would make Obama look like he hadn't unified the party.
Obama In Red State Of Georgia Today
Barack Obama will continue his efforts to win red states with a visit today to Powder Springs, Georgia, where he will hold a town hall on economic issues. Georgia used to be one of the Democratic-leaning states in the South, but has turned sharply Republican over the last six years with a GOP takeover of the governorship, both Senate seats and the state legislature.
McCain Courting Latino Voters Today
John McCain will be speaking today to the League of United Latin American Citizens convention in Washington, a part of his campaign's effort to improve the Republican Party's standing among Latino voters. "When you take the solemn stroll along that wall of black granite on the national Mall, it is hard not to notice the many names such as Rodriguez, Hernandez, and Lopez that so sadly adorn it," McCain will say, according to pre-released excerpts.
NYT: Obama Making Headway With Big-Money Donors, Too
The New York Times reports that Barack Obama's fundraising prowess is expanding beyond his small-donor base now that he's won the nomination. The campaign took in $5 million at a Hollywood fundraiser ten days ago, and last night the candidate was in Atlanta for a fundraiser that carried a minimum $2,300 ticket price.
Union Leader Challenges Obama To McCain's Town Halls
The New Hampshire Union Leader, the largest newspaper in this swing state, is joining in on John McCain's town-hall challenge to Barack Obama. "If Sen. Obama would meet the president of Iran without pre-conditions, he can surely find time to meet with Sen. McCain and New Hampshire voters," the Republican-friendly newspaper declares in this morning's editorial.
Former Clinton Spokesman Joins Fox News
Howard Wolfson, who served as Hillary Clinton's top campaign spokesman throughout her roller-coaster of a campaign, has joined Fox News as a contributor/commentator. "It's a huge audience, and it is important to have a strong, progressive voice on the network," Wolfson told the New York Times.
Nice, first Lanny Davis, now Wolfson, the Clinton camp is getting nice and comfortable with Fox's brand of reporting. I guess it shouldn't be any surprise after they gushed about how "fair and balanced" Fox was during the primaries. Yeah, they'll fit right in.
And seriously, why the hell does Hillary need anything special at the convention? I don't recall in 2004 or 2000 any of the runners up in the primaries getting to make it all about them. Last time I checked the convention is for unifying and taking aim at the Republicans. I'm sick of this extra super duper special treatment everyone is expected to give her just because her last name is Clinton. Can we just stop sugarcoating this and handling her with kid gloves? Bah, she is a politician, not a 5 year old, time for some reality, enough of the special treatment.
July 8, 2008 9:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Looks like the hardcore Hillarites are going to fight Obama to the bitter end, to the convention, on FOX and beyond.
July 8, 2008 9:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, it's just political calculus by BigO & Co.
What would it hurt to throw her supporters a bone? It would reap him more of their votes.
But indeed, it might
July 8, 2008 9:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oops...
But indeed, it might hurt because of the imagery, as Eric's summary said. So they're weighing the pluses and minuses.
July 8, 2008 9:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
Because she won close to 18 million votes and a fair share of them (older women) are stilling bruised over her loss.
July 8, 2008 9:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Meh, Kerry won many times that in the general election and nearly one, and we didn't give him a parade. I just don't think it is necessary, the party is already coming together, she just needs to fade away and not remind people of the divisiveness.
July 8, 2008 9:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
*nearly won
July 8, 2008 10:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
"If Sen. Obama would meet the president of Iran without pre-conditions, he can surely find time to meet with Sen. McCain and New Hampshire voters,"
Really? Let me guess, the editors are just sniggering to themselves thinking "We're so clever! We've got Obama boxed in now!"
Then again, this type of juvenile browbeating does seem to work on most other Dems, so I can't blame them for trying.
July 8, 2008 9:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
My sentiments exactly.
July 8, 2008 10:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
"If Sen. Obama would meet the president of Iran without pre-conditions, he can surely find time to meet with Sen. McCain and New Hampshire voters,"
How stupid. This is a political campaign not negotiations over nuclear weapons with a sworn enemy.
July 8, 2008 9:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's the same stupid crap Hillary tried when she knew she was screwed, trying to act like a taunting bully with stupid challenges to more debates, even when debates are already scheduled, as if that is going to change anything. McCain doesn't want to debate Obama, he just thinks he can score political points by acting like a child. I can't wait until Obama kicks his ass in their first debate, that'll be the end of McCain wanting to go toe to toe with him.
How many debates, or how many minutes into the first debate, do you think it will be before McCain has a rage attack and either cusses or yells? :P
July 8, 2008 10:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's also been reported that negotiations include Bill Clinton having major role in convention too.
July 8, 2008 10:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
If a "strong progressive voice" is needed on Fox, Mr. Wolfson, just why are YOU there?
The best way to deal with FOX is to ignore it...refuse to appear. It is not a news organization. It is the propaganda wing of the Republican party, down to and including altering photos of people it opposes to make them look bad and aggressively threatening anyone who criticizes it.
Mr. Wolfson, you are frankly, an idiot.
July 8, 2008 10:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Who cares? She lost. It's over. There have been more concessions made to her than any other second-place finisher and it's time to move on. Nearly three months after the end of the primaries, it's silly to drag it up again.
Those nutjob supporters of hers who formed PUMA and post on noquarter will only be satisfied if Obama steps aside and gives her the nomination. So, let's move on. Obama is the nominee. Period. Full stop.
July 8, 2008 11:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wolfson went to FAUX? Should he have not gone to the Clinton News Network.
Seriously, Fox and Wolfson are a good fit. May they burn in hell together.
July 8, 2008 11:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Considering the Murdoch fundraiser for Hillary last year, I wonder if he's savvy enough to realize that the conservative brand is tanking, and is starting to remake Fox into a blatantly partisan "centrist" (AKA conservative in sheep's clothing) network. It would be pretty funny if, after all the wingnut screeching about CNN, Fox turned into an actual "Clinton News Network."
July 8, 2008 1:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
1. The gracious and correct thing for her to do, very obviously, instead of "negotiating" this obtuse venue, is to give a speech as to why Obama should be President, not thanking all the PUMA goons and her dread Wounded Women, but looking ahead at winning with Obama.
2. It certainly isn't right to reopen old scars by putting her name in nomination, and obviously she realizes that! That would be such an awkward, negative play!
3. But she'll insist on number 2, of course, party be damned. Hillary in 2012, rah-rah! Go McCain, beat Obama!
4. Bill will want to give a speech about what a great guy he is ("Eight years ago..."), in which he will also wistfully thank Hillary for so enriching his life and the whole world, too, and there'll be vacant throwaways in there about how he clearly so much cares about Obama even though his voice and movements won't coincide with that phony assertion.
July 8, 2008 1:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
What is PUMA an acronym for?
July 8, 2008 2:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is one charming, mothefucking group that goes by the upbeat moniker, "Party Unity My Ass." Their caucus boastrs veterans of Hillary's mutant army, plus all manner of malcontents and wise-asses.
July 8, 2008 2:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am so sick of Hilliary and her supporters I could puke. They should just get over it!
July 8, 2008 2:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are 'so sick of Hillary and her supporters'? You are? And how do you think your guy is going to win without us? Any idea? You, guys, in this blog should think a little and then post. It, usually, helps.
July 8, 2008 4:05 PM | Reply | Permalink