Election Central Morning Roundup
Daschle: McCain's Ads Having An Effect
Former Senate Dem Leader Tom Daschle told the Financial Times that he thinks John McCain's new round of attack ads painting Barack Obama as an empty celebrity have caused a slight dip in the polls for Obama. "To a certain extent the ads are having some effect," Daschle said. "But you can't be thrown off your game plan by a momentary dip in polls."
Obama Off The Trail Today, Preparing For Vacation
Barack obama does not have any public events today. The candidate will be leaving tomorrow for his week-long vacation in Hawaii, during which he will hold a private fundraiser and possibly hold at least one public event.
McCain Facing Touchy Job Loss Issue Today In Ohio
John McCain is visiting Lima, Ohio, where he has a town hall scheduled for 11:30 a.m. The Associated Press points out that McCain is being faced with an awkward issue as he visits: The closure of a DHL shipping site in southwest Ohio, which in turn is the result of a corporate merger that was lobbied for years ago by none other than Rick Davis, McCain's own campaign manager.
EMILY's List Condemns Jew-Baiting Ad
Democratic House candidate Nikki Tinker's new ad bashing Jewish Dem Congressman Steve Cohen for visiting "our churches" has been condemned in a new statement from EMILY's List, which has been supporting her primary challenge to Cohen: "We were shocked to see the recent ads run by the Nikki Tinker for Congress campaign. We believe the ads are offensive and divisive. EMILY's List does not condone or support these types of attacks."
House GOP To Continue With Shadow Energy Session
House Republicans aren't backing down from their protest energy session on the House Floor, with the leadership indicating that it will continue at least until the start of the Democratic Convention in two weeks. "Republicans will not rest until we have an honest, up-or-down vote on the American Energy Act," said Minority Leader John Boehner.
Hillary: No Inside Info On Obama's VP Search
Hillary Clinton said yesterday that she does not have any inside information on Barack Obama's decision-making process for picking his running mate. "I'm out there supporting him, doing everything I can to make sure he gets elected and I will do same for whatever ticket there is," she added.
Clinton Supporters Organizing Protest At Dem Convention
A group of Hillary Clinton supporters called "18 Million Voices" -- roughly the number of people who voted for her in the primaries and caucuses -- is planning to hold a march through Denver on August 26, the same day that Clinton is scheduled to address the convention. Expect them to advance the claim that Clinton won the popular vote when Michigan is factored in, and is thus the rightful nominee of the party.
So, Eric Kleefeld, are you planning on marching with them?
August 7, 2008 9:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
Naw. Staying up late to give us the scoop on Harry Sargeant, then getting up early to do the TPM EC Roundup means all Eric has time and energy for is marching to and from the subway.
August 7, 2008 10:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
August 7, 2008 9:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
Funny, that didn't keep John Boehner off the golf course the other day. I guess that isn't resting though, just playing.
Emily's List: "We don't condone or support these types of attacks, although we do pay for them, because our candidate has a vagina, and that is just good public policy, nothing else matters!"
And Hillary's supporters just need to give it up. What babies.
August 7, 2008 9:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Another update: a lot of Dem strategists are worried that Obama hasn't been attacking McCain nearly hard enough, check it out:
http://strategy08.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/were-not-the-only-ones-who-worry/
August 7, 2008 9:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, Jesus, let me count the ways in which I don't don't give a flying fuck what unnamed DC "stragetists" say in stories like this.
The Washington Post and Politico write this story, about about one campaign or the other, at least every other week. They call up a bunch of mediocre asshats from the Beltway Consultantocracy, give them anonymomity and let the wring their hands about all the mistakes the campaign is making and all the brilliant, brilliant things they'd be doing if they were involved. But they aren't involved, of course. Instead, they're sitting in their offices, twiddling their thumbs and collecting no fees because no one except the reporters.
When one of these people has the balls to disclose who they are, on the record, or at least give us some idea of what kind of races they've been involved in and how many of them they've won (and when), I'll give a damn. Barring that, well, Bill Burton put it best at the end of the article:
August 7, 2008 9:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Like I said, another classic Washington move is when a strategist for a campaign, addressing widespread disagreement with the campaign's strategy, says, "This is a classic Washington move."
August 7, 2008 9:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
There is no evidence of "widespread disagreement" in that story. The reporter spoke to "a dozen" consultants, many of whom (i.e. the ones who identified themselves) agreed with the campaign. Eight consultants or nine in D.C. does not = "widespread." It equals a few people on the reporter's contact list who he or she knew could be counted on to give the quotes the reporter wanted to write the story the reporter wanted to make.
