Election Central Morning Roundup
Obama Arrives In Jordan
Barack Obama's foreign policy tour continues, with the candidate having arrived in Jordan after his two-day tour of Iraq. Obama is set to hold a press conference expected at around 10 a.m. ET, will meet with King Abdullah, and will later a attend a state dinner.
McCain In New Hampshire Today
John McCain will be campaigning today in Rochester, New Hampshire, a swing town in the middle of what is very much a swing state. McCain has long been popular here, but a recent University of New Hampshire poll gives Barack Obama a narrow lead.
Right-Wing Group Promoting Anti-Obama Documentary
A right-wing group called Citizens United has produced a new anti-Obama documentary, after having previously sunk a lot of capital into a similar project about Hillary Clinton. Here's their commercial that's been running on Fox News portraying Obama as an over-hyped media darling:
McCain Meeting With Potential VP Jindal Tomorrow
John McCain will be meeting tomorrow with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, in a somewhat out-of-character stop in a state that is already safely in his column. Expect a lot of VP speculation to surround the visit, on top of the report by Bob Novak that McCain could announce his pick this week.
Dem Chances Go Up For Colorado Senate Seat?
In yet another sign that Democrats are poised to expand their Senate majority this fall, CQ has changed their rating on the open GOP-held seat in Colorado from "No Clear Favorite" to "Leans Democratic." Democratic candidate Mark Udall has taken a lead in the polls, due in part to the scandals hitting Republican Bob Schaffer over his connections to Jack Abramoff, the Marianas Islands sweatshops, the Kurdish oil deal in Iraq, and other problems he's had.
Senate Candidate Has Campaign Repay His Self-Financing Loan
In a sign that he might not be too dedicated to his uphill Senate bid, former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore has used campaign donations to repay himself the $50,000 loan he initially made to the campaign. The story was first flagged by Ron Gunzburger, and then confirmed to us by Gilmore spokesperson Ana Gamonol.
The topic du jour circling the MSM this morning is re-visiting whether or not Obama was right about the surge (he hinted at an answer last night on Nightline, so the expectations are that the press conference will address this today).
So, to re-cap MSM thinking: everyone's concerned about what to do now, not to go back and re-fight how we got into the war. But going back and re-fighting whether or not the surge was wise, that's okay.
http://strategy08.wordpress.com
July 22, 2008 9:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
Romney. Jindal.
Is McCain considering anyone who wouldn't be a disaster?
July 22, 2008 9:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Is McCain considering anyone who wouldn't be a disaster?
Exactly hyperRevue, if McCain picks Romney all his independent support would flock to Obama em masse, and didn't Jindal perfom a fucking exorcism?
July 22, 2008 9:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
"en masse"..
July 22, 2008 9:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Man, I really want him to pick Romney. I'd love to see hit shit-eating grin again and hear about how his sons are serving their country by trying to help him get elected. I bet McCain would take a swing at him before election night.
July 22, 2008 9:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
According to George S. on ABC this morning, he's going to make a "bold choice."
July 22, 2008 9:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
Cheney?
July 22, 2008 2:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
I want to see more tape of Romney singing "who let the dogs out," and possibly further discussion of his road trips with the family pet. Romney as running mate = political theater at its very best.
July 22, 2008 10:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
The thinking in the McCain camp might be that Jindal would help shore up support among evangelicals who reportedly are not all that wild about McCain. I know with accounts that he claims to have performed exorcisms, etc., Jindal appears to us like he'd be easy to bring down but remember we're talking about a group of people (Republican voters) who are pretty comfortable engaging in self-deception.
The best reason I can think of for McCain not to choose Romney is that on the surface (and that's all that matters, right?) Romney APPEARS more presidential. Stand them up side by side at the convention and by comparison McCain will look puny, swelled, and spent.
July 22, 2008 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Bobby "Anchor Baby" Jindal has about 20 minutes of experience and will make McCain look like the Cryptkeeper in their joint appearances. And the potential Indian-American voters they could swing their way will be counterbalanced by the racists & anti-immigration wingnuts who will stay home or vote Barr.
July 22, 2008 12:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
It has been my observation that evangelicals tend to hold race prejudice (not suggesting they all possess any) in abeyance for an individual who subscribes to the same religious beliefs. Granted, that has no bearing on secular bigots.
While Obama reaching out to religious voters makes me a little queasy, it is probably a good tactical move in that it will make it more difficult for the "Christian Conservatives" to demonize him... though with a little help from Fox News I'm certain they will find a way.
July 22, 2008 1:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Despite Obama's claims of faith, he is NOT enough of an anti-choice, homobigot for the AmTalibangelicals. Christian conservatives wouldn't vote for Jesus if he showed up tomorrow.
July 22, 2008 3:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, but it muddies the water and makes it harder to portray him as a complete godless heathen. They'll never vote for Obama but they might not get as fired up to vote against him, especially given their dislike of McCain. I'm hoping a lot of evangelicals and the rest of the Republican base will decide to sit this one out.
July 22, 2008 3:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Over-hyped media darling?" So they did a slasher about McCain?
July 22, 2008 9:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Success or not of the "Surge" would be defined by what the entire move was meant to accomplish. It did quell a lot of the fighting but it's primary purpose was to give Iraq the needed time to set up a firm government for their country. So yes to perhaps more peaceful streets, but a firm no on the accomplishment of a newly formed working government. McBush can only see one side of the coin . . . the one that fits his war mongering the best!
July 22, 2008 9:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain-Exorcist 2008!
July 22, 2008 10:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
Dream ticket: Dennis Kucinich and Bobby Jindal. Extraterrestrial exorcists!
Hmmm. I thought McSame was gonna wait for BigO to go first with the veep. Having Jindal around to poke fun at this early sounds like fun!
July 22, 2008 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
another reason he may try pick Jindal because he looks Black to try to persude blacks to vote for him. but i'm mixed have you ever had to call the phone company, or dell or another company that's what jindal represents to me all the jobs outsourced to india, mccain can select jindal he will lose for sure .. however i'm a staunch obama supporter
July 22, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink