Saturday, June 30, 2007

Romney Loves His Dog


Mitt Romney has been criticized for strapping the family dog on top of his vehicle during a family trip. Saturday night in Des Moines, he was asked to explain. Here's his response...

Romney said, "Sometimes when the stories come out in the media, they don't quite get it accurate. The kennel that my family pet used to ride in is enclosed. It's not an open-air kennel. It's enclosed. And there are air vents, of course, in the back. My family pet used to climb up there and lay down on his own. We love our family pets, have always loved our family pets, have nothing by honor and pride in taking care of our great dogs."

Empty Your Pockets, Sir

Hillary Clinton is the former First Lady and also a U.S. Senator from New York. Barack Obama has received death threats. Neither was inside Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines Saturday afternoon. But the security sure was something for the six republicans who were there (7 if you count Ron Paul, who set up his own event next door).

We had to walk through metal detectors to get inside the forum room, which I don't recall doing for any political event so far this year. They took my bottled water. They even took my banana. Have the terrorists resorted to fruit these days? They apparently didn't notice my granola bar. I did get that inside. Hmm, granola at the republican event. There some kind of joke about irony here, but I'm just not coming up with it right now.

Romney's a democrat

Mitt Romney's republicans critics love to complain he's not really a republican. I doubt this line he uttered during the Presidential Candidates Forum in Des Moines will help his cause much...


"Then I became a democrat of a state, excuse me, I became Governor that's the most democratic state in America." Mitt Romney--Saturday, June 30, 2007

Monday, June 25, 2007

The Candidates...


Since it doesn't look like I'm road-tripping to Iowa City (see earlier post--Iowa Firefighters canceled the prez forum for Tuesday because of the upcoming activity in the U.S. Senate) I have some time to catch up on some baseball. Tony LaRussa just pulled the Cards' new starter, Mike Maroth, in the 8th. Not sure why. Maroth was great in his Cards debut. Sometimes, I think Tony just wants some exercise walking to the mound. Oh, well.


I don't see how this will be their year anyway. Maybe that's why I think I just did something I've never done: I just filled out my ballot for the All-Star Game and it didn't include any Cardinals' starters. What's happened to me? I used to vote with my heart, not my head. Damn, old age...


National League


First Base: Fielder, P., MIL

Second Base: Utley, C., PHI

Third Base: Cabrera, M., FLA

Shortstop: Renteria, E., ATL

Catcher: Martin, R., LAD

Outfielder: Griffey Jr., K., CIN

Outfielder: Holliday, M., COL

Outfielder: Lee, C., HOU


American League

First Base: Morneau, J., MIN

Second Base: Polanco, P., DET

Third Base: Rodriguez, A., NYY

Shortstop: Jeter, D., NYY

Catcher: Mauer, J., MIN

Outfielder: Crawford, C., TB

Outfielder: Guerrero, V., LAA

Outfielder: Suzuki, I., SEA

Richardson Says He's Up; Obama Goes Up

As Bill Richardson walked away from us at Drake University Friday afternoon, he told us to pay attention to the next poll that was about to come out. As it turns out, it's his campaign's poll. But if it's accurate, it seems to offer signs that his "mo" is continuing to grow. (His rise in the polls seems to have coincided with those tv ads that try to add some humor to the race)

Here's what Richardson's camp had to say:

SANTA FE, NM -- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has jumped to 13% in a new survey of likely Iowa caucus-goers, a 10-point gain since March. He is the only Democrat to make any significant gains over the past three months. Among the likeliest caucus-goers (representing just over 40% of the sample - voters who attended the 2004 caucuses, voted in the 2006 primary, and say they are definite to attend next year's caucus) Governor Richardson has actually overtaken Senator Barack Obama and moved into third place at 18%.

"These positive numbers are exciting but not surprising- Iowans are getting to know Bill Richardson and he's winning them over," said David Contarino, Governor Richardson's campaign manager. "In advertising and in person, the Governor has begun to get his message out to Iowans and they are responding. The Governor is spending a lot of time campaigning across Iowa, shaking hands, attending community events, and wearing out the shoe leather listening to people. People are responding to the Governor's plan to get the US out of Iraq with no residual troops and his "man on the moon' vision for building America's energy independence and creating a new, renewable energy economy. Furthermore, Iowans know we need a President who is ready- on day one -- to reverse the damage of the Bush administration. Bill Richardson's record of accomplishment has convinced many Iowans he can be that President."

