With Headlines Like These, Who Needs Frenemies?

Filed under: Election 2008

This little headline may have gotten lost among all the other John McCain headlines yesterday:

McCain denies roughing up Sandinista

Is it just me, or is that the headline equivalent of "When did you stop beating your wife?"

The story, first reported in the Sun Herald, a coastal Mississippi newspaper, goes like this: Senator Thad Cochran, a Mississippi Republican, claims that he witnessed a confrontation between McCain and a Sandinista while on a diplomatic mission to Nicaragua back in 1987.

Here's what Senator Cochran told the Sun-Herald:

McCain was down at the end of the table and we were talking to the head of the guerrilla group here at this end of the table and I don't know what attracted my attention. But I saw some kind of quick movement at the bottom of the table and I looked down there and John had reached over and grabbed this guy by the shirt collar and had snatched him up like he was throwing him up out of the chair to tell him what he thought about him or whatever. I don't know what he was telling him but I thought, good grief, everybody around here has got guns and we were there on a diplomatic mission. I don't know what had happened to provoke John but he obviously got mad at the guy and he just reached over there and snatched him.

Senator McCain responded to the story at a news conference yesterday by saying, "I had many, many meetings with the Sandinistas. I must say, I did not admire the Sandinistas much. But there was never anything of that nature. It just didn't happen."

Senator Cochran, who once famously expressed his worry about a McCain presidency by calling him "erratic" and "hotheaded," has apparently changed his mind about McCain, though it's hard to tell from this latest anecdote. A spokesperson for the senator says "he wanted to make the point that over the years he has seen Sen. McCain mature into an individual who is not only spirited and tenacious but also thoughtful and levelheaded."

Which, if you read the headlines, maybe didn't work. Here is a smattering of how some news outlets headed the story: McCain's meltdown, McCain's Temper Tantrum Tawdriness (okay, that one is by a blogger), and my personal favorite, "Did McCain really perform the Sandinista snatch?"

Tricia McKinney

11:15 AM ET | 07- 3-2008 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

Open Thread: Obama Poster Likened to Hitler's

Filed under: Election 2008, Sound Off

Click to play.

Alex Pardee

 

On today's show, Steve Seidman, chair of the strategic communication department at Ithaca College, talked about the iconography of Democrat Barack Obama.

Seidman says some of the campaign's posters remind him of images from history. He argues the "Dream" poster, which shows Obama with a halo, might offend some religious people. But it was this bit that got our Twitter crowd going:

"He's gazing into the distance, almost like a visionary. This is a common approach I've noticed in my research. I would say that I've seen Nixon posters, Carter posters, George Bush -- the second Bush -- posters, even Adolf Hitler. Posters in his election campaigns in Germany have shown him gazing into the distance."

Judge for yourself: Google Images for "Hitler election posters"

Laura Conaway

7:49 AM ET | 06-30-2008 | permalink | comments (15) | e-mail post

Open Thread: Barack Obama Talks Dads

Filed under: Election 2008, Sound Off

Presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama spoke at a Chicago church this Father's Day, calling on fathers to realize that "responsibility does not end at conception."

"Any fool can have a child, that doesn't make you a father, it's the courage to raise a child that makes you a father," said Obama. The issue has particular significance for the candidate whose own father left when he was two, and Obama says it is something the African-American community can't afford to ignore.

On the show today, Politico editor John Harris talked about the politics of Barack Obama's Father's Day sermon.

"This is something the most effective African-American politicians have done," said Harris. White audiences "don't want a sort of radical African American politician they want somebody who they believe shares essential middle class values."

Caitlin Kenney

7:19 AM ET | 06-16-2008 | permalink | comments (21) | e-mail post

Anti-Smear Tactics 2.0

Filed under: Election 2008

Time magazine reports today that the Barack Obama campaign has come up with a new approach to dealing with Internet rumor-mongering: to take the rumors head on. The campaign today unveiled a website called "Fight the Smears."

The first few entries on the website take on some familiar rumors, like the one that Obama is a Muslim and the one that he doesn't put his hand on his heart or refuses to recite the pledge of allegiance. In each entry, his campaign presents evidence that it says refutes the rumor.

Snopes has looked into some of the same rumors.

We'll see if the site helps to douse some of the rumors or if it just fans the flames.

Tricia McKinney

1:35 PM ET | 06-12-2008 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

Open Thread: Seeing Sexism in the Clinton Loss

Filed under: Election 2008, Sound Off

Seen at Clinton's concession speech, 06.07.08

Getty Images

 

On this morning's show, Rebecca Traister of Salon took on the question of whether sexism played a role in Hillary Clinton's primary defeat.

For me, the question hasn't been so much whether sexism caused Clinton to lose the Democratic presidential nomination as whether it affected the discussion about her while she was running -- and especially as she lost. For Traister, that's a yes. "Clinton could have won, and we should still be talking about the sexism," she says.

So let's talk about it. You guys already helped us get started, with your take on our Clinton campaign obit.

Another NPR headline: Who Did This to Hillary?

Laura Conaway

7:18 AM ET | 06- 9-2008 | permalink | comments (24) | e-mail post

R.I.P. Hillary Clinton's Presidential Campaign

Filed under: Election 2008

Editor's note: See the open thread on sexism and Hillary Clinton's defeat.

Today on the show we put together an audio obituary of Senator Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, in which we recapped some of the more memorable moments from the last 16 months. Here it is, in case you missed it:

Dan Pashman

1:05 PM ET | 06- 4-2008 | permalink | comments (12) | e-mail post

Open Thread: An End to the Democratic Race

Filed under: Election 2008, Sound Off

Barack Obama claimed the Democratic nomination for president Tuesday night, amassing more than the 2,118 delegates needed for the win.

His rival, Hillary Clinton, told insiders she'd consider joining the ticket as Obama's vice president.

You can sort that out in the comments below.

Bonus:
John McCain's speech last night.
Which a lot of bloggers panned.

Laura Conaway

7:13 AM ET | 06- 4-2008 | permalink | comments (4) | e-mail post

This Is a Libertarian Open Thread

Filed under: Election 2008

On today's show, David Weigel of Reason magazine reported from the 2008 Libertarian presidential convention.

Weigel says the Libertarians have real hope for winning elections this year. Candidates are talking about furthering the legacy of Ron Paul, who has been running as a Republican this year. Meanwhile, the Libertarians are talking about each other, with the left and right wings trading accusations about plans for last-minute takeovers.

Consider this your Libertarian thread. No questions. No directions. The marketplace of ideas is always open. Unless I'm out having a picnic with my family.

Laura Conaway

2:50 PM ET | 05-23-2008 | permalink | comments (7) | e-mail post

Can John McCain Save the Republican Brand?

Filed under: Election 2008

Conservative Republicans wonder whether John McCain can reinvent the party.

photocredit

On this morning's show, Jim VandeHei of Politico.com took a look at the state of the Republican brand. And what a picture.

VandeHei says the GOP is in the worst shape with voters that the party has seen since Watergate. The editor spent time recently with Republican governors, looking for a preview of their strategy for the presidential campaign. "It's clear they feel that the one ace in the hole that they still hold is national security and fighting terrorism," he says.

And that brings us to Sen. John McCain, the presumptive nominee and Vietnam war hero. VandeHei says conservative Republicans who dismissed McCain as not Republican enough are now hoping he can reinvent -- and reinvigorate -- the party. Even if they don't much like the results.

Laura Conaway

9:58 AM ET | 05-19-2008 | permalink | comments (4) | e-mail post

Kentucky Explained in Black and White

Filed under: Election 2008, Sound Off

Our conversation this morning with a professor from Kentucky stopped a few Twitter listeners cold.

Donald Gross, who teaches political science at the University of Kentucky at Lexington, took a question from Mike Pesca about Hillary Clinton's 30-point lead over Barack Obama in polls ahead of that state's Democratic presidential contest.

Gross noted that Kentucky has a very small African-American community -- the U.S. Census Bureau puts the figure at 7.5 percent of the population.

"I think in many parts of the state of Kentucky people are a bit uncomfortable with African-Americans," he said. "In a lot of the rural areas, literally a lot of these individuals have never seen African-Americans. They don't interact with them."

Continue reading "Kentucky Explained in Black and White" »

Laura Conaway

9:06 AM ET | 05-16-2008 | permalink | comments (26) | e-mail post

Clinton, Obama Split Pair of Contests: Now What?

Filed under: Election 2008, Sound Off

Clinton and Obama split Tuesday's contests.

AFP/Getty Images

As expected, Sen. Barack Obama took the Democratic presidential primary in North Carolina by a good margin -- some 56 to 42 percent. Obama received more than 90 percent of the African American vote and about 40 percent of the white vote. He won in every age group except voters over 65.

Meanwhile, Sen. Hillary Clinton won in Indiana by about 22,000 votes of the more than 1.2 million cast. She did well among white men and made some inroads into Obama's base, garnering support from younger white voters and those making more than $100,000. Clinton now trails Obama in pledged delegates by 171; she retains a 271-256 lead in declared superdelegates.

So those are the numbers, as NPR reports them this morning. Now comes the jawing -- starting with the New York Times analysis piece headlined "Options Dwindling for Clinton." Your turn's in the comments.

Laura Conaway

6:35 AM ET | 05- 7-2008 | permalink | comments (16) | e-mail post

Open Thread: Is Wright Trying to Hurt Obama?

Filed under: Election 2008, Sound Off

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright addresses the National Press Club on April 28.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

 

Torpedo. That's the word I keep hearing to describe what the Rev. Jeremiah Wright is or is not trying to do to Barack Obama's presidential bid. Yesterday, the Democratic senator's former pastor spoke at the National Press Club -- affirming his positions on the root causes of AIDS and 9-11 and decrying criticism of his sermons. "This is not an attack on Jeremiah Wright," Wright says. "It is an attack on the black church."

Obama told reporters that Wright doesn't speak for him or for the campaign. "Some of the comments that Rev. Wright has made offend me, and I understand why they offend the American people," the frontrunner said. Judging from opinion pages, that may not be enough. Obama and Wright's hometown paper, the Chicago Tribune, headlined an editorial "Wright's Curious Mission," writing:

By the end of Wright's performance, you had to wonder if he was trying to torpedo Obama's bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. He surely didn't seem troubled by that possibility. "Nothing can get in the way if God wants Obama to be president," Wright said. Maybe not. But the pastor seemed interested in testing the theory.

