Sun-Times Jennifer Hunter The Democratic presidential debate Wednesday was dubbed "The Duel at Dartmouth," but it was less of a joust and more of an effort to take gentle lunges against front-runner Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) to see if she would buckle under the criticism.
Beth Fouhy, Associated Press--The leading Democratic White House hopefuls conceded Wednesday night they cannot guarantee to pull all U.S. combat troops from Iraq by the end of the next presidential term in 2013.
The Boston Globe's Scott Helman: Obama Sharpens Critique Of Clinton
HIGHLAND PARK, ILL.--A sampling of ledes and headlines from Thursday's Democratic debate at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.
Steve Holland and Ellen Wulfhorst, Reuters-- Democratic presidential candidates pounced on rival Hillary Clinton for her positions on Iraq and Iran in a debate on Wednesday as they sought to undercut her status as the campaign front-runner. http://www.reuters.com/articlePrint?articleId=USN2746126520070927
Sarah Liebowitz, Concord Monitor-- Democratic presidential candidates stepped up their criticism of rival Hillary Clinton at last night's debate at Dartmouth College in Hanover, an event that came as Clinton has solidified her lead in state and national opinion polls. http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070927/FRONTPAGE/709270422
The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder, whose reported blog on politics is a must read of the must reads--Tonight, Edwards and Clinton stood out against the mosaic. Edwards was Edwards on Centrum Silver: straightforward, confident, clear, knowledgeable, thoroughly encased in his own frame. Ying to the yang of both Obama and Clinton; If you’re new to nomination politics, then you’d think Edwards – and not Obama – was Hillary Clinton’s main foil. The war. Social Security. Health care. Campaign ethics. Clinton didn't take the punch, but she did move to dodge them, which is a victory for JRE. www.theatlantic.com
The Politico's Ben Smithwhose reports are another must read--Clinton once said torture might be acceptable in narrow circumstances, but closed the loophole Wednesday. Senator Hillary Clinton (N.Y.) ended her support for legalized torture at a debate in New Hampshire Wednesday night, splitting with her husband – and with her own recent stance on the charged issue. http://www.politico.com
CBS News political guru Vaughn Ververs| Most of the coverage of last night’s Democratic debate in New Hampshire predictably hones in on two story lines. One, the fact that none of the three big candidates – Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards – would pledge to remove all U.S. troops from Iraq within the first four years of their presidency. Two, the “jabs” taken at front-runner Clinton. http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/09/27/politics/horserace/entry3303601.shtml
Sun-Times Lynn Sweet White House hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), using a question about health care, injected a new element in going after chief rival Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.)--that she does not have the personality to pass universal health care. Obama then offers himself as a contrast; someone who can "inspire" people to get things done. He did not use the word consensus but this is what he is talking about.
.....After the debate, Obama campaign manager David Plouffe sent out a statement where he talked about Obama as the candidate of consensus. An Obama campaign spokesman, Bill Burton, sent out a research memo recapping the abundance of criticism Clinton received for her failed health care effort in 1993 and 1994. Health care covereage is the dominant domestic issue in the primary. www.blogs.suntimes.com
HIGHLAND PARK, ILL.--One item on White House hopeful Sen. Barack Obama's Thursday agenda...an interview on the set of "The Tyra Banks Show." He's taping it in New York this afternoon. A few weeks ago, Banks taped B-roll in Obama's Chicago headquarters. The show will air Monday.
CHICAGO--Once again, White House hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) asserted--this time during Wednesday's Democratic debate--that he was risking his political career back in 2002 when spoke out against the Iraq War as he was getting into a primary race for a Senate seat from Illinois. Coming out against the war then was a boost for his election--because the anti-war Democratic activists in Illinois --with a number of influential people in their ranks--rallied around Obama. During the debate moderator Tim Russert, noting that Obama has no landmark legislation asked why he was running after about 33 months in the Senate. "Why does it make sense now?"
Obama said basically it is because the country needs him. Obama's answer is yet another example of how Obama is casting himself as the consensus candidate. Obama also made an interesting language adjustment. The issue is not his experience, he said, it is his "experiences" that make him ready to lead.
CHICAGO--Moderator Tim Russert is asking about a national smoking ban. Clinton tees off, says tobacco should be regulated by the FDA--this is a reference to a long running proposal thwarted by Big Tobacco and then left to local governments to decide. Obama says similiar answer, without FDA angle.
But all the others--Dodd, Biden, Edwards, Gravel and Kucinich--said they would be for it.
CHICAGO---White House hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), using a question about health care, injected a new element in going after chief rival Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.)--that she does not have the personality to pass universal health care. Obama then offers himself as a contrast; someone who can "inspire" people to get things done. He did not use the word consensus but this is what he is talking about.