The poll of 500 likely Iowa caucus-goers was conducted for the Richardson campaign by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin and Associates June 18-20 and has a margin of error of + 4.4%.
Governor Richardson is now solidly in double-digits in both Iowa and New Hampshire. A CNN-WMUR TV poll following the June 3 debate had the Governor at 10%, as did last month's poll published in the Des Moines Register.

Here are the results to the question "If the caucuses were held today, who would you support?" (likely caucus-goers)

John Edwards
34%

Hillary Clinton
24%

Barack Obama
17%

Bill Richardson
13%

Joe Biden
2%

Dennis Kucinich
2%

Chris Dodd
0%

Other
1%

Don't Know/NA
8%

Here are the results to the same question, broken out among "likeliest" caucus-goers (representing just over 40% of the sample - voters who attended the 2004 caucuses, voted in the 2006 primary, and say they are definite to attend next year's caucus):

John Edwards
31%

Hillary Clinton
23%

Bill Richardson
18%

Barack Obama
16%

Joe Biden
3%

Dennis Kucinich
2%

Chris Dodd
0%

Other
1%

Don't Know/NA
8%


Now, the man Richardson says he has passed, is now hitting the tubes himself. Our sales department just got a late, albeit, relatively small, ad buy from the Obama campaign. I'm told the ads will air statewide. Wanna see them? www.iowa.barackobama.com/tvads

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Standup, Pushups and Cookies

Bill Richardson had 'em rolling at Drake University Friday. Richardson asked the room whether people liked his "job interview" tv commercials he's been airing. The overwhelming answer was "yes." Humor has been a big part of them and it was a big part of his Drake appearance. He tried about a half dozen one-liners. BTW, Richardson's poll numbers have reached double digits since the ads began after not being much above zero when they started.

Richardson also made a push for a national mandate for physical education for kids. "Find ways to invest in healthy breakfast for every child and mandatory physical education, " he said. I wondered how he instituted p.e. for all in his home state. According to New Mexico's Dept. of Education, he hasn't. High schoolers need just one year of p.e. over their four years there. K-8'ers have no statewide mandate at all. It's up to their school district.

So, no sweats, how 'bout some sweets? The event at Drake was called a "Cookies and Conversation". Organizers asked Richardson's campaign to submit his favorite cookie recipe for the event. The campaign sent in this recipe for shortbreads...


Thursday, June 21, 2007

Here's to the Celebs, Mrs. Robinson

(Courtesy: http://www.time.com/)





Chris Dodd seems to have started the Celebrity Train that will roll through town... (well, unless you count "Bubba")




PAUL SIMON TO CAMPAIGN WITH CHRIS DODD IN IOWA DURING FOURTH OF JULY TOUR


Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Paul Simon will join presidential candidate Chris Dodd and his family for part of Dodd’s “River to River” bus tour of Iowa during the week of the Fourth of July. Simon will campaign with Dodd on July 6th and 7th, appearing with him on those days’ tour stops and adding informal performances to Dodd’s events.

“I am thrilled that Paul will be joining Jackie, our daughters, and me in Iowa,” said Senator Dodd. “Paul is a long-time friend and one of the most important voices in American music, and he has been tireless in his service to the greater good of people throughout our country and the world.

“His music and his commitment to bettering our world reflect the leadership and optimism that my campaign is all about.”

Simon will join the Dodd family at stops in Mason City, Fort Dodge, Sioux City, Carroll, and Council Bluffs.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Giuliani Leaves Health Advocates Feeling Sick

Some health advocates (most with the Partnership for Better Health, I believe) say they got the brush off from Rudy Giuliani during his campaign stop in Des Moines (his first visit to the state since his campaign announced he would not take part in the Iowa Republican Straw Poll). They weren't pleased from the start since the event began more than a half hour late.

Giuliani took no questions from the crowd, and according to the health care'ers, he walked past them as they tried to talk with him about his commitment to improving health care for people with chronic disease.


One woman did tell me she didn't completely get ignored. As she tried to hand the Mayor a packet of health care packet, he instead reached out and grabbed her "12 Commitments" handout from his campaign. Then, he signed it and gave it back to her.


I could also mention the post-speech debacle in an adjacent room where we reporters were permitted to speak with Rudy G. Unfortunately, there was no podium for our several dozen microphones. We were told the campaign also didn't want lights illuminating the event (at least according to one of the equipment workers).
So instead, we were forced to half-circle around the Mayor, reaching and stretching however we could to make sure our microphones could get within a decent distance from his lips so our people back home could hear what he had to say. I could also mention how it forced one reporter, who happens to be 9 months pregnant, to have to kneel on the floor in front of him for the duration of the news conference. But I'm late for dinner, so I won't mention those things...

