Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Election 2008 - Obama vs McCain
Tonight's debate really culminated a series of strong debates, between two very well-spoken candidates, vying for the Presidency of the United States of America. For on this subject, click here....http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Clinton's Next Move?
Now that she has ended her historic run to become the first Madame President, many are speculating about what Sen. Hillary Clinton will do next.
On Saturday, she held her last rally, telling thousands of supporters she was endorsing her former rival, Sen. Barack Obama, who became the presumptive Democratic nominee Tuesday.
"The way to continue our fight now, to accomplish the goals for which we stand, is to take our energy, our passion, our strength, and do all we can to help elect Barack Obama the next president of the United States," she told the packed crowd at the National Building Museum in Washington.
Clinton is expected to return to the campaign trail to stump for Obama.
Some of her top backers are hoping she will play a larger role in the Obama campaign by becoming his running mate.
Clinton told New York lawmakers this week that she'd be open to becoming the Democrat's vice presidential nominee, some of them said, but Obama has said only that Clinton "would be on anyone's short-list."
Democratic analyst Jamal Simmons says Clinton has reason to look beyond a joint ticket.
"Hillary Clinton may actually think she spent the last year, year-and-a-half getting out from the shadow of Bill Clinton. She may not want to get underneath the wing of Barack Obama," said Simmons, an Obama supporter.
Apart from the vice presidency, analysts say, there are several roles Clinton could potentially fill.
Some New York Democrats would love to see a Gov. Hillary Clinton in 2010.
But the primary fight would put her up against David Paterson, New York's first African-American governor. Paterson took over after Eliot Spitzer stepped down in the wake of his call-girl scandal.
Others say Clinton could aim for Harry Reid's powerful position as Senate majority leader, but there are a some major obstacles on that career path.
Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the assistant majority leader, is next in line. He's followed by Sen. Charles Schumer, vice chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus. And of course, Reid would have to resign.
Clinton could potentially add Supreme Court justice to her résumé, but she would be in her early 60s if the offer came.
On Saturday, she held her last rally, telling thousands of supporters she was endorsing her former rival, Sen. Barack Obama, who became the presumptive Democratic nominee Tuesday.
"The way to continue our fight now, to accomplish the goals for which we stand, is to take our energy, our passion, our strength, and do all we can to help elect Barack Obama the next president of the United States," she told the packed crowd at the National Building Museum in Washington.
Clinton is expected to return to the campaign trail to stump for Obama.
Some of her top backers are hoping she will play a larger role in the Obama campaign by becoming his running mate.
Clinton told New York lawmakers this week that she'd be open to becoming the Democrat's vice presidential nominee, some of them said, but Obama has said only that Clinton "would be on anyone's short-list."
Democratic analyst Jamal Simmons says Clinton has reason to look beyond a joint ticket.
"Hillary Clinton may actually think she spent the last year, year-and-a-half getting out from the shadow of Bill Clinton. She may not want to get underneath the wing of Barack Obama," said Simmons, an Obama supporter.
Apart from the vice presidency, analysts say, there are several roles Clinton could potentially fill.
Some New York Democrats would love to see a Gov. Hillary Clinton in 2010.
But the primary fight would put her up against David Paterson, New York's first African-American governor. Paterson took over after Eliot Spitzer stepped down in the wake of his call-girl scandal.
Others say Clinton could aim for Harry Reid's powerful position as Senate majority leader, but there are a some major obstacles on that career path.
Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the assistant majority leader, is next in line. He's followed by Sen. Charles Schumer, vice chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus. And of course, Reid would have to resign.
Clinton could potentially add Supreme Court justice to her résumé, but she would be in her early 60s if the offer came.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
2008 Presidential Primary Calendar
For a complete listing of the 2008 Presidential Primary Calendar, go here...
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/legismgt/elect/2008_Pres_Primary_Calendar.htm
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/legismgt/elect/2008_Pres_Primary_Calendar.htm
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Iraq
The Iraq war looms as, perhaps, the most important foreign policy issue during the 2008 election. With thousands of U.S. troops stationed there and sectarian violence always threatening to engulf the country, candidates will have to grapple with the day-to-day events taking place more than 6,000 miles away.
DEMOCRATS
Hillary ClintonVoted for use of military force in Iraq, but now says she would have voted differently "if we knew then what we know now." Supports de-authorizing the war. Voted for war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. Opposed Bush plan to increase the number of American troops in Iraq. Supports a phased redeployment Watch Clinton speak about Iraq
Mike GravelOpposed use of military force in Iraq, saying invasion was against U.S. interests. Opposed Bush plan to send additional American troops to Iraq. Supports immediate troop withdrawal. Says "aggressive" and "skilled" diplomacy needed to end sectarian violence. Says non-binding congressional resolutions are ineffective and that Congress should instead demand an end to the war.
