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September 02, 2004
A Simple Game Plan
Posted by Chuck Todd | 09:53 PM
If you weren't sure what one issue the White House thought they were most vulnerable on, then you should be sure now after watching all four days of the GOP convo. The Bush campaign fears one issue: Iraq.
And to fix their problem issue, the campaign used this convention to do two things with every single speech: make the case Iraq is part of the war on terror and that John Kerry is not ready to be president.
What's interesting about this strategy is that it's something that would make more sense if Bush were the challenger and Kerry were the incumbent. Sure, there are parts of the presidency Bush wants to emphasize: the 30 days after 9/11 (as evidenced by the intimate details of how Bush spent that time in his introductory video). The video left out some 900 other days.
What's interesting about this decision to run a "challenger" convention (which is likely to lead to a "challenger" campaign in the fall) is that it tacitly acknowledges that Bush can't win if he's not perceived as the agent of change. Incumbents are rarely thought of as "change" agents. Harry Truman pulled this off in '48 but there have been a lot of incumbents who have gone down in the years since.
This is a gamble but it may be the only strategy Bush can pursue if, indeed, he wants that second term.
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White House Locks Up the New Jobless Numbers
Posted by | 04:31 PM
President Bush will not see the September 3 jobless report from the Department of Labor before delivering his convention speech September 2, White House Chief of Staff Andy Card told reporters in New York. It is customary for the department to send the figures to the White House the evening before they become public, but Card said Bush and his speechwriters would not know the contents until midnight, or some time after the convention gavels to a close, in order to insulate the president from potential critiques that he used insider government information for political purposes.
"The speech is not going to be changed," Card said. "I know the sensitivities and I also know what the law says, and we will do nothing to allow anyone to know the information that could influence anything the president might say that might cause a wink or a nod or anything else. I already put the edict down, and it was not an easy thing to do."
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It's All Been Building Toward This
Posted by The Editors | 04:28 PM
Anticipation is high for President Bush's acceptance speech tonight. The president must tread carefully, calibrating his remarks to satisfy conservatives while appealing to moderate swing voters, including conservative Democrats.
Pointing to a public cranky about the present, Democrats say Bush must say how he will change course. But this would seem an unlikely tack for a president who must tout his accomplishments, which presumably help account for what is good or bad about the current state of affairs. "I think it's what he is not going to say that will help Democrats," said Democratic pollster Anna Greenberg. Some GOP strategists agree, according to ConventionDaily.
Continue reading "It's All Been Building Toward This"
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Bush Loves Those Nicknames
Posted by | 04:21 PM
Andy Card, White House chief of staff, revealed the president's pet name for his top aide, "Tangent Man," during a session with print reporters just hours before President Bush delivered his convention speech. Card revealed his nickname while telling a story that he suddenly realized was rambling a wee bit.
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Primetime Speakers For Thursday, Sept. 2
Posted by The Editors | 03:32 PM
The following is the slate of primetime speakers for Thursday, Sept. 2:
Tommy Franks, retired Army general
Mel Martinez, former HUD secretary
Lynn Swann, NFL Hall of Famer
Dorothy Hamill, Olympic gold medalist
Michael Williams, Texas railroad commissioner
Gov. George Pataki (N.Y.)
President George W. Bush
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At The Grand Old marketPlace: While Supplies Last!
Posted by The Editors | 03:30 PM
Vendors at the Hilton's "Grand Old marketPlace" were doing a brisk business Thursday morning as customers looked for last-minute souveniers. Floridians and Texans, however, were out of luck. Kathy Grieshop, whose booth sells Bush buttons for all the delegations, said the Sunshine and Lone Star versions were both sold out. Texas "sells out every day," she said. They got an extra 500 at 10 a.m., and "they were gone in an hour."
A few bottles of W Ketchup were still left on Susie Oliver's table, but she said sales have been similarly brisk. "We've sold 80 or 90 cases since Sunday," she said. "And at 16 bottles per case, that's quite a bit of ketchup." -- From Gwen Glazer, NationalJournal.com
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Zell's Speech The Talk Of The Town
Posted by The Editors | 11:58 AM
The Hotline has reactions to Zell Miller's keynote address from a number of political figures and print and TV reporters. Among the responses:
NPR's Mara Liasson: "Who would have thought that the harshest face, the angriest face of the Republican convention would belong to a Democrat?"
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT): "That's the most vicious speech I've ever heard at any convention. I half expected him to wield an ax. It was over the top."
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ): "Miller is a very experienced politician and I'm sure he knows exactly what he is talking about. I just don't agree ... with the assentation that Democrats are unpatriotic. I don't think they are."
New Republic's Jonathan Cohn: "In an address originally billed as a critique of John Kerry's national security credentials, Miller essentially branded the Democrats as traitors because they haven't fallen in line with President Bush on all matters of national security. It was one of the most vile political speeches in recent American history, every bit as offensive as Pat Buchanan's infamous call in 1992 for 'religious war' and, perhaps, a little more disturbing. Buchanan's speech, after all, was an assault on decency. Last night Miller declared war on democracy."
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Arnold's Kitchen Cabinet?
Posted by | 10:56 AM
For those watching the California economy (and remember, it's the seventh largest in the world), GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has just assembled a private-sector group of about a dozen experts to advise him and his staff on fiscal policies, drawing heavily from Stanford University fellows and faculty. "We want to save him from his staff," said one member of the group who ventured to New York for President Bush's convention. Former Secretary of State George Schultz is chair, and members include President George H.W. Bush's Council of Economic Advisers Chairman Michael Boskin; Hoover Institution budget expert John Cogan; former Reagan policy adviser Martin Anderson; supply-sider Art Laffer (think Laffer Curve); and Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman. No word on how often the new roundtable will be brainstorming.
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Kerry Team Needs Swifter Reactions
Posted by | 10:08 AM
Political reporters and campaign consultants in both parties are abuzz about a possible shakeup inside the Kerry campaign. The prospect is pretty remarkable, given that the Democratic nominee is running only a couple of percentage points below where he was three weeks ago.
Continue reading "Kerry Team Needs Swifter Reactions"
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The Case Of The Missing Credentials
Posted by The Editors | 09:48 AM
With protesters having made it into Madison Square Garden several times already, convention officials are understandably on edge for tonight's session. And now, a well-placed GOP source reports, there's more reason to be wary: 1,000 Thursday credentials are missing. RNC staff know the numbers for the missing passes, and will be on guard against anyone who tries to use a credential within that sequence. But don't be surprised if lines at the security checkpoints move extra slowly this evening.