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Richardson Calls out Competitors

Monday in Newton, Barack Obama said the Iraq War never should have been authorized (take that John Edwards and Hillary Clinton). But Obama stopped short of calling out his counterparts by name. Today, Bill Richardson did do a little name-dropping. Here's the transcript....


Remarks by Governor Bill Richardson
Take Back America 2007 National Conference
Washington D.C.
June 19, 2007
AS PREPARED


"I appreciate the opportunity to speak here today. I think this conference is one of the most important events that all of us, as candidates, will attend this year. And I’d like to tell you why it’s important to me personally.

I first got involved in public service after meeting Hubert Humphrey in 1971, while I was in graduate school. Despite his narrow defeat in the 1968 presidential election, he hadn’t lost his idealism. He challenged me and the other students I was with to try and make a difference with our lives – to look at the world around us and seek out the inequality that’s sometimes plain to see … and other times hidden from view … and to give our best effort to heal our nation.

This is a hauntingly similar time. Like 1968, we are a nation deep into an unwanted war, the president has lost the country, there is hurt and sorrow among our people, and there is a sense that no matter who is elected, we have a long road in front of us.

But there is great risk in taking only this view. When you listen to some who are running for president, you can hear it in their voices. There is weight to their words. But they are in danger of being weighed down by it all.

I am optimistic about our country. I am optimistic about the Democratic Party. We have the majority in Congress … the American people agree with us on the issues … we have the best field of candidates for president … and we’re going to put a Democrat into the White House.

Yes, there is too much that is wrong with America. But we can also celebrate what’s finally going right.

The first step was taking back the Congress. The next step is taking back the White House. That’s how we take back America.

I am going to focus my remarks today on repairing the damage from the two worst mistakes of the Bush administration – failing to address climate change and failing to change our policies in Iraq.

Some people poke fun at how I like to talk about what I’ve done as a Governor. But I’m proud of New Mexico … and I’m proud of making New Mexico the clean energy state. In fact, we’re doing more to clean up the environment and fight global warming than any other state in the country.

Mark Twain said “Everybody complains about the weather but nobody ever does anything about it.” Well, we’re doing something about global warming in New Mexico.

We’re requiring utility companies to produce energy from renewable sources … we’ve invested directly in energy efficiency … we’re promoting renewable energy with tax credits for using wind, solar, and biofuels … we’ve eliminated taxes on hybrid cars … and I set tough standards to reduce greenhouse emissions.

Maybe the country and President Bush don’t follow the Kyoto treaty, but my state does.

Of course, in his typical fashion, after six and a half years of refusing to admit that global warming exists, President Bush has started lecturing developing nations and telling them to clean up their act.

I’m not sure what’s more insulting to the rest of the world. Telling them they’re wrong for six and a half years. Or changing your mind and telling them they’re still wrong.

Mr. President, we don’t need half-hearted half-way measures like the European agreement that just came out of the G-8 Summit. The Kyoto Treaty has been sitting on your desk for six and a half years. You might as well sign it now, because in a year and a half, if you haven’t, I will.

I’m proud to have the most aggressive plan of anyone running for president. Within twelve years, my plan would reduce global warming pollution by 20 percent, lower demand for oil by fifty percent, and push fuel economy standards to 50 miles per gallon.

By the year 2040, my plan would require that 50 percent of our electricity be generated from renewable sources and would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent.

You can read the plan for yourself at my campaign website or you can listen to the League of Conservation Voters. They rated it the most aggressive plan with the highest goals of any other candidate. These aren’t pie in the sky proposals, but they are ambitious.

If we can spend billions waging war in a country that never had weapons of mass destruction … then we can certainly find the will to stop the mass destruction of our planet.

It’s time that we as a nation chose the collective good over the desire to collect goods. And frankly, buying carbon offsets isn’t enough. Just like paying somebody else to go to church doesn’t make you religious … paying somebody else to conserve doesn’t make you a conservationist.

My wife Barbara and I use both a hybrid and a flex-fuel vehicle, and we’ve made the New Mexico Governor’s Mansion a lot more energy efficient, including compact fluorescent lighting, low water-use irrigation, and ceiling fans to cut down on air conditioning – and lemme tell you, on a 95 degree day in New Mexico, that’s a sacrifice!

