May 15, 2008
Hotline TV: The War For The Congress
Posted at 04:59 PM | Comments (0)
CA's Gay Marriage Ban Deemed Unconstitutional
A CA judge ruled today that the state's ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional, likening it to laws requiring racial segregation in schools and saying that there appears to be "no rational purpose" for denying marriage to gay couples, reports the AP. If upheld on appeal, the decision could clear the path for CA to follow MA in allowing same-sex couples to marry.
UPDATE: Obama campaign statement on California Supreme Court decision: "Barack Obama has always believed that same-sex couples should enjoy equal rights under the law, and he will continue to fight for civil unions as President. He respects the decision of the California Supreme Court, and continues to believe that states should make their own decisions when it comes to the issue of marriage.”
Posted at 02:10 PM | Comments (1)
Waxman And Berman For Obama
Reps. Henry Waxman and Howard Berman, California Super Ds and House committee chairmen, endorsed Barack Obama today. Waxman says that he stayed upcommitted so that Hillary Clinton "had every opportunity to bring her campaign to the American people," but that it's clear the Democratic Party is "nearing a broad consensus on our nominee." His full statement is available after the jump.
And here's Berman's comment, released by Obama's campaign: “Barack Obama has laid out a foreign policy vision driven by principle and conviction, and he understands that our moral authority and our safety as a nation go hand in hand. I spoke with him about a number of foreign policy issues that most concern me. He assured me that he shares my views. The moment President Obama takes office, we’ll send a powerful message to the world that America is back and ready to lead again—that we haven’t abandoned the values that made us the light of the world, and neither should anyone else.”
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Posted at 01:29 PM | Comments (6)
McCain: "Most "Troops Out Of Iraq By 2013
COLUMBUS, OH – An appeal for cooperation, an optimistic target date for troop drawdown, and a lofty call for post-partisan sweetness and light.
For John McCain, Barack Obama doesn't own hope.
In a news-rich speech this morning in the key swing state of Ohio, the nominee-to-be of the Republican Party outlined his image of his own future presidency, including the prediction that - by January 2013 – the Iraq War will have been won and "most" of the troops in the region will have returned home. McCain also described a future administration marked by transparency, bipartisanship, selfless solutions and measured debate.
Call it a much-needed rebranding of a Republican Party at its stomping saddest. After losing its third special election Tuesday – and likely facing a Democratic party steered by the candidate whose word-associations are all about change and hope – the GOP's need for a pick-me up is no secret. (McCain acknowledged as much yesterday. "I have a lot of work to do," he told reporters when asked about the party's loss in Mississippi this week. "I have no delusions that this campaign will be a very difficult challenge.")
Today, McCain's promises for the future were sunny. Acknowledging that he "cannot guarantee" achievement of each goal, he went on to lay out a series of hopeful proposals for foreign and domestic policies.
Within four years of his inauguration, he said, a new flatter tax will save Americans billions of dollars. The genocide in Darfur will be ending, the border will be secure, and Osama bin Laden will be dead or captured. There will be more jobs and less obese kids. Commander-in-Chief McCain will be holding weekly press conferences, and Democrats will be a part of his administration. (No word on how the polar bears are doing or whether Dancing with the Stars is still on the air.)
The vision outlined this morning provided a marked - if not explicit - contrast to the status quo. (Note his promise, for example, that he will not "subvert the purpose of legislation I have signed by making statements that indicate I will enforce only the parts of it I like.")
McCain's wording on Iraq, in particular, has prompted a flurry of debate over whether the 2013 date implies a timetable for withdrawal. (Campaign aides say that Democratic timetables are not contingent on success in the war, whereas McCain's calendar provides a hopeful target but not an unconditional end date.)
But during his remarks at the Greater Columbus Convention Center this morning, the greatest applause might have come during McCain's clarion call to cease and desist with partisan bickering. "This mindless, paralyzing rancor must come to an end," he declared.
(NBC/NJ's CARRIE DANN)
Text of McCain's full speech available after the jump.
Continue reading "McCain: "Most "Troops Out Of Iraq By 2013"
Posted at 12:42 PM | Comments (2)
United Steelworkers For Obama
Full endorsement release available after the jump.
