Spin Control 2.0
A critical eye on the 2008 election season
That was the week that was
Posted by Jim at 3:36 PM on May 10
Comments (0)Filed under: Presidential, Multimedia, Clinton, Obama, McCain
Highly Dubious News dissects the week
Obama wins N. Carolina by a ton
Hillary Clinton wins Indiana by a bit
Cable newsies miffed when the votes aren’t counted fast enough for round-the-clock news
Edwards endorses....nobody. Yet
Friday's quickie political briefing
Posted by Jim at 11:11 AM on May 9Comments (0)Filed under: Presidential, Multimedia, Clinton, Obama, McCain
Locally
Spokane Republicans have another meeting to attend. They'll need a nominating meeting to decide which would-be GOP candidates get an endorsement. Click here to read more.
The Obama campaign will make a push for new voters on Saturday across Washington state, including an event in Spokane. Click here to read more.
Today's video 1: Obama campaign complains about Limbaugh "Chaos"
Today's video 2: Exit polling: Limbaugh not a factor?
Here are the headlines in the presidential campaign from The Associated Press
Obama wins endorsements from 5 superdelegates and government employees union
Lieberman: McCain’s bearings are just fine
Even when it’s just for fun, Obama parries media and plays to win
McCain disputes blogger report that he voted against Bush
Clinton vows to keep running, calls on Obama to debate her again
———
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
Hillary Rodham Clinton meets with voters in Oregon before a Democratic dinner in Kentucky. Barack Obama holds three events in Oregon. John McCain tours a science center in New Jersey.
———
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I voted and I’m going to keep that between me and the polling booth right now.” — Former Sen. John Edwards, who was asked on NBC’s “Today” Friday whether he voted for .
———
STAT OF THE DAY
West Virginia’s median age of 40.7 is four years older than the national median, more than nine in 10 residents are white and the median family income is roughly $12,500 below the national median of about $58,500.
Obama campaign plans voter push
The Obama campaign is making a push to sign up new voters around Washington state this weekend.
The "Vote for Change" registration drive comes to late for the deadline for the May 20 elections, but would put new registrants on the rolls for the state primary in August. But the point, of course, is the general election in November.
The Spokane drive has its kickoff at 10 a.m. Hamilton Studio, aka Toad Hall, 1427 W. Dean.
It also has an event at 10 a.m. at the Obama HQ in Richland, 1315 George Washington Way.
Another meeting for Spokane Republicans
Loving meetings isn't a requirement for signing up to be a precinct committee officer. But it probably should be mentioned somewhere in the "good to know" info handed to would-be GOP precinct officers.
After precinct caucuses, a county convention and, for many, a state convention in Spokane, county GOP PCOs will be called to a meeting sometime in June to decide whether to endorse county and legislative candidates.
Spokane County Chairman Curt Fackler said the meeting will be scheduled sometime after the first week of June, which is filing week for all candidates.
Update in the gov races
This just in from the uber-gubernatorial campaigns.
Dino Rossi has recorded his 32,000th donor. Rossi's campaign is sending out updates every time they hit another thousand contributors, with a name and a little bio data. Rossi also calls to say thanks in person. Currently in the spotlight is Norman Brocard of Clinton, Wash., a retired forester who gave Rossi a "C" note.
Washington Democrats, meanwhile, are contrasting Rossi's stand on global warming with that of apparent GOP presidential nominee John McCain. Rossi is far more lukewarm, so to speak, than McCain, who has a commercial saying climate change is real and it's time to fix it. The Ds are likely to warm further to this difference in the next week, when McCain comes to the state.
Read their comments on Rossi and global warming here.
Some 411 for N. Idaho voters
Just in time for the upcoming Idaho primary, the Kootenai County League of Women Voters has set up a Web site with information about candidates on the ballot.
It's not perfect. Some of the candidates apparently didn't get around to responding to the questionnaire.
Still, some information is better than none, particularly when voters are confronted with an array of candidates.
Fun video: Gravel woos Obamagirl
Former Sen. Mike Gravel recently switched from being a Democratic presidential candidate to a Libertarian presidential candidate. He wants Obamagirl to switch sides too.
The video doesn't make clear whether it was a wise move for Gravel to switch parties. It does, however, suggest that he shouldn't quit his day job ... tenuous as the job of presidential candidate is ... to become a singer.
