The Palins' Tax Returns

The McCain campaign has released Sarah and Todd Palin's tax returns from 2006 and 2007. Love those Friday afternoon document drops!

Our Peter Overby is still poring over them, but you can take a look here.

From the release:

Taxes Paid:

For 2006, the Palins paid $11,944 (LINE 63) in total taxes on gross income of $127,869 (LINE 37), which is a 9.3% tax rate.

For 2007, the Palins paid $24,738 (LINE 63) in total taxes on gross income of $166,080 (LINE 37), which is a 14.9% tax rate.

Charitable Contributions:

2006

In 2006, Sarah and Todd Palin donated $4,250 to charity in cash/check donations and $630 in non-cash/check donations, for a total of $4,880. This is 3.3% of their adjusted gross income.

2007

In 2007, Sarah and Todd Palin donated $2,500 to charity in cash/check donations and $825 in non-cash/check donations, for a total of $3,325. This is 1.5% of their adjusted gross income.

We'll keep you posted on whatever Peter comes up with. In the meantime, feel free to submit your own findings in the comments...

-- Evie Stone

5:15 PM ET | 10- 3-2008 | permalink

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Lawsuits Piling Up

Alaska's "Troopergate" scandal continues to produce a new storyline practically everyday. Kyle Hopkins of the Anchorage Daily News reports the most recent twist comes in the form of a lawsuit -- the third of its kind -- that aims to halt the state legislature's investigation of Sarah Palin. Palin has since agreed to cooperate with a separate investigation run by the state Personnel Board. The new suit was filed on behalf of five Republican state lawmakers. The presiding judge -- who was assigned to the case after two others recused themselves because of potential conflicts of interest -- decided to combine it with a similar lawsuit filed recently by the Alaska Attorney General. The central argument in the two suits is that the Legislative Council lacks the appropriate authority to conduct the investigation. (It's worth noting that the Council is made up of 10 Republicans and four Democrats.) And that packaged suit joins yet another filed by a group of residents from Fairbanks and North Pole. That one questions the constitutionality of the investigation.

In the ADN article, Ed O'Callaghan, an attorney with the McCain-Palin campaign, was asked what role the campaign is playing vis-a-vis these legal efforts. His response: "They were not initiated by any attorney in the campaign, but we are available if they want to consult with us." But Newsweek's Michael Isikoff says the attorney plays a key role, claiming O'Callaghan "has been helping to direct a hardball legal strategy aimed at thwarting inquiries into the Alaska governor on all fronts."

-- Sean Bowditch

1:08 PM ET | 09-30-2008 | permalink

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No-Shows

The AP reports that seven top aides to Governor Sarah Palin did not show up at a legislative hearing today, defying subpoenas requesting their testimony in the "Troopergate" scandal. Democratic State Senator and Judiciary Chair Hollis French indicated the witnesses could be held in contempt. But Alaska Attorney General Talis Colberg claims the committee lacks the jurisdiction to issue the subpoenas. The state legislature is investigating whether Palin improperly pressured Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan to fire State Trooper Mike Wooten, Palin's estranged brother-in-law. In the end, Wooten was never dismissed, but Monegan was. Given the controversy and rancor surrounding the investigation, it's unclear at this point when and how it will be resolved.

The Anchorage Daily News also published some interesting polling on Troopergate. It provides some insight on how Alaskans view the issue and how they think it should be handled going forward. Numbers after the jump.

-- Sean Bowditch

Continue reading "No-Shows" »

7:54 PM ET | 09-26-2008 | permalink

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Subpoenas Coming In 'Troopergate'?

The "Troopergate" investigation ratcheted up a notch today. The AP is reporting that the lead investigator in the case has asked the judiciary committees in both the Alaska House and Senate for the power to subpoena 13 people, including Governor Sarah Palin's husband Todd. The request is expected to be granted. The AP adds that Governor Palin's name is not on the list, but she will likely be "interviewed".

The investigation is looking into whether Palin inappropriately used the power of the Governor's office to have her former brother-in-law fired from the State Police. The outcome has greater political implications for Palin now that she is John McCain's running mate. Initially, investigators were slated to go public with their findings in October -- scarily close to the general election. One report has surfaced claiming that the McCain campaign is attempting to stall the process to avoid the potential for political embarrassment.

