advertisement
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
advertisement
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg quit the Republican Party yesterday, in a move seen as a possible preface to an independent bid for the White House. Bloomberg reports Bloomberg said in a statement, "I have filed papers with the New York City Board of Elections to change my status as a voter and register as unaffiliated with any political party. Although my plans for the future haven't changed, I believe this brings my affiliation into alignment with how I have led and will continue to lead our city."
The New York Daily News reports, "Bloomberg insisted his decision to be unaffiliated with any major party does not mean he will run for president next year. He said he will continue as mayor until term limits force him out of City Hall on Dec. 31, 2009. ... 'Although my plans for the future haven't changed, I believe this brings my affiliation into alignment with how I have led and will continue to lead our city,' Bloomberg said in a statement released late in the day." On NBC Nightly News, Tim Russert said, "I just spoke to sources very close to Mayor Bloomberg and the strategy is simple. He's positioning himself for a potential, underscore potential, independent run for the presidency. He will make a decision in early of 2008, depending on who the major parties nominate and the tone of the campaign. He believes the Democrats are tacking left, the Republicans are tacking right. There's a broad center available. He's willing to spend $500 million of his own money -- he's a multibillionaire, but he doesn't want to run as a spoiler. He's aware that Ross Perot got 19% of the vote in 1992. He would only run if he could win. He's very pragmatic. Remember, in October of 2000, he was a Democrat. He became a Republican because he saw that nomination was easier to win. Keep your eye on Mayor Bloomberg."
The move comes as Bloomberg is receiving national attention, appearing on the cover of TIME magazine and speaking with Arnold Schwarzenegger at a conference yesterday. The Los Angeles Times reports Bloomberg appeared yesterday with Schwarzenegger "at a USC-sponsored conference, 'Ceasefire! Bridging the Political Divide,'" in which both "capitalized on their popularity and achievements in policy arenas that have traditionally been the realm of the federal government." USA Today notes Bloomberg said yesterday that "on issues including Social Security, health care, education and immigration, 'the federal government isn't out front -- it's cowering in the back of the room.'" Bloomberg "blasted Congressional inaction on 'every single one of the big issues,'" adding, "When you go to Washington these days, you can feel a sense of fear in the air, the fear to do anything or say anything that might affect the polls or give the other side the advantage or offend a special interest group."
Last night, ABC World News (6/19, story 8, 0:25, Gibson, 8.78M) noted the "speculation that Mr. Bloomberg may make a run for the White House," while the CBS Evening News (6/19, story 6, 0:20, Mitchell, 7.66M) termed the story "a political bombshell" and "a major defection from the Republican Party."
The New York Post reports, "Political insiders familiar with Bloomberg's switch said it was triggered by the fact that some states where the billionaire mayor could compete as a self-financed candidate have rules making it complicated for people to get on the ballot as independents if they're registered to a party in their home states. The mayor faced a mid-October deadline in order to be a registered independent by November 2008."
Analysts Mixed On Who A Bloomberg Run Would Harm The New York Times says "several analysts argued that a three-way race with Mr. Bloomberg running as a third-party candidate could ultimately prove more of a threat to Democrats than to Republicans. Until he ran for mayor in 2001, Mr. Bloomberg was a lifelong Democrat, and his success in New York reflected his ability to draw Democratic votes: he is for abortion rights, gay rights and gun control."
The Washington Post reports, "One consultant predicted that a Bloomberg candidacy could hurt the Republicans, including Bloomberg's predecessor, former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani. 'The market for billionaire businessmen is basically with soft Republican voters, and so he is likely to help the Democrats if he runs,' the consultant said. Others have suggested Bloomberg will appeal to independent voters who backed Democrats in droves in the 2006 midterm elections."
A number of media outlets reported on the appearance of Democratic presidential candidates at a pair of events in Washington yesterday: the AFSCME forum and "Take Back America," the annual conference of the liberal group Campaign for America's Future, generally melding coverage of the two events. The war in Iraq was a major point of discussion at "Take Back America," where Sen. Hillary Clinton was booed last year over her support for the war. While some Democrats addressed the group yesterday, Clinton will address that gathering today. The Los Angeles Times reports two "powerful blocs among Democrats - organized labor and liberal activists - heard several of the party's presidential contenders pledge allegiance Thursday to a progressive agenda more sweeping than would have seemed politically palatable not long ago." The candidates' "liberal chorus about the war in Iraq, gay rights, healthcare and labor issues was a testament to the Democratic left wing's growing strength since the Republican rout in the 2006 midterm election." Speaking to "a labor group in Washington were Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois, former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio."