Bonus reads:
WaPo's Eugene Robinson: Where Wright goes wrong
EbonyJet's Monroe Anderson

Laura Conaway

6:25 AM ET | 04-29-2008 | permalink | comments (42) | e-mail post

Get My Vote: Guy Wants Online Education System

Filed under: Election 2008

NPR wants you. Specifically, we want you to tell the world what moves you as a voter. Our new Get My Vote project invites you to express yourself in video, audio or text. Some people think of it as a way to tell politicians what they have to do win you over it. We like to think of it as "Understand My Vote" -- as in, get it?

Like russpears, the guy in the video up there. He wants funding for a free online education system. And seriously, I'm way far from wanting that myself, or at least from marking it as a priority. But disagreeing is half the fun. Check out Get My Vote -- then take a couple of minutes to post your own entry. We'll be blogging the best of your stuff in the weeks to come.

Laura Conaway

7:17 AM ET | 04-28-2008 | permalink | comments (8) | e-mail post

Found on Twitter: Clinton, Obama Respond

Filed under: Election 2008

I checked the major Democratic rivals Twitter feeds this morning for signs of life after yesterday's primary in Pennsylvania.

From Hillary Clinton's Twitter account, about 10 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday:
"Thank you Pennsylvania!!"

And from Barack Obama's Twitter account, about noon on Tuesday:
"Traveling through PA today & asking folks to vote for change! If you are in PA & need polling location info visit http://pa.barackobama.com."

Laura Conaway

7:46 AM ET | 04-23-2008 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Open Thread: Obama's 'Bitter' Remarks

Filed under: Election 2008

Let's catch up: Democrat Barack Obama went to a fundraiser last week in San Francisco and gave a speech in which he talked about working-class voters like the ones in Pennsylvania and Indiana. Obama said they've have fallen through the cracks in the American economy, and they're not happy about it.

"It's not surprising then they get bitter," he said. "They cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

The other presidential hopefuls, Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican John McCain, called Obama elitist and out of touch with ordinary Americans. Obama replied that he'd merely said what "everybody knows is true," but that he does wish he'd put it a little better. Personally, I'm most struck by his saying that people no longer believe leaders in Washington will fix economic problems, so they vote on social issues.

You?

Full listen: Full audio on the Huffington Post

Laura Conaway

7:33 AM ET | 04-13-2008 | permalink | comments (12) | e-mail post

Obama and the Autograph Seeker

Filed under: Election 2008

Al Wittnebert, CFO of the Universal Autograph Collectors Club, says a code of honor governs people who seek signatures and pictures from the famous. Today, we asked to consider the incident in the clip above. It shows a man asking -- perhaps insisting -- that Sen. Barack Obama pose for a picture.

Laura Conaway

7:42 AM ET | 04- 8-2008 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post

We Told You It Was Coming

Filed under: Election 2008

Sen. Hillary Clinton will appear on ELLEN this Monday to discuss gay rights.

Check out our discussion from earlier this week about Democrats courting the gay vote.

Alison Stewart

11:57 AM ET | 04- 4-2008 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Gay Editor Says Clinton, Obama Courting His Paper

Filed under: Election 2008, Sound Off

You guys want to talk about the election?

Mark Segal, editor of the Philadelphia Gay News, says Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are each asking for his newspaper's endorsement. Here's what he wants:

"We want to hear what's going on with their positions on Don't Ask, Don't Tell. We just don't want hear a very simple, 'Yeah, I want to get rid of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' We would like to hear a plan."

Add in a position on the federal bill to end discrimination in employment and some kind of something on civil marriage (word: an awfully big issue at my house), and you've got Segal's take.

Laura Conaway

11:51 AM ET | 04- 2-2008 | permalink | comments (6) | e-mail post

Hillary Clinton Gets In on the Act

Filed under: Election 2008

No sooner did I ask the question of "What's Hillary Clinton going to offer?" than I got the e-mail answer. A chance to meet Elton John!

Here's the snippet from the e-mail, purportedly from the candidate herself:

I'm really looking forward to the solo concert my friend Elton John is throwing in New York to help our campaign -- and I would very much like the chance to meet you there.

We're sending two supporters, along with their guests, to New York with VIP tickets for this very special, one-night-only concert on April 9, and it could be you. We will have a chance to talk just you and I -- and you will get to meet Elton John at the party we're throwing afterwards. It's going to be a great night.

OK, Senator Clinton, that's "just you and ME" but I won't hold it against you.

Hmmm, what are Mike Gravel and Ron Paul offering?

Tricia McKinney

2:02 PM ET | 03-25-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Bus Ride with John McCain?

Filed under: Election 2008

So, yesterday I blogged about getting an e-mail offering a chance to have dinner with Barack Obama if I donate as little as $5 by March 31st. Today it's John McCain offering some face time.

I got an email purportedly from Senator McCain himself, saying:

My campaign has come up with an opportunity for a supporter to join me on the Straight Talk Express for a day of conversation and campaigning. As a token of my appreciation for your financial support, you will be entered to win this seat aboard the Straight Talk Express if you make a contribution before midnight on March 31st. I hope you'll consider joining me by making a donation today. If you can give $50 or more, not only will you be entered to win a ride on the Straight Talk Express, but you'll receive a commemorative Straight Talk Express ticket.

So there you go. What is the Hillary Clinton campaign going to offer?

Tricia McKinney

1:34 PM ET | 03-25-2008 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Support Your Candidate -- YouTube for Another One

Filed under: Election 2008

Went looking for the goods on the McCain Girls and found this in the Washington Post. The paper's campaign blog says the McCain Girls music video, "It's Raining McCain," may come from the same pranksters who put out "Obama-sistible." As you can see from the clip above, "Obama-sistible" has all the charm of "We Built This City," with maybe half the calories.

Laura Conaway

7:39 AM ET | 03-25-2008 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Dinner with Obama?

Filed under: Election 2008

I just got an e-mail from Obama campaign manager David Plouffe*. The tantalizing subject line: "Dinner with Barack?"

So, hey, I'm not above clicking on an e-mail like that. Turns out the Obama campaign is soliciting donations of $5 or more, and they say that if you donate by March 31st, "you could share your story and your ideas with Barack in person."

So I of course start wondering--how many people will he take to dinner? How does the campaign pick? Is it a lottery? They are very clear about how to give them money, but much less clear about the diner-selection criteria. They do provide a box in which you can tell them your story and ask Obama some questions. I'm guessing it's an essay contest?

*Full disclosure, I have signed up with all three of the major candidates and get "Dear Friend" type e-mails from them though I have never donated to any of them and I don't endorse any of them.

Tricia McKinney

12:15 PM ET | 03-24-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

It's McCaining Men. Er, It's Raining McCain.

Filed under: Election 2008

Way back on Super Tuesday, we did a segment about voters going the extra mile and writing songs for their favorite candidates. Back then, we couldn't find one about McCain. Problem solved:

Ian Chillag

9:42 AM ET | 03-24-2008 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post

Ferraro Remarks Shift Attention to Race

Filed under: Election 2008, Sound Off

Former Democratic vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro

Jamie Rose/Getty Images

Here's Geraldine Ferraro talking to the Daily Breeze of Torrance, Calif., about Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama:

"If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman (of any color) he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept."

And here's Ferraro talking to the New York Times about those remarks:

"Every time that campaign is upset about something, they call it racist," she said. "I will not be discriminated against because I'm white. If they think they're going to shut up Geraldine Ferraro with that kind of stuff, they don't know me."

Your turn to talk's in the comments, right below. You know what to do.

Bonus: Politico has a Ferraro flashback.

Laura Conaway

7:58 AM ET | 03-12-2008 | permalink | comments (27) | e-mail post

Twitter Stream: From @BarackObama

Filed under: Election 2008

Posted six minutes ago from the Twitter feed @barackobama:

"In Columbus,MS & wondering how somebody who's in second place is offering the vice presidency to the person who's in first place. Vote Tues!"

Laura Conaway

1:52 PM ET | 03-10-2008 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post

UPDATE: BPP Tweets to Obama

Filed under: Election 2008

On today's show, we took advantage of the "direct message" button on Democrat Barack Obama's Twitter account. Host Alison Stewart sent a message asking if he'd like to be on our show. Turns out, we were able to do that because Obama follows our Twitter feed -- along with 13,577 others.

The reason we can't send a direct message to Hillary Clinton's Twitter account -- the reason no one can -- is that she doesn't follow anyone. Which is a not unreasonable choice, when you consider what Obama's Twitter page must look like with 13,578 people yakking away. NPR Twitter guru Andy Carvin recommends posting @hillaryclinton, which I just tried.

In other Twitter news, Republican John McCain does appear to have a Twitter account. It's a little different from the ones on the Democratic side, not least because it has about twice as many posts. But it also has a somewhat different tone, with entries like today's "Glory is not a conceit. It is not a decoration for valor. Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater than yourself," and "Obama campaign advisor seems to endorse McCain http://tinyurl.com/3xcfoy" I just posted @johnmccain2008, too.

Gonna call the campaigns now and talk Twitter.

Laura Conaway

9:47 AM ET | 03- 7-2008 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post

Misogyny or Racism--Which Is Worse?

Filed under: Election 2008, Media, Sound Off

Tomorrow features yet another contest for the Democratic presidential hopefuls, and the fight for the nomination is getting grittier by the day.

If you read Maureen Dowd's column in the New York Times this week, you'll know that she wrote about gender and race and the current political climate. Specifically, Dowd addressed the way Clinton and some of her supporters are weaving the issue of gender into her profile as a candidate.

Dowd then raised this "elephant in the room" question:

People will have to choose which of America's sins are greater, and which stain will have to be removed first. Is misogyny worse than racism, or is racism worse than misogyny?

What do you think?

Alison Stewart

9:44 AM ET | 03- 7-2008 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post

BPP Nudges Barack Obama

Filed under: Election 2008

As listener Adriana Rodarte pointed out yesterday, Democrat Barack Obama's Twitter account lets you send him what Twitter calls a "direct message" -- but the account of his party rival, Hillary Clinton, has those features turned off.

A few minutes ago, we sent Obama a message inviting him to appear on our show. We'll see if he writes back.

Laura Conaway

8:43 AM ET | 03- 7-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Barack Obama Tweets for Another Pol

Filed under: Election 2008

Like his Democratic rival, presidential candidate Barack Obama has a Twitter account. Obama has posted a grand total of 76 times, compared to 64 for Hillary Clinton.

Before today, Obama's last tweet was aimed at getting out the vote for the March 4 presidential contests. Today, on March 6, he shows up in our Twitter stream again:

In Chicago, hoping you will help Bill Foster win Cong. Dist. 14 in this Saturday's Special Election. Visit: http://my.barackobama.com/f...