But I know we can do more, and I’ll bet that a lot of you could, too. We all have to sacrifice for the common good … and we have to end our dependence on Middle Eastern oil.

Which brings us to Iraq …

Some will tell you that we only have two options: either stay in Iraq and try to referee a civil war … or leave and watch the Middle East collapse into a regional war. When a president decides that he or she only has two bad options, guess what happens? Something bad.

I have a different view … a more optimistic view grounded in what I call a New Realism for foreign policy.

I applaud my fellow Democratic candidates for taking on President Bush in the Congress.
But there is a fundamental difference in this campaign – and that’s how many troops each of us would leave behind.

Other than the customary marine contingent at the embassy, I would leave zero troops. Not a single one. And if the embassy and our embassy personnel aren’t safe, then they’re all coming home too.

No airbases. No troops in the Green Zone. No embedded soldiers training Iraqi forces, because we all know what that means. It means our troops would still be out on patrol with targets on their backs.

A regional crisis is worthy of military intervention. A true threat to our country’s security is worthy of war.

But a struggle between a country’s warring factions, where both sides hate the United States, is not worthy of one more lost American life.

With all due respect to my Democratic colleagues … Senators Clinton, Obama, Dodd, and Biden all voted for timeline legislation that had deliberate loopholes. Those loopholes allow this president, or any president, to leave an undetermined number of troops in Iraq indefinitely.

And this is the same legislation that former Senator Edwards says we should send back to President Bush over and over again until he signs it.

The language in the legislation was clear. It would allow the president to leave American troops behind for quote “training and equipping members of the Iraqi Security Forces” … and to protect, among other things, quote “other U.S. forces.”

Troops protecting troops … potentially thousands of troops, year after year. I don’t know about the other folks running, but troops protecting troops training other troops doesn’t sound any different to me.

Clearly, my Democratic colleagues in this campaign think it’s responsible to have an ongoing military role in Iraq. They voted not once but twice to leave troops behind.

Senator Clinton has told her military advisor that if she were elected, there might still be troops in Iraq at end of her second term.

Senator Obama’s written plan calls for leaving non-combat troops in Iraq. And Senator Edwards says he’s for withdrawing all troops except those at the embassy. But that’s not what the bill says that he wants to pass again and again.

The responsible thing to do is to look at the problem from another perspective. At the rate we’re losing American lives, over one thousand American troops will be killed this year alone. The surge has led to nothing but a surge in Americans dying.

Over 70 percent of Iraqis want us out of their country. Over 60 percent think it’s okay to kill Americans.

Think about that for a second. Over 60 percent were willing to tell a pollster they’d never met before that it’s okay to kill Americans … which means that percentage is probably even higher. That’s not the case in Japan, Germany, South Korea or anywhere else American troops are stationed.

I have great respect for my fellow Democratic candidates, but for those who think we should leave a residual force, how long does that force need to be in place before we can leave? One year? Two years? Five? Ten?

There is not a single sign that Iraq is improving. To the contrary, every indication is that it’s getting worse, and a smaller force will do nothing to change that.

How many more Americans must die before we leave an Iraq that will be no better off than it is today? And in a war where American troops are the number one target, who are the poor souls you’re going to leave behind?

We need to bring them all home.

You can sign our petition at No Troops Left Behind dot com.

The way we help heal Iraq is to bring all of our troops home within six months. Only then can the hard diplomatic work really begin. That’s how we avoid a regional war.

I would leave troops in neighboring countries that want us, like Kuwait, to help keep the peace. But we need to hand over security of Iraq to an all Muslim peacekeeping force.

We would then have a moral responsibility to do everything we can to bring the different factions together in a national reconciliation conference.

We also have a strategic interest in organizing a regional conference with all of Iraq’s neighbors, including Syria and Iran, to help stabilize Iraq. No one in the region, including Iran, wants an Iraqi civil war … and no one in the region, especially Iran, wants Iraqi refugees.

Some will tell you that once we leave Iraq, the country will become a hotbed of Al Qaeda activity. That’s just not the case. There is an old Arab proverb – “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” Up until now, Al Qaeda was tolerated in Iraq because they were killing Americans.

Once we’re gone, the Iraqis will have no further use for Al Qaeda and they will drive them out. We’re seeing the beginnings of this already in Sunni attacks on Al Qaeda, but the process will accelerate once we’re gone. Too many Iraqis have died at the hands of Al Qaeda and retaliation will be at hand.