Barack ObamaOpposed use of military force in Iraq. Voted for war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. Supports phased redeployment of U.S. troops. Opposed Bush's plan to send additional troops to Iraq. Had once called for troop withdrawal to begin by the end of 2006. Watch Obama speak about Iraq
OUT OF THE RACE: Joe Biden Chris Dodd John Edwards Dennis Kucinich Bill Richardson
REPUBLICANS
Mike HuckabeeHas offered qualified support for Bush Iraq policy, saying the president has access to military and diplomatic information that is not publicly available. Opposes congressional resolutions that express opposition to the president's plan to increase the number of American troops in Iraq. Opposes proposals to cut funding to the war. Watch Huckabee speak about Iraq
John McCainVoted for use of military force in Iraq. Supported Bush veto of war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. Was an early proponent of sending additional American troops to Iraq. Watch McCain speak about Iraq
Ron PaulVoted against use of military force in Iraq. Supports withdrawing troops from Iraq, but opposed war spending bill which included a plan to withdraw most U.S. troops by March 2008. Calls for repealing authority given to the president in 2002 Iraq war authorization vote. Opposed Bush plan to increase the number of American troops in Iraq. Says military victory in Iraq is "unattainable." Watch Paul speak about Iraq
DEMOCRATS
Hillary ClintonVoted for use of military force in Iraq, but now says she would have voted differently "if we knew then what we know now." Supports de-authorizing the war. Voted for war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. Opposed Bush plan to increase the number of American troops in Iraq. Supports a phased redeployment Watch Clinton speak about Iraq
Mike GravelOpposed use of military force in Iraq, saying invasion was against U.S. interests. Opposed Bush plan to send additional American troops to Iraq. Supports immediate troop withdrawal. Says "aggressive" and "skilled" diplomacy needed to end sectarian violence. Says non-binding congressional resolutions are ineffective and that Congress should instead demand an end to the war.
Barack ObamaOpposed use of military force in Iraq. Voted for war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. Supports phased redeployment of U.S. troops. Opposed Bush's plan to send additional troops to Iraq. Had once called for troop withdrawal to begin by the end of 2006. Watch Obama speak about Iraq
OUT OF THE RACE: Joe Biden Chris Dodd John Edwards Dennis Kucinich Bill Richardson
REPUBLICANS
Mike HuckabeeHas offered qualified support for Bush Iraq policy, saying the president has access to military and diplomatic information that is not publicly available. Opposes congressional resolutions that express opposition to the president's plan to increase the number of American troops in Iraq. Opposes proposals to cut funding to the war. Watch Huckabee speak about Iraq
John McCainVoted for use of military force in Iraq. Supported Bush veto of war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. Was an early proponent of sending additional American troops to Iraq. Watch McCain speak about Iraq
Ron PaulVoted against use of military force in Iraq. Supports withdrawing troops from Iraq, but opposed war spending bill which included a plan to withdraw most U.S. troops by March 2008. Calls for repealing authority given to the president in 2002 Iraq war authorization vote. Opposed Bush plan to increase the number of American troops in Iraq. Says military victory in Iraq is "unattainable." Watch Paul speak about Iraq
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Mike Huckabee
Huckabee Tells Supporters to Ignore 'Beltway Babble'
An enthusiastic crowd of nearly 1,000 people greeted former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee today at the University of Maryland, where the presidential hopeful urged supporters to ignore "Beltway babble" about the Republican race being over and vote for him on Tuesday.
"Somebody forgot to tell you guys that there aren't any Republicans in Maryland," Huckabee told a crowd gathered at a student union on the College Park campus, which is hardly known as a cradle of conservatism. "This is incredible. ... I'm energized by you today."
Huckabee did not mention Arizona Sen. John McCain, the GOP frontrunner, by name during a speech in which he touted his plans to abolish the income tax and spoke at length about his humble upbringing.
Addressing an audience dominated by college students and young families, Huckabee made it clear that he is not willing to concede Tuesday's primaries in Maryland, Virginia and the District.
"This campaign is not over," Huckabee said. "You have a right to make a choice."
Huckabee, whose base in early nominating states has been evangelical Christians, largely emphasized economic issues and argued a Washington outsider would be best-suited to lead the country.
"If the solutions were to be found in Washington, they would have already done it," Huckabee said.
Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by about 2-to-1 in Maryland, and Tuesday's GOP primary has received less attention than the Democratic contest between Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York and Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.
An enthusiastic crowd of nearly 1,000 people greeted former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee today at the University of Maryland, where the presidential hopeful urged supporters to ignore "Beltway babble" about the Republican race being over and vote for him on Tuesday.