Laura Conaway

3:01 PM ET | 03- 6-2008 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Primary Horoscopes

Filed under: Election 2008

By now we've heard all the pundits, parsed the exit poll numbers, blamed the media for getting it wrong and looked at Hillary Clinton's campaign strategy for clues to her success in the primaries yesterday.

But did anybody check the candidates' horoscopes?

My horoscope page of choice, in the New York Post, was amazingly spot-on for the candidates yesterday.

Hillary Clinton was born on October 26th. Hello, Scorpio!:

March 4, 2008 -- If life has been getting on top of you lately you will get the chance to reverse the process over the next 24 hours. Forget about making excuses. Forget about blaming others for your failures. You are, or should be, the master of your fate, so get out there and make things happen. It's easy when you try.

Barak Obama was born August 4th. Hello, Leo!:

March 4, 2008 -- There will be a lot of minor distractions over the next 24 hours and, not surprisingly, you will get rather frustrated at how slowly you are moving towards your goal. You have got to be aggressive about your private time. You have got to let others know you need your space - and peace and quiet to go with it.

The Republicans after the jump:

Continue reading "Primary Horoscopes" »

Tricia McKinney

2:46 PM ET | 03- 5-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Who Wins as the Democrats Battle On?

Filed under: Election 2008, Sound Off

Clinton v. Obama goes another round.

Getty Images

Winning three out of four primaries Tuesday, Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton is claiming a comeback. Meanwhile, blogger Bill Scher of LiberalOasis.com says it's almost "impossible" for her to beat Barack Obama. He suggests the big winner here is Republican John McCain, who clinched the nomination yesterday and can now watch Obama and Clinton pummel each other.

Not sure what I think about all that. You?

Laura Conaway

8:39 AM ET | 03- 5-2008 | permalink | comments (12) | e-mail post

Voter Checks in from Vermont

Filed under: Election 2008

Outside the St. Mark's Church polling place in Burlington, Vt.

@danyork

 

Twitter friend @danyork (here, too) sends these photos from his polling place, Ward 4 in Burlington, Vt. Supporters of the dueling Democrats in the race got in some last-minute pitches.

On the Republican side, John McCain won. On the Democratic side, it was Barack Obama.

Voting in Burlington, Vt.

@danyork

 

After the jump, a sweet food pic.

Continue reading "Voter Checks in from Vermont" »

Laura Conaway

6:52 AM ET | 03- 5-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Hillary Clinton May Sue Texas Democrats

Filed under: Election 2008

From the Dallas-Fort Worth Star-Telegram:

The Texas Democratic Party is warning that its primary night caucuses could be delayed or disrupted after aides to White House hopeful Hillary Clinton raised the specter of an "imminent" lawsuit over its complicated delegate selection process, officials said Thursday night.

(With thanks to Twitter friend @elizs.)

Laura Conaway

12:27 PM ET | 02-29-2008 | permalink | comments (4) | e-mail post

Video: Chaos at the Hawaii Caucus

Filed under: Election 2008

On Tuesday, the Hawaii Democratic Caucus had an historically large turnout.
Thanks to a hot tip from our Twitter feed, we came across this video of the scene at the polls.
Many thanks to Ryan Ozawa for the Vlogging.

Hawaii Democratic Caucus from hawaii on Vimeo.

From Ryan's blog:

The Hawaii Democratic Caucus was held the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008. Prior to this year's hotly contested race between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama (who was born in Hawaii), the state's record turnout for the primary caucus was 4,800 people in 1988. Last night, over 36,000 people turned out to participate. Long lines everywhere, chaos and confusion in several locations, and handmade ballots had to suffice for many when the printed ones ran out. In the end, Obama received 76 percent of the Hawaii Democratic vote, versus Clinton's 24 percent.

Win Rosenfeld

4:53 PM ET | 02-21-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Voting in Milwaukee: With Cupcakes

Filed under: Election 2008

The line at the Maryland Avenue Montessori polling place.

Courtesy of bb_mke

 

Twitter friend @bb_mke sends these pics from the polling place/bake sale at the Maryland Avenue Montessori School in Milwaukee, Wisc., Tuesday.

Vote a little, buy a lot.

Courtesy of bb_mke

 

@bb_mke writes, "I think we'd be in much better shape as a country if every election involved home-made Rice Krispy treats and cupcakes."

(They do the bake sale thing at my precinct, too, in Brooklyn -- always look forward to that.)

Laura Conaway

7:20 AM ET | 02-20-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Please Add to the Election Lexicon 2008

Filed under: Election 2008

The saucy folks at Daily Candy have come through with a list of political jargon to get you through this long primary season. A sample:

scamdidate: n. an unviable aspirant who just confuses the public

super delegetsome: n. when power insiders use their influence to score dates

pundItgirl: n. the token female analyst who sits at at the table with Wolf Blitzer and co.

Click for the full list, or add your own.

Alison Stewart

11:19 AM ET | 02-18-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Hillary Clinton Has a Video, Too

Filed under: Election 2008

The NPR News Blog has a terrific take on the dueling music videos for Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Our buddies in D.C. say one of the clips is sparking "unintentional guffaws." You be the judge.

Video for Barack Obama

Video for Hillary Clinton

Laura Conaway

11:40 AM ET | 02-15-2008 | permalink | comments (7) | e-mail post

Pic: Voting with Diebold in Silver Spring, Md.

Filed under: Election 2008

Electronic voting in Silver Spring, Md.

Andy Carvin

 

After waiting nearly an hour, NPR's Andy Carvin finally reached the head of the voting line in Silver Spring, Md., where he was welcomed by the Diebold electronic voting machine. In New York, we still pull a lever.

Laura Conaway

9:05 AM ET | 02-12-2008 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

Voter Pic: Long Lines at Silver Spring Polls

Filed under: Election 2008

The line in Silver Spring, Md.

Andy Carvin

 

NPR's Andy Carvin reports a significant wait at his polling place in Silver Spring, Md., around 8 a.m.

Laura Conaway

8:44 AM ET | 02-12-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Palmyra, Va.: Listener Votes in the Dark

Filed under: Election 2008

A polling place in Palmyra, Va.

@gubilla

 

It's presidential primary day in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. BPP Twitter pal @gubilla headed off to vote with the early birds in Palmyra, Va., a 20-minute drive from Richmond. Thanks for the cell phone pic!

Laura Conaway

8:25 AM ET | 02-12-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Colbert Is the 'Bryant Park Project'. And So Can You

Filed under: Election 2008

Stephen Colbert faces off with Mike Huckabee.

A long time ago, back when the Republican nomination was just a twinkle in John McCain's eye, the Bryant Park Project enjoyed a visit from a certain Mike Huckabee. The former Arkansas governor -- and now one of two remaining challengers to McCain's nomination run -- stared down our own Luke Burbank in a mean game of ping-pong. You can see the video of their epic battle below.

This week, Huckabee took on another athletic challenge from the media, playing air hockey with the fabulous Stephen Colbert. (The YouTube on that's up top.)

Now, I'm not going to say which clip is better. I'm just going to say which one of them was posted on August 17, 2007: Ours. The Bryant Park Project's. (Kinda warms up a winter Saturday.)

Laura Conaway

10:37 AM ET | 02- 9-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

'The Onion' on Mitt Romney

Filed under: Election 2008

Parody alert: The Onion ran a doctored photo of Mitt Romney below the fold on Jan. 28, with the headline "Depressed Candidate Runs Attack Ad About Self."

Guess they won't have him to kick around anymore, at least not in the presidential way.

Laura Conaway

1:16 PM ET | 02- 7-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Reuters: Mitt Romney to Suspend Campaign

Filed under: Election 2008, News

News that Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is dropping out of the race just crossed the wires at BPP World Headquarters:

BC-USA-POLITICS/ROMNEY (URGENT)
Romney to suspend campaign for US president -CNN
WASHINGTON, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Mitt Romney will suspend his
campaign for the Republican nomination for U.S. president, CNN
said on Thursday, citing three party sources.
(Reporting by Philip Barbara)

CNN's article says Romney will make an announcement today at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C. (We'll cable the speech on our Twitter feed.)

After winning in Massachusetts, Alaska, North Dakota, Utah, Minnesota, Colorado and Montana in Feb. 5's Super Tuesday voting, Romney told supporters his campaign was "gonna keep on battling. We're gonna go all the way to the convention." But John McCain's victories in delegate-rich states -- NPR's delegate tally shows him leading with 707 to Romney's 294 and Mike Huckabee's 195 -- established a clear front runner for the Republican nomination.

Here's Romney, addressing his supporters on Super Tuesday:

Laura Conaway

12:20 PM ET | 02- 7-2008 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Pesca Checks In: A Unified Theory of the Democrats

Filed under: Election 2008

NPR's Mike Pesca -- we love saying that -- sends this calculation from Super Tuesday.

Pesca writes:

I added up the vote totals for all states that had primaries last night (rounded off to the nearest thousand).

HOWEVER, Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota and North Dakota had caucuses, so we don't know their exact votes. Obama won them all. My theory is that exactly as many Democrats voted for Barack Obama last night as voted for Hillary Clinton, and no one can disprove my theory.

Pesca adds that there are something like 150,000 votes that still await counting, which could unravel the whole thing. Stay tuned.

Laura Conaway

12:34 PM ET | 02- 6-2008 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Open Thread: Obama Loves a Caucus

Filed under: Election 2008

Barack Obama in Iowa, after winning the Democratic caucus

Democrat Barack Obama may trail Hillary Clinton in the overall delegate count (his 765 to her 845), but there's one political venue he all but owns: the caucus, any caucus, apparently anywhere.

Obama opened his party's primary season by winning the Iowa caucus. Since then, Obama has gone on to win caucuses in Alaska, Minnesota, Colorado and Idaho. He trailed Clinton in overall voting in the Nevada caucus, but still emerged with one more delegate than she did.

What is it about this guy and caucuses?

Laura Conaway

9:29 AM ET | 02- 6-2008 | permalink | comments (9) | e-mail post

The Greatest Conversation in the World

Filed under: Election 2008

The future just showed up.

Via

 

Google and Twitter have moved into the realm of Freaking Me Out. Sit with this mashup of Google Maps, Twitter and Twittervision.

Seriously, you have to give it a minute or two to work its magic. And then the Tweets start popping up all over the map. Right now, I'm watching a guy in the town where I was born ping back and forth with someone counting delegates in California and a person in Massachusetts who's got a figurative candle lit for Obama. And then there's the guy in the picture, from Marietta.