Thursday's quickie political briefing
Posted by Jim at 10:56 AM on May 8Comments (0)Filed under: Presidential, Multimedia, Clinton, Obama, McCain
Today's fun video: McCain does the Daily Show
Here are the headlines in the presidential campaign from The Associated Press:
Corzine says Clinton needs exceptional run in remaining primaries
Evidence scant that Wright did much damage to Obama in Ind., N.C. primaries
Former Edwards campaign manager David Bonior endorses Obama
———
THE DELEGATE BREAKDOWN
Barack Obama: 1,846.5
Hillary Rodham Clinton: 1,696
———
THE DEMOCRATS
Hillary Rodham Clinton stops in West Virginia, South Dakota and Oregon. Barack Obama is in Washington.
———
THE REPUBLICANS
John McCain holds an afternoon fundraiser in New Jersey.
———
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Why should Hillary Clinton — until there’s a nominee with the number of necessary delegates — why should she get out? We’ve never asked any other potential contender to get out before someone has the magic number. Why is Hillary Clinton different?” — Clinton campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe on NBC’s “Today” show.
———
STAT OF THE DAY:
There are roughly 154,000 voters in the West Virginia with no party affiliation, compared to more than 660,000 Democrats and about 348,000 Republicans. Since the 2006 elections, roughly 19,000 people have registered as independents, double the number of new Democrats and triple the number of new Republicans.
Wednesday's quickie political briefing
Today's video: What's ahead in attack ads? Look at the past.
Here are the headlines in the presidential race from The Associated Press:
Clinton lends her struggling campaign $6.4 million as Obama outspends her
Obama inches closer to the prize after trading primary wins with Clinton
Obama weighs moves to end Democratic race while planning stops in general election states
———
THE DELEGATE BREAKDOWN
Barack Obama: 1,840.5
Hillary Clinton: 1,688
———
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
Hillary Clinton meets with voters in Shepherdstown, W. Va., before holding a fundraiser in Washington. Barack Obama has no scheduled campaign events.
John McCain meets with voters in Rochester, Mich.
———
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Hillary, of course, will make the decision as to if and when she ends her campaign. But I hope that she reaches that decision soon so that we can concentrate on a unified party capable of winning the White House next November.” — Former Sen. George McGovern, an early supporter of Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton.
———
STAT OF THE DAY
Exit polls showed that 47 percent of the Democratic presidential primary voters in North Carolina said the situation with Barack Obama’s former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, was important in making their decision. Fifty-one percent said it wasn’t too important.
In Indiana, 46 percent said the Wright situation was important, compared with 50 percent who said it was not, according to exit polls.
Click to read behind the headlines
Keep on keepin' on
Turn on any talking head news show, and it won't be five minutes before some political consultant holds forth on how bad the ongoing Democratic campaign is for the eventual nominee, unity of the party, the body politic and melting the ice in Antarctica.
OK, we made the last one up.
But a recent Gallup Poll suggests the public doesn't agree (big surprise!) that one of the candidates should give it up. Click on the arrow to find out more.
Tuesday's quickie political briefing
Posted by Jim at 9:46 AM on May 6Comments (0)Filed under: Presidential, Multimedia, Clinton, Obama, McCain
We'll know for sure in a few hours, but here's how the pollsters are calling today's primaries:
Indiana
Survey USA has Clinton by 12
Insider Advantage has Clinton by 4
Zogby has Obama by 2
North Carolina
Survey USA has Obama by 5
Insider Advantage has Obama by 4
Zogby has Obama by 14
Here are the headlines in the presidential campaign from The Associated Press:
Obama, Clinton place their marathon nomination struggle in the hands of Indiana, N.C. voters.
McCain criticizes Obama for vote against Supreme Court chief justice
On Letterman’s “The Late Show,” Clinton jokes about her top 10 reasons for loving America. Watch the video:
———
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
Hillary Rodham Clinton holds an election-night event in Indianapolis. Barack Obama holds an election-night event in Raleigh, N.C. John McCain gives a speech at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C.
———
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Barack Obama inspires me to write songs ... and encourages me that we can come together and be a far greater country than ever before.” — Stevie Wonder.
———
STAT OF THE DAY
North Carolina has voted Democratic once in the last 10 presidential elections. Jimmy Carter won the state in 1976 with 55 percent of the vote.
Click to read beyond the headlines.