I mean, come on, do you really think the reporters just woke up one day and said "gee, I wonder what the consultants are thinking? I think I'll just call up people I don't know, and about whom I know nothing, at random and see what they say and then write my story based on what they say?"
Please.
At the editorial meeting Monday, the reporters' editor said to the others in the meeting, "well, its been a couple of weeks since we last did the 'oh those silly, disorganized, squabbling, disunified Democrats' story." They agreed there was nothing more exciting in the offing and then the editor opened the door and shouted out to the newsroom: Weisman! Bacon! I want a 'the Campaign is Fucking Up' story on Obama by the Thursday deadline! Round up the usual suspects!"
August 7, 2008 10:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
I totally agree with you,tcfk NCSteve!
http://www.politicalbase.com/profile/Mark%20Nickolas/blog/&blogId=2974
August 7, 2008 10:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think that story has moved on...
Obama's team I think has GOT the message now and are adapting their strategy accordingly, or they knew what they had to do all along -- just happened to the weekend lag?
August 7, 2008 10:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
I fully expect McCain to hit Obama hard on his trip to Hawaii tomorrow. It'll be tied again to the charges of "so-called elitism" for the Obamas.
August 7, 2008 9:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed.
I'm sure he needs it, but I sort of wish he wasn't taking a week-long vacation right now. McCain's going to go after him hard knowing he won't respond.
August 7, 2008 9:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Given the notion that too much attention has been focused on Obama lately, it may not be a bad thing for him to take a break.
I was worried too, but I'm starting to come around to the idea.
And by the way, it will be a semi-vacation, I'm sure he'll hold some public events to draw attention to his childhood.
http://strategy08.wordpress.com
August 7, 2008 9:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama has been getting lots of attention, but it's not alway a positive kind of attention. To me the attention that he gets is usually filled with lies and half truths. That's not a good thing.
Also, I hope that on his vacation he rests and not take that opportunity to continue his campaign. Why take a vacation if you're going to continue to work? He'll need to be refreshed/regenerate for the last three months of this election year - he'll need it.
August 7, 2008 10:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
I can guarantee you one thing next week; it is going to be a slow news week. McCain is not that exciting as a candidate. I am sure he will try to get himself in the news but that won't matter.
The only thing i am worried about is the Clintons. That family has a tendency of being narcissist. To prove my point, look at the recent statements made by both husband and wife.
August 7, 2008 9:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, I found Hillary's remarks about her 'supporters' needing 'catharsis' nauseating.
You just cannot give her a platform.
I was like WTF you cunning scheming termagant. Go home, shutup and takeyourracemongeringspouse with you ...and BTW Hill...this is not the vastrightwingconspiracy...rather you and Bill have become the vastleftwingconspiracy to derail the nominee and lose the WH!
August 7, 2008 12:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Check your facts...
The DNC and Obama WANT to give Ms I'M SO FUCKING AMAZING AREN'T I a platform -- they just don't to give her the throne she is demanding.
August 7, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
While it doesn't inoculate any McCain offensives next week, there is the Olympics, and US will be in a kind of political attentin-deficit zone then.
August 7, 2008 9:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Except he needed a vacation at some point between when he clinched the nomination in June and Election Day. The Olympics -- particularly when neither party has had a convention or picked a running mate -- are the best time to take a vacation.
August 7, 2008 10:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Slam Barack for going to visit his grandmother who helped to raise him?
Real nice.
August 7, 2008 9:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly.
August 7, 2008 10:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
I hope he does. Obama is going back to his childhood home to visit his aging grandma. All Obama has to do is release a couple of touching vacation pics of his kids climbing the same fruit trees in his grandma's backyard that he climbed as a child and the charges of "elitism" will make McCain look like the jerk that he is. Visiting your elderly grandmother is about as far away from "elite" as one can get and it would backfire badly to try to force the "elite" meme onto this story. It would be like trying to criticize a candidate for liking apple pie too much, or for being too fond of the American flag.
August 7, 2008 10:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
yeah but hawaii isn't really part of america is it? vacationing in hawaii is just as unamerican as actually living there or being raised there. hawaii is elitist and unamerican.
August 7, 2008 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
You guys should stop worrying about the day to day contact of the campaign. For Christ sake, nobody cares about this attack except for political junkies like you guys.