How's this going to work if Twitter gets insanely popular? What will it feel like then?

Laura Conaway

6:53 AM ET | 02- 6-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Open Thread: Waiting in Line on Super Tuesday?

Filed under: Election 2008

I just breezed through my polling place in Brooklyn -- steady flow at 3:30 p.m., but not the crowds people reported from the morning rush hour.

Wondering what other people are seeing out there.

Laura Conaway

3:38 PM ET | 02- 5-2008 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

Election Coverage: Where to Find the BPP

Filed under: Election 2008

As the election results come in tonight, NPR will have all kinds of coverage. And we'll keep the fires burning, here and on our Twitter feed. (BPP friend Andy Carvin will be Tweeting over at the NPR News Blog, too.)

If you're not right with Twitter yet, not to worry. It's easy and free, and experience says it'll be crackling tonight with Tweets from election-watchers around the world. Just head for Twitter.com and sign up.

To see anything besides your own posts, you'll need to "Follow" other people. Some of them will follow you. The rest just kind of happens.

After the jump, a partial list of Twitter friends. Follow 'em. They mostly volunteered.

Continue reading "Election Coverage: Where to Find the BPP" »

Laura Conaway

1:55 PM ET | 02- 5-2008 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Listener Checks In: Voting in Hamilton, New York

Filed under: Election 2008

Peggy Geary and her daughter Elizabeth. Geary, the first to cast a ballot when the polls opened, said she was voting for change.

Courtesy of David Hollis/Radio Free Hamilton

 

David Hollis (aka @aardvarko on Twitter) checks in from Hamilton, New York, with a straw poll Monday of students in grades 6-12.

Hollis, of the local news site Radio Free Hamilton, got the results from a teacher friend of his. He Tweets: "Obama 102 & Hillary 26. GOP: McCain 25, Paul 13, Rommney 11, Huckabee 4."

Those numbers are about what you'll see in today's voting, Hollis predicts. He thinks Republican Mitt Romney will do a little better with the adults than the kids. Otherwise, it's all about Barack Obama up there. "The only signs you see here are Obama signs." Polls are open in Hamilton from noon until 9 p.m.

We'll be Tweeting the election tonight. Stroll over and check it out.

More photos from Hollis after the jump.

Continue reading "Listener Checks In: Voting in Hamilton, New York" »

Laura Conaway

1:14 PM ET | 02- 5-2008 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Video: Jill Sobule's 'Ode to Super Tuesday'

Filed under: Election 2008, Music, Video

Jill Sobule, our musical columnist, sings a little ditty about politicking. It's called "Ode to Super Tuesday."

Pauline Bartolone

12:34 PM ET | 02- 5-2008 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

Musical McCain Fans: Your BPP Needs You

Filed under: Election 2008

On today's show, we talked about songs that voters were writing for their respective candidates. Good tracks for Huckabee, Romney, Obama, and Clinton, or "H-ROC," as I like to call them. But we had a hard time finding a song for McCain, probably because he's been something of a comeback kid and songwriters haven't had long enough to do their thing.

We found a nice young man from South Carolina, Zack Dedonis, who describes himself as a amateur musician and McCain supporter. Asked him if he'd want to drop some verse about his would-be president. In about half an hour, he sent this:

G
Well it's about time, for John McCain
Am
Waited 8 Years Just To Get his Chance Again
C
He served his country, his plane got shot
D
Obama and Clinton, Ooh I think not
G
If you wanna give your money away
Am
Choose Clinton or Obama Today
C
But if you'd like your money to stay
D
Vote McCain, He won't tax us away
G
If you wanna live free and safe
Am
Vote McCain in the '08 Race
C
He's the man who can get it done
D
Vote McCain for every daughter and son

Here's the thing: Zack says he can't sing. We need you, Mellifluous McCain People. Here's a guitar track Zack sent.

Ian Chillag

9:06 AM ET | 02- 5-2008 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

A Blast from the Past

Filed under: Election 2008

Star magazine, Feb. 4, 1992 (enlarge)

John Guardo/NPR

Look what I found in my basement! Sixteen years to the day -- this was the big political story in the '92 race, when a different Clinton was running. And The Star only cost 95 cents.

Alison Stewart

9:47 AM ET | 02- 4-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Photo Evidence: Voting in Florida

Filed under: Election 2008

Voting in Clearwater, Florida

Courtesy of @kittydew

 

Voters in Florida went to the primary polls Tuesday. Or some of them.

Turnout was reported to be "brisk in Clearwater," the town where these photos were taken. More after the jump.

Continue reading "Photo Evidence: Voting in Florida" »

Laura Conaway

1:14 PM ET | 01-30-2008 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

After SOTU: Candidates Not So Twitter-pated

Filed under: Election 2008

Democrat Barack Obama tweeted this video response.

Twitter Nation reported a rash of finger injuries last night, as the citizenry tweeted along with every line of President Bush's final State of the Union address.

As of 8:30 or so this morning, the Twitter response from the presidential candidates looked like this:

Continue reading "After SOTU: Candidates Not So Twitter-pated" »

Laura Conaway

8:49 AM ET | 01-29-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Wow: Hillary Clinton's Inner Tracy Flick

Filed under: Election 2008

From the wilds of the electronic void, host Alison Stewart has plucked a video in which Hillary Clinton does an unwitting update of Election. We'd embed it, but it starts with a great big ad, and you know how we feel about that. (IMHO, it's still worth the click.)

Laura Conaway

11:22 AM ET | 01-28-2008 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

Candidates Stump in Twitter Nation

Filed under: Election 2008

Twitter is all the rage around here. (See?)

I'm scrounging around for legitimate Twitter feeds from the presidential candidates. So far, my list looks like this:

Ron Paul, @RonPaul2008, with 822 followers
John Edwards, @johnedwards, with 4,282 followers
Barack Obama, @BarackObama, with 6,654 followers
Hillary Clinton, @hillaryclinton, with 197 followers

Laura Conaway

11:10 AM ET | 01-25-2008 | permalink | comments (4) | e-mail post

Barack Obama Does 'Letterman' Top 10

Filed under: Election 2008

Democrat Barack Obama showed up on Late Night with David Letterman Thursday. Remember his turn on Saturday Night Live?

Continue reading "Barack Obama Does 'Letterman' Top 10" »

Laura Conaway

6:15 AM ET | 01-25-2008 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

Ultimate Red State Acquires Bluish Hue?

Filed under: Election 2008

If you've ever spent any significant time in Wyoming, you know it's a state where conservatives are old school. They are the cowboy variety who don't like government telling them what to do with their land or their guns or their money. It's the home state of Dick Cheney and, save for a small liberal pocket in Jackson Hole, he's a statewide hero.

So it's even more surprising to think that some tried-and-true Wyoming Republicans are considering voting for Democrats this year. It gets down to land -- apparently some ranchers haven't been to pleased about how big energy companies have been digging up their acreage in search of natural resources to help meet soaring demand. An editorial cartoonist from the Seattle PI drew up this cartoon that sums up this new political tension in Wyoming. Thought I'd pass it along for your viewing pleasure.

Rachel Martin

9:57 AM ET | 01-21-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Candidate Bingo: Get Your Card Now

Filed under: Election 2008

Get your card here.

Alice Kreit, NPR

NPR's Robert Smith just created a soothsaying tool for Election 2008 -- Candidate Bingo. Smith says he wanted a new way to tell whether a particular person was or was not about to run for president starting with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. He writes:

I made up a BINGO card with all the attributes you see in candidates these days: an overwhelming desire to kiss babies and shake hands, the verbal tic of always mentioning "change" and the excessive quoting of John F. Kennedy, or Reagan, depending on your political bent. I followed Bloomberg around for the week and marked off the squares. And let's just say, I never yelled BINGO.

Get your own Candidate Bingo card from the NPR mothership.

Laura Conaway

12:35 PM ET | 01-18-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Show Your Votes! Show Your Votes!

Filed under: Election 2008

We noticed that Super Tuesday falls on Mardi Gras this year, February 5th. Now, Louisiana is holding its primaries 4 days later on February 9th. Does the decision not to participate in Super Tuesday have anything to do with Mardi Gras? Well, does it, Julie Vezinot, Communications Director of the Louisiana Democratic Party?

Exactly. We knew if we held the primaries on Mardi Gras, turnout would be nominal, cause it's a holiday throughout New Orleans and the state. To do the elections justice, and to do the candidates justice, we're holding them on Saturday. So they'll have the full attention of the voter.

Now Julie didn't say people would be too drunk to check the right box if asked to vote on Mardi Gras, but we're guessing that factored into the decision.

Ian Chillag

12:05 PM ET | 01-18-2008 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Kucinich Watch: Waiting for Word

Filed under: Election 2008

Update @ 8:59: Kucinich ain't there.

Update @ 8:35: MSNBC's spokesman says Kucinich will not be on stage tonight.

Update @ 8:20: MSNBC's spokesman says the Nevada Supreme Court ruled in MSNBC's favor. Kucinich's spokesman says he hasn't heard anything official yet. I guess we'll find out in about 40 minutes whether Dennis Kucinich will take the stage at the Democratic debate or not.

No word yet on whether the Nevada supreme court will make MSNBC let Dennis Kucinich take part in its Democratic debate tonight. But while you're waiting, you can read NBC's petition for an emergency hearing to vacate the county court judge's injunction. Courtesy of the New York Times.

They have about 2 hours to settle this before showtime.

Tricia McKinney

6:58 PM ET | 01-15-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Kucinich Watch: Debating the Debate

Filed under: Election 2008

I just got word from MSNBC spokesman Jeremy Gaines that the Nevada Supreme Court will hear oral arguments today on NBC News' appeal of the ruling ordering them to let Dennis Kucinich take part in tonight's Democratic debate. Gaines says the oral arguments will be heard at 1:30 PST today. That's about an hour from the time of this posting.

Tricia McKinney

3:33 PM ET | 01-15-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Kucinich Gambles on Nevada Debate

Filed under: Election 2008

A Nevada judge has ruled that NBC News has to let Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich debate on MSNBC tonight.

But as of late yesterday, MSNBC spokesman Jeremy Gaines said the network is filing an appeal with the Nevada Supreme Court. Kucinich campaign spokesman Andy Juniewicz told me he had the 112-page filing in his hands, but couldn't tell me if the Nevada Supreme Court will hear the case or when.

Juniewicz tells me the candidate is on a plane bound for Las Vegas right now and is planning to attend a rally somewhere near the debate site this afternoon. When I asked him if Kucinich will be at the debate, he told me the candidate has a ticket -- it's called a signed court order.

