Presidential Issues
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4/17/2008 | Presidential Issues
Analysis: Obama wants voters to remember Clinton's past
My Way News
Barack Obama wants to make sure that voters do, even if it was 16 years ago that Hillary Rodham Clinton created an uproar when she sniffed that she could have given up her career and "stayed home, baked cookies and had teas." While Clinton brought up the problems Obama could face in a general election if he's nominated, Obama used a two-hour debate Wednesday night to remind Americans what they don't like about his opponent and her husband, Bill, the former president. Both candidates argued they were tough enough to withstand whatever Republicans try to use against them. Obama raised President Clinton's controversial pardons on his last day in office. And he wanted Americans to know that Hillary Clinton repeatedly called him names in the past few days. The point was to tie Clinton to the divisive politics of the past at a time when a new poll shows that a majority of voters view her as dishonest. The loss of voters' trust comes as Clinton has been attacking Obama for comments he made recently about Pennsylvania voters who "cling to guns or religion" because they are "bitter" about the economy - statements that he maintains he mangled.
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4/17/2008 | Presidential Issues
AP-Yahoo poll shows McCain winning back unhappy Republicans
My Way News
WASHINGTON (AP) - Republicans are no longer underdogs in the race for the White House. To pull that off, John McCain has attracted disgruntled GOP voters, independents and even some moderate Democrats who shunned his party last fall. Partly thanks to an increasingly likable image, the Republican presidential candidate has pulled even with the two Democrats still brawling for their party's nomination, according to an Associated Press-Yahoo news poll released Thursday. Just five months ago - before either party had winnowed its field - the survey showed people preferred sending an unnamed Democrat over a Republican to the White House by 13 percentage points.
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4/16/2008 | Presidential Issues
Gallup Daily: Obama 51%, Clinton 40%
Gallup
PRINCETON, NJ -- Barack Obama is maintaining his lead over Hillary Clinton among Democrats nationally in the latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking, with a 51% to 40% margin in the April 12-14 average. The current 11 percentage point lead is the largest for Obama this year, and marks the ninth consecutive day in which Obama has led Clinton by a statistically significant margin. The current Gallup Poll Daily tracking average is based on interviewing conducted Saturday, Sunday and Monday -- after the initial reports of Obama's controversial remarks about "bitter" small-town residents began to be reported in the news media.
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4/16/2008 | Presidential Issues
Leading The News
The Hill
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), the Democratic Party’s 2000 vice presidential nominee, is leaving open the possibility of giving a keynote address on behalf of Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) at the Republican National Convention in September. Republicans close to the McCain campaign say Lieberman’s appearance at the convention, possibly before a national primetime audience, could help make the case that the presumptive GOP nominee has a record of crossing the aisle. That could appeal to much-needed independent voters.
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4/15/2008 | Presidential Issues
Johnson cites race in Obama's surge
The Charlotte Observer
Wading back into the Democratic presidential race, billionaire businessman Bob Johnson said Monday that Sen. Barack Obama would not be his party's leading candidate if he were white. Johnson's comments to the Observer echoed those of former vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro. She stepped down as an adviser to Sen. Hillary Clinton last month after saying Obama wouldn't be where he is if he were white. "What I believe Geraldine Ferraro meant is that if you take a freshman senator from Illinois called `Jerry Smith' and he says I'm going to run for president, would he start off with 90 percent of the black vote?" Johnson said. "And the answer is, probably not... ." "Geraldine Ferraro said it right. The problem is, Geraldine Ferraro is white. This campaign has such a hair-trigger on anything racial ... it is almost impossible for anybody to say anything."
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4/15/2008 | Presidential Issues, Race in America
Davis apologizes for calling Obama 'boy'
Pol Watchers
U.S. Rep Geoff Davis apologized Monday for calling presidential contender and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama “boy” during a Northern Kentucky dinner over the weekend. “My poor choice of words is regrettable and was in no way meant to impugn you or your integrity," Davis wrote in a letter that staffers said was hand-delivered to Obama’s U.S. Senate office. "I offer my sincere apology to you and ask for your forgiveness.” Davis continued: “Though we may disagree on many issues, I know that we share the goal of a prosperous, secure future for our nation. My comment has detracted from the dialogue that we should all be having on legitimate policy differences and in no way reflects the personal and professional respect I have for you.” The word “boy” is considered extremely offensive by many African-Americans, as it was used by Southern whites in the Jim Crow South to assert racial superiority.
