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Politics : President Barack Obama -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Glenn Petersen who wrote (3142)	11/7/2007 8:11:42 AM
From: stockman_scott	Respond to of 149317

Night after Iowa pitch, Obama will 'Meet the Press' suntimes.com

To: Glenn Petersen who wrote (3142)	11/7/2007 2:06:37 PM
From: zeta1961	Read Replies (4) \| Respond to of 149317

These kinds of derogatory essays for this author's readership on the 'opposition' are important to be aware of. Thanks for posting it. Regarding McCain: The Albanian diaspora embedded in NYC since the 1960s is shifting its allegiance away from the Clintons to McCain, fwiw..we have a relative that is quite successful in real estate, lives in Chappaqua and has shmoozed with the Clintons over the years who is quietly supporting McCain..

To: Glenn Petersen who wrote (3142)	11/7/2007 7:09:04 PM
From: stockman_scott	Respond to of 149317

Barack Obama Sees Opening to Overtake Clinton in Iowa, 'Statistically Tied' in New Poll foxnews.com

To: Glenn Petersen who wrote (3142)	11/8/2007 12:31:57 PM
From: stockman_scott	Respond to of 149317

Barack Obama Sees Opening to Overtake Clinton in Iowa, 'Statistically Tied' in New Poll ______________________________________________________________ Thursday, November 08, 2007 Barack Obama greets members of the audience at a campaign stop in Bettendorf, Iowa, Wednesday. BETTENDORF, Iowa — Barack Obama insisted Wednesday that his support in Iowa is broadening and cast doubt on rival Hillary Clinton's ability to convince voters she can deliver the type of change he says his campaign represents. With recent polling showing the Democratic presidential candidate catching up to the frontrunner in the early-voting state, Obama is pressing the case that he has the policy proposals and broad appeal to attract voters interested in change. "There's no doubt that we represent the kind of change Senator Clinton can't deliver on. And part of it's generational," Obama told FOX News." Senator Clinton and others have been fighting some of the same fights since the '60s. It makes it very difficult for them to bring the country together to get things done. And I think that's what people hunger for." That approach appears to be paying off. A Zogby poll of 502 likely voters taken Tuesday showed Obama with 25 percent support, three points behind Clinton. The margin of error was 3 percent. By contrast, an American Research Group poll taken in Iowa between Oct. 26 and 29 of 600 likely voters put Clinton 10 points ahead of Obama, with 32 percent support. Clinton has lost footing in the polls ever since a debate last week in which she gave unclear answers on her position regarding a New York plan to give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. Related While Obama's campaign in Iowa kicked off with energetic support from younger voters, the Illinois senator said he now enjoys support from "all demographic groups." "We have grassroots support. That's the reason we're statistically tied. We've got the best organization on the ground," Obama said. "You can have all the establishment you want and all the Washington endorsements you want, but ultimately people are going to make a choice on who really cares about them and who has a track record for fighting for them." He added that voters are "tired of the tit for tat. They're tired of divisive politics. What they want is somebody who can unify the country, push back against the special interests and stand up for what they really believe in." On a three-day swing through southeastern Iowa, Obama has highlighted plans to give tax cuts to the middle class, reduce health care costs and strengthen retirement security, part of his so-called "American Dream" agenda. According to his plan, Obama would offset payroll taxes for average Americans and remove taxes on Social Security for retirees now making less than $50,000 a year. He wants to provide tax cuts up to $1,000 for working families, expand the Family and Medical Leave Act, create a fund to prevent foreclosures, reform bankruptcy laws and enroll workers in portable retirement accounts. In an indirect reference to Clinton, Obama told an audience Wednesday that his approach to lifting up the middle class isn't based on politics as usual. "This is what we must do to reclaim the American dream. We know it won't be easy. We'll hear from the can't-do, won't-do, won't-even-try crowd in Washington; the special interests and their lobbyists; the conventional thinking that says this country is just too divided to make progress. Well I'm not running for president to conform to this conventional thinking. I'm running to challenge it," he said. Clinton's campaign called Obama's middle-class plan simply rehash of his earlier policy platforms and noted that Obama voted against capping credit card interest rates in 2005, a position upheld by congressional Republicans. Fully aware of the gains Obama is making, Clinton just wrapped up a four-day swing in Iowa. She has also set out to hiring 100 new staff in Iowa and possibly doubling that army by election night on Jan. 3. Trying to widen the gap in Iowa, Clinton visited more than 30 cities this week to speak about her plan to increase biofuels production, achieve energy independence and create so-called "green" jobs. On the generational shot taken at Clinton, her spokesman, Phil Singer told FOX News: "I think Iowa caucus-goers would disagree with the idea that anyone over the age of 50 should be disqualified from serving in elected office." The studied Clinton response plays to the candidate's generational strengths as Clinton's supporter comes more consistently from older Iowans and a sizable number of baby boom women. These groups of voters tend to vote most predictably in caucuses and form the backbone of Clinton's pre-caucuses base. Even so, the vast majority of the crowds who attended Obama events in Bettendorf and Muscatine were middle-aged and older and even divided between men and women. David Axelrod, Obama's senior campaign adviser, said the Zogby data was consistent with internal campaign tracking polls. Axelrod said this was no time for victory laps. "We've never jumped up and down about polls, but what those numbers show is what we see on the ground." Axelrod said the Obama movement is not entirely driven by intense coverage of Clinton's up-and-down performance at last week's debate. "We've been moving steadily," Axelrod said. "Now, obviously the debate opened up some questions about Clinton and that's a matter the candidates have followed up on." Axelrod said the tightening of polls in New Hampshire underscores the campaign's ability to challenge Clinton on two fronts at the same time. "We're not putting all our eggs in the Iowa basket, we've got the resources to go to February 5th and we intend to go that far and farther." Axelrod said Obama will spend the majority of time between now and caucus night (Jan. 3) in Iowa. "For us exposure equals success," Axelrod said. "People here fundamentally get what he has to offer."

