Election Central Morning Roundup
NYT: Obama Donors Not Rushing To Relieve Hillary's Debts
The New York Times reports that many of Barack Obama's donors aren't joining in on the candidate's request to donate money to retire Hillary Clinton's campaign debt. "Not a penny for that woman. Or her husband. Or -- god forbid -- Mark Penn," one donor said -- an ungrateful reaction, when you consider how much Mark Penn did to help Obama win the nomination.
Obama With Hillary In New York City, McCain In Michigan
Barack Obama Will be coming to New York City tonight for a big-money fundraiser, featuring one other than Hillary Clinton -- a further step in forging an image of Democratic unity. John McCain will be in Michigan, a swing state that has not gone Republican since 1988, but where he's hoping to make inroads.
McCain Jokes About Killing Iranians
Oh, boy. John McCain was asked yesterday about a report that exports to Iran have increased in recent years, including such products as cigarettes. "Maybe that's a way of killing them," McCain joked.
Obama: No More Malia And Sasha Interviews
Barack Obama has had a change of heart regarding the media attention surrounding his daughters, after watching the recent Access Hollywood interview with his whole family. "I don't think it's healthy and it's something we'll be avoiding in the future," Obama told ABC's Good Morning America.
Dem Chances Go Up In New York House Seat
CQ has changed its rating for New York's 25th Congressional District from "No Clear Favorite" To "Leans Democrat," citing the strong fundraising and ad campaign from Democratic candidate Dan Maffei. The seat is currently held by Republican Jim Walsh, who just narrowly fended off Maffei in 2006, and is now retiring.
Mark Penn Teams Up With Bush Insider
Mark Penn has acquired an interesting new staffer at his public relations firm: Karen Hughes, a former top staffer in George W. Bush's White House. "Karen and I have had so many of the same experiences in the White House and campaigns," Penn said.
"...an ungrateful reaction, when you consider how much Mark Penn did to help Obama win the nomination."
Very funny line.
July 9, 2008 9:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hmm...maybe donations to Hillary that cover her millions of dollars of debt to Mark Penn's firm will now go to, wait for it, Karen Hughes!
If Mark Penn had any sort of honor, he would have written off Hillary's campaign debts to himself and his firm, since he incurred so many of them in his terrible losing effort. Plus, it would have helped her fundraising tremendously if people didn't think their donations were going to him.
July 9, 2008 11:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
So what are the chances we hear anything about the McCain Iranian gaffe from the MSM?
July 9, 2008 9:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
Zilch. Nada. Bupkus.
Any other questions?
July 9, 2008 9:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
As previously discussed, any horrific gaffe on his part is explained away by the media as "Oh, John, what a kidder!"
July 9, 2008 9:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
Karen Hughes? Don't I remember her as the not-actually-a-reporter filing fake PR "news" reports during the last election? Or is that someone else? Enlighten me! I recall reading about the issue on CJR Daily (f.k.a Campaign Desk).
July 9, 2008 9:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
No, that was Karen Ryan.
July 9, 2008 10:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
thank you.
July 9, 2008 3:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Obama: No More Malia And Sasha Interviews
Barack Obama has had a change of heart regarding the media attention surrounding his daughters, after watching the recent Access Hollywood interview with his whole family. "I don't think it's healthy and it's something we'll be avoiding in the future," Obama told ABC's Good Morning America."
I think this is a good idea, but I have a funny feeling Obama will get flack for it.
July 9, 2008 9:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think anyone can blame him for it. He's being a protective parent. Candidates kids are normally out of the limelight, anyway.
July 9, 2008 9:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Is there no issue on which this man won't flip flop?
Only John McCain, with his secret plan to Butt Out the Iranians, can save us.
July 9, 2008 10:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe George & John Dubya also support giving cigarettes to Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda...
You know, as a way to... (wait for it...)
"Smoke them out of their caves..."
You guys are a great audience! Seriously! Hey, try the veal!
July 9, 2008 10:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree it's probably in their best interest, but I'm glad we got that one interview. His daughters are absolutely precious, and it was cool to see the easy, loving way they interact as a family.
July 9, 2008 10:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Penn teaming up with Karen Hughes???
Hillary should stiff him on the millions she supposedly owes him, and take him to court for breach of contract terms [his Columbia lobbying, etc] and no donor should give to reduce her debt if any of that money would go to Penn.
