Goodbye Rudy

Unless we have another new Hampshire polling situation on our hands Rudy Giuliani's unispired "run" for the presidency will end tomorrow. Because when you declare for the presidency you actually have to campaign. You actually have to try to convince people to vote for you. Fred Thompson, who proves his laziness all over again, and Rudy, who proved his arrogance all over again, simply did not want to put the campaign work in to the effort. Skip Iowa and New Hampshire... no problem. To add to the fun these two were uninspired when they DID campaign.

And Now the Question Is: Can Hillary Shut Up Her Husband?

WASHINGTON DC - Arrogance and ego are two of the major vices in Washington DC. Everyone thinks they are right and about everything. No matter the evidence at hand. And with that the next big question for the Clinton campaign is not what their Super Tuesday game plan will be. No. The next question is can Sen. Hillary Clinton convince her husband to tone it down and shut up.

My guess would be no. Arrogance tend to rue the day inside the beltway. Dan Snyder thinks he was right to fire the best defensive coordinator in the NFL. Who can tell him he's wrong? It was clear as crystal in New Hampshire that absolutely no one was telling Bill Clinton anything and he was WAY off the reservation saying and doing whatever the hell he wanted. What campaign aide was going to call him and tell him to tone it down? Hell, if Ted Kennedy callled and asked him to tone it down what chance did Mark Penn have?

So wait for the fun to continue: the references to Jesse Jackson's campaign, the fairy tales, the appearances on Black radio... all of it. Sit back you political junkies and get ready for a level of arrogance and ego you haven't seen in Washington in a loooooong while. (photo above of Hill and Bill and Dick Cheney after her second swearing in to the US Senate/lvb)

Obama, the Fairy Tale Continues

WASHINGTON DC - What does it mean that Sens. Patrick Leahy, John Kerry, and Ted Kennedy have had absolutely no problem whatsoever snubbing the Democratic party establishment and a former first lady and now Senator they have been working with for eight years? What does it mean that they can say no to a former President they have been dealing with for over 20 years? What does it say that they can not endorse Hillary Clinton and instead have absolutely no problem whatsoever endorsing a Senator who has been in the body for only two years. It means the so called fairy tale continues in earnest. Did I hear that Obama spoke in Birmingham, Alabama yesterday to 11,000 people. What does it say that anyone running for the Presidency of the United States can turn out that many people?

Endorsements Don't Mean Much...

WASHINGTON DC - ... but what does it mean that you serve on the same committee together (Armed Services) and you have known a person longer than another (Obama has been in the Senate to years, Hillary eight) and you lose yet another endorsement? (above, a photo from last year's State of the Union by lvb)

Tony Rezco-Clinton photo surfaces on NBC

CHARLESTON SC - NBC and Matt Lauer unearthed a photo of Tony Rezco, you know him: the slum landlord, and Bill and Hillary Clinton. And what does it mean that they took this photo together? Probably about as much as it means that Sen. Obama worked for Rezco for a short period of time.

SUMTER, SC

ROCK HILL, SC

People wait in line to hear Obama at Winthrop University in Rock Hill SC.

ORANGEBURG, SC - OBAMA

Actor Chris Tucker, above, and singer Usher introduced Obama at what turned out to be a late event in Orangeburg, SC. Usher was an impressive speaker and along with Kerry Washington the three were saavy enough to realize that when an event begins almost two hours late the thing to do is to intro the main speaker quickly. That doesn't happen often.

LEXINGTON, SC - OBAMA

Take Me Home, Country Roads...

GREENWOOD, SC - OBAMA - Now I know what the John Denver song "Take Me Home Country Roads" was based on. It may have been inspired West Virginia but South Carolina could have easily been the cause of inspiration. To get to Greenwood - birthplace of the FIRED UP Obama campaign rally cry - you drive. And you drive. And you drive. And then you drive. Enjoy the serenity of farms and fields to your left and right with no cars ahead or in front? Well move to South Carolina and your American dream will be fulfilled.

GREENVILLE, SC - OBAMA

She Read the Reno Editorial Board Transcript?

CLINTON:  Now, I just -- I just want to be clear about this.  In
an editorial board with the Reno newspaper, you said two different
things, because I have read the transcript.  You talked about Ronald
Reagan being a transformative political leader.  I did not mention his
name.

OBAMA:  Your husband did.
CLINTON:  Well, I'm here.  He's not.  And...
OBAMA:  OK.  Well, I can't tell who I'm running against sometimes.