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4/14/2008 | Presidential Issues
Clinton: 'Not relevant' last time I went to church, fired gun
CNN
SCRANTON, Pennsylvania (CNN) – After a weekend spent making direct appeals to gun owners and church goers, Hillary Clinton said Sunday a query about the last time she fired a gun or attended church services "is not a relevant question in this debate” over Barack Obama’s recent comments on small town Americans. “We can answer that some other time,” Clinton said at a press conference held in a working class neighborhood here. “This is about what people feel is being said about them. I went to church on Easter. I mean, so?” Clinton described the furor surrounding Obama’s remarks as “about how people look at the Democratic Party and the Democratic Party leadership.”
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4/11/2008 | Presidential Issues
Bill Clinton defends wife's Bosnia remarks
Politico
Former President Bill Clinton gave a passionate defense Thursday of his wife’s claim about “landing under sniper fire” – just as the damaging controversy was dying down. Bill Clinton said the news media treated her like she’d “robbed a bank” and claimed she was experiencing end-of-day fatigue, even though she had made the claim in morning speeches. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) acknowledged two weeks ago that she “misspoke” and “made a mistake” in her overly vivid account of the 1996 landing in Tuzla, Bosnia, during a goodwill mission as first lady. Video of a tranquil arrival ceremony refuted the claim, and her comments hurt her struggling campaign by reviving questions about her candor.
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4/11/2008 | Presidential Issues
Dean: McCain's Age Worries Voters
ABC News
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean said Thursday that swing voters participating in focus groups commissioned by the D.N.C. bring up John McCain's age unprompted. "We didn't bring it up, but they volunteered it," said Dean who explained that voters have two concerns about McCain's age. "One was a health concern, the other was, and this is really interesting . . . that his views are old-fashioned." At the age of 72, McCain would be the oldest newly elected president in U.S. history if inaugurated in 2009. Referring to what Dean characterized as the party's most conservative focus group in Charleston, W. Va., the DNC chairman said "the women in that group were shocked that [McCain] believed health insurance shouldn't cover birth control pills and they were shocked about his belief in abstinence only education."
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4/8/2008 | Presidential Issues
Pennsylvania Democratic Primary Preference
American Research Group, Inc.
Barack Obama leads Hillary Clinton 53% to 36% among men (46% of likely Democratic primary voters). Among women, Clinton leads 52% to 39%. Clinton leads 52% to 36% among white voters (80% of likely Democratic primary voters). Obama leads 89% to 9% among African American voters (16% of likely Democratic primary voters). Obama leads 52% to 38% among voters age 18 to 49 (52% of likely Democratic primary voters) and Clinton leads 52% to 38% among voters age 50 and older. 27% of all likely Democratic primary voters and 41% of likely Democratic primary voters age 18 to 49 say they would never vote for Hillary Clinton in the primary and 25% of likely Democratic primary voters say they would never vote for Barack Obama in the primary.
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4/8/2008 | Presidential Issues
Clinton Campaign Regroups After Shakeup at Top
The New York Times
WASHINGTON — With a fresh strategy team in place, the presidential campaign of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton sought Monday to reassure supporters, contributors and Democratic delegates that her candidacy would withstand and be rejuvenated by the second leadership shakeup in two months. Geoff Garin, a Democratic pollster, and Howard Wolfson, a longtime adviser to Mrs. Clinton, formally began their duties coordinating the campaign’s strategic message, replacing her chief strategist, Mark Penn. They worked feverishly — behind the scenes and through public channels — to convey that Mrs. Clinton’s efforts to win her party’s presidential nomination had not let up despite turmoil surrounding Mr. Penn’s departure. Mr. Penn, a leading adviser to Bill and Hillary Clinton since 1996, relinquished his role as chief campaign strategist on Sunday after apologizing for holding talks with officials from the Colombian government about a bilateral trade treaty with the United States that Mrs. Clinton opposes. He met with the Colombians in his role as chief executive of Burson-Marsteller, a global public relations firm. Mr. Penn’s departure followed months of infighting between him and other Clinton aides.