The AP reports a "trio of Democratic presidential candidates appealed to anti-war passions that run deep in their party Tuesday, with each portraying himself as most strongly against the war in Iraq." Sen. Barack Obama "told some 3,000 liberal activists at the 'Take Back America' conference that he opposed the war from the start." Richardson "argued that unlike his rivals, he would pull out every troop from Iraq. John Edwards pressed his fellow candidates still in Congress to force an end to the conflict." Edwards said, "No more we'll-get-around-to-it-next-time. No more taking half a loaf. No more tomorrow. For the men and women who are leaving this country to serve in Iraq, there is no tomorrow." The AP adds Obama "said he warned his rivals and others serving in Congress in 2002 not to authorize the war."
The Politico suggests that the Democratic candidates were anxious to attend the AFSCME forum because "Big Labor...can deliver bodies to man phone banks, stuff envelopes and knock on doors," noting that "Richardson was the only candidate to make anything approaching news, by saying he would leave no U.S. troops in Iraq after an American withdrawal by the end of this year." Clinton "gave another polished, controlled performance," and acknowledged NAFTA's shortcomings, which the Politico reported to be her "best labor pander."
Clinton Hopes For Better Reception Than Last Year The New York Sun reports, "Clinton will face a key test of support within the Democratic Party's activist wing today when she addresses an influential group that was hostile to her a year ago and yesterday greeted her top rivals with loud ovations. Mrs. Clinton will speak to an audience of 3,000 this morning as part of the 'Take Back America' Conference, an annual gathering of liberal activists, where last year she faced boos for her stance on the Iraq war." Clinton's more anti-war position is "likely to draw a more favorable reception today, but it may not compare to the cheers given yesterday to Senator Obama of Illinois and a former senator and vice-presidential candidate, John Edwards."
The Washington Examiner reports "Clinton will likely get a friendlier reception Wednesday at the Take Back America conference than she did last year," noting that some members of the group are receptive to Clinton's current war policies.
Sign up here to get the US News Political Bulletin emailed to you each morning at 8 a.m.
On MSNBC's Hardball, host Christ Matthews interviewed Sen. Hillary Clinton at an AFSCME presidential forum. Asked if she would "have any problem or anything to say if President Bush were to pardon Scooter Libby," Clinton said, "Oh, I think there would be enough to be said about that without me adding to it." Matthews: "That is such a political answer. Would you have a problem with Scooter Libby getting a pardon, getting to walk after being convicted of perjury and obstruction?" In an analysis piece for the AP headlined, "Sen. Hillary Clinton an Artful Dodger," Ron Fournier writes that Clinton "is comparable" to her husband "for his mastery in the political arts of ducking and dodging." The AP rhetorically asks, "Will the Clintonian tactic help her in the crowded Democratic field - or hurt her in the eyes of voters who have grown coarsened by the spin and obfuscation that marred both the Clinton and Bush administrations?"
The Clinton campaign announced its official campaign song yesterday in a most unusual manner: in a video production featuring the whole family playing out their version of the final episode of HBO's Sopranos. The AP reports Hillary Clinton's "presidential campaign on Tuesday unveiled its new campaign song with a Web video that spoofs the final scene of the popular HBO mobster series." The video "and the announcement of Celine Dion's 'You and I' as the official Clinton tune cap a monthlong, interactive Internet campaign that drew more than a million viewers to the Clinton campaign Web site and to YouTube, the popular online video display room." The song campaign "and the video also illustrates the growing effort by some of the more technologically savvy campaigns to connect with voters and potential donors in clever, relatively inexpensive formats that are infused with pop culture references, contemporary themes or intimate moments."
NBC Nightly News reported on the video and added the Clinton campaign's "secret weapon" is "what it calls 'single anxious females.' Eligible voters who often don't bother to vote. Winning them over, along with other women, could be the key to her success."
The Washington Post reports the video was "produced by Mandy Grunwald, Clinton's longtime media consultant, with the help of advertising wizards Jimmy Siegel and Dan Levinson, whose previous clientele includes corporate giants Pepsi and Visa." The video was the "third in a series that aims to prove that Hillary has a sense of a humor, especially about herself." USA Today reports that the video is "aimed at generating buzz - and money - for" Clinton's campaign. The New York Sun called the video "a bold move by Mrs. Clinton, whose stern and serious campaign so far has been short on humor. And it is sure to attract attention from voters as well as from late night chat show monologue writers." The New York Daily News reports, "Hillary Clinton took a whack at humor yesterday," adding "the clip of the former President and his wife sitting in a suburban diner playing The Clintanos was burning up the Internet."