-- Sean Bowditch

CLARIFICATION: Just to be clear, Mike Wooten, Palin's former brother-in-law, was never fired from the Alaska State Police. The investigation is specifically looking into whether Palin improperly pressured -- and later fired -- Walt Monegan, then the state's Public Safety Commissioner.

3:08 PM ET | 09-12-2008 | permalink

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Hey, Um, That Mic Is Still On

Posted to YouTube: Republican commentators Peggy Noonan and Mike Murphy talking into hot mics after an interview with MSNBC's Chuck Todd. They're a little off-message on the Palin VP pick...

Noonan:

I think they went for this -- excuse me -- political bulls**t about narratives...every time Republicans do that, because that's not where they live, and it's not what they're good at, they blow it.

Murphy:

You know what's really the worst thing about it? The greatness of McCain is no cynicism, and this is cynical.

Awk!

h/t Ben Smith

-- Evie Stone

UPDATE: In her weekly WSJ column, Noonan apologizes and explains what she was getting at.

4:37 PM ET | 09- 3-2008 | permalink

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Line Item Irony

Hot on the heels of the news that Governor Palin's 17-year-old daughter is pregnant, the Washington Post has tracked down a document from earlier this year that shows Palin used her veto power to cut funding to a program that assists teen mothers. The Covenant House Alaska, which among other services offers transitional housing for teen moms, had its funding reduced from $5 million to $3.9 million. The Post also cites a 2006 candidate questionnaire on which Palin stated "sex-ed programming will not find my support".

-- Sean Bowditch

UPDATE: After Brian, one of our astute readers, questioned the veracity of this article, we did some additional digging. It turns out the Washington Post got this one wrong. We called the Covenant House Alaska and, according to Executive Director Deirdre Cronin, the program's operating budget was not in fact reduced. She writes in a press release: "Our $3.9 million appropriation is directed toward a multi-year capital project and it is our understanding that the state simply opted to phase in its support for this project over several years, rather than all at once in the current budget year." Thanks, Brian. We stand corrected.

2:13 PM ET | 09- 3-2008 | permalink

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Palin's Preemptive Strike

The Anchorage Daily News reports that, in an unusual move, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has formally asked a state board to look into the firing of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan in 2007. And she wants the inquiry to remain public, perhaps hoping a transparent process will lay to rest any lingering questions of an abuse of power. One lawyer interviewed for the story said, by doing this, Palin has essentially lodged "an ethics complaint against herself". The question at the center of the investigation is whether Palin axed Monegan after he refused to dismiss State Trooper Mike Wooten, her former brother-in-law who went through a bitter divorce with Palin's sister. Palin's lawyer also asked that the state legislature now drop its own separate investigation of the case, a request that was apparently immediately refused by the lead Senator.

Palin is likely trying to knock down the negative press surrounding the case, which has become just one of several tough storylines swirling around the Vice Presidential nominee. Palin is set to deliver a much-anticipated speech tonight at the Republican Convention.

-- Sean Bowditch

12:26 PM ET | 09- 3-2008 | permalink

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Palin On God's Plan

The Huffington Post is throwing another log on the not-so-vetted bonfire. A video has surfaced featuring a speech by Gov. Sarah Palin at Wasilla Assembly of God. The video doesn't portray the fire-and-brimstone "God damn America" moments of Rev. Wright that seem tailor-made for attack ads, but quotes like the one below certainly aren't likely to be used to court folks who are on the fence:

"Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending them out on a task that is from God. That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan."

If you attempt to view the church's online audio and video archive of previous church services you are greeted with the error message: "The server has been placed offline by the operator. Please try again later."

Note: we changed the headline on this post because the original, intended to be clever, went a bit too far.

-- Michael Olson

9:10 PM ET | 09- 2-2008 | permalink

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Palin's Teen Daughter Pregnant

GOP vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin has announced that her 17-year-old daughter Bristol is five months pregnant and will marry the baby's father.

The statement comes in response to blog rumors alleging that Gov. Palin faked her own most recent pregnancy to cover for Bristol.