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Bounce, Bounce, Bounce . . .
Posted by | 09:44 AM
The post-convention bounce story is now a staple of media hackdom, and journalists started speculating about Bush's bounce weeks ago. But the big bounce barrage will begin in earnest today. The Bush campaign gave it the greenlight in a widely published AP story reporting that the president's advisers "sought to tamp down expectations of a convention 'bounce' heading into Labor Day."
Of course, it's the tamped-down bounce that always bounces best.
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All Zell Breaks Loose
Posted by The Editors | 09:36 AM
Some names involved in the 2004 presidential race are perfect fodder for the worst kind of puns, and, after his speech last night, Sen. Zell Miller gave headline writers a perfect opportunity for, um, overzell-ous wordplay.
A few of our favorites:
"Mad as Zell" -- the New York Post
"The Devil in Zell" -- AlterNet
"Is Miller a Zell-out?" -- CNN.com
"ZELLEPHANT GONE WILD!!!" -- DNC press release
"For the GOP, Giving 'Em Zell" -- the Washington Post
Only a few mentions of his old nickname, "Zig-Zag Zell," crept into today's coverage. Alliteration is no match for the mighty power of the pun. -- From Gwen Glazer, NationalJournal.com
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Watch This GOP Wedge Issue!
Posted by The Editors | 08:26 AM
The newsiest event at the GOP convention this week may well have been a panel discussion about civil liberties and the PATRIOT Act Wednesday, sponsored by the Arab-American Institute. The lively conversation showcased the real and growing fissures inside the Republican Party over the future of the anti-terrorism law, which was overwhelmingly supported in Congress in the wake of the September 11 attacks.
Continue reading "Watch This GOP Wedge Issue!"
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Buy One For The Gipper
Posted by The Editors | 07:40 AM
Proof that the Communism still looms large in the GOP consciousness: One of the biggest applause lines in the Ronald Reagan tribute video Wednesday night was the "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall" clip from Reagan's historic 1987 speech in West Berlin.
Proof that capitalism looms larger: Right after the video, a delegate stood up and pitched a longer version of the video, available on DVD for $19.95 at reaganlibrary.com. -- From Gwen Glazer, NationalJournal.com
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Pity The Pachys
Posted by The Editors | 06:30 AM
The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act has ensnared another unsuspecting victim: the pachyderms.
The National Federation of the Grand Order of Pachyderm Clubs, to be precise. Though the RNC auxiliary group's toll-free number is listed in the official RNC phone book, there was no sign of federation chief Joe Briggs, nor was there a true pachyderm party, at the 2004 convention. The federation has 60 clubs in 16 states, holding public meetings to discuss political issues. But unlike other auxiliary groups, it doesn't supply funding to nor does it accept money from the RNC.
"Because of these differences, it is unclear where we fit into the law and until that has been established, our legal counsel has recommended that we do not participate with the RNC at any level," Briggs told us over e-mail from Great Falls, Mont. "Accordingly, although many of the delegates to the convention are Pachyderm members, they will not be recognized as such. We will not host any events, nor will I be able to attend the convention for fear of it triggering a problem within the new laws."
(If you're unfamiliar with the pachyderms, think Fred Flintstone's Water Buffalo club.) -- From Brian Friel, Convention Daily
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September 01, 2004
MOB Mentality
Posted by The Editors | 10:55 PM
Far from the convention-centric streets of Midtown, on Greenwich Street in Tribeca, a nascent political action committee launched its very first television ad Wednesday afternoon. At the Tribeca Film Center, Mothers Opposing Bush, a bipartisan coalition of American mothers who say they "didn't want to wake up in November 2004 to the same politics and policies we believe are unhealthy for our children and our planet," debuted "Edie," a 30-second ad produced by Main Street Communications.
Continue reading "MOB Mentality"
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Angry Soldiers
Posted by The Editors | 10:50 PM
During the Mothers Opposing Bush ad launch at the Tribeca Film Center Wednesday, journalists and activists - and MOB leaders themselves - were treated to a surprise appearance by a newly-created anti-war group. Rob Sarra, a Marine veteran of the war in Iraq, told attendees that he and a handful of others formed Iraq Veterans Against the War, a nonprofit "committed to saving lives and ending the violence in Iraq by an immediate withdrawal of all occupying forces."
Sarra said the group, which numbered eight during the Democratic National Convention, now has 40 members and is still growing. "There are terrorists in [Iraq] now," Sarra said. "President Bush lied to us. Period." -- From Meg Kinnard, NationalJournal.com
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Painful Secret Revealed
Posted by | 06:16 PM
This isn't exactly up there with the McGreevey brouhaha, but a Republican has just come out as . . . an economic girlie-man!
Read all about it on The Motley Fool
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We're All Ears
Posted by The Editors | 05:15 PM
Air America is promising an "astounding tape" on its 6 a.m.-9 a.m. "Morning Sedition" radio show tomorrow. Senior Producer Jonathan Larsen says the program got one of its staffers directly beneath the stage at Madison Square Garden last night, just moments after Laura Bush finished her speech. According to an e-mail from Larsen -- and a posting on the show's Web site -- the stagehand who offered the unauthorized tour even pointed out which wires would need to be pulled in order to disrupt a speech. Clearly this is not the kind of hospitality the NY Host Committee has in mind. -- From Jason Thompson, NationalJournal.com
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Double Vision
Posted by | 05:08 PM
Many things can be said about the odd speech given by the Bush Twins last night, and the media seem to be saying all of them. The coverage I've seen runs from affectionately tolerant to pretty savage. On the affectionate side, here's a Chicago Tribune story as picked up by a Missouri paper.
For the savage view, Slate has a piece headlined "Twin Terrors: How Bad Were The Bush Girls?" by Julia Turner.
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Patriot Games
Posted by The Editors | 03:24 PM
Just before the start of Wednesday's Youth Convention, Generation Y Republicans were treated to a surprise preview of the evening's podium schedule. At 11:15 a.m., Rick Santorum and conclave star Zell Miller paused on stage briefly during the keynoter's run-through. Attendees cheered and snapped photos as the party's conference chairman and favorite Democrat smiled for their adoring fans.