 (APPLAUSE)

CLINTON:  Well, you know, I think we both have very passionate and
committed spouses who stand up for us.  And I'm proud of that. But you
also talked about the Republicans having
ideas over the last 10 to 15 years.
OBAMA:  I didn't say they were good ones.
CLINTON:  Well, you can read the context of it.
OBAMA:  Well, I didn't say they were good ones.
CLINTON:  Well, it certainly...
OBAMA:  All right, Wolf.

CLINTON:  It certainly came across in the way that it was
presented, as though the Republicans had been standing up against the
conventional wisdom with their ideas.  I'm just reacting to the fact,
yes, they did have ideas, and they were bad ideas.

OBAMA:  I agree.

CLINTON:  Bad for America, and I was fighting against those ideas
when you were practicing law and representing your contributor, Resco,
in his slum landlord business in inner city Chicago.

The Gloves Are Off

TRAVELERS REST, S.C. - Slum Lords. Voting "present." Votes on credit cards. That vote you made on the bankruptcy bill. All these things and more tonight at the Democratic Presidential Debate. The gloves are off. Way off. Even Johnny Edwards tagged Barack on the voting "present" issue. John Edwards, actually for the first time, really showed up in a debate tonight in Myrtle Beach. But the over riding issue that stands out is that for the first time Obama was on the defensive and fully playing the game of his opponents. For so long it was the other way around: Obama was leading the charge and setting the pace... slowly the tide is beginning to turn.

Barack Adds a Little Something to His Stump Speech

COLUMBIA SC -- Usually when you see the same candidate make a speech on the stump as he or she runs for the presidency it is the same thing over and over and over again. John McCain has an Irish joke that I swear I can remember him telling during the 2000 campaign. He tells the joke at every single appearance. It wasn't even all that funny the first time. Now the thing that makes you laugh is not the punch line but the goofy fact that McCain keeps telling it.

Anyway... Barack has his set bits as well. But tonight in Columbia, S.C. things were different. He finally directly answered some of the criticism from Bill + Hill. Until this point Barack and company were choosing go-betweens and "campaign sources" to answer some of the Clinton attacks. Now he is doing that duty himself and in what may be effective fashion - particularly since the answers to Clinton don't take up the entire stump speech and -- so far -- are simply an interesting addition to what he is already saying.

McCain Wins In South Carolina

CHARLESTON, SC -- McCain looks like he is on his way. But he still has to look over his shoulder at Mitt Romney. Who I belive is ahead in the delegate count...

Obama On the Attack

SUFFOLK, VA -- Michelle that is. Doing that Elizabeth Edwards lady attack dog thing. The era of Laura Bush-Lady Bird Johnson-Rosslyn Carter first ladies is over laddies and gentleman. Hillary Clinton represents "the same old thing over and over again."

"They said he couldn’t build a political machine to match the might of a family in Illinois that had been running for years. They said he couldn’t raise the money. They said that he was too black. They said that he wasn’t black enough. Sound familiar?

"They said that his name was too funny. They said there was no way that white folks in downstate Illinois and vote for a man named Barack Obama. They said it because when power is confronted by change, they will say anything."

Clemens Under Oath

Clemens will testify under oath. Hmmm maybe he is innocent.

Rocket Does It Again

Roger Clemens makes yet another move that makes him look less than innocent.

Edwards Never Spoke to Musharraf

WASHINGTON, DC -- So let me get this right: John Edward simply placed a call to Pakistani PM Pervez Musharraf and didn't actually speak with him. It was odd in the first place, that in the midst of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, Musharaf would be chatting with Edwards. That was an oddity to begin with. Hell, that Edwards would even be attempting to call was odd. But he used it as a, "hey look at me, I can do foreign affairs..." moment. Now we find, after the clear implication Edwards had spoken with him, it never happened. Watch now as they play semantic games: he "called him," but didn't actually "talk with," him. Now members of the press have to ask did you actually speak with someone or did you just call.

So far reaction has been quiet but can you imagine the reaction if Hillary or Barack did the same thing?

Nevada: Nice Friendly Democratic Debate

I knew we were in trouble when I saw that one of the moderators was Tim Russert. Russert is a fab interviewer but for a Presidential debate his Meet the Press style could get tiresome. This Nevada debate looked at first as if it was going to turn into an extended Meet the Press episode full of questions that no one cares about other than political junkies in the national press corp. Well yes I am one of those junkies. However, I still like to hear the candidates talk on issues and not about the minutia regarding their latest spat. It was humurous to hear a heckler yell out "why are there so many race based questions..." as the first 15 minutes of the debate was centered around the deep issues of BET founder Robert Johnson and memos written by staff.