Here's the statement from Palin and her husband:

We have been blessed with five wonderful children who we love with all our heart and mean everything to us. Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. We're proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents. As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support.

Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family. We ask the media to respect our daughter and Levi's privacy as has always been the tradition of children of candidates.

According to Reuters, John McCain knew about Bristol's pregnancy before he selected Palin as his running-mate. He decided "it did not disqualify the 44-year-old governor in any way."

-- Evie Stone

12:03 PM ET | 09- 1-2008 | permalink

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Hillary Clinton on Sarah Palin

Hillary Clinton released the following statement on McCain's selection of Palin:

"We should all be proud of Governor Sarah Palin's historic nomination, and I congratulate her and Senator McCain. While their policies would take America in the wrong direction, Governor Palin will add an important new voice to the debate."

-- Michael Olson

4:51 PM ET | 08-29-2008 | permalink

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McCain-Palin Dayton Event: A Meeting Of Mavericks

McCain introduced his running mate Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) in Dayton, Ohio. The duo focused on bolstering each other as mavericks. Palin was joined by her husband and four of her five children.

Palin: "It was rightly noted in Denver this week that Hillary left 18 million cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling in America. But it turns out the women of America aren't finished yet and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all."

Continue reading "McCain-Palin Dayton Event: A Meeting Of Mavericks " »

1:30 PM ET | 08-29-2008 | permalink

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Obama Camp Responds to Palin Pick

In a response statement, Obama spokesman Bill Burton hits Palin on inexperience and echoes some of the talking points we heard at this week's Democratic Convention:

Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency. Governor Palin shares John McCain's commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade, the agenda of Big Oil and continuing George Bush's failed economic policies -- that's not the change we need, it's just more of the same.

-- Evie Stone

UPDATE: Obama and Biden have issued a more positive statement than spokesman Bill Burton's initial response to the Palin pick. It's a similar tactic to the juxtaposition of yesterday's congratulatory McCain ad and McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds's dismissive response to Obama's speech, allowing the candidates themselves to appear magnanimous as the campaign gets in a few oppo hits.

"We send our congratulations to Governor Sarah Palin and her family on her designation as the republican nominee for Vice President. It is yet another encouraging sign that old barriers are falling in our politics. While we obviously have differences over how best to lead this country forward Governor Palin is an admirable person and will add a compelling new voice to this campaign," said Senator Barack Obama and Senator Joe Biden.

11:53 AM ET | 08-29-2008 | permalink

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What She Brings

After this week's historic nomination of Barack Obama to lead the Democratic ticket, GOP candidate John McCain made a little history of his own by picking Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running-mate.

Palin is the first woman to be on a Republican ticket (the Dems have only had one as well -- Walter Mondale's running-mate Geraldine Ferraro in 1984). Her choice is a potential lure to the disaffected Hillary Clinton voters that McCain has been endeavoring to win over.

She's also the only Alaskan candidate ever to grace a major-party ticket.

Palin doesn't bring much of an electoral boost (Alaska has 3 EVs), but she's got solid conservative credentials that should bolster McCain's standing with a group that's been wary about him so far. American Conservative Union chairman David Keene released a statement this morning calling her "a perfect choice for Vice President."

Expect the Obama campaign to exploit Palin's relative inexperience, especially since McCain's line on Obama has been that after only 4 years in the US Senate he's "not ready to lead". Palin has held statewide office for two years, and prior to that she was the mayor of the small town (well, medium-sized by Alaskan standards) of Wasilla.

-- Evie Stone

11:37 AM ET | 08-29-2008 | permalink

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McCain Picks Palin as VEEP

Sarah Palin made history in November '06 when she was elected governor of Alaska. Palin was the first woman to win that office, and, elected at the age of 42 (she's now 44), she is the youngest governor in the state's history.

When Palin was first elected, reporter Elizabeth Arnold described her on NPR as "a moose-burger-eating, snow-mobile-riding maverick who's not afraid to take on fellow Republicans she disagrees with."

-- Michael Olson

UPDATE: The McCain campaign's press release on Palin is after the jump.

Continue reading "McCain Picks Palin as VEEP" »

10:41 AM ET | 08-29-2008 | permalink

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Pawlenty Of VEEP Speculation

UPDATE: MPR says Pawlenty won't likely be the VEEP, nor will he be at the Dayton event.