August 7, 2008 9:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yep. The crosstabs of the CBS poll made that clear enough yesterday. The undecideds are tuning out for the time being, just like they always do during the summer. Being normal people (unlike us), they've got other stuff on their minds, like vacations and gas prices, back to school sales and the Olympics. They won't start engaging until the conventions barring something big.
August 7, 2008 10:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
And I'd also like to say that these Hillary dead-enders are really fucking pathetic.
August 7, 2008 9:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
That is the only concern that i have. The clintons are going to try to put pressure on Obama to reconsider her for the VP spot.
August 7, 2008 9:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think it's (hopefully) too late in the game for that. This whole thing about getting her name put into nomination at the convention needs to be put to rest immediately. That cannot happen.
August 7, 2008 9:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't mind that as long as the SD's all vote for Obama to make sure there is no chance of funny business. Sitting Michigan and Fla in full would give me pause for some concern though.
I think a fair share of Clinton pledged delegates would vote for Obama as well. Dead-enders are the fringe super minority and I think the vast majority of the 18M voters are backing Barack. Hillary was their first choice, not their only choice.
I still fear funny business if there is an open vote.
However the catharsis Hillary is looking for will not be there for her dead-enders because they'll come up with a new conspiracy theory as to why Sen. Clinton was screwed by Barack and the DNC.
August 7, 2008 10:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Now there's some worrying I can get behind.
August 7, 2008 10:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ain't gonna work Gbenga...Bill Clinton refuses to be vetted and Obama already said, the problem with being a former President is that there can only be one President in the WH.
Obama is not egotistically ambitious enough to bring the Clintons into the WH just so he can win. Not gonna happen.
August 7, 2008 12:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not sure if five people with a homemade banner qualifies as a "march", but whatever...
August 7, 2008 9:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
I know Obama is not Ned Lamont. He has the money to keep himself on the air getting his message out. But remember what Leiberman did to Lamont when Ned went on vacation? He basically changed the dynamics of that race for good. Rove et al are going to pound Obama and try to do the same thing.
August 7, 2008 9:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
A week is not going to change anything...This year is different and i don't think all those Rovian tactics is going to work.
Frankly, I think the electorate has not tuned in, yet, except for the political junkies and the senior. The young voters,
Watch the dynamics of the poll after the convention and the first debate.
August 7, 2008 9:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Remember Kerry went on a vacation for a week in August.
August 7, 2008 10:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
Kerry took a vacation after his convention. Big difference. The VP picks and the conventions are the signal to the public that it's time to start getting serious about the election. That hasn't happened yet. We're still in the silly season now.
August 7, 2008 10:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
See, I paid attention in '04 but this is the kind of shit I can't remember. Know why? Because I don't give a damn. It means nothing. If you asked anyone "Do you think Kerry's vacation in August in '04 helped cost him the election?" they would answer something like "Um, I didn't know he took a vacation, so no. Who cares?"
August 7, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Perhaps, but I'm not worried about McCain changing the dynamics of the race for good for several reasons.
1. As you say, Obama is not Lamont.
2. It'll be during the Olympics.
3. There is still the VP and Convention to undo anything McCain might be able to change during this week.
4. Obama is not going completely dark. He'll still do an appearance or two and his campaign staff can still issue responses and defenses when necessary.
August 7, 2008 10:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
The celebrity attack is working? You know, off line and away from the cable channel chattering class I haven't encountered anybody who has decided not to vote for Obama because he is popular. Have you?
I think people were sort of holding their breath when the attack started. They were wondering if Obama would respond effectively. Obama responded. People started breathing.
August 7, 2008 9:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
I live in Manchester, NH and I have seen that celebrity Ad more than 10 times this week. I saw it 4 times last night and it got played for free in the news also. I am pretty sure it is getting some play during the day too.
McCain is outspending Obama on the air right now but Obama is building his ground game. They have two different strategy and the best strategy will win the election. I won't bet against David Ploufe, though. For someone to beat the Clinton, you gotta tip your hat to him.
August 7, 2008 9:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
Did celebrity hurt Schwartzenegger's electoral efforts? Did it hurt Jesse Ventura's? Or Reagan's? Or Sonny Bono's? I could go on, but why bother? Celebrity is not a weakness in a candidate. I can see why McCain might try to make it one, but I suppose that I am hard pressed to believe that he will succeed in that effort. For better or worse (and it is mostly "worse" in its overall effect on the commonweal) looking good on the cover of "People" magazine is a plus, not a minus, for a candidate. If McCain is betting against the value of shallow appeal, he is making a losing bet in my humble opinion.