"Somebody forgot to tell you guys that there aren't any Republicans in Maryland," Huckabee told a crowd gathered at a student union on the College Park campus, which is hardly known as a cradle of conservatism. "This is incredible. ... I'm energized by you today."
Huckabee did not mention Arizona Sen. John McCain, the GOP frontrunner, by name during a speech in which he touted his plans to abolish the income tax and spoke at length about his humble upbringing.
Addressing an audience dominated by college students and young families, Huckabee made it clear that he is not willing to concede Tuesday's primaries in Maryland, Virginia and the District.
"This campaign is not over," Huckabee said. "You have a right to make a choice."
Huckabee, whose base in early nominating states has been evangelical Christians, largely emphasized economic issues and argued a Washington outsider would be best-suited to lead the country.
"If the solutions were to be found in Washington, they would have already done it," Huckabee said.
Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by about 2-to-1 in Maryland, and Tuesday's GOP primary has received less attention than the Democratic contest between Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York and Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
4 candidates, your paycheck
How the leading Democratic and Republican presidential candidates' tax proposals could affect your take-home pay.
Regardless of how much money you make, you have skin in this game. The four leading presidential candidates say they're concerned about the taxes that Americans pay out of their paychecks. And they all vow to do something about it if elected.
Now with the economy at the forefront of the presidential campaign, the leading candidates' tax proposals will come under increasing scrutiny in the coming weeks.
Here's a look at some of the ways that Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John McCain and Mitt Romney would realign tax policies and how those changes could affect your take-home pay.
Keeping the tax cuts in place
One of the central questions is what to do about a series of tax cuts passed in 2001 and 2003 set to expire in three years.
The four candidates seem to agree on one thing: They want to preserve the cuts for low- and middle-income earners. Those tax cuts include lower rates, reduced taxes paid by married couples and a higher standard deduction.
But the Democratic and Republican candidates part company when it comes to upper-income earners.
Both McCain and Romney have said they would preserve the tax cuts for high-income earners - typically defined as households that make $250,000 or more. Clinton and Obama want to repeal them for taxpayers in that group.
Clinton also would reduce the value of some personal exemptions and itemized deductions for big earners.
Part of the rationale given for restoring higher taxes on upper-income households is that they benefited the most from the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, and that continuation of the tax cuts for those at the top of the heap may force the government to raise taxes on everyone else or cut spending.
Those who oppose taxing the rich more note that the top 1% - taxpayers making more than $250,000 - already account for 40% of all federal income tax revenue. Taxing them more, proponents of extending the tax cuts say, may lower tax receipts because high-income filers will seek more ways to shelter their money from taxes.
New tax breaks
The candidates also have somewhat different ideas about what kind of new income tax breaks to offer.
On the Republican side, Romney has said he wants to permanently lower the rate on the lowest tax bracket to 7.5% from 10%. Currently that tax bracket applies to roughly the first $8,000 for single filers and the first $16,000 for married couples filing jointly.
And he has proposed permanently exempting workers over 65 from having to pay payroll taxes, which are used to fund Social Security.
McCain hasn't yet offered up any individual income tax breaks beyond proposing to make the 2001 and 2003 breaks permanent.
On the Democratic side, Obama would offer a tax break to seniors by eliminating their income taxes if they make less than $50,000.
Obama also would create a credit worth up to $500 per working person ($1,000 per family) to offset Social Security tax on the first $8,100 of earnings. The credit would start to phase out for people with incomes between $150,000 and $200,000.
Both he and Clinton have said they want to expand the earned income tax credit for low-income workers. And they want to offer an expanded saver's tax credit although in somewhat different ways.
Clinton would offer a savers' credit equal to 100% on the first $1,000 saved by married couples making less than $60,000, and a 50% matching credit for couples making between $60,000 and $100,000.
Obama would match 50 percent of the first $1,000 of savings for families that earn under $75,000.
New retirement tax bites
The candidates' tax proposals aren't all sugar. There are notable differences, for instance, in how they might treat payroll taxes in a bid to shore up Social Security over the long haul.
Obama would consider increasing the amount of wages subject to the payroll tax. Currently, the first $102,000 of wage income is subject to the 12.4% tax, half of which is paid by workers and half by their employers.
Obama has indicated he might favor lifting that cap but only after imposing a "donut." A donut would protect from the payroll tax a certain portion of wages above the current cap - for instance, wages between $102,000 and $202,000. But any earnings above that ceiling would be taxed.
It's not clear yet whether a payroll tax increase would be in the offing under Clinton or McCain, because both candidates have been spare on details.
Clinton has said she doesn't want to eliminate the cap on the income subject to the Social Security tax. But that doesn't necessarily rule out an increase in that cap or a higher tax rate.