You can see why the communications staff of these candidates wall-off national reporters and let the local reporters get close to the candidates. National reporters constantly want to focus on issues that don't matter to voters and talk about controversy. Local reporters want to talk about the issues.

Thankfully the Meet the Press stylings wore of quick and when questions from average everyday people were being asked it became interesting. But the most interesting aspect of the affair was that the truce called between Obama and Clinton was in full bloom. I'm convinced it won't last long because the nature of this race is too fast and furious and the stakes to high for things to remain genteel.

PS: The best debate so far was the CNN/YouTube w/ Anderson Cooper. That debate had the best questions and the most interesting format. The ABC debate with Charlie Gibson in Manchester wasn't bad either.

Romney Wins Gold

It was Mitt changing his campaign signs I know it was. His new red signs, which look a hell of a lot like Obama's, say "Change Begins With Us." Obama's say "Change We Can Believe In." Whatever the case He should bring the signs to South Carolina, they apparently did the trick.

One of the things quietly in the background right now is that Mitt Romney is ahead in the delegate count. Yes it has only been Iowa, New Hanpshire, and Michigan. But he just won the big one of the first four states. If Romney could figure out how to do well in Florida he could really be on his way. It's a shame Mitt can't bask in the victory for long. In only three days on January 19 the GOP may end up with another winner because Huckabee is the likely winner South Carolina.

Reoccuring Theme Appears Again

Mitt Romney doesn't have to explain every action past and present of the Mormon church. And why should he have to: Is he in control of every move they make? But the below Richard Cohen column is a theme we see over and over in the press. The same thing happened to Jesse Jackson when he ran for President, the Louis Farrakhan question. Al Sharpton had to explain this and that association with this or that person as well.

When a member of a minority group (religious or otherwise) runs for office they have to explain -- and are magically held accountable for -- the views of everyone else in their group. The church Obama goes to puts out a newsletter so he has to explain it? Please. We can't even get Hillary Clinton to explain her husband.

And why should she have to? They are two individual people even though they are married. Should Hillary have had to explain what BET founder Robert Johnson said in South Carolina on Sunday? Should Hillary have to explain her association with Robert Johnson and his love of misogyny - particularly towards women - which is the cornerstone of BET's programming under his direction? Should every person running for President have to explain what every friend and associate is doing and saying? Or should they be held accountable for their actions and statements? Think about it.

If McCain Wins Romney is Out

Where, if not Michigan, can Mitt Romney win? If he can't win Michigan that should be it for him. It's still perplexing as to the question of why Romney isn't doing better but I think the answer is Mike Huckabee. Remember in the same way Giuliani's goal is to win Florida big, Romeny's was to win Iowa. He then lost at the hands of Huckabee. Then it was on to New Hampshire where McCain beat him there. Where then can Romney win if not in Michigan?

Hillary Finds Her Voice

Are you enjoying Hillary "finding her voice" America? Did a surprise victory turn the campaign theme around? No. It may have endorsed the negative one adopted during the NH panic. In the sma eway BET founder Robert Johnson wasn't referring to past cocaine use by Sen. Obama, Sen. Clinton wasn't evoking race in any way either. It's all coincidence that she brought up Marting Luther King, Lyndon Johnson and the 1964 Civil Rights Act. That just happened to be the example. Maybe the Clinton camp thinks what won New Hampshire are the negative attacks and not emotion in the Portsmouth dinner. Funny, I thought it was the dinner.

Now we have the Clintons (how ironic is this people?) attempting to focus this race on the issue of race. Why? Because they can't beat racially-transcendent-Barack and they know it. They can't beat the Barack who received 37% of the vote to Clinton's 29%. They can't beat the Barack Obama who received over 100,000 votes and 36% of the vote in New Hampshire to her 39%. They can beat him however, if they can define the election in terms of black and white and get everyone to retreat to their tribes. It's gonna be a pretty interesting trick. So far there is no evidence the electorate cares one way or the other about the latest Rassmussen poll or what Drudge's interpretation of it is or what Sen. Clinton says on Meet the Press. See you in Nevada.