Folks over at RedState are picking up on the cues that Pawlenty is it. We're keeping tabs on developments and want to know who you think is the best pick for McCain. Share your take in the comment section.

-- Michael Olson

2:27 AM ET | 08-29-2008 | permalink

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McCain VEEP Watch

MCCAIN POOL REPORT #2a 8/29/08

According to the pool tape, McCain can be heard to say "Wilfred Brimley" in response to veep shouts.

--Scott Horsley

9:55 PM ET | 08-28-2008 | permalink

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Drudge: GOP Veepstakers to Share Stage in Dayton

Drudge headlines that all the McCain veepstakes finalists will gather onstage at the candidate's noon event in Dayton, Ohio tomorrow. The event, which coincides with McCain's 72nd birthday, is expected to be his running-mate rollout.

Sounds...awkward for the unchosen, no?

-- Evie Stone

7:20 PM ET | 08-28-2008 | permalink

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Rove Stepping In?

Politico's Jonathan Martin reports that Karl Rove may be trying to influence McCain's VP selection process. Citing three sources, Martin writes that Rove called Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) last week, asking him to withdraw his name from consideration. Lieberman apparently dimissed the request. Rove plays no formal role in McCain's campaign, but is viewed by many as a wily GOP strategist.

This comes on the heels of reports that McCain has now settled on a VP candidate and will make the announcement at a rally in Ohio tomorrow.

Others thought to be on McCain's list of possible picks: MN Governor Tim Pawlenty, former MA Governor Mitt Romney, former PA Governor Tom Ridge, and FL Governor Charlie Crist.

-- Sean Bowditch

8:42 AM ET | 08-28-2008 | permalink

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McCain Settles On VP?

Politico is now reporting that McCain has chosen a running mate and will inform that person tomorrow. According to campaign aides, the two will then hit the road together and hold rallies over the weekend in the key battleground states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Missouri.

-- Sean Bowditch

UPDATE: CNN is reporting the same. The network says McCain will go public with his pick on Friday at a rally in Ohio. No wire reports yet.

10:04 PM ET | 08-27-2008 | permalink

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Biden Headed Home After Announcement Event

From NPR's Ina Jaffe:

We are now told that Biden and Obama will NOT campaign together before the convention. Biden goes home to Delaware tonight.

He was told he was the pick Thursday afternoon.

-- Evie Stone

2:57 PM ET | 08-23-2008 | permalink

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Biden Background

A quick Biden primer...

Senator Joe Biden is a (pro-choice) Catholic with strong working-class roots in his hometown of Scranton, PA. He's got impeccable foreign policy credentials, having served several terms as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations committee. During the Presidential primary, he often said he knows many foreign leaders by their first names -- "not because I'm important, but I've been there a long time." And Biden co-wrote the Violence Against Women Act, which created official support structures for victims of domestic violence and criminalized their batterers.

He was first elected to the Senate at age 29 (he's now 65). But before he even took office, his wife and baby daughter were killed in a car accident, leaving him the single father of two young sons. He married his current wife -- Jill, a teacher -- several years later, and they had another daughter.

Biden is an able and often funny debater with a reputation for verbosity (though he assured NBC's Brian Williams during an April 2007 primary debate that he is capable of verbal discipline). He also has an occasional tendency to stick his foot in his mouth. The gaffe we've already been reminded of several times this morning was his 2007 comment that Barack Obama is "the first mainstream African-American [to run for President] who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy." Obama accepted an immediate apology for the inelegant remarks and went on to defend Biden's civil rights record during the Des Moines Register debate in December, saying, "I have absolutely no doubt about what is in his heart and the commitment that he's made with respect to racial equality in this country."

You can read more about Biden's life and times in this profile, courtesy of NPR's Jennifer Ludden.

-- Evie Stone

10:32 AM ET | 08-23-2008 | permalink

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HRC Praises Biden in Statement

Hillary Clinton has issued this statement on Obama's selection of Sen. Joe Biden as his running-mate:

In naming my colleague and friend Senator Joe Biden to be the Vice Presidential nominee, Senator Obama has continued in the best traditions for the Vice Presidency by selecting an exceptionally strong, experienced leader and devoted public servant. Senator Biden will be a purposeful and dynamic Vice President who will help Senator Obama both win the Presidency and govern this great country.