It's not exactly a major confrontation. Former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) was much sharper in drawing distinctions and going after Clinton. But it's clear Obama is opening a new front as he appeals to Independents and Republicans to come into the Democratic primary.
After the debate, Obama campaign manager David Plouffe sent out a statement where he talked about Obama as the candidate of consensus. An Obama campaign spokesman, Bill Burton, sent out a research memo recapping the abundance of criticism Clinton received for her failed health care effort in 1993 and 1994. Health care covereage is the dominant domestic issue in the primary.
Here's how Obama bored into Clinton. All the leading Dems have health plans on the table. They are more alike than they are different. Obama said the issue is not who has the plans but "It has to do with who can inspire and mobilize the American people to get it done and open up the process. If it was lonely for Hillary, part of the reason it was lonely, Hillary, was because you closed the door to a lot of potential allies in that process. At that time, 80 percent of Americans already wanted universal health care, but they didn't feel like they were let into the process. "
CHICAGO--A lighter moment after some tenacious Tim Russert questioning.
Russert wanted to know why Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Ct.) said--after President Bush said Clinton would be the nominee--that he "can understand why" the president said that. Dodd used the question to get out a joke he was carrying around about CNN's Anderson Cooper--who like Dodd has white hair.
CHICAGO--NBC's Tim Russert is the moderator of Wednesday's Democratic presidential debate at Dartmouth U. in New Hampshire. It's on MSNBC and will be on until 10 p.m. Chicago time. Russert threw the first question to White House hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.). Since it is likely U.S. soldiers will be in Iraq when the next president takes office in 2009, how would he end the war? Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) get pressed on the same point. Only Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Ct.) and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said they could get the troops out by the end of the new presidents first term
CARBONDALE, ILL.--Becky Carroll, deputy chief-of-staff for Gov. Blagojevich--and a campaign veteran--will lead the bulked up Obama presidential campaign drive for women voters, conceeding no turf--or gender--to chief rival Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.).
The "Women for Obama" department has been perculating---Michelle Obama is the chair--and has an active organization in California, where a kick off lunch/fund-raiser was held a few weeks ago.
Hat tip to Bernie Schoenberg of from the Springfield Journal-Register who scooped this.
Ruth Marcus, a shoeleather Washington Post editorial writer looks at “The Two Obamas."
"Clinton May Erase Obama's Fund-Raising Edge in Third Quarter" is the story by Bloomberg News campaign finance expert Jonathan Salant sharing a byline with Kristin Jensen.. Hillary Clinton may blunt one of rival Barack Obama's few advantages in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination:money.
CARBONDALE, Ill.--Democrats debate tonight (8 p.m. Chicago time) at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire with two hour session moderated by NBC's Tim Russert. Watch it on MSNBC.
This just in from Bill Burton, an Obama spokesman: "At the debate, look for Obama to show the country why he’s the one candidate who won’t just change the party in the White House, but will change the broken politics of Washington that has stood the way of our progress on health care, education, energy, and other critical issues for far too long."
CARBONDALE--A centerpiece of White House hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) presidential bid is his opposition to the Iraq war. Five years ago he delivered his first anti-Iraq war speech at a rally in Chicago. Clips and photos from the speech are used in his presidential campaign to make the point he had the judgement--as a Senate candidate--to be against the Iraq invasion.
Now Obama is using the fifth anniversary of that speech as an organizing device. The campaign is planning rallies in 16 cities on Oct. to --you've heard this one before--"turn the page" in Iraq.
for the Obama release, click below..
CARBONDALE, ILL.--Perry Bacon Jr. , a Washington Post reporter who is covering White House hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has been drilling down. He writes about: “Obama's 'Enthusiasm Gap' blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2007/09/24/post_91.html
The Washington Post editorial board looks at policy proposals in what the paper calls their "Ideas Primary" series. In Tuesday's paper, the income tax plan Obama unveiled last week gets a thumbs down (Roger, Richard, I hope you don't mind that I borrowed a thumb) review from the Post. The Posties were not swayed by Obama's proposal to drop income taxes for seniors making below $50,000. And to add an ouchie, the editorial praises a more modest plan offered by rival former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) : “Mr. Obama's Cookie Jar." washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/24/AR2007092401444_pf.html
Over at the Los Angeles Times, Scott Martelle writes about the extensive Obama field operation. The main focus of the article is Nevada. My footnote to Martelle's story.... Illinois political figures, Dem activists and members of the donor community have been/soon will be traveling on a regular basis to Iowa and New Hampshire to act as Obama "validators," reaching out to voters months before the first vote. This article underscores the David Plouffe memo released Saturday (see previous posting) that Obama is stronger than polls show because he has "hidden voters." Martelle is at “Obama Gives Shoe-Leather Lessons To Nevada's Neighbors. www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-obama25sep25,0,6975957,print.story?coll=la-home-nation
An excerpt about Obama's "Drive to Change" Nevada operation...