Clinton on Russert II

Just like the much hyped press conference in Iowa where Mike Huckabee unveiled an attack ad on Mitt Romney, Tim Russert went on and on and on about Hillary Clinton's Iraq vote. Question: Do the voters care? Isn't this just an extension of an inside the beltway parlor game of gotcha? Just like the Huckabee press conference the issue never came up at any of the town meetings I attended. What was more interesting that the minutia of that exchange elicited was that Sen. Clinton continues to avoid any acknowledgment that she might have done better had she to do it over again.

Clinton on Russert

Prediction: As long as Hillary Clinton says the name Obama more than she talks about her plan in the White House she will loose the race for the nomination. Clearly from this interview the Clinton camp seeks to continue to attack more than explain what their plans are for the country, that is, develop a specific campaign theme and strategy.

Clintons Will Inadvertantly Spur Black Vote Efforts

Remember when Jesse Jackson ran for President the chief goal of his candidacy was to motivate African Americans to register and vote? Now Bill and Hillary Clinton may unintentionally spur another spike in Black participation with their, "let's tell the truth the media won't," strategy against Sen. Barack Obama.

I have a better idea for the Clintons. If they continue to believe that the theme of their campaign must center around Sen. Obama's inadequacies rather than what they plan to do in the White House they have to at least set up right. Let us down easy. Remembering that many people out there, of all colors ages and backgrounds, are still on the fence regarding the choice between Barack and Hillary. I know it's hard for the Clintonistas to believe that but, yes, people may actually choose Barack over Hillary.

Sen. Clinton should begin every rally from this point with these words:

"You know, I was thinking to myself before I came out just how incredible our country is, that we could have an African American man and and myself, the first female candidate to get this far in the nominating process of a major party, to be in this position to ask for the honor of having your vote. To be involved in something that has never happened before in American history. This is truly a privilege to be in this position and know that only in American could this be possible." INSERT LATEST BARACK ATTACK HERE.

Or they can continue to motive African Americans (and surely a host of assorted others) to sprint to the voting booths on primary day with this ego passioned, "oh my God someone is actually competing against us..." bit. Go ahead, continue suggesting this fairy tale Barack thing is a fake magical mystery tour, a fluke. You want some record turnout? Keep that up. (photo above taken by lvb in Chappaqua in 2000 when Pres. Clinton was campaigning for first lady HRC)

Four Things on Clemens

1. He was injected with something.
2. Watch for it: Before the hearing February 13 we will listen to him whine more on his desire to return to the private sector.
3. Someone is lying.
4. He continues to hide behind things, lawyers, taped phone conversations, statements, instead of just arriving at the podium and declaring his is 100% innocent.

This Giuliani Charade is So Over

He can't pay staff but he can hire Ward Connolly? Are we tired enough yet of people who want to be President but don't want to campaign for it? Please.

... and another (remember he had stage fright)

Sweet Jesus Take a Break

John and Hillary are Gonna Love This

So I guess Rudy Giuliani Is Running for President

Rudy Giuliani says forget the pundits. They are so wrong just forget them. What did they go and do? They actually reported Giuliani was way down the list in Iowa and Ron Paul almost embarrassed him in New Hampshire. Scandal. Now with a new ad Rudy wants you to know he is in the race. You see, my theory is his campaign has figured out that, whoops, we should have run harder in at least one of the early states. And so the two "campaign tourists" in this race, Giuliani and Fred Thompson, have finally figured out where the gas pedal is - and it may be too late. Press down hard fellas because derailing McCain and Huckabee then getting past Romney is going to be an interesting trick. How long can you run in 5th and 4th and expect to make a come from the dead recovery. And what are the voters to believe? That you really want to be President of the United States of America but you don't want to actually campaign for it?

Obama Comes Within 2%? Impressive Enough for Me

If people want to believe Hillary Clinton -- again HILLARY CLINTON - winning barely over Barack Obama is an awesome comeback victory that's fine. I say he only lost by 2% and if anyone told me, with her operation in N.H. that she would only win by 2% I would never have believed it.

The reason it is viewed as now as an amazing comeback is the pollsters and the press got it incredible wrong. But Obama winning by 1% would have been a major victory for him. Losing by only 2% is close enough for me. And what it shows is that Nevada and South Carolina will be very tight if not victorious for Obama.