-- Evie Stone

10:07 AM ET | 08-23-2008 | permalink

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McCain Camp Uses Biden To Lead Attack

ARLINGTON, VA -- Today, McCain spokesman Ben Porritt issued the following statement on Barack Obama's selection of Joe Biden as his running mate:

"There has been no harsher critic of Barack Obama's lack of experience than Joe Biden. Biden has denounced Barack Obama's poor foreign policy judgment and has strongly argued in his own words what Americans are quickly realizing -- that Barack Obama is not ready to be President." (Release)

The McCain campaign also immediately released this ad, citing a Biden comment from the primary season that Obama is not yet ready for the presidency:

--Michael Olson

7:37 AM ET | 08-23-2008 | permalink

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It's Biden

UPDATED: The Obama text made it out a couple hours after the AP called it. Share your take in the comments.

UPDATED: at 1:15 EST

No text from Obamaland, but CNN, AP and NYTimes claim Biden as Obama VP.

-- Michael Olson

12:21 AM ET | 08-23-2008 | permalink

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Shop Till Your Drop VEEPstakes Edition

NPR's Ina Jaffe reports that we got bupkis on the Obama VP pick. "But we are hearing that Sen. Obama could be working on his convention speech for the next three hours. The campaign is also telling us that we can go shopping."

Member station KERA in Dallas is staking out the Chet Edwards district office... just because.

--Michael Olson

4:32 PM ET | 08-22-2008 | permalink

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Obama Has Decided, But His Lips Are Sealed

NPR's Ina Jaffe reports that Obama was asked about his VP choice this afternoon at a gift/peanut shop in Emporia, VA.

His coy answer: "I've made the selection and that's all you're going to get."

Well, that's a start. Now where's our text message?!

-- Evie Stone

4:54 PM ET | 08-21-2008 | permalink

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Lieberman to Speak

The AP is now reporting that Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut will speak at next month's Republican National Convention in St. Paul. The source is a GOP official who asked to remain anonymous. This likely means Lieberman has dropped off McCain's VP shortlist.

-- Sean Bowditch

9:55 AM ET | 08-20-2008 | permalink

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Don't Rule Out a Dark Horse

Obama has announced plans to return to the State Capitol building in Springfield, Illinois this Saturday -- the same spot where he launched his bid for the White House 19 months ago. That has people betting he'll officially unveil his VP pick there. The same names keep popping up: Biden, Bayh, Kaine, and, sometimes, Sebelius. And yes it's true, more than likely one of them will become the Democratic Vice-Presidential nominee.

But what if all the pundits are wrong? What if Obama picks someone completely unexpected?

In the tradition of wild VP speculation, I've consulted my colleagues and humbly submit a few last-minute Dark Horses, some familiar, some resurrected, some....

1.) Gen. Colin Powell. He was a National Security Advisor to Reagan, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Secretary of State in the Bush's first administration. Also: everyone loves Colin Powell. Sure, he's a Republican, but he's nearly endorsed Obama's candidacy this year. One major con: he helped sell the invasion of Iraq in 2003. However, that's not exactly a criticism the McCain camp would be itching to use in a TV ad.

2.) Vice-President Al Gore. Would he want to be Vice-President (again)? Probably not. What's not to like about being a Nobel prize-winning, Powerpoint-toting, environmental visionary? But if Obama needs someone of his singular stature and he's promised more power this time around -- potentially as some kind of energy czar -- maybe he could be swayed to join the Obama team.

3.) Al Franken. After the New Yorker cover debacle, Obama was accused of not having a sense of humor. Naming Al Franken as his VP could solve that problem. Plus, considering how Franken is currently polling in his Senate race at this point, he'll probably be available for the job.

4.) Gen. Anthony Charles Zinni. He's a retired four-star General, and his four stars could go a long way to balance out Obama's lack of national security experience. Not exactly a household name, but in a memoir he co-authored with Tom Clancy, he offered some harsh criticism of the execution of the War in Iraq.