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4/7/2008 | Presidential Issues
Penn Out As Clinton Senior Strategist
Breitbart.Com
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Mark Penn, the pollster and senior strategist for Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential bid, left the campaign Sunday after it was disclosed he met with representatives of the Colombian government to help promote a free trade agreement Clinton opposes. "After the events of the last few days, Mark Penn has asked to give up his role as chief strategist of the Clinton Campaign," campaign manager Maggie Williams said in a statement released Sunday. "Mark, and Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates, Inc. will continue to provide polling and advice to the campaign." Communications director Howard Wolfson and pollster Geoff Garin will direct the campaign's message and strategic efforts for the campaign going forward, Williams said. Penn's departure comes as Clinton, considered the front-runner for the Democratic nomination last year, trails Barack Obama in delegates and the popular vote with a must-win primary in Pennsylvania April 22 and nine other contests remaining. Clinton almost certainly will end the primary season narrowly behind Obama in the popular vote and pledged delegates unless the nullified primaries in Florida and Michigan are counted—a scenario that seems remote. Her challenge will be to convince some 800 superdelegates to back her despite the numbers.
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4/7/2008 | Presidential Issues
Many Superdelegates in No Hurry to Pick a Candidate
The Washington Post
Former Montana senator John Melcher said he hadn't felt any urgency to take sides in the race between Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama until late last month, when Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean called on superdelegates to make up their minds by July 1. "So after two days of that, I agreed with him that maybe I should, so I did," said Melcher, who announced Wednesday that he will support Obama, based on the candidate's early opposition to the Iraq war. Though Melcher and a handful of high-profile Democrats have recently chosen sides in the presidential nominating contest, few others of the party's uncommitted superdelegates appear likely to budge before Pennsylvania's primary on April 22 -- and many have indicated that they will wait until the primaries end in June before picking a candidate. Many of the 320 or so party leaders and elected officials who have yet to commit cite a number of reasons: They can't choose between two good candidates, they don't want to interfere with the will of voters, and they think the extended contest will strengthen the party.
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4/7/2008 | Presidential Issues
Clinton Campaign Regroups After Shakeup at Top
The New York Times
WASHINGTON — With a fresh strategy team in place, the presidential campaign of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton sought Monday to reassure supporters, contributors and Democratic delegates that her candidacy would withstand and be rejuvenated by the second leadership shakeup in two months. Geoff Garin, a Democratic pollster, and Howard Wolfson, a longtime adviser to Mrs. Clinton, formally began their duties coordinating the campaign’s strategic message, replacing her chief strategist, Mark Penn. They worked feverishly — behind the scenes and through public channels — to convey that Mrs. Clinton’s efforts to win her party’s presidential nomination had not let up despite turmoil surrounding Mr. Penn’s departure. Mr. Penn, a leading adviser to Bill and Hillary Clinton since 1996, relinquished his role as chief campaign strategist on Sunday after apologizing for holding talks with officials from the Colombian government about a bilateral trade treaty with the United States that Mrs. Clinton opposes. He met with the Colombians in his role as chief executive of Burson-Marsteller, a global public relations firm. Mr. Penn’s departure followed months of infighting between him and other Clinton aides.
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4/4/2008 | Presidential Issues
Carter hints at supporting Obama
CNN Politics
(CNN) — Former President Jimmy Carter all but said Wednesday he plans to cast his superdelegate vote for Barack Obama. Speaking with a Nigerian paper while in Abuja, Carter noted several reasons why he might be leaning toward the Illinois senator. "Don’t forget that Obama won in my state of Georgia," Carter said. "My town, which is home to 625 people, is for Obama, my children and their spouses are pro-Obama. My grandchildren are also pro-Obama." "As a superdelegate, I would not disclose who I am rooting for but I leave you to make that guess," Carter added. The Carter Center confirmed to CNN the newspaper did quote Carter accurately.
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4/3/2008 | Presidential Issues
Obama Trims Clinton's Lead in Pa.