And again: The Clinton's need to stop worrying and endlessly talking about Obama and run a coherent campaign. That is, one that gives reason for voting for her. And let us not sit here and blame Mark Penn and this adviser or that staffer. It's obvious who is in control of the campaign: 1. Hillary Clinton, and 2. Bill Clinton. They need to calm down and get off the defense. And moments like what you can view on the video below is literally dangerous for them with regard to the Black vote:

For Barack Obama a "Loss" is a Still a Win

OK let's throw cold water on our face, take a deep breath, and realize something: Everyone in the press will call the Clinton victory an "upset." It is an "upset," "a surprise-shocker," only because the press was expecting a different outcome.

But let us look at the facts: She only won by 2% ad he only lost by 2%. Had it not been for the press getting it completely incorrect and assuming an Obama win - leaving even the Clinton campaign to assume defeat - this would be viewed as exactly what it is: A really close race and more evidence Obama will present a strong challenge in this race. And if he could pull these numbers off in New Hampshire image what he will do in New York, Illinois, Nevada, and South Carolina.

Let the Backtracking Begin

Notes on a polling embarrassment.

Choice of Who We Hate Least Turns Into Choice of Who We Like Most

Finally for the first time in many years voters have more than just one choice. No one has to pick someone just because they are running. At it is quite refreshing to look up and see that there are literally SEVEN people in this presidential race who could become president and make a good one at that. Obama, Hillary, John Edwards, Rudy, Romney, John McCain, and Mike Huckabee (or Fred Thompson?).

McCain, Mitt, and Huckabee

CONCORD, N.H. - McCain will win New Hampshire again and it will be interesting to watch what place Mitt Romney will come one. Romney, like John Edwards, needs a win and a reason to continue. If you look on the horizon it is hard to see where the win may come from. Edwards is expected to do well in his birthstate South Carolina. But where is Mitt going to pull out a win? (photo: Huckabee in Concord, NH by lvb)

What is Hillary Doing?

The Clinton staff shakeup can not happen soon enough. Instead of running in the latest statement by Sen. Obama and having their boss react they need to see if they can actually come up with a campaign strategy, you know, a reason people should vote for Hillary Clinton.

This is what happens when you play on defense and don't simply run YOUR campaign. That is, assuming that your campaign has a clear theme and gives people a clear reason to vote for you. Right now the Clinton campaign is completely in reaction/attack mode. They sit around and wait for Obama to say something and react. First we had the emotional dinner moment. Which is a distraction wrapped in an enigma. Then this reactive statement, which makes you ask: When does a busy candidate have time to watch an opponents quotes on Fox News?

HRC: “You know, today Senator Obama used President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to criticize me. He basically compared himself to our greatest heroes because they gave great speeches.

“President Kennedy was in Congress for 14 years. He was a war hero. He was a man of great accomplishments and readiness to be president. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led a movement. He was gassed. He was beaten. He was jailed. And he gave a speech that was one of the most beautifully, profoundly important speeches ever written in America, the “I have a dream” speech. (photo: Obama in Derry on Jan 6, 08, by lvb)

Huckabee: Moment of Truth Coming in SC

BEDFORD, N.H. - On January 19th we'll know for sure. We'll know whether Mike Huckabee is Paul Tsongas. It surprises me that he is even in New Hampshire just as it amuses me Rudy Giuliani is actually campaigning in the granite state. Looks like Rudy may have been spooked by the Iowa results and decided to fly in from Florida. But back to Huckabee: He won Iowa on the backs of the evangelicals. That ain't happening in New Hampshire. He's gonna lose big in New Hampshire and will really need to show up in South Carolina. I'm still convinced all those over the top "mighty hunter" photo ops in Iowa were for the satisfaction on South Carolinians. (Huckabee on 01/05/07 by lvb)

The Issue in the Blackground

BEDFORD, N.H. - Oh boy this is negative and i hate negative energy but here goes... Every now and then a story in the whisper phase is talked about amongst reporters but not directly reported on. Examples: What members of Congress may be gay? Who could be under investigation by the FBI... and so on. No real serious journo will dive into something sans proof regarding the allegations. With that said I have to mention something that has been in whisper mode ever since Obama announced: Should there been concern regarding his safety.