Fun video making the rounds
Brought to you by the same folks who did "Baracky"
Other poll reports on Ind., N.C.
Here's how the pollsters see Tuesday's two primaries, as of this morning:
In Indy
Suffolk has Clinton by 6
Survey USA has Clinton by 12
Zogby has Obama by 2
In North Carolina
Insider Advantage has Obama by 3
PPP has Obama by 10
Zogby has Obama by 8
Want more polls? Click here.
How much is a councilperson worth?
Do you think Spokane City Council members are underpaid?
Overpaid?
Did you know they get paid?
Well they do, $18,000 to represent one of the three districts; $40,000 to be council president.
The City's Salary Commission is thinking about changing that. This month they have several meetings, will draft a report and make a recommendation on a change for the council.
Whatever they decide takes effect on Jan. 1, because the council doesn't have to vote on it.
Your first chance to offer an opinion starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council Chambers.
Monday's quickie political briefing
Posted by Jim at 11:09 AM on May 5Comments (0)Filed under: Presidential, Multimedia, Clinton, Obama, McCain
Today's videos: With Indiana and North Carolina looming, Obama and Clinton hit the morning talk shows. Here they are on Fox & Friends:
Here are the headlines in the presidential campaign from The Associated Press:
Clinton, Obama spar over gas price relief, predict fight stretches to June contests
Poll: Clinton holds slight lead over Obama in Indiana ahead of Tuesday primary
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
Hillary Rodham Clinton stops in North Carolina to get out the vote, before campaigning in Indiana. Barack Obama discusses the economy with workers in North Carolina before a rally in Indianapolis. John McCain held a news conference in Phoenix before speaking to the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce in North Carolina.
———
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“You know, one thing that you learn on a presidential campaign, to sleep anywhere. I mean, you name it: I can sleep on cars, planes, trains, standing up. You name it, I can close my eyes, and I’m out like a light.” — Democrat Barack Obama, speaking on FOX News’ “FOX & Friends.”
———
STAT OF THE DAY
Lyndon B. Johnson was the last Democratic presidential candidate to win Indiana in the general election in 1964.
The week in video laughs
Posted by Jim at 5:49 PM on May 2Comments (0)Filed under: Presidential, Multimedia, Clinton, Obama, McCain, Caucus
Different attempts at parodies for last week's news:
Highly Dubious News
Comedy.com's NNN (Newest New News)
Set aside some time to read
The ballot for Washington's upcoming state primary could cause some voters to get out their reading glasses.
Along with the names of the candidates, it will also have the Secretary of State office's attempt to explain this new-fangled Top Two primary.
Candidates might list a party preference; then again, they might not. The ballot will explain that.
Listing a party preference will not mean the candidate is supported or endorsed by the party preferred...
What de Mayo?
Gov. Chris Gregoire's office sent word Thursday that she'll be attending the annual Cinco de Mayo reception for "brief remarks."
No big deal, you might say. The Hispanic population is growing in the state, and the guv can hardly ignore that.
The strange thing is the Cinco de Mayo reception is Friday night. As in May 2nd.
So how come the Cinco de Mayo reception is on Dos de Mayo? Isn't that like going to a Fourth of July party on July 1?
Friday quickie political briefing
Today's video: Obama does Letterman
Obama says Clinton, McCain reading from the same political playbook on gas taxes
In heart of farm country, McCain vows to veto ag bill because of ’unnecessary’ subsidies
New Mexico Democrats squabble over naming 12th superdelegate in nomination race
Dodd says long nomination fight will hurt Democratic Party
Clinton picks up Indianapolis Star endorsement
———
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
John McCain meets with voters in Denver. Hillary Rodham Clinton campaigns in North Carolina. Barack Obama hold an event in Indiana before talking to voters in North Carolina.
———
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Barack Obama is the Bill Clinton of 2008.” — Joe Andrew, a superdelegate and former Democratic National Committee chairman under former President Clinton who switched his support from Hillary Rodham Clinton to Barack Obama
———
STAT OF THE DAY:
Since at least 1972, more people have voted in North Carolina’s Democratic primary than its Republican primary. In the 2000 state primary, 544,922 votes were cast in the Democratic contest, compared with about 322,517 on the GOP side.
Democratic presidential politics, on the quick
If you've got seven minutes, you can jump into the Democratic presidential race, courtesy of Slate magazine, and be up on everything -- even if you've been ignoring everything to date.
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