August 7, 2008 11:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
Clinton,Clinton, Clinton -- like replicated zombies who keep pushing their way through the doors ad nauseum in the horror B-movies.
August 7, 2008 9:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
God, now there's a creepy computer game concept.
August 7, 2008 3:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
...with 18 members.
August 7, 2008 10:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think you may be being generous. Remember how many "thousands" were bussed in to the washington meeting. Me thinks there will be less for this joke, but the right-wing media will be playing up every single one of the ten marchers claiming that the clintons should be on the ticket and that obama has a problem with the people who voted for the clintons.
By the way, I wonder if the clintons are funding this joke as well. As opposed to wasting money on sour grapes, they should be paying off their debt and getting on board the obama train. The clintons really are pathetic. Mr. bill has to grow the f*ck up. Amazing.
August 7, 2008 10:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe they'll hire temp workers to pump up the numbers to 18.
August 7, 2008 11:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
The McCain camp is already hitting Obama for taking a vacation. And I'm sure they'll point out to the fact that many Americans are struggling and "Stay-cations" are very popular this year, and while Obama is encouraging others to conserve oil by inflating their tires, he's flying his family to Hawaii for a celebrity-style vacation.
Sure he can say he's visiting one of his hometowns, and visiting a grandmother he hasn't seen in almost two years, and that he needs some Family time with his wife and girls and that McCain has been taking weekends off since he won the GOP Primary, but none of that will matter.
He's going to take a hit. 90 days out from a supremely important election and he's taking a weeklong vacation?
August 7, 2008 10:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
"I'm sure the troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan would love a week long vacation in Hawaii with their families. It's all about sacrifice." And he'll also be tied into the Dems taking a five week vacation and the Iraq parliament on vacation as well no doubt.
August 7, 2008 10:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
good point.
August 7, 2008 10:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
You with a picture of Superman -- made me laugh.
Obama has to be super human eh! and not take holidays and visit his family? I'm sure the troops don't have holidays or visit their families when they are on leave...
August 7, 2008 10:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
That'd be very effective branding. Makes me wish Obama's grandmother lived in Toledo.
August 7, 2008 10:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, and what no one will realize is that troops who are stationed in Iraq for a year get two weeks of leave halfway through the tour, during which they can fly almost anywhere they want to spend their time. (I was a Marine in Iraq in '05 and every one in my unit got to do it.)
But yeah, I've come to expect it as a given for Republicans to use The Troops[tm] as a bludgeon against Democrats. Pathetic.
August 7, 2008 11:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not sure what polls Daschle is referring to that show a dip. Anyone have more info on that. According to the latest poll roundup on the front page of Dailykos, the polls seem relatively stable. Maybe they're looking at internal polling?
August 7, 2008 10:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
His point was that you sacrifice winning a news cycle -- or many -- to win the overall narrative of the race.
August 7, 2008 10:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Doesn't McCain take *every* weekend off? He really can't criticize Barack for taking a vacation.
August 7, 2008 10:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
Which of course means he will non-stop.
August 7, 2008 10:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
Clintons, their image hasn't a shred of their old redemptive image left; instead they've become a chronic caricature, as nasty as Tammany.
August 7, 2008 10:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just out of curiosity dtr, is your avatar a pic of William S. Burroughs?
August 7, 2008 10:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, Mr. Mugwumps himself.
August 7, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Did you know the term "Mugwumps" has been used on multiple occasions with different meanings?
Mugwumps were a group of Republican activists who supported Democratic candidate Grover Cleveland in the United States presidential election of 1884.
Mugwump may also refer to:
*"Mugwump", a fictional creature created by William Burroughs in his 1959 book Naked Lunch
*"Mugwump", the last song on Terrorvision's 1996 album Regular Urban Survivors
*"Mugwump Specific", a patent medicine for venereal disease in the late 19th century
*The Mugwumps , a 1960s rock band
*"Mugwump", a fictional rank/title in the Harry Potter books
August 7, 2008 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Gbenga, that's Wole Soyinka's pic. Are you a Nigerian?
August 7, 2008 10:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
I am a Nigerian-American
August 7, 2008 10:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
I am a big fan of Wole Soyinka...
August 7, 2008 10:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
You mean it's not Morgan Freeman?