My Way News
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Sen. Barack Obama was endorsed Wednesday by a labor union and two Democratic superdelegates, as a poll showed he has cut Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's lead in Pennsylvania almost in half since mid-February as he strives to deny her a resounding victory in the state's presidential primary. The Illinois senator peeled off an affiliate of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which has endorsed Clinton. The Philadelphia-based local of the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees has about 16,000 members. Its president, Henry Nicholas, announced the endorsement while introducing Obama at a meeting of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO. Nicholas, who also is president of the 150,000-member national union and an AFSCME international vice president, said he took the step "because justice told me it was the right position to take."
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4/3/2008 | Presidential Issues
Bill Clinton's tirade stunned some delegates
San Francisco Gate
The Bill Clinton who met privately with California's superdelegates at last weekend's state convention was a far cry from the congenial former president who afterward publicly urged fellow Democrats to "chill out" over the race between his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Barack Obama. In fact, before his speech Clinton had one of his famous meltdowns Sunday, blasting away at former presidential contender Bill Richardson for having endorsed Obama, the media and the entire nomination process. "It was one of the worst political meetings I have ever attended," one superdelegate said. According to those at the meeting, Clinton - who flew in from Chicago with bags under his eyes - was classic old Bill at first, charming and making small talk with the 15 or so delegates who gathered in a room behind the convention stage. But as the group moved together for the perfunctory photo, Rachel Binah, a former Richardson delegate who now supports Hillary Clinton, told Bill how "sorry" she was to have heard former Clinton campaign manager James Carville call Richardson a "Judas" for backing Obama. It was as if someone pulled the pin from a grenade. "Five times to my face (Richardson) said that he would never do that," a red-faced, finger-pointing Clinton erupted. The former president then went on a tirade that ran from the media's unfair treatment of Hillary to questions about the fairness of the votes in state caucuses that voted for Obama. It ended with him asking delegates to imagine what the reaction would be if Obama was trailing by just 1 percent and people were telling him to drop out.
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4/2/2008 | Presidential Issues
Democrats’ Turmoil Tests Party’s Low-Key Leader
The New York Times
WASHINGTON — The turmoil in the Democratic presidential race has presented a sharp test of Howard Dean’s low-profile approach to leading the Democratic National Committee, bringing calls from many Democrats for him to take a more aggressive role in defusing the threat of a protracted and divisive nominating fight.
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4/2/2008 | Presidential Issues
McCain seeks distance from Bush
Breitbart.Com
John McCain on Tuesday struck away from the political legacy of President George W. Bush, as he sought to plot an obstacle-strewn course back to the White House for the Republicans. The party's presidential pick also mused on the lessons of his rebellious youth, as he sought to frame his life story as one of self-sacrifice and military service, the culmination of which would be the presidency. "The point is, I'm not running on the Bush presidency, I'm running on my own service to the country, my own record in the House of Representatives and the United States Senate and my vision for the future," McCain told ABC television. McCain, 71, has been a fierce supporter of the Iraq war. But he has challenged the Bush administration's management of the conflict, and admits his fortunes could be tied to the war's success or failure over the coming months. Despite popular fatigue with the war, and worrying signs for the US economy, the Arizona senator is attempting to provide a new rationale for electing Republicans. Last week, in a major foreign policy address, McCain laid out a robust national security policy, but offered olive branches to US allies alienated by the Bush administration's go-it-alone approach.
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4/1/2008 | Presidential Issues
The Tall Tale of Tuzla
Slate
The punishment visited on Sen. Hillary Clinton for her flagrant, hysterical, repetitive, pathological lying about her visit to Bosnia should be much heavier than it has yet been and should be exacted for much more than just the lying itself. There are two kinds of deliberate and premeditated deceit, commonly known as suggestio falsi and suppressio veri. (Neither of them is covered by the additionally lying claim of having "misspoken.") The first involves what seems to be most obvious in the present case: the putting forward of a bogus or misleading account of events. But the second, and often the more serious, means that the liar in question has also attempted to bury or to obscure something that actually is true. Let us examine how Sen. Clinton has managed to commit both of these offenses to veracity and decency and how in doing so she has rivaled, if not indeed surpassed, the disbarred and perjured hack who is her husband and tutor.
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