Political bits
John Edwards campaign is going the public financing route. They claim it's because they want to, not because they have to (estimates at $5-$7 million this quarter.) IF Edwards was to win the nomination, he would have limited funds through the Dem convention leaving him a sitting duck all summer. (Not likely to happen, but he does pick up $21 million in primary money.)
(Caucus) A "leaked" internal Romney campaign memo plays down expectations in the national polls. (Do you get that media? The Romney camp's not worried, so stop writing those stories.)
(BostonGlobe) "Seven on-duty Army personnel participated in a campaign event for Senator John McCain earlier this month in Londonderry, New Hampshire, in an apparent violation of a Pentagon directive against partisan political activity, two military officials confirmed this week."
(USAToday) Sen. Stevens has gotten an earmark for an experimental ferry to travel the same route as the bridge to nowhere. $84 million.
For what it's worth, (Politicalwire) Clinton is stretching her national poll leads. Fox poll: Clinton now leads Rudy Giuliani, 46% to 39%, Fred Thompson, 48% to 35%, and Sen. John McCain 46% to 39%.
And, Gingrich is making more noises about running, (a clear statement that Thompson has failed in reaching "the base") but Gingrich says he has to get $30 million in pledges between Oct. 1 and Oct. 21. (A pretty unreachable goal in $3,500 increments, but he will get a bitchin' mailing list of Republicans willing to donate, but uncommitted to other candidates. That's gotta be worth something.)
(Caucus) A "leaked" internal Romney campaign memo plays down expectations in the national polls. (Do you get that media? The Romney camp's not worried, so stop writing those stories.)
(BostonGlobe) "Seven on-duty Army personnel participated in a campaign event for Senator John McCain earlier this month in Londonderry, New Hampshire, in an apparent violation of a Pentagon directive against partisan political activity, two military officials confirmed this week."
(USAToday) Sen. Stevens has gotten an earmark for an experimental ferry to travel the same route as the bridge to nowhere. $84 million.
For what it's worth, (Politicalwire) Clinton is stretching her national poll leads. Fox poll: Clinton now leads Rudy Giuliani, 46% to 39%, Fred Thompson, 48% to 35%, and Sen. John McCain 46% to 39%.
And, Gingrich is making more noises about running, (a clear statement that Thompson has failed in reaching "the base") but Gingrich says he has to get $30 million in pledges between Oct. 1 and Oct. 21. (A pretty unreachable goal in $3,500 increments, but he will get a bitchin' mailing list of Republicans willing to donate, but uncommitted to other candidates. That's gotta be worth something.)
posted by mikevotes at
1:03 PM
5 Comments:
I like Edwards, but this whole "I'll except public funding..." has the whiff of desperation to it. While I like much of what Edwards has to say, sometimes it feels like he tries too hard in packaging and delivering that message. Dodd, on the other hand, seems much more authentic and comfortable in his own skin when he talks about what he stands for.
By
-epm, at 7:24 PM
I think I wrote it that way. That's kind of what I'm feeling out of this, too.
He's behind, and reporting a bad fundraising quarter and needing the public financing boost to have a shot at turning it around.
I like Edwards on and off, but there is something that I find offputting about him.
I don't think he's good in front of big crowds and that's the majority of what we see of him. On the talk shows he's strong, and I remember some small (jury sized?) appearances from 2004 where he rocked, but he just seems uneasy on a stage.
By
mikevotes, at 9:30 PM
For what it is worth, Clinton is pulling away from everyone on the trading markets.
She's been farther ahead before, but she seems to be consolidating her lead.
By
Praguetwin, at 12:17 PM
I kinda notice that when it's mentioned, but those markets have been historically small enough that they can be manipulated.
I don't think that's the case in this move, but I'm still hesitant to talk about it to much.
(Also because its like a self response poll. We don't know the constituency of the bidders.)
By
mikevotes, at 2:17 PM
I still feel it's too early for becoming too attached to the polls. Traditionally -- and I'm just going on gut feel here -- there's always been some churning of the pack during and after the initial contests. There's still plenty of time for foot-shooting gaffs and/or grand resurgences.
With the near pandemonium as states jockey around their primary schedules, however, this looks to be a very interesting year. Predictions? I think we'll know more come February '08.
Like Mike, I've been on-and-off Edwards for some time. There's a je ne sais quoi about him that just puts me off some times. I've seen him in person, and he's great. But I wonder if there's a real depth there... In other words, he's no Al Gore.
Perhaps the "front runners" are all just a manipulated figment of the corporate media. Not in an evil, paranoid sense; just in a lets-sell-more-papers sense. For example, if Chris Dodd and John Edwards swapped looks, would Dodd be a front runner? I don't know...
I'd vote for Clinton if see becomes the candidate, but I don't think she'll bring the a shift in the national zeitgeist the way an Obama or Dodd would... and certainly not like Kucinich would. Clinton is establishment. She may nibble at the edges, but she feeds on the same diet as the other establishment pols do -- regardless of party. Big money from big donors.
By
-epm, at 7:41 AM
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