Back in May 2007 news hit that Sen. Barack Obama had received a Secret Service detail. It was the earliest a candidate for the presidency had ever received it. I say hooray better safe than sorry. But it reminded me of something unrelated: Two other Senators (Patrick Leahy and Joe Lieberman) had been given extra security via the U.S. Capitol Police Dignatary Protection Unit previously. And why Leahy? Because he'd gotten a specific threat. A letter adressed to him (and Sen. Tom Daschle, who already had security as a result of his leadership post) and mailed to Capitol Hill contained anthrax. The logic follows: If Obama got it that early there must have been a threat. Before the Secret Service Obama had private security. Back in May of '07 the story hit fairly big but on a Friday and faded. The story then went away as no one would officially confirm the obvious: Obama had more than likely been threatened. Why do I bring it up? Because the issue of Obama's saftey has been something of a can in the undertow and people discuss it underbreath in the corner booth at Occidental Grill. As the crowds get larger I guess all I can say now is hooray for the Secret Service..

McCain Dials Down and Romney Wins Debate

Who advised John McCain to bring it down a notch for the Fox debate tonight? Who? Romney won and won easy. And with no real challenge put to him by JM and his crew he put Huckabee and pals on the ropes throughout the debate. At one point he turned moderator and was questions Huckabee on raising taxes. A brilliant but annoying move.

SALEM, N.H. - McCain was heckled by a group of AIDS activist today. Why I would love to know. Did he cut research funding? He handled the situation verbally and then his staff did physically.

Can Romney Beat Obama, Are We Already There?

BEDFORD, N.H. - Already people are speaking as if Obama has already won the nomination. Can he beat Romney? Can he beat McCain? With what looks like almost certain victory in South Carolina, Obama winning New Hampshire would put his Barack and roll at a trajectory that could flatten the Clinton campaign. What primaries would they win? Iowa is one thing, the oddball. But New Hampshire and South Carolina? One has to think she will win New York on Super Tuesday but what of California?

Johnny Get Angry

EDWARDS - DERRY, N.H. - The new Edwards is a site to see. Gone Baby gone is the Johnny we knew in 2004. Goodbye to the the relatively quiet Senator from North Carolina. No. This Johnny is on the spot with a boot in ass indictment of greedy corporations. Anyone who has seen his stump sppech gets the feel of a man who finally has unburdened himself. Confound it he's gonna say what he has always wanted to without looking at his shoes. I'm eager to see how the theme plays in New Hampshire and South Carolina. (Edwards in Derry tonite by lvb)

1115 AM - BILL CLINTON - BOW, N.H.

1115 AM - BILL CLINTON - BOW, N.H. - Bow High School, 32 White Rock Hill Road, Bow, NH. What a contrast it is for someone taking pictures professionally to go from a Huckabee event to a Clinton event. Huckabee event: Go wherever you like and take a picture. Clinton: I need you to stay in the press area. Huckabee: Photograph him coming off his bus, walking down a hall with wife and Chuck Norris. Clinton: You can only phot0graph him standing behind a podium in front of the campaign banner. Cut position? You need an escort. Yes you need someone to walk with you 20 feet. Not in North Korea, Cuba, or Russia. In America. Because the campaign will come to a halt if you were to actually break from propaganda protocol. So who might you think a member of the press might chose to cover? Someone who's staff is an unending riding pain in the ass or someone who runs a campaign and acts like they have actually read the first amendment to our constitution. Go ahead. Take a guess. And wonder why Sen. Obama has become the "media darling of the season. Wonder, wonder, wonder...

Anyone ever wonder why some of the pictures you see of politicians are so damn boring? I'll tell you: Because the photographers are forced to stay in positions designated by the campaign. (Above propaganda of President Clinton in Bow, NH by lvb)

Barack-Oprah. Huck-Chuck.

HUCKABEE - LONDONDERRY, N.H. - Barack-Oprah. Huck-Chuck. The photo is dangerous stuff, unscripted and impromptu. (Chuck, his wife Gena, and Huck in Londonderry)

Tag Team On Mitt Again

BEDFORD, N.H. - Mitt Romney is like the kid in class everyone hates for no reason. People want to simply find him on the playground and promptly kick his ass. What is it? The stiff personality and the over seriousness? He's sure as hell not alone on that one. Can anyone be too serious about the presidency? The fact that he was born on third base? So what he was born on third base - so was a McCain only for him it is the military and not the business world. What?

Once again during a debate we have John McCain and his crew going out after Romney, who, yes, is sort of a mix of a stiff-yet-cerebral-executive type. And Romney is crewless. No one stands up for him. No one. Not even the flip say anything Ron Paul or the folksy witty Huckabee. It was interesting to watch McCain buddy Fred Thompson sock it to Romney during the immigration back and fourth on McCain's behalf. The result is Romney having to take on the moderator AND the other candidates.