To: Glenn Petersen who wrote (3142)	11/8/2007 10:12:52 PM
From: stockman_scott	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 149317

Democrats blast Giuliani over Kerik newsday.com 9:33 PM EST, November 8, 2007 Bernard Kerik hadn't even been indicted when the Democratic National Committee hit "send" on a blistering e-mail Thursday that questioned Rudy Giuliani's relationship with the disgraced former police commissioner, calling the scandal "Kerik-gate." As news broke of Kerik's likely indictment Friday on federal charges, political analysts and former campaign strategists predicted that while Republicans may tread lightly on the issue, Democrats are likely to seize on the Kerik connection to undercut Giuilani's central campaign themes, leadership and security. "The Kerik indictment has the potential to be somewhat of a catalytic moment in the campaign," said Democratic strategist Jenny Backus. The indictment of Giuliani's former top cop "goes at his greatest strength and raises questions about it," she said. Kerik is expected to be indicted on corruption and tax evasion charges, accused of allowing mob-connected builders to renovate his Bronx apartment while they were seeking city contracts with the city. In 2004, Giuliani recommended Kerik for the post of Homeland Security chief, but Kerik withdrew his name after questions were raised about his past. Giuliani told ABC News Thursday he made a "mistake" by not sufficiently checking Kerik's background, and even compared Kerik to former President Richard Nixon as a person who had both triumphs and flaws. Nevertheless, Giuliani said that if voters look at his record as mayor, they will "say to themselves that if he makes the same balance of right decisions and incorrect decisions as president, the country will be in pretty good shape." Kerik's indictment raises the prospect of an ongoing criminal trial while Giuliani is campaigning for president. It's possible Giuliani himself could be called to testify if Kerik is charged with lying on his application for the homeland security post -- papers Giuliani Partners reportedly helped prepare. While Democrats are likely to hit the Kerik issue hard, Republicans may be more reluctant -- uneasy about beating up on "America's Mayor" and a fellow Republican. Instead, experts said, look for Giuliani's Republican opponents to take indirect swipes, stepping up mention of issues like "government corruption," for example. An internal Romney campaign memo leaked to the Boston Globe in February suggests his strategists considered Kerik one of Giuliani's top weaknesses. "They don't want to seem too negative within the primary context," said Jack Pitney, professor of government at of Claremont McKenna College in California, "though they may frame the issue in terms of questions: 'Why did Rudolph Giuliani hold Bernie Kerik so close for so long?'" For Democrats, the Kerik-Giuliani connection is an easy target. They say it has strong parallels to the loyalty President George W. Bush displayed for people like former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who remained in his post long after calls for him to step down.