McCain, meanwhile, has said he would prefer Social Security funding to be shored up by reducing growth in benefits rather than by raising the payroll tax.
Romney doesn't want to raise payroll taxes, but instead favors the idea of letting workers have individual investment accounts and fund them with money from the surplus paid into the system.
Clinton and Obama oppose the notion of diverting payroll taxes - whether from the system's surplus or direct from your paycheck - to fund accounts.
Don't rearrange your budget yet
Of course, campaign promises are often easier to make than they are to keep. A lot can come between a newly elected president and his or her ideas about taxes.
Political reality, for one. Just look at President Bush and Congress. Their inability to come to agreement has stymied decisions.
Then there's deficit reality. The budget that Bush submitted Monday projects a deficit of more than $400 billion. That could tie the hands of the next president to make tax changes.
Or consider the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). Everyone in Washington says they want to do something about the outmoded tax scheme, which was originally aimed at the rich but is increasingly hitting the middle class. But no one has an appealing way to pay for fixing it. The price tag for reform or repeal ranges between $500 billion and $1 trillion over 10 years.
"No one has really staked out a credible claim at fiscal responsibility," said Len Burman, director of the Tax Policy Center. "They'd just devote deficits to different purposes."
Regardless of how much money you make, you have skin in this game. The four leading presidential candidates say they're concerned about the taxes that Americans pay out of their paychecks. And they all vow to do something about it if elected.
Now with the economy at the forefront of the presidential campaign, the leading candidates' tax proposals will come under increasing scrutiny in the coming weeks.
Here's a look at some of the ways that Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John McCain and Mitt Romney would realign tax policies and how those changes could affect your take-home pay.
Keeping the tax cuts in place
One of the central questions is what to do about a series of tax cuts passed in 2001 and 2003 set to expire in three years.
The four candidates seem to agree on one thing: They want to preserve the cuts for low- and middle-income earners. Those tax cuts include lower rates, reduced taxes paid by married couples and a higher standard deduction.
But the Democratic and Republican candidates part company when it comes to upper-income earners.
Both McCain and Romney have said they would preserve the tax cuts for high-income earners - typically defined as households that make $250,000 or more. Clinton and Obama want to repeal them for taxpayers in that group.
Clinton also would reduce the value of some personal exemptions and itemized deductions for big earners.
Part of the rationale given for restoring higher taxes on upper-income households is that they benefited the most from the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, and that continuation of the tax cuts for those at the top of the heap may force the government to raise taxes on everyone else or cut spending.
Those who oppose taxing the rich more note that the top 1% - taxpayers making more than $250,000 - already account for 40% of all federal income tax revenue. Taxing them more, proponents of extending the tax cuts say, may lower tax receipts because high-income filers will seek more ways to shelter their money from taxes.
New tax breaks
The candidates also have somewhat different ideas about what kind of new income tax breaks to offer.
On the Republican side, Romney has said he wants to permanently lower the rate on the lowest tax bracket to 7.5% from 10%. Currently that tax bracket applies to roughly the first $8,000 for single filers and the first $16,000 for married couples filing jointly.
And he has proposed permanently exempting workers over 65 from having to pay payroll taxes, which are used to fund Social Security.
McCain hasn't yet offered up any individual income tax breaks beyond proposing to make the 2001 and 2003 breaks permanent.
On the Democratic side, Obama would offer a tax break to seniors by eliminating their income taxes if they make less than $50,000.
Obama also would create a credit worth up to $500 per working person ($1,000 per family) to offset Social Security tax on the first $8,100 of earnings. The credit would start to phase out for people with incomes between $150,000 and $200,000.
Both he and Clinton have said they want to expand the earned income tax credit for low-income workers. And they want to offer an expanded saver's tax credit although in somewhat different ways.
Clinton would offer a savers' credit equal to 100% on the first $1,000 saved by married couples making less than $60,000, and a 50% matching credit for couples making between $60,000 and $100,000.
Obama would match 50 percent of the first $1,000 of savings for families that earn under $75,000.
New retirement tax bites
The candidates' tax proposals aren't all sugar. There are notable differences, for instance, in how they might treat payroll taxes in a bid to shore up Social Security over the long haul.
Obama would consider increasing the amount of wages subject to the payroll tax. Currently, the first $102,000 of wage income is subject to the 12.4% tax, half of which is paid by workers and half by their employers.
Obama has indicated he might favor lifting that cap but only after imposing a "donut." A donut would protect from the payroll tax a certain portion of wages above the current cap - for instance, wages between $102,000 and $202,000. But any earnings above that ceiling would be taxed.
It's not clear yet whether a payroll tax increase would be in the offing under Clinton or McCain, because both candidates have been spare on details.