The issue? Kucinich's camp says their candidate was initially invited to the Democratic debate, but was later cut from it. MSNBC's side? The network decided to go with the top three candidates after the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries -- that's Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards.

They don't have a ton of time to figure this out. The debate is scheduled to happen at 9 p.m. Eastern time -- 6 p.m. in Nevada. It's about 10:42 a.m. there as I post this.

Tricia McKinney

1:15 PM ET | 01-15-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Target Audience: That Obama Cartoon

Filed under: Election 2008

As seen on the Guardian Unlimited

 

Editor's note: Our own Angela Ellis blogged this cartoon of Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama. With the ongoing politicking over race in South Carolina, it seems worth a second look. You can check the original round of comments here.

I pretty much had an immediate and visceral reaction to a cartoon this week labeled "Target Man." I saw it Wednesday -- the same day that a Hillary Clinton supporter at a Dover, New Hampshire, rally introduced the candidate like this: "Some people compare one of the other candidates to John F. Kennedy. But he was assassinated."

It's been clear to most in the press that it was a reference to Barack Obama, whose message of hope and magnanimous public speaking style has been likened to JFK's.

Back to the cartoon. It's from the U.K.'s Guardian Unlimited and billed as cartoonist Steve Bell's commentary on Democrat "Barack Obama's sprint to the White House."

Here's my question: Is this a commentary on Obama's being the biggest threat to his opponents' campaigns, therefore making him the focus of their strategies? Is it a play on how Obama has come under fire by the Clinton camp after his Iowa win? Or is it a reference to stories that many people -- especially some in the African-American community -- feel anxiety and fear for Obama as he advances in the campaign because he could possibly be the target of an assassination attempt? And if it is reference to those fears, is it an insensitive one?

On first glance, I felt the latter -- again, in no small part to the New Hampshire rally comment. But now I'm wondering if that's too reactionary. What if the cartoon showed Mitt Romney, a candidate also heavily pounded by his rivals? Or Hillary Clinton? Would it be offensive to show any other candidate with a target on his or her chest? Or does it just seem wrong because Obama -- as the nation's first viable African-American presidential candidate -- really could be a target for the people whose threats have necessitated 24-hour Secret Service protection for the candidate? What do you guys think?

Laura Conaway

11:16 AM ET | 01-15-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

A Taxonomy of Hillary Haters

Filed under: Election 2008

Hillary Clinton has so many haters, writer Jack Hitt coined a verb: hillarating. Hillaraters see many types of Clinton, as Hitt told the BPP today. There's the "Dianne Feinstein" Hillary, a centrist hiding as a liberal. The "Tammy Wynette" Hillary stayed with her husband after the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Then there's the "Lady Macbeth", the "Lisa Simpson" and finally, the cold and calculating "Ms. Frigidaire."

So all you hillaraters out there--which category do you fall into? Why do you hate Hillary?

And we know there are plenty of Hillary supporters out there too. Why do you think the former first lady remains such a lightning rod? Is it her politics, her gender or her personality? Hitt says there is no single reason. As he writes in the current issue of Mother Jones, "No part of her life, however sacred, is off-limits."

Dan Pashman

11:36 AM ET | 01-14-2008 | permalink | comments (30) | e-mail post

Those Ron Paul Newsletters

Filed under: Election 2008

BPP listeners -- most recently Stewart -- have gone back and forth about some past newletters from GOP presidential hopeful Ron Paul.

As the New Republic reports, some of those newsletter items aren't exactly, you know, pro-diversity. James Kirchick examined many, including one from 1992, after the Rodney King riots:

"Order was only restored in L.A. when it came time for the blacks to pick up their welfare checks three days after rioting began," read one typical passage.

Kirchick writes that the pieces don't have bylines, so we can't really know who wrote them. His interview with Paul's campaign yielded this quote from a spokesperson:

"A lot of [the newsletters] he did not see. Most of the incendiary stuff, no."

Read the full New Republic report, Angry White Man.

Laura Conaway

3:05 PM ET | 01- 9-2008 | permalink | comments (4) | e-mail post

Open Thread: McCain, Clinton Rock the Race

Filed under: Election 2008

Which way now?

Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images

 

As goes Dartmouth, so goes Dixville Notch. Barack Obama's big lead in the polls turned into a second-place finish in New Hampshire's Democratic primary Tuesday. And Republican John McCain may have turned that race upside down with his win over Iowa victor Mike Huckabee and former next-door governor Mitt Romney.

A couple of bloggers hashed it out this morning's show. Your turn's waiting in the comments.

Laura Conaway

9:35 AM ET | 01- 9-2008 | permalink | comments (10) | e-mail post

Memory Lane: Howard Dean Marches On

Filed under: Election 2008

Remember when? We've had this clip stuck on repeat in the newsroom all morning.

Laura Conaway

6:51 AM ET | 01- 9-2008 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post

In New Hampshire: Dartmouth Heavy for Obama?

Filed under: Election 2008

Another report from a voter drive at Dartmouth College. Kathleen Onufer is working a van shuttling students to cast ballots in Tuesday's presidential primary, and she says:

My informal exit polling indicates that Dartmouth students seem to be voting for Barack Obama in a 10-to-1 ratio. Or perhaps Obama voters are slightly less inclined to walk back to campus. And given the unseasonably beautiful 50 degree with ample sunshine weather, students feel a little guilty for taking the rides. As one environmental activist said, "I can't believe I'm taking this ride while holding a sign to 'Make Global Warming a Priority.' So much for carbon emissions."

But while driving students less than a mile to the polls may seem like a particularly lazy form of helping out with the primary, it's been nothing short of inspiring. There's a celebratory mood to the whole thing--though I'm sure the sunshine doesn't hurt. Friends are going to vote in groups after lunch, and everyone wants to talk about how great it is that we--and thus our generation--is finally all getting out to the polls. The seniors who voted in the last presidential election are trading stories with the newly minted freshmen, voting for the first time. Plus, it doesn't hurt that our votes in this primary are significantly more influential than they will be in the general.

By the end I even started inviting people to the van with "Come join the party! The polls are where all the cool kids are!" And it's true. At least for this one day in January, civic participation is the trendy way to spend the afternoon.

Laura Conaway

2:18 PM ET | 01- 8-2008 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

It's Hard Out Here for a Clinton

Filed under: Election 2008

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

 

A while back, New York Magazine ran a profile of the women who run Hillary Clinton's campaign. There are a couple of takeaways from the article. First, she has assembled a fiercely loyal cadre of aides and advisers. Second, the campaign is watertight, always on message -- no mistakes.

Lots has been made of both Hillary and Bill Clinton's campaign discipline -- much of it developed over 15 years of being in the spotlight. It makes me wonder whether Senator Clinton's sudden "emotional" momentin New Hampshire last night was sudden at all. Did one of the most disciplined candidates on the campaign trail break down just because she was tired and really, really, really cares about this country?

Both of these things may very well be true, but part of me doesn't buy this as a spontaneous political moment -- maybe there was some calculus behind this. I can imagine someone in the campaign raising their hand and saying, "Well, you know, if you shed a couple of tears we have numbers here that say it could bump you up a few points."

What do you guys think? Is this me being a too skeptical journalist? Or did we see a little chink in the armor last night?

Matt Martinez

1:59 PM ET | 01- 8-2008 | permalink | comments (4) | e-mail post

In New Hampshire: Dartmouth Pres Votes

Filed under: Election 2008

Tyler Frisbee (left) with roommate Claire Dunning in 2004

Courtesy of Tyler Frisbee

 

Another update from Tyler Frisbee, who's getting out the vote at Dartmouth College:

We're keeping busy here at Vote Clamantis. Dartmouth's president, Jim Wright, and his wife voted this morning, so we're happy that our most visible partnership has fulfilled their civic duty

Head quarters is actually quiet right now, all of our vans are out and about and our phone lines have quieted down. The vans are full of students who finished lunch, so they're working hard, but it's nice enough (a balmy 54 degrees in Hanover) that a bunch of students are walking as well. We're psyched to get our voter turnout numbers back later tonight -- we think we have reason to be optimistic!

Laura Conaway

1:25 PM ET | 01- 8-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

In New Hampshire: Huge Rush After Obama Rally

Filed under: Election 2008

They did it in Iowa and now they're doing it in New Hampshire. Young people are getting out the vote today in the presidential primary. Thanks in part to Tyler Frisbee, senior at Dartmouth College and president of Vote Clamantis, a non-partisan student-led voter registration and participation program. She was a guest on our show this morning, and agreed to send us dispatches about the voting effort on the Dartmouth campus. Here's the first:

We've got six vans running right now, taking students to the polls. There's been a huge rush of students after the Obama rally ended around 10, so things have been busy there. We're trying to get the name of every Dartmouth student who votes today, in order to create a database for next year and the general election. Everyone is really pumped about what's going on and our vans have been really full. Drivers have made "Election Day" playlists and are blaring the music as they drive around campus, so we're getting a lot of attention.

Pauline Bartolone

12:07 PM ET | 01- 8-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

As Goes Dixville Notch: Obama, McCain Lead in N.H.

Filed under: Election 2008

News you missed while (we hope) sleeping like a regular person:

Residents of two tiny towns stayed up late to give Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain early victories in the New Hampshire presidential primary.

In Hart's Location, Obama received 9 votes, Hillary Rodham Clinton 3 and John Edwards 1. On the Republican side, McCain received 6 votes, Mike Huckabee 5, Ron Paul 4 and Mitt Romney 1.

In Dixville Notch, Obama got 7 votes, Edwards 2 and Bill Richardson 1. Among Republicans, McCain got 4 votes, Romney 2 and Rudy Giuliani 1.

The New York Times/AP notes that the early voting follows pre-election polls. But the results may not mean much -- Wesley Clark took almost half the Democratic ballots in the early voting back in 2004.

Laura Conaway

6:08 AM ET | 01- 8-2008 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

Just Asking: Who's Got Your Youth Vote?

Filed under: Election 2008, Sound Off

Gail Collins summed up the choice between Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in Sunday's New York Times:

How could you be 21 and not be for Barack Obama?

How could you be 53 and not wonder how this relative stranger will hold up when the disasters arrive, when things get truly nasty and the crowd starts seeing him as mortal?

Anyone relating to that?