McClatchy Newspapers reports that a new poll for the newspaper chain by Mason-Dixon shows Hillary Clinton leading the Democratic field in Iowa with 22%, narrowly edging out John Edwards, 21%. Barack Obama is a close 3rd with 18%, followed by Bill Richardson with 6%. Previous polls had shown Edwards edging Clinton and Obama in the state. On the Republican side, Mitt Romney leads with 25%, followed by Fred Thompson, 17%; Rudy Giuliani, 15%; Mike Huckabee, 7%; and John McCain and Sam Brownback tied for 5th with 6%. McCain's support has fallen from 19% last month.
Sign up here to get the US News Political Bulletin emailed to you each morning at 8 a.m.
Top
A major political confrontation (including veto showdowns and bitter partisan recriminations) is expected this summer in Washington, DC. President Bush is threatening to veto a number of Democratic spending bills, and GOP leaders in Congress are urging him not to back down. Just yesterday, the AP reports, "Senate Democrats pressed for budget increases for party priorities such as health, special education and medical research Tuesday as an appropriations panel approved a $152 billion spending bill. Earlier, a Senate panel responsible for environmental and public lands programs approved a $27.2 billion measure awarding increases to the National Parks system, Indian health programs and clean water projects." McClatchy, meanwhile, notes "Congressional appropriators are pushing a huge increase in spending for the Department of Veterans Affairs, despite some resistance from the White House." Another aspect of the looming spending war will involve "earmarks" (known as "pork" by detractors). GOP lawmakers, now in the minority, are waging war on them, and The Hill reports Republican Rep. Jeff Flake is taking a lead role in that battle. A second story in The Hill notes the leaders of the Republican Study Committee, a conservative organization of the GOP caucus, believe they can garner "more political capital by continuing" that fight.
Nussle To Replace Portman At OMB; Democrats Wary. Given the budget politics at play (Democrats eager to boost spending on issues of interest to their base versus a GOP eager to regain the mantle of fiscal conservatism), the prospects for a compromise were faint at best. But after yesterday's resignation of White House Budget Director Rob Portman, if would appear those remote prospects have grown even fainter. To replace Portman, Bush has nominated former rep. Jim Nussle, who is being described in today's press as a bare-knuckles partisan sure to aggravate partisan tensions inside the Beltway. In fact, the Wall Street Journal notes Nussle's Capitol Hill nickname is "Knuckles." The New York Times, for example, says "the switch" from Portman to Nussle "could affect the tone" of Bush's dealings with Democrats "at a time when the administration has promised a hard line on spending." The AP reports Sen. Kent Conrad, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, praised Portman but "withheld praise from Nussle." Said Conrad, "Mr. Nussle has a reputation, deserved or not, of being an intense partisan, quite different from Rob Portman." The Hill sees a "potentially contentious confirmation battle" ahead "even as the administration and Congress are fighting over the terms of pending appropriations bills." House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer "sounded doubtful that Democrats would have the same relationship with an OMB headed by Nussle. 'My advice to myself is not to comment on that immediately,' Hoyer told reporters when asked about Nussle's appointment." In her blog for The Politico, Josephine Hearn also notes Hoyer's comments.
The AP, in an analysis of Nussle's House career, says "Republican leaders and conservatives such as Nussle regularly rolled over Democrats -- and took pleasure in doing so." The Los Angeles Times reports he "has been better known for his strict adherence to conservative budget priorities." Roll Call, under the headline "Tepid Reviews For Nussle Pick," says a Democratic senator "who asked not to be quoted by name" said "the announcement about the switch from Portman to Nussle was made at the Democrats' regular Tuesday policy lunch and that 'there was an audible reaction.'" Calling Nussle a "bare-knuckled brawler," the Senator said, "I don't think he's got very high standing with anybody in the Congress who's worked with him." The Washington Post, USA Today and Gannett News Service run similar reports this morning.
As the Senate resumes consideration of its immigration reform measure, Republican Reps. Lamar Smith and Peter King are weighing in with a bill to enhance border security. The Chicago Tribune reports the "alternative measure" takes "a harder line against immigration that would block illegal immigrants from becoming citizens while directing the Bush administration to enforce current laws." It is "a direct answer to the Senate bill." The Los Angeles Times calls the bill "a sharp rebuke to President Bush," and says it "stands virtually no chance of becoming law, or even advancing, in the Democratic-controlled Congress. Still, it casts in bold relief the split between Bush and many fellow Republicans in the immigration debate."