His is the only Democratic presidential campaign using this tactic, according to local observers. The idea is to augment Nevadans' volunteer work ahead of the state's Jan. 19 caucuses while learning such campaign basics as how to run phone banks, knock on doors and collect data. Obama's campaign is running similar efforts in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina - which also are holding early caucuses or primaries. ..
for more of Tuesday's Obama roundup, click below..
CARBONDALE, ILL.--The top Democratic presidential candidates return to Chicago Tuesday to pitch the partner unions who are part of the Change-to-Win labor federation. No endorsement is expected at this time.
Obama then heads to Maine for a fund-raiser. That positions him in New England, where he will travel south Wednesday for the Democratic debate in New Hampshire.
CARBONDALE, Ill.--This just in. After an eight-hour board meeting in Chicago on Monday, the executive board of the Service Employees International Union decided not to endorse for now in the Democratic primary. The executive board will revisit an endorsement on Oct. 8, after the third quarter fund-raising totals are in.
This is a big setback for White House hopeful former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) who has been working the SEIU leaders (first, second and third tier) for years. This is very good news for rival Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) who now has bought time to persuade SEIU leaders that he is the most politically viable contender. I'm told the leaders of the SEIU--one of the most politically active unions in the nation---want to make an endorsement. And there are elements within the leadership who want to stop Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), who is the frontrunner in most polls--national and in the four early primary states.
DRIVING PAST A SOY FIELD SOMEWHERE IN ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILL. (enroute to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale)--With the Sept. 30 third quarter fund-raising deadline looming, White House hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) sent an e-mail fund-raising appeal on Monday designed to sharply increase the number of small dollar donors.
"We can prove that it's people, not dollars, that should be the measure for campaigns. So while the pundits track the mad chase for money, we will set our own course and our own goals," Obama wrote.
The strategy is to try to make the emphasis in political stories not how much a candidate raised but from how many people. When it comes to the number of donors, in the 2008 Democratic primary, Obama has locked up the bragging rights. He's got more than chief rivals Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.).
Obama has been the most effective in leveraging the social network power of the web for fund-raising, marrying it to some traditional fund-raising tools to gives donor incentives to give. At present, his newest approach is a "matching" program. He wants to maximize the 333,235 people who have donated--but still are below the federal cap of $2,300 for the primary. New donors who agree to be in the "match" program will be "matched" with "old" contributors.
The donor metric, the Obama team believes, gets too little attention is assessing a candidates strength. At present, there are a few metrics used to figure out how a campaign is doing: cash raised; cash on hand; polls; endorsements. Obama wants to add one more to the list: the donor army. Interesting, he set a goal by which he can be measured; 500,000 donations from 350,000 people. He's well on his way to reaching that goal.
"We're facing a hard deadline in less than a week. The financial reports filed after September 30th will set the tone for the last 100 days before people start voting and caucusing. The numbers will be a signal to voters in the crucial early states that our movement has the support it takes to win," Obama wrote.
WASHINGTON---A SEIU Illinois honcho I just talked to is predicting that after the executive board finishes hearing pitches from the three top Democratic campaigns, the politically powerful Service Employees International Union, meeting in Chicago, will not endorse today.
The Obama camp via Robert Gibbs in a sarcastic e-mail (he said I made him laugh. That's good, right?) thinks I did not give them credit in an earlier posting for working the SEIU meeting in Washington last week.
Rival John Edwards camp thought they had the SEIU endorsement locked up. I gave some credit to the Clinton forces for stopping Edwards-who has been working the SEIU for years because they were whipping (organizing, conting noses) at the meeting. The Illinois SEIU did not whip. But my SEIU Illinois honcho says that it was lobbying inside the executive board from the Illinois contingent that swayed leaders to be neutral for the time being.
WASHINGTON--I'm at the airport about to board a plane so I will happily quote ABC News Obama embed Jonathan Greenberger report (hat tip for getting it up so fast) on the first info coming out of the Obama campaign regarding third quarter fund-raising, which closes Sept. 30. The campaign, following how they handled 1Q and 2Q puts out number of donors first, money as late as they can. That's to build the argument that Obama's popularity is measured with thousands of real people giving him money...and not just with a polling sample.