Laura Conaway

11:18 AM ET | 01- 7-2008 | permalink | comments (7) | e-mail post

Caucus Report: Ron Paul Backer Checks In

Filed under: Election 2008

David and Crista Keagle and their family with Ron Paul

Via

 

We met David Keagle through our blog post titled "Who Are Ron Paul's Supporters?" Keagle answered:

I am 37 year old Christian husband and home school father of 8 children. We live on a small farm in Iowa. Doctor Paul cured my apathy. Now, our whole family greatly enjoys spreading the message of liberty and freedom through Constitutional government. Our older children make phone calls and pass out Ron Paul literature while the younger children help decorate, dress-up and ride in our parade floats for Ron Paul.

Keagle and his wife, Crista, caucused for Paul on Thursday in Martinsdale, at the Martinsdale Community Church. Paul pulled about 10 percent statewide -- and about 10 percent in Martinsdale. A Republican physician with strong libertarian views, Paul got 21 votes at the Keagles' caucus spot, or 18 more than they'd counted on.

David Keagle gave the address on behalf of Paul. "I told them our party needs reform," he says. "We really got clobbered during the midterm elections, and there's a reason for that. We've really had enough of big-spending Republicans who wear liberal stripes."

Keagle said he wouldn't get excited about the prospect of voting for the winner in Iowa, Mike Huckabee, because he's not different enough from President George Bush. The race continues in New Hampshire, where voters head to the polls on Tuesday.

Laura Conaway

2:56 PM ET | 01- 4-2008 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

Mitt Romney: 'Keep on Battling'

Filed under: Election 2008

Still looking for a clip from Mitt Romney after his second-place finish in Iowa's Republican caucus yesterday. For now, here's Romney on FOX News.

Laura Conaway

11:39 AM ET | 01- 4-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Deserted in Des Moines

Filed under: Election 2008

It was We-owa, but now it's just I-owa. The candidates have turned their affections toward New Hampshire, so the talking heads are all talking to someone else. But Iowans, they're just like you and me. And when we get lonely, where do we go? We go to craigslist.

Even bigger picture

 

Ian Chillag

11:26 AM ET | 01- 4-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Clinton: 'We Are Going to Have Change'

Filed under: Election 2008

Grateful no matter what

From HillaryClinton.com

 

Went looking for a clip from Hillary Clinton's speech after her third-place finish in the Iowa caucuses, and first found the short message -- screengrabbed above-- that she's sending Iowa. A couple of clicks away, the campaign posts the speech.

Laura Conaway

10:11 AM ET | 01- 4-2008 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Paging Ron Paul: Please Update Your Website

Filed under: Election 2008

Iowa: Been there, done that.

From RonPaul2008.com

 

Went looking for a clip of Ron Paul after Thursday night's Iowa caucus and found this instead: The Internet phenom candidate's site stuck on yesterday: From RonPaul2008.com:

Iowa is a key state in the political process and Ron Paul may be our last hope for America. There is no better time to join the freedom movement. The three main thrusts of the Ron Paul Revolution here in Iowa are voting in the caucus, calling precincts to find Ron Paul supporters and becoming a delegate to the county conventions. These are the actions necessary to win Iowa. It is up to you to carry them out.

For the record, Paul finished fifth in the Republican field, with 10 percent of the vote. Not that you'd know it from looking at his website -- yet.

Laura Conaway

9:55 AM ET | 01- 4-2008 | permalink | comments (4) | e-mail post

Edwards: 'Status Quo Lost and Change Won'

Filed under: Election 2008

A clip from John Edwards' speech about his second-place finish in Iowa's Democratic caucus.

Laura Conaway

9:30 AM ET | 01- 4-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Huckabee: 'A New Day in American Politics'

Filed under: Election 2008

With thanks to the daily Huckabee Hound, a clip from Mike Huckabee's victory speech in Iowa.

Laura Conaway

9:22 AM ET | 01- 4-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Obama Says 'Time for Change Has Come'

Filed under: Election 2008

With thanks to Andrew Sullivan, a clip from Barack Obama's victory speech in Iowa.

Laura Conaway

9:15 AM ET | 01- 4-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Open Thread: What the Heck Happened in Iowa?

Filed under: Election 2008, Sound Off

Returns from the Iowa caucus look like this:

On the Republican side, in order, it's Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, Fred Thompson/JohnMcCain, Ron Paul.

On the Democratic side, in order, it's Barack Obama, John Edwards, Hillary Clinton. Joe Biden and Chris Dodd are calling it quits.

And what, gentle listener, are you calling it? Can Romney recover? Did Clinton pay too little attention to Iowa, or too much? Anyone see a John Edwards surge in the making? And what happens now for the passionate supporters of Ron Paul?

Hit the comments, please. We're looking for you.

Laura Conaway

6:50 AM ET | 01- 4-2008 | permalink | comments (12) | e-mail post

Caucusers to Candidates: Call Me . . .

Filed under: Election 2008

The affair started back in the spring. First came the staffers, then the volunteers, the press and finally the candidates themselves. They wined and dined Iowans, showed them a good time -- Oprah, Kevin Bacon . . . even Chuck Norris. And when caucusers finally put out . . . the good word for their chosen candidate, not 24 hours passed before the presidential hopefuls moved on to the next conquest in New Hampshire.

Oh, sure, there were the "Let's keep in touch" moments as candidates thanked Iowans for the good time, but let's face it, Iowa's off the radar again. Larry Hejtmanek, director of a Des Moines mental health center says that the people most active during straw poll season are disappointed when the process moves on: "It's all over . . . you have a normal letdown."

But most Iowans -- especially those who weren't among the chosen few who caucused- are saying good riddance. Here's a video of Jason Walsmith, the lead singer of the Des Moines rock band, The Nadas, performing "Get Outta Our Town: Caucus Lament."

Angela Ellis

3:17 PM ET | 01- 3-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Ron Paul Fans Meet Up at Huckabee Sermon

Filed under: Election 2008

GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee spoke at a San Antonio, Texas, megachurch this Sunday. Outside the Cornerstone Church, supporters of rival Ron Paul campaigned for their man. We pulled a bit of sound from the clip above for the show, but the whole thing's worth seeing.

Ian Chillag

8:40 AM ET | 12-24-2007 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

CLOSED: Who Are Ron Paul's Supporters?

Filed under: Election 2008

Ron Paul takes press questions in Iowa.

Getty Images

Greetings, Ron Paul fans. You've been an incredibly civil, thoughtful, well-spoken and engaged crowd. Thing is, you're also an incredible crowd -- so much so that we can't keep up with turning on all your comments. As of 8:10 or so a.m. Eastern, we're going to turn off commenting on this thread. If time permits, we'll circle back and post comments that were filed earlier.

Laura

Bennett Roth of the Houston Chronicle gave the home view of GOP candidate Ron Paul today. Roth says it's hard to tell where Paul's supporters are coming from, but he argues the most ardent backing is not in Texas but in places like California and Florida.

Roth thinks Paul has become such an Internet phenomenon in part because he connects with a demographic that finds a natural outlet online:

"He appeals to a certain group of people that I'm guessing are a little bit younger, a little bit more male, and certainly very disaffected, who maybe don't get their news from the mainstream papers."

Ron Paul supporters, we'd love to hear who you are.

Laura Conaway

9:49 AM ET | 12-18-2007 | permalink | comments (3979) | e-mail post

Gender Bias? Editor Defends the Clinton Pick

Filed under: Election 2008, Sound Off

For the longest time, newspaper editorial boards were all-male, and so were presidential fields. This election cycle, the Des Moines Register's editorial board is largely female, and the presidential field features a senator from New York named Hillary Clinton.

Who, it should be noted, just won the Register's endorsement on that side of the ticket. Executive editor Carolyn Washburn came on our show today and talked about the process of making the pick--followed by the process of defending it. The editor says Clinton just blew the group away.

"We all had our shields up, to be honest, in the same way that many, many Americans have their shields up about her," Washburn remembers. "We finished an hour and a half with her and came out and looked at each other and went, 'Wow.' She's just extremely impressive."

Laura Conaway

1:14 PM ET | 12-17-2007 | permalink | comments (7) | e-mail post

Des Moines Register Backs McCain, Clinton

Filed under: Election 2008

John McCain and Hillary Clinton sit next to each other at the opening of the Center for the Intrepid in San Antonio in January.

Ben Sklar/Getty Images

The Des Moines Register has issued its endorsements for the 2008 Iowa caucuses, slated for Jan. 3. On our show today, executive editor Carolyn Washburn talked about the process of making a pick.

In the Republican field, the nod goes to John McCain.

In the Democratic race, the paper goes for Hillary Clinton.

The Register describes Sen. McCain as a hero:

McCain would enter the White House with deep knowledge of national-security and foreign-policy issues. He knows war, something we believe would make him reluctant to start one. He's also a fierce defender of civil liberties. As a survivor of torture, he has stood resolutely against it. He pledges to start rebuilding America's image abroad by closing the Guantanamo prison and beginning judicial proceedings for detainees.

The Register says Sen. Clinton is ready for the job:

In the Senate, she has earned a reputation as a workhorse who does not seek the limelight. She honed knowledge of defense on the Senate Armed Services Committee. She has proactively served rural and urban New York and worked in the national interest, strengthening the Children's Health Insurance Program. Clinton is tough. Tested by rough politics and personal trials, she's demonstrated strength, resolve and resilience.

Laura Conaway

9:38 AM ET | 12-17-2007 | permalink | e-mail post

Snow Makes Trouble for Ron Paul Blimp

Filed under: Election 2008

Ron Paul blimp no flies in snow?

From the Ron Paul blimp blog

 

The Ron Paul presidential movement may be unstoppable on the Internet, but in the real world a few snowflakes can ground it. Winter weather up and down the East Coast is likely going to scuttle plans to send a blimp emblazoned with Ron Paul's name to Boston for a large rally this weekend.

We talked about the campaign stunt on the show this week, and like much of Paul's presidential run it had that "so crazy it might just work" vibe. The blimp features the message "Google Ron Paul" and was going to participate in a re-enactment of the Boston Tea Party by dumping some Earl Grey over the side.

(The symbolism is too complicated to explain here but it involves the U.S. Dollar going off the gold standard and the Federal Reserve or something like that.)

But all of that required clear skies. So now there's a Plan B. Paul supporters will probably send the blimp to South Carolina in search of voters who, let's be honest, are more likely to be swayed by political messages on a UFO.

The blimp may still have to weather the crap-storm of regulation. In order to put the thing in the air, Paul supporters have been taking unlimited contributions. They argue that they are just renting advertising space to individuals and so are not subject to federal election regulations. If the FEC doesn't shoot it down (and the Paulites have hired big name lawyers to keep it afloat), then I can imagine the airspace over New Hampshire will get a little crowded with competing balloon, blimps and dirigibles come January.