And here's the RNC react: “Big union endorsements are no substitute for Obama’s serious lack of experience and understanding of economic policy. Obama’s poor judgment on economic matters would result in higher taxes on rank-and-file union members and hurt job creation. Americans looking for strong economic leadership won’t find it in Obama’s tax-and-spend agenda.” – Alex Conant, RNC Spokesman
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Posted at 12:19 PM | Comments (2)
HPN: Updates From Our State Affiliates
Updates from our Hotline Political Network Affiliates
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Posted at 10:06 AM | Comments (0)
Bush Invokes Nazi Germany To Criticize Policy Of "Appeasement"
In comments apparently directed at the likely Democratic nominee, President Bush jumped full force into the presidential contest today, telling the Israeli Knesset in Jerusalem that any U.S. foreign policy allowing negotiations with terrorists should be unequivocally discounted as detrimental to stability in the region and the security of Israel.
"Some seem to believe we should negotiate with the terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along," Bush told the Israeli lawmakers. "We have heard this foolish delusion before. As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939, an American senator declared: 'Lord, if only I could have talked to Hitler, all of this might have been avoided.' We have an obligation to call this what it is -- the false comfort of appeasement, which has been repeatedly discredited by history."
Though White House spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters after the speech that Bush was not referencing Obama's campaign trail suggestion that he would meet with the Iranians, the Illinois senator promptly issued a stern statement chiding Bush for politicizing Israel's anniversary and noting that does not intend to negotiate with terrorists.
“It is sad that President Bush would use a speech to the Knesset on the 60th anniversary of Israel's independence to launch a false political attack," Obama said in a statement released by his campaign. "It is time to turn the page on eight years of policies that have strengthened Iran and failed to secure America or our ally Israel. Instead of tough talk and no action, we need to do what Kennedy, Nixon and Reagan did and use all elements of American power - including tough, principled, and direct diplomacy - to pressure countries like Iran and Syria. George Bush knows that I have never supported engagement with terrorists, and the President's extraordinary politicization of foreign policy and the politics of fear do nothing to secure the American people or our stalwart ally Israel.”
Bush's remarks will drown out expected day-after discussion about the impact of John Edwards' endorsement of the Illinois senator in Grand Rapids last night. Instead, the wisdom and underlying political intention of the president's comments will be debated for days to come.
Even Sen. Joe Lieberman -- 2008's Zell Miller apparently -- issued a statement endorsing the president's comments: “President Bush got it exactly right today when he warned about the threat of Iran and its terrorist proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah. It is imperative that we reject the flawed and naïve thinking that denies or dismisses the words of extremists and terrorists when they shout “Death to America” and “Death to Israel,” and that holds that—if only we were to sit down and negotiate with these killers—they would cease to threaten us. It is critical to our national security that our commander-in-chief is able to distinguish between America’s friends and America’s enemies, and not confuse the two.”
Posted at 09:41 AM | Comments (9)
Hotline After Dark -- Double Whammy
John Edwards' endorsement of Barack Obama was the talk of the TV last night.
NBC's Todd, asked if Obama gets Edwards' delegates: "He's likely to. ... These pledged delegates to Edwards are basically kind of like superdelegates. ... We've learned all of these delegates could change their mind at any moment. You know, they're not legally bound to anybody. But the assumption is, of course, that if you have a pledged delegate that they are rabidly for you. ... You would assume most of them, if pressured, would gravitate over to Obama" ("Countdown," MSNBC, 5/14).
CNN's Borger: "I think it's got to be a great disappointment for Hillary Clinton. Both she and Barack Obama were really courting John Edwards, keeping in touch with him, talking about his poverty agenda. She really reached out to him quite often. And I think she would have appreciated an endorsement from him at any time, but particularly early on. So this has got to be a real problem for her" ("Situation Room," 5/14).
FNC's Barnes: "It helps this way: Obama suffered a 41-point defeat in the presidential primary in West Virginia yesterday -- 41 points. And the big story today is not that, it's John Edwards with his meaningless endorsement of Barack Obama" ("Special Report," 5/14).