Youth conventioneers awaiting the opening gavel were then entertained by a brief game of stand-up/sit-down. Baylor University alumnus Dennis McDaniel, singing his own original arrangement of the National Anthem to open today's convention, started his warmup several times before completing the piece for the audience, who lept to attention with each, "Oh say can you see." All the good patriots dilligently held hands over hearts for each round. Bravo. -- From Meg Kinnard, NationalJournal.com
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Dissent Among The Pre-Ranks
Posted by The Editors | 03:21 PM
Two tow-headed girls from California were some of the youngest of the young Republicans at the Youth Convention. As junior delegates, 8-year-old Katie and 10-year-old Erika came to New York with their mother (a grown-up delegate who, they say, "has totally been on CNN").
Katie and Erika have joined about 200 other junior delegates in painting signs, leading a caucus in the Pledge of Allegiance and seeing the city through Republican eyes.
But if the youth are the future of the GOP -- as Youth Conventioneers were told many, many times -- the party needs to work on Erika. When asked if they were Republicans, Katie replied with a prompt "yes," but her big sister shook her head and said she wasn't a budding member of the GOP.
Maybe her governor should invite Erika over for a play date with Katherine and Christina... -- From Gwen Glazer, NationalJournal.com
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Protesters Disrupt Youth Convention
Posted by The Editors | 03:09 PM
Six protesters sprang to their feet, plastic whistles blaring in their mouths, amidst of a cluster of Youth Conventioneers during White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card's address Wednesday in Madison Square Garden. One woman and five men removed sweatshirts and blazers to reveal t-shirts reading, "Bush Global AIDS Liar," as they stood on their chairs and shouted over Card's speech.
Secret Service and convention security personnel immediately swarmed the group. The woman went limp and fell to the floor, making it difficult for officers to handcuff her.
She and the rest of the protesters were forcibly hauled down nearby exit stairs; some were carried out by the elbows and ankles. One of the men repeated, "Bush lies, Bush lies" as he was removed.
For his part, Card struggled through the rest of his introduction over the commotion, but the room's attention was far from the podium. -- From Meg Kinnard and Gwen Glazer, NationalJournal.com
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Bush Campaign Sues FEC Over 527s
Posted by The Editors | 02:39 PM
President Bush's campaign filed a lawsuit Wednesday, arguing that the Federal Election Commission is taking too long to address what the campaign calls illegal spending of corporate, union and big individual donations to influence the presidential race.
"To prevent these 527s from continuing to violate federal election laws, we have asked the federal court to step in and order the FEC to act," said Tom Josefiak, general counsel for the Bush-Cheney campaign.
AP reports that the Bush campaign views its action as the first step in its legal campaign in limiting 527s.
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The Magic Formula: Two Out of Three?
Posted by | 02:29 PM
Matthew Dowd, the chief Bush campaign strategist, made the argument on Monday that whichever presidential candidate wins two out of a crucial three states -- Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania -- will probably be the next president. The next day, without knowing about Dowd's prediction, former Clinton White House Political Director Doug Sosnik made the very same forecast.
Continue reading "The Magic Formula: Two Out of Three?"
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Preparing For The Big Night
Posted by The Editors | 02:24 PM
The convention floor will be closed tonight from 11:30 p.m. until tomorrow afternoon for the construction of a "theater-in-the-round" or center stage to be used during Bush's nomination acceptance speech.
"The setting," according to an RNC press release, "is another way the 2004 Republican National Convention will be the most unique in the Republican Party's history."
Not skimming on the details, the RNC notes that on the stage, which will be 20 feet in diameter and "made of steel and wood," the president "will speak from a 'deco' inspired wood grain lectern."
Take that, Boston!
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Primetime Speakers For Wednesday, Sept. 1
Posted by The Editors | 01:17 PM
The following is the slate of primetime speakers for Wednesday, Sept. 1, as provided by the Republican National Committee:
Gov. Linda Lingle (Hawaii)
Brian Sandoval (Nev.), state attorney general
Sen. Rick Santorum (Pa.)
Sen. Mitch McConnell (Ky.)
Elaine Chao, secretary of labor
Rep. Rob Portman (Ohio)
Lurita Doan, president and CEO of New Technology Management
Patricia Stout, professor
Rep. Paul Ryan (Wis.)
Michael Reagan, talk-radio host
Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey (Mass.)
Gov. Mitt Romney (Mass.)
Sen. Zell Miller (D-Ga.)
Lynne Cheney, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute
Vice President Dick Cheney
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Snapshots From NYC
Posted by The Editors | 12:56 PM
A digital image is worth a thousand words.
One of the Internet's niche photo communities has taken on the role of chronicler. Buzznet.com, a mobile phone photo community, has set up a new site dedicated to cataloging activities and protests countering the GOP convention in New York City.
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The Chosen Ones
Posted by The Editors | 11:25 AM
Traditionally, keynote speakers are chosen either because they represent a party's best and brightest, or because organizers hope the speaker will woo a certain target audience. The 2004 GOP keynote speaker -- Democrat Sen. Zell Miller of Georgia -- was clearly chosen with the latter objective in mind.
Why didn't Republicans choose an up-and-comer? Perhaps because history shows that giving the keynote address all but dooms a politician's own White House aspirations. Let's look closer at the past 30 years or so:
Continue reading "The Chosen Ones"
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At Least He Got To Keep The Green Polo
Posted by The Editors | 11:18 AM
DNC staff sporting baby-blue t-shirts did a brisk business outside Madison Square Garden Tuesday afternoon, offering pedestrians the chance to donate money to the Kerry campaign by credit card, check, or cash. One young man listened earnestly to the spiel and then clasped hands with the staffer. "I really appreciate all the work you're doing out here," he said, a sentiment not uncommon on the Democratic streets of New York--except that the young man, 16 year-old Brian Silver, was clad in the green polo of an RNC volunteer.
Brian is active with young Republicans in New Jersey, and he'd committed to working all five shifts of the convention. In return for showing up every day, he was told, he'd get preferential assignments. And, indeed, he'd spent Monday passing through the VIP lounge and helping Congressional Members and delegates alike find their seats. Late Tuesday afternoon, though, he was told he'd have to skip the lounge and floor privileges and hop a bus out to JFK Airport to meet delegates at the airport. He quit instead. "I'm not a big fan of the RNC right now," he said, as he headed out to spend a few hours on the town before going home. "They could treat us better."