August 7, 2008 11:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
Nope
August 7, 2008 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Clintons feel Obama cut in line and this was Hillary's time. Barack feels Hillary went scorched earth when she had no real chance at winning and did so out of spite and to hurt Obama heading into the general with hopes that he loses. They don't like each other and probably never will.
Hillary had been planning this run for 20 years, whereas Obama only became a national figure four years ago at the DNC convention.
August 7, 2008 10:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary is a sore looser. I was going to give her $100 for her debt but I decided to pocket my money when I heard Bill's comment to ABC.
August 7, 2008 10:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Guess the GOP House stunt is coasting to a stop as gas prices are dropping without the need for offshore drilling here/now.
House Republicans are running on empty.
August 7, 2008 10:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
The GOPs are always running on empty. The GOPs are bankrupt of idea but good with gimmicks. The last GOP with a better idea is Abraham Lincoln
August 7, 2008 10:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Good point.
It was after Lincoln that the Republican Party got in bed with big business. Since they've had an erection lasting more than a hundred years, they should probably seek immediate medical attention.
August 7, 2008 11:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain takes advantage of Clinton dormancy:
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080807135813.k0upg1kc&show_article=1
She's in their ads now guys.
How long will Hillary lick her wounds? If this isn't provocation enough to stand by ideals instead of ego...
August 7, 2008 11:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
We knew it would happen after she started ranking Obama below her and McCain.
August 7, 2008 11:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe we can see Hillary in a cheetah bikini ala Paris and purr her refutals?
August 7, 2008 11:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
So, your plan is to blind the electorate?
August 7, 2008 11:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Now that was funny.
August 7, 2008 12:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hopefully, this ad, reinforces how completely inappropriate HRC's remarks were vs. a party opponent.
Anytime you tout the opposing party candidate over your own party that should be grounds to be expelled from the party.
It was remarks like this that have resulted in many Democrats refusing to give one dime towards retiring her SELF-made debt.
She loaned herself 10M, and Bill makes 10M a speech, let him give speeches to retire that debt.
I think the Clintons have a lot of friggin nerve expecting Obama to help with her debt given the nasty campaign she ran..it was low-road against her own party's nominee.
I want the Clintons buried this time. Never to come back.
And I was a staunch Hill girl in the 90s and backed WJC to the hilt at the height of the Lewinsky scandal...but they tore their drawers in the primaries and I could care less about his or her legacy other than as whining, scheming, backstabbing Democratic party HATERS!
August 7, 2008 12:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
"I think the Clintons have a lot of friggin nerve..." Hello! We've been trying to tell y'all that for 16 years....now you listen!
August 7, 2008 2:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Gbenga, what about Teddy Roosevelt?
August 7, 2008 11:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
He tried is best but he is good at gimmicks as well. Lincoln is a straight shooter.
August 7, 2008 1:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Screw the DC insiders.
Screw the Hillary Crybabies.
Screw the Republicans and John McSame.
August 7, 2008 12:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Amen to that bro!
August 7, 2008 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok, off topic, but completely and utterly outrageous. The gd king's administration rewrote the laws after they got hammered in the right-wing supreme court so that they could get a bs conviction against Hamdan. Hamdan was acquited in the kangaroo court of the original charges that were filed against him before the SC's ruling in Hamdan's favor.
This is utterly unbelievable. I know it won't get any traction in the right-wing media and 80% of the country could care less, but it really is sickening. God what has become of our country. I wonder how republicans would feel if the next president and congress wrote new laws to convict the king and cheney of some new crimes. Unbelievable.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080807/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/guantanamo_bin_laden_s_driver
August 7, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I completely feel your pain and harbor the same umbrage.
August 7, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
I would too...well if Hamdan wasn't packing 2 surface to air missels, intended to blow my fellow Cavalrymen out of the sky, in the trunk of his car when he got nabbed. He's lucky he's alive to serve a sentence.
August 7, 2008 2:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok, and it was a war zone and why is that a war crime? Are you saying that any us soldier packing "heat" is a war criminal if captured by the opposing army? Come on.
Apparently, you are in the military. Would you want to be subject to the same things that the prisoners in gitmo are being subject to if captured? Don't you think that's what will happen in future conflicts against despots and dictators. They will just point to this stuff and do what they want.
And what about my point about making up new laws just to convict this guy? You don't see a problem with that? Give me a break.
August 7, 2008 3:47 PM | Reply | Permalink