Clinton has said she doesn't want to eliminate the cap on the income subject to the Social Security tax. But that doesn't necessarily rule out an increase in that cap or a higher tax rate.
McCain, meanwhile, has said he would prefer Social Security funding to be shored up by reducing growth in benefits rather than by raising the payroll tax.
Romney doesn't want to raise payroll taxes, but instead favors the idea of letting workers have individual investment accounts and fund them with money from the surplus paid into the system.
Clinton and Obama oppose the notion of diverting payroll taxes - whether from the system's surplus or direct from your paycheck - to fund accounts.
Don't rearrange your budget yet
Of course, campaign promises are often easier to make than they are to keep. A lot can come between a newly elected president and his or her ideas about taxes.
Political reality, for one. Just look at President Bush and Congress. Their inability to come to agreement has stymied decisions.
Then there's deficit reality. The budget that Bush submitted Monday projects a deficit of more than $400 billion. That could tie the hands of the next president to make tax changes.
Or consider the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). Everyone in Washington says they want to do something about the outmoded tax scheme, which was originally aimed at the rich but is increasingly hitting the middle class. But no one has an appealing way to pay for fixing it. The price tag for reform or repeal ranges between $500 billion and $1 trillion over 10 years.
"No one has really staked out a credible claim at fiscal responsibility," said Len Burman, director of the Tax Policy Center. "They'd just devote deficits to different purposes."
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Clinton, Obama: Just the two of them in debate
Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama will duel for Super Tuesday votes Thursday night as the Democratic presidential hopefuls face off for the first time together minus former Sen. John Edwards.
The debate -- sponsored by CNN, the Los Angeles Times and Politico -- starts at 8 p.m. ET Thursday on CNN and CNN.com. CNN's Wolf Blitzer is the moderator.
The event is the first Democratic debate since Obama's convincing victory Saturday in South Carolina. On Tuesday, Clinton won the Florida primary, a contest her campaign said helped the senator regain momentum even though it awarded no delegates.
The forum at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood comes hours after the Obama campaign revealed it had raised $32 million in January from roughly 170,000 new donors. That amount will allow Obama to expand his television ad buys greatly in the 20-plus states holding primaries or caucuses Tuesday.
The Clinton campaign would not indicate how much money it had raised in the same time period.
Edwards suspended his presidential run Wednesday in New Orleans, Louisiana, but he didn't endorse any candidate despite what aides described as a furious lobbying campaign by Obama and Clinton.
Thursday's debate may be slightly more restrained than last week's brutal showdown. Following her South Carolina loss, Clinton has largely steered clear of opportunities to take aim at Obama.
Former President Clinton also has avoided criticizing his wife's rival after dominating headlines with his attacks in the days before the South Carolina vote.
The economy is likely to dominate Thursday's debate, as both candidates look to appeal to supporters of Edwards and his brand of economic populism.
Clinton and Obama have split victories in their parties' early-voting states: Obama has won in Iowa and South Carolina and Clinton in Nevada, Michigan and Florida. But the Michigan and Florida contests awarded no delegates, and all major Democratic presidential candidates pledged to avoid campaigning in those states following national party penalties against them for moving up their contests so early.
Clinton was the only major candidate to appear on the Michigan ballot.
Obama is leading Clinton in the number of pledged delegates -- those awarded based on primary or caucus votes. Clinton has the edge when superdelegates are factored in. (Superdelegates are party leaders and elected officials who are not obligated to support a particular candidate. They can change their decisions at any time leading up to the Democratic National Convention in August.)
With solid fundraising numbers and a nod from Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts this week, Obama will be making the claim he holds the front-runner title. But Clinton -- who has led in national surveys for much of the race -- will be making her case as well.
The debate -- sponsored by CNN, the Los Angeles Times and Politico -- starts at 8 p.m. ET Thursday on CNN and CNN.com. CNN's Wolf Blitzer is the moderator.
The event is the first Democratic debate since Obama's convincing victory Saturday in South Carolina. On Tuesday, Clinton won the Florida primary, a contest her campaign said helped the senator regain momentum even though it awarded no delegates.
The forum at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood comes hours after the Obama campaign revealed it had raised $32 million in January from roughly 170,000 new donors. That amount will allow Obama to expand his television ad buys greatly in the 20-plus states holding primaries or caucuses Tuesday.
The Clinton campaign would not indicate how much money it had raised in the same time period.
Edwards suspended his presidential run Wednesday in New Orleans, Louisiana, but he didn't endorse any candidate despite what aides described as a furious lobbying campaign by Obama and Clinton.
Thursday's debate may be slightly more restrained than last week's brutal showdown. Following her South Carolina loss, Clinton has largely steered clear of opportunities to take aim at Obama.