"Nice kid," said the DNC staffer as the green polo disappeared down the street. -- From Corine Hegland, Convention Daily
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Extra Emphasis
Posted by The Editors | 11:16 AM
Convention Daily's press seats in Madison Square Garden offer a clear view of the flat-screen teleprompter in front of the speakers' podium -- and we couldn't help but notice the difference between California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's and the First Lady Laura Bush's texts Tuesday night.
The Governator had a speech peppered with exclamation points, underlined tidbits and words in all caps. Bush's, on the other hand, didn't seem to have any special characters at all. Which raises the question: Will Vice President Cheney's teleprompter for tonight include reminders not to sneer?
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Tight-Lipped & Pink-Slipped
Posted by The Editors | 11:11 AM
A spooky silence cut through Midtown's rush-hour commotion at 8:13 a.m. Wednesday as about 5,000 people holding signs signifying the ubiquitous pink slips of unemployment stood single-file along the length of Broadway. The Unemployment Line, organized by People for the American Way, stretched from Wall Street to 32nd Street, as close as it could get to Madison Square Garden.
"We don't have to say a word," block marshal Jo Hook said. "We don't need noise. The economy, what Bush has done to the economy, speaks louder than we could." She turned to reassure the line: "Just so you know, it's working."
As the gathering neared the 15-minute mark, the quiet began to wear off as protesters handed out extra pink-slip signs and talked to passersby. By 8:28, full volume had returned and the line dissipated, but two women at the head of the line were still trying to give cards to nearby police officers, who nodded and looked at the signs -- silently. -- From Gwen Glazer, NationalJournal.com
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Convention Driving City Nuts
Posted by | 10:50 AM
New York public radio station WNYC reported this morning that there's been "unusually high traffic" at area mental health facilities this week, and some experts think it's because of all the convention security. But there was some good news: one doctor told the station he didn't specifically know of anyone who was suicidal because of the convention.
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Sign That Delegate!
Posted by The Editors | 10:22 AM
Wow, the mighty New York Yankees endure the worst loss in their storied franchise when 15,000 journalists happen to be in town. Meanwhile, the lowly Mets, in a free-fall out of the playoff hunt, continue to make a splash during convention week.
Pitchers Tom Glavine and Al Leiter mingled with the media at the Saturday night party for journalists, then held court Tuesday at Shea Stadium (with teammate Todd Zeile) as numerous delegates and their families toured the facility, took batting practice, shagged fly balls, wandered through the dugout and, of course, eagerly sought autographs and photos.
But the real star of the day turned out to be delegate Jerry Collins, an accountant from Marietta, Ga., who cranked the afternoon's only home run -- a drive that just cleared the fence and bounced off the left-field foul pole. Collins quickly got a taste of fame as reporters swarmed around him, asking what he thought about going deep in a major league ballpark. Displaying a true athlete's hunger for more, the jovial Collins replied: "I'm a little sad the wind's blowing in."
Too bad George Steinbrenner wasn't watching. Collins might've received an offer he couldn't refuse. -- From Jason Thompson, NationalJournal.com
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Arnold's Catchphrase Counter...
Posted by The Editors | 07:00 AM
No one really expected California's governor to deliver a primetime address without falling back on the bad quips and puns he used on the campaign trail last year. And he didn't disappoint. In fact, Gov. Schwarzenegger unleashed multiple movie-character references designed to whip the GOP crowd into a frenzy. Among them:
Continue reading "Arnold's Catchphrase Counter..."
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...And One Hot Item
Posted by The Editors | 07:00 AM
For you political memorabilia collectors out there (or just the political junkies in general), keep an eye on Ebay: The printed posters distributed for delegates to wave during Schwarzenegger's speech -- a white-lettered blue sign screaming "ARNOLD!" -- were the hot ticket item in the convention hall Tuesday night.
Some delegates could be seen clutching multiple signs (I counted one lucky Californian's haul at 10), while other delegates -- as well as hopeful Garden staffers, RNC workers and journalists -- carefully scanned the rows of seats on the floor for the souvenirs. Of course, the "4 More Years" signs, attached to 2-foot sticks for maximum effect, were there for the taking, as were the "People Of Compassion" signs. But those "ARNOLD!" posters were like gold.
One convention-goer, on her way out of the hall, eyed the end of a sign, left underneath a seat, at the very last minute. Unfortunately, the torn poster only read "NOLD!" but she wasn't fazed. "It's better than nothing!" she happily said. -- From Jason Thompson, NationalJournal.com
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Ouch!
Posted by The Editors | 06:29 AM
ABC's Peter Jennings, at the conclusion of Tuesday night's convention coverage: "The one thing we'll leave you with tonight is what Giuliani said last night. He, being a great New York Yankees fan, said the Republican Party's future was like the Yankees. It may be a little glib to conclude with but tonight the Yankees got beaten by Cleveland 22 to nothing."
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August 31, 2004
Meanwhile, In Another Galaxy . . .
Posted by | 06:17 PM
Not to break away from Arnold and Laura madness, but the Washington Post is reporting that three new planets have just been discovered. They're not in our solar system, but they are rather "earth-like."
No evidence yet that they support life, but if they do, you have to wonder if that life has any weird rituals where they lock themselves in a huge building for a week and send out pictures of themselves talking to each other. And do they turn their movie stars into rulers?
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CNN Passes On Gay Republicans' Ad
Posted by The Editors | 06:10 PM
The Log Cabin Republicans on Monday launched an ad protesting the GOP platform plank on marriage and same-sex unions. And while the spot is running nationally on Fox News and in New York, CNN is refusing to air it unless LCR edits the ad's final frames.
Continue reading "CNN Passes On Gay Republicans' Ad"
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At Last, A Truly Polite Protest
Posted by The Editors | 05:50 PM
A very ruly pack of "Billionaires for Bush" was spotted Tuesday afternoon walking down Park Ave., bearing such signs as "Free the Enron 7" and "My Tax Cut: $135,994,000; Yours?"
The nattily-dressed dozen -- several men wore tuxedos, and the women were decked out in pearls and tiaras -- crossed 50th St. and appeared across from the Waldorf-Astoria hotel just as delegates were streaming out, en route to various events around town.
