Sen. Barack Obama's effort to define himself in 18 battleground states took a new turn today when he started airing an ad titled "Dignity," which heralds his limited legislative experience as a boon to middle Americans. According to the campaign, "the spot highlights Senator Obama's decision to bypass big money jobs and help lift neighborhoods stung by job loss. The ad illustrates Senator Obama's record of working hard to move people from welfare to work, passing tax cuts for workers, and providing healthcare for children." It airs in Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Virginia. It follows a mostly biographical ad that also highlighted his decision to skip job offers on Wall Street to move instead to Chicago, where he became a community organizer.
The independent Commission on Presidential Debates expects that only Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain will be at the three planned debates this fall and that two fringe candidates—Ralph Nader and Bob Barr—will very likely sue for entry. Briefing reporters on the upcoming debates, the commission's Paul Kirk and Frank Fahrenkopf indicated that candidates must score at least 15 percent in public opinion polls, far higher than Nader and Barr have received. The debates may look different from those in the past because candidates will have more time to discuss and debate issues. So far, neither candidate has responded to an invitation to debate at three locations: September 26 in Oxford, Miss., October 7 in Nashville, and October 15 in Hempstead, N.Y. McCain has proposed a series of town halls, but Obama hasn't agreed to those additional debates. Kirk and Fahrenkopf didn't show any concerns about those town halls interfering with the larger, media-heavy debates. They did say that they expect bigger crowds than in the past, because of the public's focus on the election. They also added that the media will have to find their own area to host "spin alley," where aides to candidates talk up their boss's performance.
Memo to those who bought into the story line that Sen. Edward Kennedy's brain cancer was the beginning of the end of his life in politics: It wasn't. In fact, associates, friends, and even political foes say that Teddy has come roaring back, albeit from his Cape Cod residence, weighing in on key policy issues and keeping his staff hot on the trail of his own agenda.
"In some ways," says an associate, "it's like he's still here. His office is running, he's still putting out his agenda, his staff is going gangbusters, and he's managed to keep his control." Adds a top Republican who is often at odds with Kennedy: "We were all feeling pretty gloomy when the news of his brain cancer came out. But the whole mood around here has changed for the better."
Consider: With Massachusetts officials worried about receiving a Medicaid waiver needed for the state's universal healthcare program, Kennedy made calls last month to President Bush's team. The result: The money will most likely continue to flow. He's also calling lawmakers to push pet projects such as higher education funding and mental health legislation.
Here's more proof that Kennedy's on the mend after his June surgery: He may trump his September return to the Senate by helping to nominate Sen. Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention in August in Denver.
Expectations among Senate Democrats are rising that if elected president, Barack Obama will reward Sen. Hillary Clinton's support with a Supreme Court nomination when one opens. "It's the talk up here," says a key Senate aide. While confirmation would be difficult, the move is being encouraged by her supporters as a way for Obama to acknowledge Clinton's historic run for the White House. "It would have a more lasting impact than being president," the aide says. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tells us: "Her candidacy was just a bright, bright moment for us, and she may run again."
He didn't do much to help his own presidential campaign, but Republican Rudy Giuliani is ready to hit the trail for House and Senate candidates this fall. He first plans to help those who backed his stillborn campaign, like embattled Washington Rep. Dave Reichert. He'll also help Sen. John McCain's White House bid.
Washington TV insiders are leaning toward NBC White House reporter David Gregory as the likely long-term replacement for Tim Russert on Sunday's Meet the Press. Russert's successor has been the hot topic in media circles ever since he died June 13 after suffering a heart attack. Sources close to the peacock network say Gregory has the lead on others itching for the post. The reasons: He's shined as a sometimes host on the Today Show, has his own election show on MSNBC, and has a strong following. "I'd look to see if they start making changes on his show as an indication he's got it," says a TV exec. The tall Gregory, called "Little Stretch" by the president, hosts Race for the White House. Meanwhile, sources close to former Nightline host Ted Koppel say he isn't interested in working weekends.
What do Al Franken, the comic and Senate candidate; Norman Ornstein, the "King of Quotes"; Pulitzer Prize-winning author Thomas Friedman; and Joel and Ethan Coen, Oscar winners, have in common? They're all homeboys from the same Minnesota "incubator" town, St. Louis Park. Why "incubator"? Because of the convergence of talents the town of 43,000 has produced. Says Ornstein, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research: "People emphasized education and engagement in the world around us, which just provided a kind of fertile background." Ornstein didn't meet Franken until their paths crossed at a reception at the Democratic convention in 1988. Franken, the former Saturday Night Live star, sought out Ornstein and confessed he was a c-span junkie. Ornstein's a big fan of Saturday Night Live. They've become close friends.
First there was "voodoo economics," then "Reaganomics," and now a Democrat finally has his own economic label: "Obamanomics." And as with the previous two, it's the critics who are coining the phrase, in this case the No. 3 Senate Republican, Tennessee's Lamar Alexander. Addressing Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama's energy plan, which emphasizes conservation over new supplies, Alexander grins: "Obamanomics . . . would be when you repeal half of the law of supply and demand, the supply half. That's a new form of economics." Alexander adds: "The law of supply and demand's lasted a long time, and just to repeal half of it, I think Obamanomics is a good word for it." And it might not end at energy policy. "It could have other applications," Alexander says. "Senator Obama is a very creative person. He may be able to create more new rules of economics."
It was just about 100 years ago that outgoing Teddy Roosevelt penned some details to the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. about a .405 rifle he wanted to tote to Africa once he wrapped up his two terms as president. And now, on the 150th birthday of the famed hunter and conservationist, Winchester Ammunition is commemorating his presidency and that gun with special Roosevelt ammo. "He was a hunter extraordinaire and a big Winchester fan," says the company's Glen Weeks. At about $40, the nickel-plated .405, .30-.30, and .45 Colt bullets packaged in specially designed boxes featuring tr hunting scenes are more souvenirs than game and target shots. They will show up in stores this month. Weeks wouldn't say who's next in the commemorative run, but it won't be errant shotgunner Vice President Dick Cheney. "Maybe 100 years from now," he joked.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, calling Sen. Barack Obama's emergence as the Democratic Party nominee the crowning moment for the civil rights movement
"He wants to appeal to white guilt. You appeal to white guilt not by coming on as black is beautiful, black is powerful. Basically, he's coming on as someone who is not going to threaten the white power structure...Whites just eat it up."
Ralph Nader, activist and presidential candidate, on Obama
"If I were to watch the news that you hear in the United States, I'd just blow my brains out."
Lara Logan, former British TV reporter and the new CBS chief foreign affairs correspondent, on coverage of the Iraq war
"I haven't done Gladiators or Fear Factor or Deal or No Deal."
Tom Brokaw, on his future after substituting as host on NBC's Meet the Press
Sources: Chicago Tribune, Rocky Mountain News, Daily Show, TVNewser
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