The problem for Romney is that he isn't good at fighting back. It wouldn't matter how many attack if he was good at fighting back. He's bad. Really bad. You can see it on his face and in his eyes: He has no ability to laugh to himself and dismiss a comment against him. Huckabee rocked him with two words said under breath. Two simple words, "which one." Romney glared, broke verbal stride and was clearly uncomfortable as he halted with no response. When Romney hits McCain up on amnesty what did McCain do? He smiles, put his head down as if to be enjoying an inside joke, and delivers a tsk tsk tsking laugh. Lastly, McCain fired back. Romney has no ability to do that. And in a campaign that seems to be favorable to those who have vim and personality vigor this is actually a huge problem for Romney. It speaks to inner personality and people might wonder: Do I want four years of this? (photo: Romney today in Derry/lvb)

What You Fear Becomes Larger

MANCHESTER, N.H. - I can't think of what I like hearing about more. That the self important windbag professional race baiter Bill O'Reilly was manhandled like a punk by a 6'8 Obama staff member (featuring the U.S. Secret Service backing his play) or that the Republicans had to sit for almost ten minutes during their debate and talk about Barack Obama. McCain says he doesn't have the national security experience. Mitt says he is an entitlement champion. On and on. Love it.

New Hampshire: Romney, Huckabee, Bill Clinton

845AM - ROMNEY - DERRY, N.H. - "Ask Mitt Anything," Town Hall, Pinkerton Academy, 5 Pinkerton St., Derry. Nothing if not consistent the Romney campaign, with the obvious threat of anihilation in tow, moves on. On with its battery of staff and its traveling press core. On with it's American flag perfectly placed behind its candidate and its perfect signs, slogans and mantras. At least I didn't hear yet another decision about his religion. What does play well for him is the whole, "toss the Mexicans outta here," theme. He uses it every time and it receives the biggest cheer everytime. Well I guess that's something McCain can't do.

1000AM - HUCKABEE - LONDONDERRY, N.H. - Londonderry Middle School Cafeteria (w Chuck Norris) 313 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry, NH. You have to ask yourself during a Mike Huckabee campaign event: Are we looking at -- with Chuck Norris by his side and a bass guitar at the ready -- our next president? I just don't know. Well only in America could it be the case that a young Senator two years into his first term could beat one of the most well know first ladies with one of the most well known political names in the business so why not this? Why not? Huckabee is definately a man of the people and the common folk and that is not to be forgotten as viewed through the stylings of his campaign. No real advance, no bus with his face on the side and fat slogan, no frills. A bus pulls in, looking kind of like a rock band tour bus, and that is that.

Notes on New Hampshire - FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2008

1230PM - OBAMA - CONCORD, N.H. - CONCORD RALLY, Concord High School, 170 Warren Street, Concord, NH: This event was Obama's second rally in New Hampshire since winning big and shocking the political world at the Iowa Caucuses. The event, as usual, featured an overflow crowd and a line that went down the street at a time when the temperature outside was 18 degrees. And oh did they wait. While the Secret Service did a sweep they waited a loooong time. That's one thing you don't see at any of the other rallies: people standing outside waiting to see someone in the cold for ridiculously long periods. I won't be at a Hillary event un til Sunday but it was reported to me that her rally earlier on this same morning wasn't as well attended as this Concord Rally -- the crowd was healthy but not as large as Barack's. Ironically the excitement directed towards him reminds me of the way people react to Bill Clinton. Same frenzy.

0600PM - MCCAIN - HUDSON, N.H. - New Hampshire Town Hall in Hudson, Hudson VFW Post 5791, 15 Bockes Road, HUDSON NH - This one I did a site survey on and left. It wasn't a total waste: The drive there featured a host of snowy beautiful winding roads that lead to a quaint VFW hall. The problem for me as a photographer was that the place was dark, the ceiling was low and it would have been difficult to make a good photo out of it. Having photographed McCain quite a lot on Capitol Hill I've come to realize that for various reasons he is not a particularly easy photo so it pays to photograph him when the light and the setting is right.