In keeping with this confluence of good behavior, no clashes broke out between the Billionaires and scads of young Republicans patiently waiting to get through Waldorf security. How well-heeled of everyone. -- From Meg Kinnard, NationalJournal.com
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The Press Corps Obsession...
Posted by Chuck Todd | 05:48 PM
So every political reporter worth their salt is pursuing one story right now: the rumored shakeup at the top of the Kerry campaign. Wall Street Journal legend Al Hunt started the ball rolling this a.m. with his report that Kerry was "bouncing off the walls" in frustration over the state of the campaign.
Ironically, if Kerry makes the change in the hours before Pres. Bush finishes his convention, Kerry could actually distract the press corps and step a bit on the GOP event. And if Kerry does make a change, it only makes sense if he does it before the weekend.
What's not clear is whose head actually rolls and if titles actually change. It hasn't been clear for months whether Mary Beth Cahill is really in charge of the campaign or not; she's clearly THE traffic cop and she clearly knows everything that goes on (except for the calls her candidate himself makes WITHOUT her knowledge).
But of all the folks at the top of the campaign structure, she's the one with the fewest defenders, both inside the campaign and in the press corps. Unlike Kerry's first campaign manager, Jim Jordan, Cahill has made little effort to handle the press and, apparently, little effort to assert control over the consultants. Jordan's strengths -- good relations with the press, tenacity to force decisions and being unafraid to challenge any of the chief consultants (including Bob Shrum) -- might actually be what the campaign needs right now. Of course, Jordan's ties to the leading Dem 527 nix that and Shrum and Jordan, well, don't get along.
Names that Hunt bandied about to take control: Joe Lockhart (who just signed on to take over the traveling press duties) and John Sasso (who ran the Dukakis campaign when it was winning). Let us suggest two others: Jim Johnson, the man who ran a flawless and nearly leak proof VP vetting operation; and John Podesta, the former Clinton CoS who is currently running a non-controversial policy-oriented 527.
BTW, without the Kerry staff shakeup rumors, the top political reporters trapped at the GOP convo, would be climbing the walls.
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Swifties Back In Business
Posted by The Editors | 04:56 PM
Swift Boat Veterans for Truth launched a new line of attack against Kerry on Tuesday, this time focusing on the candidate's decision to throw away medals in protest over the Vietnam War in 1971.
The ad, which began airing on Tuesday in Florida, will also be on the air today in Nashville, where the Democratic nominee is to address the American Legion convention, spokesman Sean McCabe said.
Along with the ad, the group sent the senator a letter urging him "to use this opportunity to clarify your actions in Vietnam and your statements about your fellow Veterans and shipmates when you returned home."
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THK's Spokeswoman Stepping Down
Posted by Chuck Todd | 04:24 PM
Marla Romash, who has been serving as Teresa Heinz Kerry's spokeswoman, is quitting the Kerry campaign.
The decision comes on the heels of today's high-profile additions to Team Kerry, but Romash stressed that the two changes were unrelated and that she is leaving for "family reasons."
No word yet on her replacement.
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Hosting The New Studio 54
Posted by The Editors | 04:23 PM
CongressDaily, in its special convention coverage from New York City on Tuesday, reported that the following businesses and organizations lined up to sponsor a traditional weeklong GOP convention party dubbed the "Warehouse Party" to be held at the Tunnel club:
AdvaMed; AFLAC; American Apparel & Footwear Association; American Insurance Association; American Trucking Associations; America's Health Insurance Plans; Arent Fox; Associated Builders and Contractors; AstraZeneca; BellSouth Corp.; Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association; The Bond Market Association; Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway; Chicago Board of Trade; Chicago Mercantile Exchange; Citigroup; Coca-Cola; College of American Pathologists; CSX Corp.; Edison Electric Institute; Eli Lilly and Co.; EOP Group; Fannie Mae; FedEx; Fidelity Investments; Fierce, Isakowitz & Blalock; Florida Power & Light Co.; Freddie Mac; GM/GMAC; Goldman, Sachs & Co.; Greenberg Traurig; Grocery Manufacturers of America; Healthcare Distribution Management Association; International Council of Shopping Centers; International Foodservice Distributors Association; International Franchise Association; Investment Company Institute; Kerr-McGee Corp.; McDonald's; Merrill Lynch; MetLife; Microsoft Corp.; Miller Brewing Co.; 3M; ML Strategies, LLC; Morgan Stanley; Mortgage Bankers Association; National Association of Convenience Stores; National Association of Home Builders; National Beer Wholesalers Association; National Food Processors Association; National Restaurant Association; National Retail Federation; National Federation of Independent Business; Pharmaceutical Care Management Association; PhRMA; Prudential Financial; R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.; Sallie Mae; SBC; Securities Industry Association; Southern Co.; UST; VeriSign; Verizon Communications; Verizon Wireless; Waste Management, Inc.; Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America.
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Identifying The Unlikelies
Posted by The Editors | 03:39 PM
Two groups outside the conventional GOP mainstream gathered across the hall from one another at the Waldorf-Astoria on Tuesday: a group of Jewish constituents for a Jewish outreach briefing and Students for Bush, the campaign's outreach effort toward college-aged Republicans. So who exactly are the people who hang to the right of their respective demographics?
Continue reading "Identifying The Unlikelies"
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Compassionate Conservatives, Just Not To The Press
Posted by The Editors | 03:36 PM
So much for "Peeople With Compassion." Tuesday's convention theme didn't hold at a Students for Bush meeting at the Waldorf-Astoria, where Bush campaign spokesman Terry Holt told the crowd of college-aged Republicans: "I spend most of my time talking to the media. This can be a horrifying, gritty experience. I deal with the scum of the earth."
The 150-plus students in the room applauded heartily. Nothing like teaching 'em young. -- From Gwen Glazer, NationalJournal.com
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Support For Bush On Education Is Sagging
Posted by The Editors | 01:45 PM
Education Secretary Rod Paige will have his work cut out for him when he speaks from the podium tonight. According to Gallup Poll Tuesday Briefing, President Bush's current approval rating on education is the lowest since he took office. Gallup's Linda Lyons notes that "these findings may more reflect the general political polarization... than specific feelings about Bush's education policies," but the numbers have dropped nine percentage points since January. Just 47 percent of Americans now approve of Bush's education record; an equal percentage disapprove.