Robert Smith

12:49 PM ET | 12-13-2007 | permalink | comments (8) | e-mail post

Scene in Iowa: Photo Blogging the Next President

Filed under: Election 2008

A passionate supporter

Keith Bedford/The Stumping Grounds

 

Four photographers decide to blog the politicking in Iowa this year. They rent a house in Des Moines and start taking pictures of the scene behind the scenes. Some they sell to wire services, and some they post on a daily photo blog, The Stumping Grounds. The Stumpers came on our show today to talk about the camera's eye view.

Full gallery: Scene in Iowa: Photo Blogging the Next President

Laura Conaway

7:04 AM ET | 12-13-2007 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Today in Ron Paul

Filed under: Election 2008

GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul and his revolution are all over the Interwaves (and our show) today. A quick look:

1) Ron Paul and the revolution belong on Meet the Press, says Ron Paul's revolution. And until Ron Paul gets invited for "Meet the Candidates," Tim Russert's inbox cannot rest.

2) Ron Paul goes well with Doritos. "Cheese pizza powers the Ron Paul revolution," reports the Chicago Tribune. "So do Doritos, Cheerios and beer. Junk food in general dominates the menu at this rented house, full of young people who've moved in from Seattle, South Florida and points in between to push for the Texas Republican's long-shot presidential bid in the Jan. 8 New Hampshire primary."

Bonus: What's the deal with Ron Paul?

A Ron Paul Meetup in Boulder, Colo.

Laura Conaway

1:30 PM ET | 12-11-2007 | permalink | comments (7) | e-mail post

Artisan Politics: A Personality Test for Candidates

Filed under: Election 2008

Mitt Romney, "Rational"

Ben Sklar/Getty Images

You know that test you sometimes have take when applying for a new job that assesses your personality? It's called the "Keirsey Temperament Sorter-II" (KTS-II) and it determines which of the four personality types or "temperaments" you fit into. There's the dutiful and dependable "Guardian," the trusting and big-hearted "Idealist," the bold and spontaneous "Artisan," and the pragmatic and strong-willed "Rational."

Today a new online community launched -- it's called PersonalityZone, and it's brought to you by the folks who developed the KTS-II. You can take the test, figure out your personality type, then go to the various "zones" on the site to link up with other "Artisans" or "Guardians" and chat about work, money, love or whatever with like-minded people.

But what I found interesting on the site is a blog called the Fieldmarshal Report that applies the four personality types to the presidential candidates. Apparently KTS-II researchers found that over the past 100 years, Americans have voted more "Artisans" into the Oval Office (core characteristics: playful mates . . .seek stimulation . . . want to make a splash. . . Hello, Bill Clinton).

Continue reading "Artisan Politics: A Personality Test for Candidates" »

Angela Ellis

12:36 PM ET | 12-11-2007 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

New Logo for Iowa Caucus?

Filed under: Election 2008

I was all excited to blog about the new logo for the Iowa caucus--originally set to be revealed today by both the Iowa Republican and Democratic parties. But the unveiling has been canceled because of rotten weather. Hmmm, I guess Mother Nature is against bipartisan cooperation.

Tricia McKinney

12:21 PM ET | 12-11-2007 | permalink | e-mail post

Sean Penn to Deliver "Major Political Address"

Filed under: Election 2008

This item just hit my e-mail, and the title caught my eye "Sean Penn - major political address."
Is it just me or is that actually funny?

Ok, it was written by a publicist so take it with a grain of salt.

If anyone wants to go hear the "blistering indictment of political leaders and an impassioned endorsement of Presidential proportions" it's happening in San Francisco at 1pm PST.

Tricia McKinney

12:46 PM ET | 12- 7-2007 | permalink | comments (7) | e-mail post

Capitol Hill: Holiday Party Booby Traps

Filed under: Election 2008

And you thought your office holiday party was a mine field ... Capitol Hill staffers be warned: Make one wrong move with that winter wine spritzer, munch one finger sandwhich while sitting down to readjust your reindeer headband, and you could wind up in the ethics committe slammer.

That's thanks to new Capitol Hill party guidelines aimed at curbing shady party deals between staffers and lobbyists (and I'm not talking about that senator with a lamp shade on his head doing the limbo). So, wave goodbye to the holidays, Capitol Hill, lest you be made an example of. Dare I say it, the Grinch ain't got nothing on the Congressional ethics committee.

Politico's Party Do's and Don't's

Politico.com

 

MJ Davis

12:32 PM ET | 12- 5-2007 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

Dennis Kucinich, Gravitational Field

Filed under: Election 2008

Dennis Kucinich at the Democratic debate.

David Lienemann for NPR

Interesting tidbit on darkhorse candidate Dennis Kucinich from Newsweek's Richard Wolffe, after NPR's Democratic presidential debate on Tuesday:

"Think what you like about Kucinich and UFOs, but this Democratic field has essentially moved to the Kucinich position on trade, on Iraq, on a whole range of things where people thought he was a real outlier. They're all pretty much in agreement now, when it comes to some of these big issues like trade, like diplomacy and war. And they are where Dennis Kucinich is."

Laura Conaway

11:29 AM ET | 12- 5-2007 | permalink | comments (112) | e-mail post

A Quiet Moment for Mike Gravel

Filed under: Election 2008

Mike Gravel keeps his cool.

David Lieneman, for NPR

 

We're not saying candidate Mike Gravel fell asleep in the big NPR Democratic debate Tuesday. We're just saying that's what it looks like in the slideshow.

Laura Conaway

6:37 AM ET | 12- 5-2007 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

It's On: The NPR Democratic Debate

Filed under: Election 2008

Everybody who's anybody in the Democratic presidential field is sitting down in Iowa this hot minute for a debate sponsored by NPR. Get with it.

And watch for updates on a possible GOP debate. As NPR reports on NPR:

NPR and Iowa Public Radio planned to host a Republican debate this week, but the leading Republicans declined, citing scheduling conflicts. NPR is now working with the various campaigns to identify a suitable date and location.

Laura Conaway

2:07 PM ET | 12- 4-2007 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Chuck Norris, the GOP's New Dream Endorsement?

Filed under: Election 2008

What the what? Newsweek reports in the December 10 issue that the Chuck and Huck team -- actor Chuck Norris and candidate Mike Huckabee -- is the "GOP's Delta Force," calling Norris the next Charlton Heston.

Really? I suppose if I had to choose between feeling the wrath of Norris' sidekick body slam or giving political props to Chuck Norris, I'd go with the later ... But only because I fear the nunchuck. And this campaign video:

MJ Davis

8:56 AM ET | 12- 3-2007 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Mike Huckabee: Eye of the Tiger

Filed under: Election 2008

Mike Huckabee just posted a 17-point jump in the polls -- surging ahead of Mitt Romney in the G.O.P presidential field a month ahead of the Iowa caucuses.

Awhile back, Huckabee turned up for a ping-pong cage match at the Bryant Park Project. And he did have that certain gleam in his eye. . . .

Bonus: The show with the full Huckabee interview.

Laura Conaway

6:57 AM ET | 12- 3-2007 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

Ten Cruh-Zazy Campaign Rumors

Filed under: Election 2008

We talked about 'em on today's show. Lysandra Ohrstrom explodes 'em (well, most of 'em) in the Huffington Post.

Ilya Marritz

7:47 AM ET | 11-30-2007 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

Open Thread: What Ron Paul Believes

Filed under: Election 2008, Sound Off

Ron Paul takes questions from reporters.

Getty Images

Tucker Carlson has been following GOP phenom Ron Paul around for an article he's writing for the New Republic, and today he shared some of his observations. Among the more interesting is that Paul is more radical than some of his supporters realize:

Paul thinks there should be no "government-sponsored safety net" -- a concept almost unimaginable to most voters. "I think if some of them thought that through, they would no longer be on Ron Paul's side," Carlson says.

Bonus: Ron Paul on the Issues

Laura Conaway

10:12 AM ET | 11-28-2007 | permalink | comments (178) | e-mail post

Romney: Muslims Not Needed in Cabinet

Filed under: Election 2008

GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney doesn't see a need to include a Muslim-American on his would-be presidential cabinet, according to his national press secretary, Kevin Madden. Madden told Politico.com:

At this point, we're not focused on what Governor Romney's cabinet might look like. But the governor does not believe that in order to effectively fight radical jihad you need to have Muslims serving in the Cabinet.

Hmm ... Is this really a campaign trail issue? Should the ethnic make-up of theoretical presidential cabinets be representative of the general U.S. population? Or, perhaps an even more interesting question is should these cabinets reflect a deep cultural understanding of the populations of countries we currently occupy?

MJ Davis

12:07 PM ET | 11-27-2007 | permalink | e-mail post

Contest: Fred Thompson, Natural Wonder

Filed under: Election 2008, Sound Off

Fred Thompson, Republican presidential contender

photocredit

GOP contender Fred Thompson continues to be hit with the accusation that he isn't campaigning hard enough.

Commentators have described him as "running like a dry creek" and said that following Thompson's presidential effort "is like watching a big bear stand up and try to dance on ice."

Which we think deserves a Fred Thompson Natural Phenomenon Metaphor contest. Guest host Mike Pesca kicks it off with this beauty:

"The Thompson campaign has all the momentum of a frozen brontosaurus."

People, I'm holding out for better.

Laura Conaway

8:38 AM ET | 11-26-2007 | permalink | comments (10) | e-mail post

Clinton Video: Marriage Is Hard, Caucusing Is Easy

Filed under: Election 2008

A new video from the Hillary Clinton campaign tells voters that caucusing is easy, but -- you guessed it -- marriage is hard. It's a how-to video explaining the caucus process, and it includes a few choice cameos, including Bill Clinton and a Big Mac.

MJ Davis

8:35 AM ET | 11-19-2007 | permalink | e-mail post

McCain Takes a Tough Question on the Trail

Filed under: Election 2008

It must be hard out there on the campaign trail -- especially when your supporters call Hillary Clinton the "B" word while being video taped.

But what's a presidential hopeful to do when a much-needed supporter crosses the line, as this one clearly did at a John McCain rally in South Carolina? We'll explore that on the BPP tomorrow.

MJ Davis

9:59 AM ET | 11-14-2007 | permalink | comments (4) | e-mail post

Learning the Rules of the 'Gender Card'

Filed under: Election 2008

The Hillary Clinton mixtape from the last presidential debate

On today's show, we examined whether Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton in fact played the gender card after her (male) opponents attacked her in the last debate.