0700PM - ROMNEY - MANCHESTER, N.H. - Mitt Romney Holds a Manchester "Ask Mitt Anything, "Town Hall, William B. Cashin Community Center, 151 Douglas St., Manchester, NH 03103 - I left the McCain event to attend this one located quite close to my hotel. I have to say it: I don't think I have seen one Romney event yet where he HASN'T had to explain his religion in some way shape or form. Why he doesn't just bust out and say, "I'm tired of this s*** I have no clue. This evening's version was a woman asking him what he would do if he was faced with the conflict of agreeing with a candidates politics but disagreeing with their religious views. Gee, I wonder who she was thinking about? When the day comes where people question Bush's Christian views up against the light of his political ones (Thou Shalt Not Kill? Anyone ever heard of that?) I'll understand the questions Romney is fielding.

Bob Novak was Right

The Prince of Darkness predicted that Clinton would come in third place tonight and she did. Additionally the Des Moines Register and Zogby Polls were accurate. One thing is for sure, Hillary Clinton has to find a real message and a real reason why she is running for the Presidency of the United States.

Barack Obama Makes History

MANCHESTER, N.H. - Shirley Chisolm, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton. Barack Obama has done it. He has won the Iowa Caucus and not by just a little bit. He has won a 95% white state with no major minority population by a sizeable margin. Barackstar has made history. Let's see how he does in New Hampshire. He should do well in South Carolina.

The Probable Winner of N.H. Speaks

MANCHESTER, N.H. - In a backhanded slap to Willard Romney, McCain tells us that the lesson of the Iowa Caucuses is that negative campaigning doesn't work and that you can't buy an election. Hello.

Huck Comes Out of Nowhere and Beats Romney

MANCHESTER, NH - DC Media Girl reminds me that Pat Buchanan won Iowa. Good point. Looks like the big evangelical turnout voted against Mitt Romney and saw Mormonism as a huge issue. Looks like Barackstar will stay ahead of John Edwards and Hillary Clinton. (Yawn) See you in the morning Barackstar.

How Accurate is Des Moines Register Poll?

How accurate is the Des Moines Register poll? Click here.

Whoops, Edwards Bus Breaks Down

Apparantly in the middle of his "36-hours-straight-of-campaigning" tour John Edwards' bus had to pull over to the side of the rode and be abandoned. The good news is that this happened so late at night that no one appears to have any images of it... that have surfaced... yet.

While Fred and Rudy Do One Event a Day...

Does this guy really want to be our President or what? While others skip Iowa entirely or do one or two events a day in Florida this is what's going on in Johnnyland:

Core Supporter Visit with John Edwards
Jan 2, 2008
2:15 a.m.
Senator Edwards to visit core supporters and volunteers in Union County
The home of Union County co-coordinator and precinct captain Jan Knock
906 West Montgomery Street
Creston, Iowa

Pancake Breakfast with John Edwards
Jan 2, 2008
5:15 a.m.
Senator Edwards to attend a pancake breakfast for supporters and volunteers
The home of Deb Kury - Staging location for Get-Out-The-Caucus activities
502 South 12th Street
Centerville, Iowa

Imagine the Screams If Bill Did This at the End of a Hillary Interview

NYT-Gordon 01/02/08: Article regarding John Edwards saying he will have the troops out of Iraq in 10 months. "Elizabeth Edwards, his wife and political partner, who listened in on the interview from a seat across the aisle, intervened at the end of the session to underscore that Mr. Edwards did not intend to stop all training and was prepared to train Iraqi forces outside of the country. Mr. Edwards continued the theme while acknowledging that the benefits of such training would be limited."

Des Moines Register Poll Says Huckabee-Obama

And now with today's Des Moines Register poll EVERY candidate has been in the lead in a poll at least once. Clinton, Obama, Edwards have all been leading in at least one poll completed in the last ten days. Given that Black candidates almost always poll differently than reality, who knows what the results will be on the Democratic side. When Harold Ford polled closer to Bob Corker than the results on election day in Tennessee we learned the lesson all over again. With that in mind polls on the Democratic side will be difficult to trust. Is Obama going to be the first race transcending candidate? If it was to be anyone it would be him.

On the GOP side Huckabee in front by 6% is amazing to me particularly after the days of blundering. The only thing is, what the press focuses on as a blunder may not be seen the same way to the voters. He pulled a negative ad on Romney off the air yesterday, in a "take the high road," moment and then showed it to the press. This was a big moment to the press. But was it as is as a big of a moment for the voters? The more exciting spot on the GOP side is who will come in a #3. If John McCain does it would be a huge victory for someone how hardly campaigned in Iowa and who should win in New Hampshire.