The Hotline White House Scoreboard, meanwhile, includes five new polls today, but the overall vote count remains unchanged: 274 for Bush, 231 for John Kerry and 33 that are tied or disputed. -- From Troy K. Schneider, NationalJournal.com
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Adlai Lives! (Sort Of)
Posted by | 01:38 PM
Journalists come to conventions to see them live, but the fact is we wind up watching a lot of the action on TV. Each news organization only has so many floor passes and if you don't really need to be in the Garden, you retreat to the nearest tube. Besides, that's the show that matters most.
Surfing between speeches last night, I kept pausing on the historic convention speeches that are airing all week on C-SPAN2. They're amazing archaeological specimens, and worth seeking out (tonight's era is 1968-1980). I don't think I'd ever heard Adlai Stevenson's voice before. There's one guy who wouldn't have gone very far in today's sexed-up media world (GOP activist Bo Derek was being interviewed over on MSNBC).
Those old conventions have such a gray, stripped-down look: No musical acts, no giant screen behind the podium, and the speeches all seem so formal and stiff. This was "oratory," I guess. Going from bland, chalky Ike to the emotive, gesticulating Giuliani, it's hard to believe they're separated by just fifty years. Feels like thousands.
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Police Seek Officer Assault Witness
Posted by The Editors | 01:19 PM
If you have a National Lawyers Guild hat and were outside the Garden last night, the NYPD would like to talk. Video of the altercation that left a police officer unconscious show a woman wearing the guild's distinctive green cap right next to the assailant, and police say the witness had "a clear view of the attack." The injured officer remains hospitalized in stable condition; anyone with information is urged to call 1-800-577-TIPS.
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First Family To Speak Tonight, Franks Added For Thursday
Posted by The Editors | 01:10 PM
Convention officials announced this morning that Gen. Tommy Franks will deliver a speech during Thursday night's session. Spokesman Mark Pfeifle dismissed the suggestion that President Bush felt he needed the general's visible support on the podium, saying that both the speakers list and overall delegate pool are "strong and broad." He did note, however, that 18 percent of GOP delegates this year are either veterans or reservists.
Additionally, in a preview of tonight's podium schedule, Bush twins spokeswoman Susan Whitson said the first daughters would show a "personal side" when they take the podium tonight to introduce their mother in primetime. And while the Bush girls might have been somewhat scarce this week at GOP events around town, don't expect Barbara and Jenna to be camera shy tonight: Whitson added both girls have been getting in plenty of practice on the teleprompter. -- From Meg Kinnard, NationalJournal.com
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Primetime Speakers For Tuesday, Aug. 31
Posted by The Editors | 01:09 PM
The following is the slate of primetime speakers for Tuesday, Aug. 31, as provided by the Republican National Committee:
Princella Smith, winner of MTV's "Stand Up and Holla" contest
Sen. Norm Colman (Minn.)
Michael Williams, assistant secretary of the GOP convention
Bonnie Garcia, assistant secretary of the GOP convention
Sen. Elizabeth Dole (N.C.)
Rep. Anne Northup (Ky.)
George P. Bush, RNC youth chairman
Erika Harold, Miss America 2003
Steven McDonald, former NYPD detective
Sen. Sam Brownback (Kan.)
Sen. Bill Frist (Tenn.)
Elisabeth Hasselbeck, former "Survivor" contestant
Rod Paige, secretary of education
Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele
Arnold Schwarzenegger, governor of California
Laura Bush, first lady
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Who Doesn't Need A Cheney Bust?
Posted by The Editors | 12:29 PM
Republicans sometimes get a bad rap for being the party of wealth and privilege, and at least some vendors at the Hilton New York's "Grand Old marketPlace" are taking that idea straight to the bank.
To be certain, plenty of convention standards are available -- but why settle for buttons or commemorative playing cards when you could go home with a limited-edition merlot or a bronze bust of Dick Cheney? There's even something for the GOP fashion guru: Fox and mink shawls are available at upwards of $2,000, and a crystal-beaded elephant handbag can be yours for a mere $1,800.
Meanwhile, political buttons of every stripe are flying out of Grand Old marketPlace. American flags figured prominently, along with the letter "W" and profiles of Bush, Cheney & Co. Just as prominent, though, were messages against all things Democrat: Anti-Kerry, anti-Hillary, anti-Daschle.
Kathy Hosner of Bold Concepts Unlimited said her best-seller so far was a red button reading, "I only sleep with Republicans."
A few racier buttons also were available -- including one of an elephant mounting a donkey, along with the text, "Keep Bush On Top." Hosner said that one was especially popular among patrons from the Lone Star State. -- From Meg Kinnard and Gwen Glazer, NationalJournal.com
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It's A Bird! It's A Plane! It's... Enron Ed?
Posted by The Editors | 12:13 PM
At Monday's press briefing in the Democratic party's New York war room, spokesman Matt Bennett told reporters to prepare themselves for some new characters roaming around town this week. Bennett said the DNC has dispatched several "Super Zeroes" -- GOP-inspired personalities such as Hal E. Burton, Enron Ed and the Un-Credible Hulk -- as part of its "Mission Not Accomplished" campaign. An afternoon press release warned that the motley bunch "will be popping up here and there at convention hotspots" mingling "with all the GOP big wigs."
Pictures of some of the Super Zeroes can be viewed at: http://www.democrats.org/blog/display/00010879.html
-- From Meg Kinnard, NationalJournal.com
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As The Nation Goes, So Do Swing States
Posted by | 10:24 AM
It really is pretty amazing how fast the conventional wisdom can change.
Three weeks ago, most political insiders in both parties gave Sen. John Kerry a slight edge over President Bush. Granted, Kerry's lead appeared to be only 2 or 3 points, but it showed up consistently in the national polls and was corroborated by public and private polling on the state level that showed Kerry ahead in seven or eight of the 10 most competitive battleground states. Experienced Republican operatives, particularly pollsters, were worried. Their Democratic counterparts were
pinching themselves.
Continue reading "As The Nation Goes, So Do Swing States"
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More, More, Moore
Posted by The Editors | 09:52 AM
At the podium Monday night, John McCain and Rudy Giuliani were the stars. Elsewhere around Madison Square Garden, however, it was documentary filmmaker Michael Moore who grabbed the most attention from delegates and press people alike.