Former President Clinton also has avoided criticizing his wife's rival after dominating headlines with his attacks in the days before the South Carolina vote.
The economy is likely to dominate Thursday's debate, as both candidates look to appeal to supporters of Edwards and his brand of economic populism.
Clinton and Obama have split victories in their parties' early-voting states: Obama has won in Iowa and South Carolina and Clinton in Nevada, Michigan and Florida. But the Michigan and Florida contests awarded no delegates, and all major Democratic presidential candidates pledged to avoid campaigning in those states following national party penalties against them for moving up their contests so early.
Clinton was the only major candidate to appear on the Michigan ballot.
Obama is leading Clinton in the number of pledged delegates -- those awarded based on primary or caucus votes. Clinton has the edge when superdelegates are factored in. (Superdelegates are party leaders and elected officials who are not obligated to support a particular candidate. They can change their decisions at any time leading up to the Democratic National Convention in August.)
With solid fundraising numbers and a nod from Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts this week, Obama will be making the claim he holds the front-runner title. But Clinton -- who has led in national surveys for much of the race -- will be making her case as well.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Good news for Romney and your predictions for Florida
It’s hard to imagine that not long ago Mitt Romney’s “kindling” campaign strategy was charred after losses in Iowa and New Hampshire. Today for the first time he finds himself in the lead in a national poll. (Rasmussen, 28%-26% over McCain) It’s just one survey, of course, but it ain’t exactly a high school straw poll. Still, for the record, Mitt still trails McCain in the national averages 26%-20%.
So what about Florida? Many pundits predict the winner of Florida’s primary will go on to win the nomination. I agree. If McCain wins a closed primary in the south, coupled with leads in places like NY and CA, he’ll be the nominee.
If Romney wins Florida he’ll have a tougher road because so much of the GOP establishment still backs McCain and he’ll be very tough to bury, but Mitt will have undeniable momentum headed into February 5th and McCain doubters will come out in full force.
Isn’t it ironic that a very tight race in Florida, perhaps decided by just a few percentage points (32%-30%?), could be the difference-maker?
So what’s your prediction? Who wins Florida and what’s the breakdown?
So what about Florida? Many pundits predict the winner of Florida’s primary will go on to win the nomination. I agree. If McCain wins a closed primary in the south, coupled with leads in places like NY and CA, he’ll be the nominee.
If Romney wins Florida he’ll have a tougher road because so much of the GOP establishment still backs McCain and he’ll be very tough to bury, but Mitt will have undeniable momentum headed into February 5th and McCain doubters will come out in full force.
Isn’t it ironic that a very tight race in Florida, perhaps decided by just a few percentage points (32%-30%?), could be the difference-maker?
So what’s your prediction? Who wins Florida and what’s the breakdown?
Monday, January 28, 2008
Kennedy Endorsements Slap Hillary’s Already-Red Face
After Saturday’s two-to-one beating in South Carolina, Hillary Clinton suffered another blow today when the brother and daughter of her husband’s (still with me?) hero endorsed her opponent.
Teddy and Caroline Kennedy threw their support behind Barack Obama today at American University in DC.
It was not just an endorsement, it was a rebuke.Ted Kennedy didn’t just back Barack Obama for president Monday.
Kennedy reprimanded Bill and Hillary Clinton and criticized the campaign they have been running.
“When so many others were silent or simply went along, from the beginning, he opposed the war in Iraq,” Kennedy said of Obama.
Kennedy then thundered: “And let no one deny that truth!”
No one like Bill Clinton, who recently dismissed Obama’s opposition to the war as “the biggest fairy tale I’ve ever seen.”
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Senate Democrats mull expanded stimulus plan
Leaders will consider adding retirees to the tax rebate plan, and extending jobless benefits.
Retirees living off Social Security are frustrated that they won't get tax rebate checks through a bipartisan economic stimulus package that is before the House. Senate Democrats Friday began efforts to include them.
The Senate is also considering an extension of jobless benefits to the $150 billion package of rebates and business tax cuts in a deal that was wrapped up Thursday between House leaders and President Bush.
Bush urged Congress on Friday to quickly pass the package without any further spending. "I strongly believe it would be a mistake to delay or derail this bill," Bush said.
"I understand the desire to add provisions from both the right and the left," he said, adding that would be an error.
Senate Democrats are refusing to rubber stamp the House measure. That raises the possibility of protracted negotiations if Democrats are successful in giving retirees tax rebates, extending unemployment benefits, boosting heating subsidies for the poor, and temporarily increasing food stamp payments.
Those are all items floated by top Senate Democrats left out of the negotiations between the administration and House leaders.
They were all considered but tossed overboard in intense talks that produced a hard-won agreement among Bush, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader John Boehner.