The New York Times cites the case of a University of Texas at Brownsville official concerned that a border fence would leave part of his campus on the Mexican side as an example of South Texas leaders "voicing puzzlement and alarm at the implications of the barrier, which Congress has authorized the Department of Homeland Security to construct along 370 miles of the United States-Mexico border, including 153 miles in Texas, by December 2008."
Senate Outcome Still Uncertain The Senate will begin debating amendments to the revived comprehensive immigration bill, many of which are from opponents of the measure. The AP reports, "Sixteen of the two dozen amendments the Senate will consider" come "from senators who helped derail the legislation earlier this month," an illustration of how "key Republicans and Democrats plotting to revive the measure before the Fourth of July recess are trying to placate critics by holding votes to address their top concerns."
The Hill notes that three centrist Democrats "whose razor-thin election victories in November tipped control of the Senate to the Democrats now hold potentially decisive swing votes on the immigration measure." Sens. Jim Webb, Jon Tester, and Claire McCaskill "voted against efforts by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to shut down debate over the measure earlier this month," and how they "approach the debate is one of a host of obstacles the legislation's supporters face as the Senate attempts to complete the immigration bill by next week."
The New York Times reports that in an attempt "to influence Congressional debate," the White House released a report prepared by the President's Council of Economic Advisers yesterday that said "immigration has a positive effect on the American economy as a whole and on the income of native-born American workers."
Talk Radio Hosts Target GOP Apostates The Washington Post focuses on the plight of Sen. Trent Lott, who said that advocates of the Senate immigration bill "would have to 'deal' with talk-radio hosts." Lott is among "conservative Republicans" now "feeling the lash" of a group that once focused its attacks primarily on Democrats. The "conservative response to Lott may be symptomatic of a broader disenchantment with the Republican Party, said Michael Harrison, editor and publisher of Talkers magazine, which chronicles talk radio."
President Bush is expected to veto the Democratic Congress' bill to increase Federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. But in a bow to the measure's political popularity, the President will approve additional government support for research using non-embryonic stem cells. The AP reports, "Pushing back against the Democratic-led Congress," Bush "intends to veto a bill Wednesday that would have eased restraints on federally funded embryonic stem cell research -- work that supporters say holds promise for fighting disease." But Bush will "discuss at a White House event his efforts to encourage work that could make additional stem cell lines available for research." The Washington Post says the President is "under increasing pressure to relax his restrictions on embryonic stem cell research," and "plans to issue an executive order today to encourage government agencies to support research that offers the promise of creating medically useful stem cells without destroying human embryos, according to senior administration officials." But the New York Times says Bush's executive order "appears largely symbolic -- there is no money attached -- and some scientists were instantly skeptical."
Sign up here to get the US News Political Bulletin emailed to you each morning at 8 a.m.
Top
Jay Leno: "Well, according to 'USA Today,'" 72 members of Congress "have given over $5 million of campaign money to relatives or companies owned by relatives. There is now a bill in Congress that would ban nepotism in politics, and President Bush says he will sign it as soon as he runs it past his dad and his brother Jeb."
Jay Leno: "And Hillary Clinton has a new campaign commercial out. It's a video spoof of 'The Sopranos' ending. ... I was watching the video, and Clinton's in it, Bill Clinton, and underneath it said, 'a special appearance by Bill Clinton,' Yeah. I guess they see each other so infrequently now, whenever they get together, it's billed as a special appearance."
Conan O'Brien: "Interesting news, according to a new poll, 15% of Americans say that Senator Hillary Clinton gives them the creeps. ... The other 85% say she gives them the willies or the heebie-jeebies."
Sign up here to get the US News Political Bulletin emailed to you each morning at 8 a.m.
Top
Click image for larger view.
Smart analysis, insightful reporting, in-depth perspective—in a new, digital format.
Log in | Buy Now | See sample
View sample page 2View sample page 3View sample page 4View sample page 5advertisement
Get your POLITICALBULLETIN
Click image for larger view.
Smart analysis, insightful reporting, in-depth perspective—in a new, digital format.
Log in | Buy Now | See sample
View sample page 2View sample page 3View sample page 4View sample page 5Embed exclusive U.S. News headlines, rankings, columns, and blog postings to your Web site, blog, or social network.
advertisement
Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our Terms and Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.