Two months ago in North Korea, I was proud to help show how talking to your enemies can produce results, like reducing the North Korean nuclear threat and bringing home the remains of six American servicemen. The situation is similar in the Middle East. This president broke Iraq. The next president has to know how to use diplomacy to fix it.

I will tell you this -- my world view is different from my colleagues. In my career, I’ve been able to get results, not with harsh words, but hard work. You talk to your adversaries. You listen. You get to know them well if you want them to hear what you’re saying. And with understanding comes resolve. And with clarity comes cooperation.

It’s how I’ve approached foreign affairs. It’s how I’ve approached governing. And it’s how I’ll serve as president of this great country.

More than anything else, we have a moral obligation to those American soldiers and citizens who’ve laid down their lives overseas.

Some say we cannot let their sacrifice be in vain. But you will never convince me that those slain patriots would have wanted a single additional life to be lost … just to validate their own sacrifice.

Instead, the moral obligation is to honor their service by bringing their mission to a close. By ending the bloodshed … and finally letting the Iraqi people and the American people to set a new course.

Those would be the principles of my presidency. And those would be the ideals I’d seek.

Thank you, God bless you, God bless our troops, God bless the Democratic Party, and God bless New Mexico. "

Nussle's New Gig

(Current deficit)


Associated Press just reported this...


White House budget director Rob Portman is resigning and will be replaced by former Iowa congressman Jim Nussle, Bush administration officials said Tuesday.








Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Thompson Shows Power by Adding Iowa County


Tommy Thompson gave us a glimpse into how he plans to finish first or second in the upcoming Iowa Republican Straw Poll in Ames this summer. He said about his travel plans, "I've visited 51 counties and intend to visit 49 more."

According to my state map, Iowa has 99 counties. I'll try to find out where Wisconsin's former Governor located my state's 100th county.

Thompson Out...In

Tommy Thompson to Make Major Announcement about the Future of Presidential Campaign

That was the headline at the top of the email I received from Tommy Thompson's campaign. Did it mean he was dropping out like a rival campaign had been floating all this week? Nope. Thompson later announced he was taking part in the Iowa Straw Poll. He did give one of the most candid candidate comments about the event. He said if he doesn't finish first or second, he would have to think about the future of his presidential campaign. Thompson didn't raise much money in the first fundraising quarter, but he said a first or second place finish in the Straw Poll would do a lot in helping to bring in money.

The Thompsons, F and T

I'm hearing Tommy Thompson will take part in the Iowa Straw Poll. Probably not a huge surprise. Thompson had told me he planned to go all out. He hoped to bring, perhaps, thousands of motorcyclists to Ames (he's a big Harley rider, as you likely know). Thompson will officially announce his plans this afternoon at 2 in a telephone conference call with the Iowa media.

Did you watch the other Thompson on Leno last night? Is there anyone in America who DOESN'T believe Fred is running for Prez?

Monday, June 11, 2007

Hometown Pride and More Bill TV

Belated congrats to my hometown neighbor, Jay Haas. O.K., we weren't exactly neighbors. But we both called Belleville, Illinois home (although I see on his bio, it says "St. Louis, Missouri".) Where's the love, Jay? Haas won the Principal Charity Classic in West Des Moines over the weekend. And unlike Rob Lowe, he didn't kill any birdies.


Bill Richardson's bringing back the laughs to tv, or, so is the hope. Today, Richardson began airing the third in his series of "job interview" campaign ads.

Also on the tube, Fred TV. Fred Thompson is one of the guests on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno Tuesday night. Think he'll make any news?






Wednesday, June 06, 2007

More Straw

So we can count two fewer candidates for the Iowa Straw Poll after Giuliani and McCain said "no, thanks." But the State Republican Party told me it could still be a full day. Executive Director Chuck Laudner said every announced Republican candidate plans to take part. (that's like 42 candidates. Almost) And supporters for Fred Thompson and Newt Gingrich expect their candidates to be there, too. And how about this one...Condi Rice. Her supporters are pushing for a place in Ames.
History lesson.... no one has ever skipped the Straw Poll and won the Iowa Caucuses. Both Giuliani and McCain say still plan Iowa victories.

Minus 2 Straws

Wow, what a day. And I don't mean just because Rob Lowe came to town a hit a birdie (killed one, actually. He hit a goldfinch, the state bird, on the 4th hole during play Wednesday at the Principal Charity Classic Pro-Am at Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines.)