To: Glenn Petersen who wrote (3142)	11/8/2007 10:56:49 PM
From: stockman_scott	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 149317

Speculation bubbles over Bloomberg White House bid ___________________________________________________________ Thu Nov 8, 2007 For a man who insists he is not running for president, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is the subject of much recent speculation. Newsweek's latest issue carries a cover story on the businessman-turned-mayor in which a top aide, Kevin Sheekey, refers to an independent Bloomberg presidential run: "If it happens, it's a billion-dollar campaign." The fact that Bloomberg is quoted in the same piece saying "I am not running for president" seemed to do little to calm the waters. Another news report analyzed his shifting answers -- moving from "I'm not running" to "I'm not a candidate" -- in television interviews over the past week. Bloomberg's propensity to elaborate on what he think is lacking among the current crop of presidential candidates also fuels speculation. So did his recent decision to leave the Republican Party to become an independent. Under one scenario, Bloomberg could jump into the race if Democrats and Republicans select nominees with high negative ratings in opinion polls -- namely Democratic New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a Republican. That could give Bloomberg, who has said he does not want to be a campaign spoiler or a vanity candidate, until Spring to decide. Political blogger Steve Benen, who writes The Carpetbagger Report, notes that Bloomberg adviser Sheekey has been talking up the candidacy for months while Bloomberg talks it down, and says Newsweek was the latest to run with the idea. "So what are we left with? An extremely long cover story about a candidate who isn't running, with no news to the contrary," he wrote. The self-made billionaire founded Bloomberg LP, a news and information company and a Reuters competitor, before running for mayor as a political novice in 2001. Now in his second term, he has proven popular, acting as a social liberal while keeping the city's economy on solid footing. A longtime Democrat, Bloomberg became a Republican to run for mayor in a less crowded field before the switch to independent in June 2007. (Reporting by Ellen Wulfhorst; Editing by David Alexander and Jackie Frank)

To: Glenn Petersen who wrote (3142)	11/9/2007 2:14:33 PM
From: stockman_scott	Respond to of 149317

Bill Clinton and Obama Agree: GOP Will Make Immigration an Issue _____________________________________________________________ By Dan Balz The Washington Post Posted at 12:28 PM ET on Nov 9, 2007 DES MOINES, Iowa--Barack Obama said publicly Thursday what many Democrats are fretting about privately these days, which is that the Republicans will be coming after them next year on the issue of immigration and they'd better get ready. Obama made that observation when my colleague Shailagh Murray and I asked him about immigration during an interview aboard his campaign bus in Iowa. "My estimation is that the Republicans will run on two issues, and two issues only," he said. "Terrorism and immigration. That is going to be their campaign." During two days of town hall meetings in southeast Iowa, before otherwise friendly audiences of Democrats, Obama was repeatedly challenged on immigration. The sense of frustration and anger about illegal immigration was evident at virtually every stop and it seemed a harbinger of what could be the Democrats most difficult challenge in 2008. Obama said Democrats must do two things. First, make "absolutely clear" that their party is determined to shut down the flow of illegal immigrants into the country, but, second, to do so in a way that shows the United States can be a "nation of laws and a nation of immigrants at the same time." Obama accused Republicans of trying to demagogue the issue but sounded wary about whether Democrats are equipped to counter GOP attacks. "There's no doubt there will be attempts made to hit whoever the Democratic nominee is on this issue. And we have to stand our ground and not be defensive." On this subject, Obama and former President Bill Clinton agree. The former president is known to believe that of all the issues likely to be at the forefront of the 2008 campaign, immigration holds the greatest potential peril for the Democrats. Like Obama he believes terrorism will be one of the other major issues Republicans use in 2008, but he is confident that the Democratic nominee, whether his wife Hillary Clinton or one or her current rivals, can neutralize it. Immigration is another story. "He thinks all their usual tricks aren't going to work this time but that the one scare tactic they can use is this," said one Democratic strategist. Which is why the former president was so upset with what happened at the Democratic debate in Philadelphia a week ago, when his wife was targeted with a question about whether she supports a New York plan to allow illegal immigrants to apply for drivers licenses. The Clinton campaign has chastised me for mischaracterizing some of the former president's recent remarks about this when he was in Nevada earlier this week. Two days ago I wrote that he had accused his wife's Democratic rivals of trying to do to her what the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth had done to John F. Kerry in 2004. Clinton advisers said he was doing nothing of the sort, that in fact he was warning Democrats not to let themselves be put in situations where they make themselves vulnerable to such attacks from Republicans in 2008. Because there was confusion about what he actually said in Las Vegas, the former president used a press availability with reporters in Chicago this week to explain what he really meant. Here's what he said: "It is a difficult, complicated and important issue," he said. "What I thought was not good was waiting until the very end [of the debate], when we were in the part where everybody was supposed to answer the question in 30 seconds, and then asking all the candidates to hold their hands up. Because I thought it made all the Democrats vulnerable to a Swift Boat kind of ad in the general election." A reporter asked Clinton "You're saying they were creating an opening for a Republican to do a Swift Boat ad later, not for another Democrat?" Clinton responded, "No, no, no. I thought it was fine. I thought that debate was fine. I thought everything, you know, I think it's legitimate to talk about illegal immigration. Legitimate to ask Hillary whether she supports what her governor does in New York about the licensing -- no, no, no. What I said was if you're going to discuss these things in a televised debate, they should have asked all the Democrats, like in the second section of the debate, where they'd all had time to give an answer and they could follow up and they could do that. That's all. I think that's the misunderstanding." Clinton said he has a hard and fast rule. "I don't criticize the other Democrats. I can disagree with them on the issues, but I want to keep our party together. I want us to win in November. And the thing I didn't like about the way that Mr. Russert [NBC's Tim Russert] asked the question was it was like setting them all up to be cartoonized. That's what I mean." Had I seen that transcript two days ago, I would have characterized his criticisms differently. At the same time, advisers to Hillary Clinton's rivals see what happened in that debate differently than does the former president. They do not regard Russert's question as unfair or impertinent or as giving Republicans an opening that doesn't already exist. They still believe she was asked a straightforward question about drivers licenses for illegal immigrants and muffed the question -- and they believe her husband was trying to make excuses for a poor performance. The broader point of all this is that Bill Clinton's concerns about thee potential power of the immigration issues to cause Democrats big problems in 2008 are understandable -- and generally shared by others in the party. Having listened to both Hillary Clinton and Obama answer tough questions on immigration from voters this week, it's clear there is almost no difference between the two of them on the overall topic. Neither can answer the question in 30 seconds or even two minutes. The Democratic position takes time to explain and includes plenty of qualifiers to soften the message that they favor providing a path to legal status for the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants now in the country. Hillary Clinton may have stumbled in the Philadelphia debate, but every Democratic running for president knows that tough questions will keep coming from the voters -- and the Republicans -- this year and next.