Continue reading "More, More, Moore"
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Make Way For Arnold
Posted by The Editors | 08:57 AM
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will address convention delegates tonight; Bill Ainsworth of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported last week that all three of the major news networks expect to make the speech part of their convention coverage.
The concern is not that Schwarzenegger might overshadow the president, Ainsworth reported, but "how enthusiastically can Schwarzenegger cheer for President Bush, while at the same time maintaining his bipartisan reputation in a state dominated by Democrats?" And don't expect the governor to do any Kerry bashing -- he considers the Dem nominee a friend.
Aside from the pure politics, Schwarzenegger has an event at a Harlem school promoting after-school programs (a pet project), and on Thursday he puts out the red carpet at Planet Hollywood for an address to the California delegation. The cost for the governor's trip? Ainsworth reports it's estimated around $350,000, which will be covered by private donors, not California taxpayers.
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Order Up, Wolf!
Posted by The Editors | 06:51 AM
CNN has the sweetest gig in NY.
Every night of the convo, the network hosts an exclusive viewing party at its CNN Diner. The invitation-only event allows tired convo goers to grab a booth, order some food and watch CNN on one of the flat screen TVs located throughout the room. The drink menu is convo-themed beverages, including the "Crossfire Islander" -- Raspberry Mojitoi, Bacardi Razz, mint, sugar, club soda, lime and berries. (It's delicious.) The dessert menu includes a foot-tall piece of chocolate cake (no, we're not kidding) that CNNers recommend you share. You can also decorate your own cupcake or enjoy some NY cheesecake. (We should note that all the food and drinks are free. Thanks CNN!)
The fun and laid-back atmosphere is a nice respite from the chaos on the streets outside. And if you get tired of watching convo speeches, just look around you. You'll spot CNN guests waiting to go on the air and various CNN celebs. We saw Mario Cuomo perched on a counter stool, waiting to go on "LKL," while Bill Hemmer and Paula Zahn gabbed near by.
Pick up a souvenir on your way out, including a postcard that if you fill it out and leave at your table, CNN will mail it for you. No more excuses not to talk to mom and dad. -- From Emily Goodin, The Hotline
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August 30, 2004
Tapping The Power Of Laughter
Posted by The Editors | 11:13 PM
Speaking in Madison Square Garden Monday night, Rudy Giuliani made a point of praising John Kerry's military service -- and the crowd responded with a respectful round of applause. After that, however, the gloves came off.
Giuliani hammered Kerry for his policy shifts, particularly on the two wars in the Persian Gulf. "Maybe this explains John Kerry's need for two Americas," Giuliani suggested: "One where John Kerry can vote for something, and one where he can vote exactly the opposite."
Needless to say, the applause this time was of a different sort entirely.
The New York Times has text and video of Monday night's speeches.
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Good News For GOP In La.-05
Posted by | 08:56 PM
Just heard that a Lousiana appeals court has overturned the earlier ruling on Rep. Rodney Alexander's party switch in that state's 5th District. A GOP official described the ruling as "total victory" -- Alexander stays on the ballot as a Republican, and the filing process won't be re-opened for Democrats to field a new candidate. This ruling, however, can also be appealed.
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Hold The Pollster To This
Posted by | 06:12 PM
A dead-heat presidential race could still result in an electoral landside, Lee M. Miringoff, director of the Marist Institute for Public Policy, reminded Convention Daily.
Miringoff, perched in New York for the duration of the GOP convention, looked ahead to the fall landscape: "When you call me on Nov. 3, I want you to say, 'Lee, you were right. The Electoral College wasn't close in the end.' Because if the battleground states all slide a little bit, someone's going to clobber the other guy in the Electoral College. Everybody's going to be saying, 'The pollsters all said it was going to be close, and look, we know who it is by 9:06 [p.m.]!'"
Miringoff said he could not predict the victor, but "wonders" how Democratic nominee John Kerry will fare as a challenger if the pace of his campaign is again thrown off-message for several weeks, as it was in August by the Swift Boat Veterans For Truth attack ads.
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Media Feeding Frenzy
Posted by The Editors | 06:09 PM
Conventions are like a sunless summer camp for journalists, who, like hyper pre-teens, get cranky if they can't eat quickly and conveniently.
After enduring a single, tiny snackstand in the media workspace in Boston -- and the $10 turkey sandwiches -- what deskbound convo journalist wasn't thrilled at the the prospect of an actual "restaurant" set up in one corner of the main press area in New York? Hot sandwiches, chicken, gourmet salads, all there for the taking (at half the cost of Boston, no less). Alas, it was only a ruse -- by lunch today, when actual convention proceedings had been under way for less than 3 hours, the "restaurant" ran out of food. No chicken. No salads. No fruit cups. No sandwiches. Just hot dogs. Dozens and dozens of hot dogs.
One has to wonder how the folks in charge underestimated the appetites of journalists on an expense account, -- a ravenous bunch if ever there was one. -- From Jason Thompson, NationalJournal.com
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Staff vs. Staff
Posted by | 05:24 PM
Watching a little sparring match earlier today between Bush campaign honcho Tucker Eskew and a Kerry counterpart, Stephanie Cutter -- CNN's Wolf Blitzer was the ref -- it struck me that today a lot of the best campaign theater happens at the staff level. The candidates themselves move around in a bubble of restricted access and orchestrated speech. But when senior aides go at it in public, the action can feel relatively real and spontaneous.
Which is not to say aides don't spout pabulum, too. Eskew on Cheney: "He's a proud father of two great daughters, and the vice president and Mrs. Cheney are proud parents."
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Troublemakers Wanted
Posted by | 04:49 PM
Personally, I love the media mischief and nitpicking Charlie Cook seems to regret below. Rather that just deliver the show, I think the media should serve as a wicked peanut gallery. For my taste, there hasn't been enough media mischief in Boston or New York.
Here's a somewhat mischievious AP story by Ron Fournier on the GOP's rediscovery of moderates: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apelection_story.asp?category=1131&slug=CVN%20Moderately%20Bush
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Does The GOP Have A Military Edge?
Posted by The Editors | 04:46 PM
National security figures to remain a top issue in the presidential campaign, so gaining the support of the nation's men and women in uniform could be key. And if the composition of convention delegations is any indicator, the GOP has the edge.
Continue reading "Does The GOP Have A Military Edge?"