And to think I didn't really have a good story I was planning for the day. Then Rudy Giuliani's campaign said he would not compete in the Iowa Straw Poll August 11th in Ames. Most of the people with whom I talk regularly weren't all that surprised. Rudy G's pro-abortion rights, pro-gay rights and anti-gun rights stances may not have made some of the conservatives want to party at Hilton this summer. But the subsequent announcement that John McCain would bail out, too, surprised some and didn't surprise others. Critics say McCain isn't the same sexy maverick he was when he ran the first time (although McCain maintains he's still on the "Straight Talk Express").

The Republican Party of Iowa didn't hold back criticizing either one of the candidates following the announcements. Executive Director Chuck Laudner (who hadn't yet heard of McCain's decision when I called) said he knows why both campaigns are pulling out: they weren't going to win the Straw Poll. And says he says they know they can't win the Iowa Caucuses either. Ouch!

Monday, June 04, 2007

Oops...


My father-in-law-to-be is colorblind. Maybe we drank from the same glass or something. Is it contagious? Yesterday, I said Chris Dodd's supporters were dressed in green at the Iowa Democratic Party's Hall of Fame Dinner in Cedar Rapids. Actually, they all wore blue. But they did still put way too many signs up in the guy's bathroom:) Those were blue, too.

Sunday, June 03, 2007

Sign, Sign, Everywhere There's (sic) Signs


Man, that was crazy... I've been trying to think of a way to describe the frenzied sign wars that took place before the Iowa Democratic Party's Hall of Fame Dinner... A prison riot? Well, maybe not. How about...do you remember those high school pep rallies where one class tries to out scream the others? That's at least close to what I saw.


When we got to the Crowne Plaza Five Seasons Hotel in Cedar Rapids, we noticed the crowds right away. Chris Dodd's folks were set up diagonally across the street. They were dressed in green (have you noticed Dodd seems to frequently wear a green tie?) And they decorated a bus with Dodd's name on it.


John Edwards people set up next to them. I could hear a band from a Dubuque high school warming up behind them (the band followed Edwards into the hotel...yes, it was loud).


Clearly, Hillary Clinton's camp wanted to make an impression... Her supporters easily outnumbered the others as they stood outside the hotel (next to a flatbed truck they brought in).


Inside the hotel hallway, outside the ballroom where the speeches would take place, it was nuts. Clinton's people were screaming as they stood next to Edwards' people. It was loud. It was hot. It was sweaty. It wasn't pretty, especially for the guests as they tried to walk through the crowd on the way to the ballroom to get their dinner.


Now, you may be wondering "what about the other candidates?" I didn't see any Biden or Richardson signs outside the hotel. In the hallway, I didn't see anyone with a Richardson sign. I did see two guys holding Biden signs. I wonder what they thought as they nearly got steamrolled with the Clinton and Edwards mobs passing through.


BTW, was it really necessary to see the Clinton and Dodd signs hanging on the walls in the restroom?


There were a few Obama signs, even though he didn't come. His camp cited a scheduling conflict. Other campaigns took great pleasure in noting that this dinner was announced two weeks before Obama announced he was running.


Other random notes...just how much money and staff does Clinton have that the press received a leaflet with Hall of Fame Dinner Press Games. The games included a crossword puzzle and whatever you call that game where you find hidden words in a grid of letters. If I wasn't so busy running around with the candidates, perhaps, I could have played. But thanks for the thought.


What about the speeches...


Clinton--wasted no time in making sure she said from the start she's working to win the Iowa Caucuses.


Edwards--seemed to call out Clinton (without calling out her name) that this is no time to be "calculating".


Richardson--several times told Congress to de-authorize the war resolution.


Dodd--repeated his pitch that Iowans don't want to be told how to vote by the national pundits.


Biden--drew the biggest ovation from the crowd as he directly (through the tv cameras) addressed President Bush and said the war was his mistake.


One final worthless, meaningless note. I think I counted 13 times Joe Biden said "ladies and gentlemen" during his speech. What does it mean? Probably nothing. I told you it was just a final worthless, meaningless note.

Friday, June 01, 2007

So Maybe She Is Running Here...

Later today, the Clinton camp here gets a little bigger. Activist Jerry Crawford's signing up as a Midwest Co-Chair (Bonnie Campbell is, too). Crawford's been tight with the Clintons in the past. He got behind Tom Vilsack's brief attempt to be Prez. Vilsack quit the race and signed on with Clinton. Now Crawford is doing the same.