For analysts who say she did, the campaign video above is exhibit A.

Laura Conaway

7:22 AM ET | 11- 8-2007 | permalink | comments (6) | e-mail post

Giuliani Gets Strange Bedfellow

Filed under: Election 2008

Politics. Strange bedfellows. You know the saying. And I wish I could avoid using it, but I can't because it's so true in this case. Evangelical Christian leader Pat Robertson has officially endorsed Rudy Giuliani for in the '08 run for the White House.

This is clearly an effort to boost Giuliani's numbers among evangelicals. I wouldn't want to generalize, but I feel pretty safe in saying most voters in that camp are not super-keen on voting for a guy who supports abortion rights and has been divorced more than once. It's not so much the divorced thing as it is the abortion issue.

Continue reading "Giuliani Gets Strange Bedfellow" »

Rachel Martin

1:10 PM ET | 11- 7-2007 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

Barack Obama as Self on 'Saturday Night Live'

Filed under: Election 2008

All the fun you can stand to have in an election season that's down to 364 days.

Laura Conaway

8:30 AM ET | 11- 5-2007 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

Clinton Leftovers, Pro and Con

Filed under: Election 2008

John Edwards' presidential campaign sets Senator Clinton's contradictions in this week's debate to classical music...can anyone name that tune?

Meanwhile, the Boston Globe edit board pipes up in her defense over those closed-door remarks you heard she made on Social Security.

Then again...less than a third of adults under 40 believe they'll get a social security check, period.

Ilya Marritz

1:33 PM ET | 11- 2-2007 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

Hillary Clinton and the Gender Card

Filed under: Election 2008

The Hillary Clinton mixtape from this week's debate

Tough bit from Andrew Sullivan today, who's had it up to here with people saying Hillary Clinton deserves props as a tough woman for fending off the attacks of six other Democratic presidential contenders:

What's next? Congratulating her that she didn't burst into tears? And can we please retire this hideous "Hillary" thing? She's Senator Clinton. And she can't play the gender card both ways.

Laura Conaway

2:22 PM ET | 11- 1-2007 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

Obama Called His Shot--But Was it a Home Run?

Filed under: Election 2008

Barack Obama at an agriculture summit in Iowa

David Lienemann, Getty Images

Seventy-five years ago this month, as legend (and some grainy video) has it, Babe Ruth called his shot. He gestured to the outfield bleachers just before a pitch to let the fans and opposition know he was about to hit a home run, then he hit a home run. Babe Ruth was a badass.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama called his shot on Sunday, when he told the New York Times he was about to start going after the front-runner Hillary Clinton more aggressively. But I don't know if he was as successful as the Babe.

I'm interested in the strategy of announcing your strategy before executing it. It seems that announcing a strategy shift like this one days before starting it might take away some of the spark that the shift might generate. Conversely, you might argue that announcing the strategy before executing it prepares the media and the voters to accept a difference in tone.

I just wonder if it helped Obama that, all day Monday and Tuesday, at events like that MTV town hall, he ended up in this annoyingly meta situation where he was talking about the strategy instead of actually executing it, which he finally started doing last night.

I'm not sure whether Obama's approach was effective. I don't have an opinion yet. Please give me one.

Dan Pashman

12:55 PM ET | 10-31-2007 | permalink | e-mail post

Mud Flies in Democratic Field

Filed under: Election 2008

Barack Obama goes on the attack against Hillary Clinton. Mike Gravel can't get in the debate. And Ron Paul takes his much money on a visit to Leno.

Jim VandeHei of Politico.com makes sense of the madness.

Laura Conaway

1:32 PM ET | 10-29-2007 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Garry Kasparov on 'Real Time with Bill Maher'

Filed under: Election 2008

Chess master Garry Kasparov is running for president in Russia. After seeing this interview, I am jealous of Russian voters.

Carrie Tobey

10:55 AM ET | 10-23-2007 | permalink | e-mail post

Open Thread: Who Counts as a 'Values Voter'?

Filed under: Election 2008, Sound Off

Christians rally at the U.S. Supreme Court in 2005

Alex Wong/Getty Images

On this morning's show, we talked to people on their way to the Family Research Council's second annual Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C.. All the major GOP candidates will be attending this gathering of conservative Christians.

For the people we talked to, being a "values voter" means opposing abortion and the right to same-sex marriage and supporting the nomination of judges who share those views.

As host Alison Stewart asked, what about people who hold different beliefs, and "they say, hey, we have values, too?"

So what about 'em? Do you consider yourself a "values voter" -- and what does that mean to you?

Laura Conaway

7:10 AM ET | 10-18-2007 | permalink | comments (13) | e-mail post

Gore Wins Nobel, Still Trails Ron Paul

Filed under: Election 2008

Thursday, before the Nobel Peace Prize was on its way to Al Gore's bedside table, we took a look at the former vice president's status with Google Trends. In short, he trailed both the Nobel and GOP contender Ron Paul.

So how's he doing today?

Continue reading "Gore Wins Nobel, Still Trails Ron Paul" »

Laura Conaway

12:59 PM ET | 10-12-2007 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Open Thread: Will Al Gore Run?

Filed under: Election 2008

Al Gore listens at a Clinton Initiative summit in September.

Nicholas Roberts for AFP/Getty Images

We spent about five hours of our show today talking about former Vice President Al Gore's new Nobel Peace Prize. And really, aside from the news that Gore won, it was all about one question:

Will Al Gore run?

Our expert says nobody knows, but we're hoping you have at least a good guess. Will Gore run? Should he? And if not, what's next for him?

Laura Conaway

7:43 AM ET | 10-12-2007 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

A Ron Paul Video Bonanza

Filed under: Election 2008

I still like the rapping pizza who likes Ron Paul, but there's something about watching the Republican candidate for president with "Sweet Emotion" for a soundtrack.

It's linked below. After the bump, three more Ron Paul videos—dare you to play all four at once. (P.S. This micro-festival comes courtesy of a commenter who plugged a Digg collection; worth a click if only for the debate that follows.)

Ron Paul backed by "Sweet Emotion":

Continue reading "A Ron Paul Video Bonanza" »

Laura Conaway

1:25 PM ET | 10-10-2007 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Four Candidates Punt Michigan Primary

Filed under: Election 2008

Clear the way for Hillary Clinton—unless she, too, leaves the Michigan primary. Four Democratic contenders for the party's presidential nomination have moved to take their names off that state's primary ballot. Barack Obama, John Edwards, Joe Biden and Bill Richardson have all beaten today's deadline to withdraw.

Michigan had moved its primary up to Jan. 15, before the Iowa and New Hampshire contests. That didn't sit well with the Democratic National Committee.

From the Detroit Free Press:

The big question now is whether Sen. Hillary Clinton, the frontrunner among Democrats, will join the others and remove her name from the ballot.

Laura Conaway

2:27 PM ET | 10- 9-2007 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Huckabee Deals with a New Kind of Media Spin

Filed under: Election 2008, Video

Former Arkansas Governor and Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee shed some of his his underdog status when he came in second place in Saturday's Iowa Straw Poll. Many Republican voters are giving him a second look, and he's taking advantage of his new found celebrity on the talk show circuit. He swung by NPR New York yesterday for an interview. In all honesty, he wasn't here to do an interview with us. But, Luke and Alison asked nicely if he had an extra few minutes to talk -- you can hear that interview when our show pilot #11 is posted later today.

In our interview, Huckabee stressed how much of a real candidate he was -- how he was not as handled or as much of a "stuffed shirt" as other candidates. Luke asked the governor to prove it, and challenged him to a game of ping pong at the BPP's makeshift ping pong table. Behold that remarkable display of raw athleticism right here (and come back later to hear the interview that sparked it all):

Win Rosenfeld

11:39 AM ET | 08-17-2007 | permalink | comments (9) | e-mail post

Fat Chance: Is Bill Richardson Too Hefty To Be President?

Filed under: Election 2008

New Mexico Governor and presidential candidate Bill Richardson.

Credit: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images

Bill Richardson officially announced his race to the White House on Monday, which kind of surprised us considering he was at all the debates and has campaign ads. You figure once you get to that point people pretty much know you're running for president -- or do they? Luke had a question in this morning's meeting -- is Bill Richardson just trying to get noticed? Are his platform and performance in the debates and general bona fides not enough to propel him into the American public's consciousness? And Luke also wondered why someone with such a solid resume has been so completely dismissed so early. Luke called a Columbia University student named Seth Berliner to talk about an article he wrote that might explain why Bill Richardson is not getting noticed: He's too fat. Listen to the podcast or the streaming link above for more on this weighty issue.

Matt Martinez

3:26 PM ET | 05-22-2007 | permalink | comments (13) | e-mail post

Watch Out Jeff Foxworthy...

Filed under: Election 2008, The Dagobah System

There's a new funny man on the block and gosh darn if he doesn't look an awful lot like New Mexico Governor and Presidential Candidate Bill Richardson:

Two things surprised me about the ads:

1.) They're actually pretty amusing.
2.) They're actually pretty effective. (In the sense that they made me think about Bill Richardson for 60 seconds, which hadn't really happened to me before. Ever. In my life.)

The spots got us wondering, why is it so rare for candidates to use humor in their ads?

"Humor has its pros and cons," says Evan Tracey of TNS Media Intelligence, a company that helps campaigns hone their political ads. "Funny works when you want to get noticed (but) jokes are only good the first time you hear them - they become progressively less funny the more you hear or see them."

And the proof is kind of in the pudding. For instance, Wes Clark tried to bring the funny with an Outkast reference when he was running for President back in 2004, and even though the ad made a lot of people laugh, it clearly wasn't enough. (I think Andre 3000 actually got more votes than Clark in the Georgia primary.)

Mark Putnam is a partner at Murphy Putnam Media -- the people behind the Richardson ads. He says, "I don't think it's that the traditional ads don't work anymore. I think here we had a unique intersection of a candidate's record, personality, and his status in the race, and it really was a great way to showcase how much he's done in his career and at the same time give people a feel for him. Voters are always hungering for something that captures their attention and imagination, that's something that's been true from the beginning."

One thing to watch out for though if you are a candidate trying to use humor, make sure the joke's not on you:

Alas, Christopher Knight did not win that spot on the Rockingham County Board of Education, but he does have an awesome fake Light Saber to remind him of his time as a candidate.

And what about the guy in this Dos Equis ad? I mean, he's not officially running for anything, but can you imagine if he was? I think he could maybe win Emperor of The World or something.

Luke Burbank

2:28 PM ET | 05-10-2007 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post