Air America's Maddow: "The fact that this came on the same day that NARAL the abortion rights group also endorsed Obama, that is a stinging double whammy for Clinton" ("Race for the WH," MSNBC, 5/14).
After the jump, more Edwards and HRC makes the TV rounds (KATHERINE LEHR).
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Posted at 09:03 AM | Comments (0)
May 14, 2008
Where Was Elizabeth?
John Edwards' better half was absent from his big Barack Obama endorsement event this evening in Grand Rapids. While JRE's backing lends Obama credibility with the white, working class, Elizabeth Edwards' support would've signaled to women, to the faithful boomers holding tight to Hillary Clinton's campaign, that it's okay to let go of their hope that she will be the first woman president.
Obama needs women to emerge from the bruising primaries as enthusiastic about him as they are about Clinton; in several state contests, after all, female voters have comprised about six of 10 Dems voting (59% in OH, 58% in PA, 57% in NH).
The bottom line, in case anyone doubted, is that Elizabeth Edwards matters. She matters to voters who view her as a strong advocate for reforming America's health care system, and she matters to the working moms who see themselves in her.
Elizabeth Edwards' absence from the rally this eve should also dampen buzz about a joint Obama/JRE ticket. The visual would've been all the more effective had Elizabeth and Michelle Obama stood with their husbands as the two men embraced.
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
Posted at 08:37 PM | Comments (11)
McCain On Wife's Sudan-Related Investment
OBETZ, OH -- One thing's for sure: Polar bears are way cuter than investors and lobbyists.
John McCain, in the midst of a green-focused campaign swing, opened his brief press conference today by commenting on the official recognition of polar bears as "threatened" under the endangered species act.
The follow up questions were not about cute animals.
Instead, they prompted similar responses to two tough lines of questioning for the Arizona senator: We took care of that.
McCain, whose wife has come under fire for refusing to disclose her tax return documents, fielded tough questions about her investment in a mutual fund that deals in Sudan, as well as about the resignation of two McCain aides over their involvement in lobbying deals with the Myanmar junta.
The Arizona senator said that he was not aware of his wife's investment in two mutual funds that include holdings in Oil & Natural Gas Corp., which in turn does business in the genocide-ridden African nation.
Continue reading "McCain On Wife's Sudan-Related Investment"
Posted at 08:25 PM | Comments (2)
Except That It Is Almost Over
“We respect John Edwards, but as the voters of West Virginia showed last night, this thing is far from over.” -- Terry McAuliffe, Clinton camp chairman, 5/14
Posted at 08:20 PM | Comments (5)
"The Democratic Voters In America Have Made Their Choice, And So Have I"
Posted at 08:18 PM | Comments (0)
Edwards To Endorse Obama
Tonight in Grand Rapids. Campaign confirming ... John Edwards, if you'll remember, won 19 delegates before pulling out of the race.
Posted at 05:16 PM | Comments (7)
McCain Ad Watch: Another Small Buy
I reported yesterday that John McCain's OR ad buy turned out to be peanuts, just $1,310. Today I learned that his WI buy -- Green Bay focused -- is equally small, about $2,180, according to sources.
So the strategy ...
1. To make it look like McCain is playing early in Dem-leaning states.
2. To piggyback, as best he can, on the Dem primary contest and the voter interest its generated.
3. To make appeals based on moderate matters, such as the environment, as he did in OR -- an effort to remind voters of his maverick, moderate reputation, even as Barack Obama is promising that McCain would provide a third term of George Bush's policies.
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
Posted at 04:31 PM | Comments (2)
Where The Wind Comes Whippin' Down The Plains
OK Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan, who is a designated superdelegate for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, endorsed Barack Obama for president today, according to the campaign. The camp says that the nod boosts Obama's Super D take to 288.5, with 134.5 to go to secure the nom.
“Senator Obama embodies the character of a leader that I believe all Oklahomans and all Americans want—principled and strong and ready to change the way business is done in Washington," Morgan said in a statement released by Obama's team. "He understands bringing people together and giving everyone a seat at the table will move our state and our country forward, and I deeply admire that about Senator Obama.”