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Purple State Update!!!
Posted by Chuck Todd | 04:14 PM
Thank to the reader who noticed we missed a VERY, very key state in our "coin flip" list: Nevada. It's a state that's trending Dem but will stay "coin flip" for this cycle. Obviously, we're going on too little sleep already to have missed Nevada; our apologies.
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It's Not Just Protestors Who Poke Fun...
Posted by The Editors | 04:11 PM
Two of the many buttons available in Manhattan this week:
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Primetime Speakers For Aug. 30
Posted by The Editors | 04:00 PM
The following is the schedule of speakers for Monday, Aug. 30, as provided by the Republican National Committee:
Ed Gillespie, Republican National Committee Chairman
Rep. J. Dennis Hastert (Ill.), Permanent Convention Chairman
Ron Silver, Actor
Rep. Heather Wilson (N.M.)
Bernard Kerik, former NYC police commissioner
Robert Khuzami, former assistant attorney for New York City
Zainab Al-Suwaij, Executive Director, American Islamic Congress
Jason Sehorn, football player
Angie Harmon, actress
Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.)
Sen. John McCain (Ariz.)
Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York City
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Delegate Diversity In NYC
Posted by The Editors | 04:00 PM
On its official Web site, the National Republican Convention takes special note of its increase in minority delegates, proclaiming that this year, Republicans will welcome "the most diverse group of delegates in party history."
There is a roughly 70 percent increase from 2000, the RNC notes. African-American representation is up an estimated 65 percent and Asian-American representation is up nearly 40 percent from 2000. In all, minorities make up 17 percent of the 4,853 delegates at this convention, compared to 9 percent four years ago in Philadelphia. According to the Los Angeles Times, 44 percent of the delegates are women.
Minorities made up 40 percent of the Democratic convention delegates last month in Boston.
Republican leaders are hoping to get a greater share of the minority vote in 2004. In 2000, Al Gore won 90 percent of the African-American vote and 67 percent of the Latino vote. "The GOP will promote all of Bush's policies as beneficial to minorities, including the war on terrorism, tax cuts and healthcare reform." said Terry Holt, spokesman for the Bush-Cheney campaign.
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Note to Reporters: Enough Nitpicking
Posted by | 08:46 AM
Journalists, by nature, are professional troublemakers, particularly political reporters at a national party convention where the identity of the presidential nominee and running mate were set, say, four years earlier. The Fourth Estate's current mischief centers on the apparent contradiction of a fairly conservative Republican Party platform and the convention's first two nights, which look anything but conservative. Tonight, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Sen. John McCain of Arizona will be singing the party's and President Bush's praises; tomorrow night will come first lady Laura Bush and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Continue reading "Note to Reporters: Enough Nitpicking"
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By Bus! By Foot! By Subway?
Posted by The Editors | 06:29 AM
What's the best way to get over to Madison Square Garden during convention week? Hey, it's up to you. For your first option, the convention is running a fleet of 250 chartered shuttle buses, nicknamed the "Liberty Express," from official convention hotels to five drop-off points around the garden, on 34th, 33rd, 31st and 30th streets. The buses will run on dedicated lanes, so traffic shouldn't be much of a problem. For security, a police officer will be on every bus.
If you need to sweat off some of those delegation dinners, hoof it. Nineteen of the 25 hotels housing delegates are within a mile of the garden. By foot, the New York state transportation liaison to the RNC, Ray Martinez, recommends that convention-goers head to the security perimeter at 34th St. and 7th Ave. and enter the garden on 7th.
And if you have a passion for mass transit, you can take the subway, since convention delegates have been provided with free fare cards. Umm, yeah, sure. (With no air conditioning, many of the subway stations are stifling in late August. Plus, Penn Station is confusing. But that's just us.) -- From Brian Friel, Convention Daily
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Rating "R: The Party"
Posted by The Editors | 06:10 AM
Two words describe last night's "R: The Party" at the Roseland Ballroom -- cash bar. Nothing like a $10 drink and no receipt to expense it.
Those with VIP invites got access to the second floor and free alcohol. But VIP or not, everyone got a full-body frisk before they were let in the door.
Celebrity sightings were few and far between; even the photographers were having trouble matching names with faces as they snapped away. And we never saw the Bush twins, either -- but then we left early while we still had cab money. -- From Emily Goodin, The Hotline
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Who Is This K. Edwards Running For President?
Posted by Chuck Todd | 05:01 AM
A family member is running for Supervisor of Elections in Santa Rosa County, Fla. It's been an all-hands-on-deck weekend for members of our family, doing the door-to-door and visibility thing. Santa Rosa County is in the panhandle adjacent to Pensacola. One of our family spies, while going door to door, was intrigued by two things:
1) The surprising number of Kerry-Edwards yard signs in comparison to Bush-Cheney signs. The BC'04 signs still outnumbered KE'04, but not to the degree one would assume in this VERY Republican part of Florida.
2) How those "Kerry-Edwards" signs emphasized the "EDWARDS" over the "Kerry." It was as if the candidate was Edwards and his first name was Kerry. We wonder where else in the South (or even in rural parts of Wisconsin and Ohio) where the Kerry campaign has Edwards-emphasized signs?
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Opposition Headquarters
Posted by The Editors | 04:52 AM
The Democratic National Committee has launched a GOP convention response center in New York City, just blocks away from Madison Square Garden.
The team, located at 275 7th Ave., will hold news briefings every morning at 10 a.m. for the duration of the Republican convention. Those wishing to get in touch with Terry McAuliffe & Co. can contact the press office at (212) 243-5224.
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Political Tailgating
Posted by Chuck Todd | 04:51 AM
One reason we didn't make it to NYC until Sunday was our desire to go to the opening night football game at FedEx field between Virginia Tech and USC. It's not often a No. 1 ranked team comes to DC (though with Miami in the ACC, that'll change on years the 'Canes visit College Park, but we digress).
Like any big non-political event in DC, there was plenty of politics going on during the pre-game. IA Sec/State Chet Culver (D), who we learned was a tight-end for Tech in the '80s (and a teammate of Bruce Smith), held a tailgate fundraiser for a race-to-be-named later. For IA watchers, you know that race is an expected bid for GOV in '06. The only thing that could prevent Culver from running for GOV in '06 is a Kerry win. Speculation is rampant that if elected, K