6.) Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland. Whenever he's asked about the VP slot, Strickland says it's not going to happen. But he did a bang up job as Obama's warm-up act two weeks ago, and, as the governor of an important swing state with appeal to blue collar voters, Strickland's denials should not discourage Obama's VP selection committee.

7.) Dick Gephardt. He was the Democratic leader in the House for more than a decade, but we haven't heard much from him since he unsuccessfully sought the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2004. On the downside, he did support the Iraq War resolution, and he's worked as a lobbyist since withdrawing from the 2004 race. Okay, so those are big cons...

Maybe it's back to Biden and Bayh. What do you think? Send us your picks.

-- Thomas Pierce

5:19 PM ET | 08-19-2008 | permalink

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Biden His Time

If Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, who is up for re-election this year, is named as Obama's running mate, state law says HE MAY RUN FOR BOTH OFFICES AT THE SAME TIME -- a la Lieberman in 2000, Bentsen in 1988 and, the most famous one, LBJ in 1960.

The same goes for a less-likely (though my personal) pick, Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island.

And if the Dems win in November, the governors of Delaware or Rhode Island (as well as the governor of Obama's Illinois) may name whomever they want to succeed the departing senator.

-- Ken Rudin

4:28 PM ET | 08-19-2008 | permalink

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Guessing Game

The temperature is a-rising in the VeeP hunt. But given how tight-lipped the campaigns have been up to this point, reporter types are left to pick through a remarkably small set of clues.

The New York Times reports this morning that Obama could announce a running mate as early as Wednesday (via text message, mind you). They say the list is down to three: Senator Evan Bayh (IN), Senator Joseph Biden (DE), and VA Governor Tim Kaine. Interestingly, a new CBS/NYT poll shows that, among Democratic delegates, Hillary Clinton is far and away the favorite for VP, followed by Biden, former NC Senator John Edwards, NM Governor Bill Richardson, and Bayh.

Meanwhile, Politico is reporting that McCain will go public with his choice on August 29th (his 72nd birthday, incidentally), potentially limiting any bump Obama might receive from the convention. But campaign aides say the date is not final and that McCain is waiting for Obama to make the first move. The finalists, according to Politico: former MA Governor Mitt Romney, MN Governor Tim Pawlenty, former PA Governor Tom Ridge, and Senator Joe Lieberman (CT). The National Review Online is now reporting that the McCain camp is contacting GOP officials around the country, feeling out the consequences of a pro-choice pick. So Ridge is moving up the list.

-- Sean Bowditch

10:13 AM ET | 08-19-2008 | permalink

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More Tuesday Names Narrow Dem Veepstakes

The Democratic National Convention Committee has released the names of a few more Tuesday night convention speakers.

Assuming that anyone who's on the docket for Tuesday won't also speak Wednesday (and also assuming that this isn't some kind of elaborate fake-out) this information crosses a few names off the Veepstakes list. Among the speculated-about who appear to be out of the running: Kathleen Sebelius, Ed Rendell, and early favorite Ted Strickland (who firmly denied interest in the VP slot back in June).

Also noteworthy on the agenda: Bob Casey Jr., the pro-life Pennsylvania Senator whose appearance is a dog whistle of sorts for abortion opponents who may be considering Obama.

The full release is after the jump.

-- Evie Stone

Continue reading "More Tuesday Names Narrow Dem Veepstakes" »

4:32 PM ET | 08-13-2008 | permalink

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www.PLEASE-PICK-THIS-TICKET.com

As the VeeP speculation reaches a frenzy, so does the associated website grab. Several key domain names -- such as obamaclark.com and mccainromney.com -- have already been scooped up, perhaps by people hoping to cash in or by folks simply making a political statement or both. The messages range from practically nothing -- mccainjindal08.com just has the word "websheet" dancing around the screen -- to a fully developed site with content and links, like clinton-obama2008.com. And it's a full-on anti-Obama slam at mccainpowell.com.

Interestingly, when you call up obamabayh.org, you get linked directly to Obama's official campaign website. And when you enter obamabayh08.com, you are routed to the Democratic Party website.

Could just be someone having a little fun. Either that, or I just hit the journalistic jackpot.

-- Sean Bowditch

3:02 PM ET | 08- 1-2008 | permalink

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