Posted at 03:55 PM | Comments (1)
Hotline TV: Gamechanger Election Alters Political Landscape?
Posted at 03:51 PM | Comments (1)
And They're Eating Their Young
Talk about losing sight of the broader mission. Emily's List shows in the statement released today by the group that there is indeed festering friction in the pro-choice community over the Dem primary. Following NARAL Pro-Choice America's endorsement today of Barack Obama, Emily's founder Ellen Malcolm, who serves as national co-chairwoman of Hillary Clinton's campaign, released this blistering statement:
“I think it is tremendously disrespectful to Sen. Clinton - who held up the nomination of a FDA commissioner in order to force approval of Plan B and who spoke so eloquently during the Supreme Court nomination about the importance of protecting Roe vs. Wade - to not give her the courtesy to finish the final three weeks of the primary process. It certainly must be disconcerting for elected leaders who stand up for reproductive rights and expect the choice community will stand with them.”
Earlier in the primaries, Emily's went after Obama for those pesky "present" votes he cast on choice-related bills while an IL state senator. Why? The group's spokeswomen said he showed a lack of commitment to reproductive health rights for women. Planned Parenthood of IL in turn assured reporters that Obama had voted "present" at the group's request as part of a strategy to help Dems from moderate districts beg off a vote on a bill that wouldn't ultimately pass. The votes alone, however, would have given the GOP ammo to run against those Dems, who could have been targeted for saying no to a partial birth abortion ban, for example.
Dividing the Dems on the choice issue for the sake of Clinton's doomed candidacy is terribly dangerous. Women voters deserve the truth about Obama's views on choice and his record. Muddying that conversation and sparking an intra-party feud at just the moment the two camps need to unite women, in particular, for the sake of the party come November can only be described as startlingly myopic, a Kamikaze mission.
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
Posted at 03:26 PM | Comments (7)
Dwindling Options
MISSOULA, MT - Bill Clinton made an expanded and direct argument for seating Florida and Michigan delegates Wednesday, suggesting his wife is being punished even though other Democrats supported moving the primary elections earlier in both states and did not back a recount when she did.
"I never thought it would be the Democratic Party that didn't want to count votes in Florida," he said at a rally at the University of Montana. "I thought that was a Republican strategy - or strategery as the case may be. And I just ask you all this, do you really believe Florida would be getting this kind of treatment if the vote had turned out the other way?"
For more than six minutes, Clinton went through the timeline of how both states lost their election delegates, and who he believes is to blame. While he has made the case before, he placed new emphasis on it Wednesday, as it becomes clearer that seating the delegates from both states is one of the few remaining options to help Hillary Clinton defeat Barack Obama.
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Posted at 02:54 PM | Comments (3)
NARAL Pro-Choice America For Obama
NARAL Pro-Choice America endorsed Barack Obama today. Nancy Keenan, the group's president, praised Obama and Hillary Clinton for their leadership in standing up for women’s reproductive rights throughout this campaign, but noted in a statement released by Obama's camp that only one candidate can advance to the general election.
“Pro-choice Americans have been fortunate to have two strong pro-choice candidates in Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton, both of whom have inspired millions of new voters to participate in this historic presidential race,” Keenan said. “Today, we are proud to put our organization’s grassroots and political support behind the pro-choice candidate whom we believe will secure the Democratic nomination and advance to the general election. That candidate is Sen. Obama.”
Posted at 02:47 PM | Comments (1)
HPN: Updates From Our State Affiliates
Updates from our Hotline Political Network Affiliates
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Posted at 10:24 AM | Comments (0)
Senators Still On The (D) Fence
As Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton cavorted with their colleagues on the Senate floor yesterday, an air of uncertainty loomed. When will their uncommitted colleagues cast their lot with the other superdelegates, ending this bitter primary once and for all?
Continue reading "Senators Still On The (D) Fence"
Posted at 10:19 AM | Comments (2)
Hotline After Dark -- Staying Alive
Hillary Clinton's big win in WV prompted a lot of discussion about what this means for Barack Obama, including his problem with white, working-class voters.