To: Glenn Petersen who wrote (3142)	11/9/2007 2:20:18 PM
From: stockman_scott	Respond to of 149317

Hagel Calls Giuliani & Clinton 'Cowboys' for Comments on Iran By Jeff Bliss Nov. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Rudy Giuliani and Hillary Clinton were ``recklessly irresponsible'' and acting like ``cowboys'' for rejecting calls for direct talks with Iran over its nuclear program, charged Senator Chuck Hagel, a top Republican lawmaker. Hagel, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee who supports talks, was critical of Giuliani, the top Republican contender, and Clinton, a New York senator and leader of the Democratic field, for lambasting presidential rival Barack Obama, who proposed such discussions. When world leaders ``hear leading presidential candidates talk like cowboys with the lowest common denominator being `I can be tougher than you, I'll go to war before you or we aren't going to talk to anybody,' that's recklessly irresponsible,'' Hagel said in an interview on Bloomberg Television's ``Political Capital with Al Hunt,'' scheduled to air today. Hagel, 61, also criticized Vice President Dick Cheney, who he said in recent speeches on Iran has sounded similar to his provocative comments against Iraq in 2002. ``Some in this administration are serious about that possibility'' of military action in Iran, Hagel said. ``We're over here sounding war calls,'' Hagel said. ``That's a very dangerous thing because it leads you into a cul-de-sac of war if you're not careful.'' Sitting down and talking to Iranian officials wouldn't be a sign of weakness, Hagel said. ``Great nations engage. What are we afraid of?'' he said. ``You shouldn't lead with the military option.'' Obama's Suggestion Clinton, 60, in July called Obama, 46, ``irresponsible'' and ``frankly naïve'' in supporting talks. Giuliani, in a Nov. 2 interview, called Obama, an Illinois senator, ``naïve'' for suggesting that Iran could be persuaded to stop its nuclear program through negotiations. Giuliani, 63, who's running on his record as New York mayor following the Sept. 11 attacks, has said that if he became president, he would never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. The United Nations and the U.S. want Iran to halt uranium enrichment that the West suspects is aimed at developing nuclear weapons. Iran, which has the world's second-largest oil and natural gas reserves, denies its effort has a military goal and says it wants the technology to generate electricity. Hagel, a Nebraska lawmaker, also urged the administration to continue talking with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who suspended the country's constitution Nov. 3. The Pakistani government will hold elections, and the U.S. should resist calls to cut off aid to the Asian nation, Hagel said. ``What we must continue to do is work quietly with Musharraf,'' he said. Hagel, who decided not to run for re-election next year and has ruled out a presidential bid, said he wouldn't endorse anyone in the Republican primary. Yet he said he may back a candidate from either political party or an independent in the general election. ``I will see what the options are,'' he said. To contact the reporter on this story: Jeff Bliss in Washington at jbliss@bloomberg.net Last Updated: November 9, 2007 13:34 EST