Retirees living off Social Security are frustrated that they won't get tax rebate checks through a bipartisan economic stimulus package that is before the House. Senate Democrats Friday began efforts to include them.
The Senate is also considering an extension of jobless benefits to the $150 billion package of rebates and business tax cuts in a deal that was wrapped up Thursday between House leaders and President Bush.
Bush urged Congress on Friday to quickly pass the package without any further spending. "I strongly believe it would be a mistake to delay or derail this bill," Bush said.
"I understand the desire to add provisions from both the right and the left," he said, adding that would be an error.
Senate Democrats are refusing to rubber stamp the House measure. That raises the possibility of protracted negotiations if Democrats are successful in giving retirees tax rebates, extending unemployment benefits, boosting heating subsidies for the poor, and temporarily increasing food stamp payments.
Those are all items floated by top Senate Democrats left out of the negotiations between the administration and House leaders.
They were all considered but tossed overboard in intense talks that produced a hard-won agreement among Bush, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader John Boehner.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Economy front and center in State of Union
Bush will lobby for stimulus plan and may call for more measures to ease housing crunch and cut corporate tax rates. Major new economic initiatives are not likely.
The state of the slowing economy and how to energize it - now and beyond - will be a focal point of President Bush's State of the Union address on Monday.
Bush, in his last year of office, is unlikely to make any new economic proposals like he has in past addresses. Last year, for instance, he called for a change in how the government taxes money used to buy health insurance, and he asked Congress to set a goal of reducing American gasoline consumption by 20 percent over 10 years.
"I think there will be a pretty significant emphasis on what they're doing in the immediate term to shore up the economy," said Scott Hodge, president of the Tax Foundation, a research group advocating for a simpler tax code and lower taxes. "There's so much anxiety in the markets and in business. I think he'd want to assure people they've taken the appropriate actions."
This year, before discussing the war in Iraq, Bush is expected to promote and call for swift passage of the $150 billion economic stimulus package brokered between House leaders and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.
more...http://money.cnn.com/2008/01/25/news/economy/preview_sotu/index.htm?postversion=2008012517
The state of the slowing economy and how to energize it - now and beyond - will be a focal point of President Bush's State of the Union address on Monday.
Bush, in his last year of office, is unlikely to make any new economic proposals like he has in past addresses. Last year, for instance, he called for a change in how the government taxes money used to buy health insurance, and he asked Congress to set a goal of reducing American gasoline consumption by 20 percent over 10 years.
"I think there will be a pretty significant emphasis on what they're doing in the immediate term to shore up the economy," said Scott Hodge, president of the Tax Foundation, a research group advocating for a simpler tax code and lower taxes. "There's so much anxiety in the markets and in business. I think he'd want to assure people they've taken the appropriate actions."
This year, before discussing the war in Iraq, Bush is expected to promote and call for swift passage of the $150 billion economic stimulus package brokered between House leaders and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.
more...http://money.cnn.com/2008/01/25/news/economy/preview_sotu/index.htm?postversion=2008012517
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Super Tuesday Won't Decide Nominations
Don't look to crown any presidential nominees on Super Tuesday.
The race for delegates is so close in both parties that it is mathematically impossible for any candidate to lock up the nomination on Feb. 5, according to an Associated Press analysis of the states in play that day.
"A lot of people were predicting that this presidential election on both sides was going to be this massive sprint that ended on Feb. 5," said Jenny Backus, a Democratic consultant who is not affiliated with any candidate. Now it's looking as if the primaries after Super Tuesday - including such big, delegate-rich states as Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania - could grow in importance.
"Maybe some states were better off waiting," said Backus.
more...http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SUPER_TUESDAY_NOT_OVER?SITE=NEYOR&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
The race for delegates is so close in both parties that it is mathematically impossible for any candidate to lock up the nomination on Feb. 5, according to an Associated Press analysis of the states in play that day.
"A lot of people were predicting that this presidential election on both sides was going to be this massive sprint that ended on Feb. 5," said Jenny Backus, a Democratic consultant who is not affiliated with any candidate. Now it's looking as if the primaries after Super Tuesday - including such big, delegate-rich states as Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania - could grow in importance.
"Maybe some states were better off waiting," said Backus.
more...http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SUPER_TUESDAY_NOT_OVER?SITE=NEYOR&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Mud was flung tonight! - The Dems in Myrtle Beach
Barack just called the Clintons liars. Both Bill and Hillary.
Hill strikes back, calls him a waffler, cites his “Republican ideas” remark.
Mud is flung. Barack just said Hill was a corporate lawyer for Wal-Mart when he (Obama) was out fighting for jobs.
Chaos ensues. One thing is clear. Wolf Blitzer is a lousy moderator. It’s only 8:28 and he’s already lost control!