Penn teaming up with Karen Hughes at his firm tells me that any money making its way to Penn could work its way into supporting Republican causes.
Anyone know if donations to Hillary are limited to paying small vendors? What are the details of the way donations are utilized? Does any of that money go to Penn?
July 9, 2008 9:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
Mark Penn and Karen Huge - wow, what a pair.
I wish I could express just how much I despise Karen Hughes and have since Commander Coocoo Bananas was gov. I cannot stand that woman!
July 9, 2008 10:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
I've always wondered what she Big Loud Karen doing in the basement bunker huddle on 9/11/01. Photographs show her leaning in to a discussion which Cheney seems to be leading.
She's always been Bush's off-and-on domestic image advisor (until she tried applying her offensive charm offensive on the Middle East) and never had a national security position.
It's all part of the Mayberry Machiavellis all-politics-all-the-time mode since 5 lawyers gave W his throne.
Penn and Hughes. A recipe for mediocrity and failure.
July 9, 2008 10:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm telling ya -
What did Karen Huge ever really do right? She was basically Commander Coocoo Bananas' nanny, like Harriet Meyers was.
July 9, 2008 10:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Karen Hughes is kind of like Mary Matalin, probably smart enough to know better but willing to load babies on a dump truck with a pitchfork to serve the Bush/Cheney regime.
July 9, 2008 11:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
“Gas prices are up, the markets are in turmoil, my kid’s fall tuition bill is coming soon. Writing checks to politicians I don’t like is not at the top of my list.”
THIS.
July 9, 2008 10:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
IS.
July 9, 2008 10:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
EXCELLENT
July 9, 2008 3:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
If McCain want's to use the '60s in his ads to highlight his POW background, when is the media going to ask the "Presidential" qualifying question?
Since McCain says the U.S. should have stayed in Vietnam "until victory", what would McCain have done differently in Vietnam from Johnson & Nixon? And does any historian or military strategist of note agree with McCain's strategy?
Since from what I understand, his views probably would have escalated Vietnam into WW III, don't you think this is the Vietnam-Era relevant presidential qualifying question to ask? Why has no one asked it?
Or like asking McCain how he will actually balance the budget beyond wishing for it, is this question too tough for our McCain lapdog media?
July 9, 2008 10:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Somewhere on the site is this link about Edwards as V.P. He was against it before he was for it; dismissed in out of hand after he lost the nomination. http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/08/edwards-would-seriously-consider-vp-offer/
Would Edwards be a good pick? Could he deliver even one state below the Mason-Dixon line?
July 9, 2008 10:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, McCain is known to be trying to woo Hillary supporters to his cause, so ...
How many McCain contributors are pitching in to pay Clinton's campaign debt?
Just asking.
July 9, 2008 10:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not news that McCain would feature "the 60's" in his latest advert... the Repubs have been running against that generational shift since Nixon. I recall Bush (41) bragging after the First "Gulf War" how winning there had vanquished the "ghosts" of Viet Nam - that using military force would now be acceptable once again.
Recall how John Kerry was demonized for his 1971 testimony about the conduct of the Viet Nam War - later to have the "swiftboaters" denigrate his Navy service.
Hopefully with the Current War(s)this generation and the boomers can together relearn that there is NOT a military solution for every problem. And those "60's" don't look that radical anymore.
Re: When your only Tool is a Hammer - Every Problem Looks Like a Nail...
July 9, 2008 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Obama: No More Malia And Sasha Interviews
Barack Obama has had a change of heart regarding the media attention surrounding his daughters, after watching the recent Access Hollywood interview with his whole family. "I don't think it's healthy and it's something we'll be avoiding in the future," Obama told ABC's Good Morning America."
I think this is a good idea, but I have a funny feeling Obama will get flack for it.
Posted by SCMadden
==========================
A good idea? It's another mess of Michelle's he is having to clean up, while pretending he was just along for the ride, and then had a sudden insight about it.
It's another story that has terrible ramifications for the BO campaign but which TPM is underplaying for obvious reasons.
July 9, 2008 4:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
"The New York Times reports that many of Barack Obama's donors aren't joining in on the candidate's request to donate money to retire Hillary Clinton's campaign debt."
=================
No, really?
Obama could show some leadership here, (I know, that's asking a LOT), and instruct his vault watchers to give her a big chunk. That's it. Man up, Barack!
July 9, 2008 4:55 PM | Reply | Permalink