Karl Rove: "It doesn't change much of the narrative about Senator Obama's weakness. In fact, it heightens it. He has a big problem with working-class, white, blue-collar voters. He cannot break through to them. Tonight, he should be doing better than he is in West Virginia, given the fact that momentum is on his side. He is the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party. And for him to do as badly as he did among this key voter group tonight, you know, speaks of some real weakness in the general election."
More Rove: "I think he made a mistake by not going out tonight and having a speech. ... For the first time since this primary season began, did not go out and have a primetime event during which he could speak to the American people. ... I think that was a little bit of a tactical mistake. He missed an opportunity to lay his message out. ... It makes him look like a sore loser. ... And it also makes him look like he lacks confidence" ("On the Record," FNC, 5/13).
Obama supporter/Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA): "I think that too often the commentary in the primary has focused on how we can categorize voters. ... I think a lot it doesn't make much sense because we're talking about a primary election versus a general election. ... I think he can deliver that message without getting into categories and pitching a message to one group of Americans versus others. I think he can have a very broad based message" (MSNBC, 5/13).
Clinton comm. dir. Howard Wolfson: "A week ago, people were telling Senator Clinton to get out. Tonight, we may have a 35-point win in a key swing state. So a lot can change in even a week. ... No Democrat has been elected president without winning West Virginia since Woodrow Wilson. ... Let's see what happens when people wake up tomorrow, they open their paper, Clinton landslide in West Virginia, a key swing state, a state that Democrats must win in November against John McCain, a state that Hillary Clinton has pledged and promised to win against John McCain. ... People are going to pause. They're going to look and see what happens in the upcoming states. We're looking forward to Kentucky and Oregon and the upcoming states. We've got to do well. We think we'll do well" (CNN, 5/13).
More after the jump (KATHERINE LEHR).
Continue reading "Hotline After Dark -- Staying Alive"
Posted at 08:50 AM | Comments (5)
May 13, 2008
Boehner On MS-01 Outcome: Uh Oh
House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) tonight responded to the MS-01 special election results with this cautionary statement:
“The results in MS-01 should serve as a wake-up call to Republican candidates nationwide. As I’ve said before, this is a change election, and if we want Americans to vote for us we have to convince them that we can fix Washington. Our presidential nominee, Senator McCain, is an agent of change; candidates who hope to succeed must show that they’re willing and able to join McCain in a leading movement for reform. We need to stop wasteful Washington spending, fight and win the war on terror, and stop the largest tax increase in history. That is truly the change the American people deserve -- and that is a message on which we can succeed.”
Posted at 11:08 PM | Comments (12)
Results
With 61% of precincts reporting, Clinton leads Obama in WV, 65% to 28%. Or 144,518 to 61,400, according to MSNBC.
Clinton's delegate advantage so far: 16 to 6.
Posted at 10:44 PM | Comments (1)
Make That 236 For Dems
The third time proved to be the disaster for GOPers, as Prentiss Co. Chancery Clerk Travis Childers (D) defeated Southaven Mayor Greg Davis (R) in tonight’s MS-01 special election, according to the AP. Childers, who will fill the remainder of Sen/ex-Rep. Roger Wicker’s (R) term, leads 51-49%, with 80% of the precincts reporting.
The House makeup is now 236 Dems and 199 GOPers.
This is the third seat GOPers have lost in special elections this year, and symbolically, it was the biggest one. Not only was it the safest GOP seat of the trio – Pres. Bush took 62% here in ’04 – it was also the one in which the party went all out in an effort to save it. Every major MS GOP politician campaigned for Davis, and VP Cheney parachuted into the CD for an election eve rally.
With all of this very visible GOP activity in the CD, the loss represents a referendum on the party. In previous contests, the GOP could blame poor candidates and other factors. In MS-01, while Davis wasn’t exactly the most polished of candidates, he certainly wasn’t unacceptable, as Woody Jenkins (R) and Jim Oberweis (R) were in LA-06 and IL-14, respectively.
Continue reading "Make That 236 For Dems"
Posted at 10:17 PM | Comments (10)
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