Hill just pulled a Chicago slum landlord out of her bag. Says Barack repped him as a lawyer when she was out fighting for the little guy.
Johnny E reminds all that there are three people in the debate. He asks how “this kind of squabbling” will help anyone. He says it’s not about “us,” it’s about helping Americans.
“Lord knows, you have let them go on forever,” he declares when Blitzer tries to rein him in.
The audience loves it. Look for Edwards to surprise Saturday, with a good 20 to 29%. You heard it here first.
He says the subprime mortgage mess is more likely to affect African Americans. He’s talking about poverty in a state where there are more have-nots than haves.
Half of South Carolina’s Democratic voters are black. Edwards is not pandering to them. He is continuing a focus (on poverty and deprivation) that he’s had for years.
As Hillary and Barack throw mud balls at one another. Edwards stands in a clean suit. That could translate into votes on Saturday.
Hill attacks Obama for his voting record in Illinois, saying she just can’t get a straight answer out of him. She is booed. This has turned into a two-ring circus.
As Obama retorts, Hillary takes measured breaths, her hands folded, her half-smile pasted firmly. You just know she has another cherry bomb up her grey flannel sleeve. But Blitzer changes the topic to health care and things calm a bit.
Health care: Barack calls Hillary a liar again.
The stage changes so that the candidates sit in chairs next to one another instead of standing behind podia.
This is somewhat silly, CNN.
Best question, to Barack Obama: Do you think Bill Clinton was our first black president?
He did not answer yes or no. He played Dodge Bull (sic) very skillfully. He made humor: He’d have “to
investigate Bill’s dancing ability… before (he) could actually judge whether he is a brother.”
Great play.
Edwards says he thinks McCain will be the Republican nominee and that because he is free of special interest debt he can beat him “anywhere in America.”
Hill strikes back, calls him a waffler, cites his “Republican ideas” remark.
Mud is flung. Barack just said Hill was a corporate lawyer for Wal-Mart when he (Obama) was out fighting for jobs.
Chaos ensues. One thing is clear. Wolf Blitzer is a lousy moderator. It’s only 8:28 and he’s already lost control!
Hill just pulled a Chicago slum landlord out of her bag. Says Barack repped him as a lawyer when she was out fighting for the little guy.
Johnny E reminds all that there are three people in the debate. He asks how “this kind of squabbling” will help anyone. He says it’s not about “us,” it’s about helping Americans.
“Lord knows, you have let them go on forever,” he declares when Blitzer tries to rein him in.
The audience loves it. Look for Edwards to surprise Saturday, with a good 20 to 29%. You heard it here first.
He says the subprime mortgage mess is more likely to affect African Americans. He’s talking about poverty in a state where there are more have-nots than haves.
Half of South Carolina’s Democratic voters are black. Edwards is not pandering to them. He is continuing a focus (on poverty and deprivation) that he’s had for years.
As Hillary and Barack throw mud balls at one another. Edwards stands in a clean suit. That could translate into votes on Saturday.
Hill attacks Obama for his voting record in Illinois, saying she just can’t get a straight answer out of him. She is booed. This has turned into a two-ring circus.
As Obama retorts, Hillary takes measured breaths, her hands folded, her half-smile pasted firmly. You just know she has another cherry bomb up her grey flannel sleeve. But Blitzer changes the topic to health care and things calm a bit.
Health care: Barack calls Hillary a liar again.
The stage changes so that the candidates sit in chairs next to one another instead of standing behind podia.
This is somewhat silly, CNN.
Best question, to Barack Obama: Do you think Bill Clinton was our first black president?
He did not answer yes or no. He played Dodge Bull (sic) very skillfully. He made humor: He’d have “to
investigate Bill’s dancing ability… before (he) could actually judge whether he is a brother.”
Great play.
Edwards says he thinks McCain will be the Republican nominee and that because he is free of special interest debt he can beat him “anywhere in America.”
Monday, January 21, 2008
MLK and the Presidential Race 2008...
The celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day has a particular poignancy this presidential election year. There's been a lot of talk about our wanting "to believe in America" again. Some of us are experiencing a cautious optimism that politics doesn't have to be business as usual. With citizens like Oprah Winfrey, Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker and Barack Obama, the African American struggle for justice and freedom has, at last, become what it always was, a universal story. The cry for universal freedom heard through the particular stories of oppressed peoples was made evident in the recent movie "The Great Debaters." The movie brilliantly expressed, through the particulars of a specific struggle, the truth that freedom and dignity are part of the birthright of all human beings. Are we finally getting it into our heads and hearts that when one human being is in chains we are all diminished?
read more...http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/21/EDFDUHURK.DTL
read more...http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/21/EDFDUHURK.DTL
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