December 14, 2007
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Is Mike Huckabee the new Howard Dean? That's what one prominent conservative thinks, and he's warning his fellow Republicans not to nominate the former Arkansas governor. Rich Lowry, an editor of the conservative publication the National Review (which endorsed rival Mitt Romney this week), writes on the Republican Web site Townhall.com Friday that nominating Huckabee would amount to "an act of suicide" for the party. "Like Dean, Huckabee is an under-vetted former governor who is manifestly unprepared to be president of the United States," Lowry writes. "Like Dean, he is rising toward the top of polls in a crowded field based on his appeal to a particular niche of his party." "As with Dean, his vulnerabilities in a general election are so screamingly obvious that it's hard to believe that primary voters, once they focus seriously on their choice, will nominate him," he adds. Huckabee, an ordained Baptist minister, has gained ground in several key primary states largely due to his appeal to Republican evangelical voters. Recent polls have suggested he now holds a double-digit lead over Romney in Iowa, and is in front of Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson in South Carolina. And in the latest sign Huckabee's campaign is gaining serious momentum, veteran GOP strategist Ed Rollins — the architect of Ronald Reagan's 1984 landslide re-election victory — has signed on to help manage the operation. Not so fast, says Lowry. According to the conservative commentator, nominating a Baptist minister would turn one of the party's assets — its message of social conservatism — into a liability. "[A] Baptist pastor running on his religiosity would be rather overdoing it," he wrote. "Social conservatism has to be part of the Republican message, but it can't be the message in its entirety." In response to Lowry's column, campaign manager Chip Saltsman defended Huckabee's electability and record as governor. "Rich Lowry should know that four of the past five U.S. presidents have been governors, and all but Ronald Reagan were from the South," Saltsman said. "Mike Huckabee's candidacy is picking up steam because his optimistic, conservative message is resonating with voters who are looking for a leader with vision and experience. He has been elected four times for statewide office, twice as governor, in a Democratic-state because he places a premium on results, and that's what the American people are looking for." – CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
(CNN) – In this interview with Wolf Blitzer, CNN Headline News host Glenn Beck did not pull any punches in discussing his views of surging Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. “I think this guy is going to implode and, if he doesn’t implode, he gets the Republican nomination, I think the Republicans might as well just write it off,” Beck said on CNN’s The Situation Room Friday. Asked about the naming of Ed Rollins, who is credited with President Reagan’s landslide re-election, as Huckabee’s new national campaign chairman, Beck said, “I am so sick and tired of hearing people talk about how much they’re like Ronald Reagan.” “I wish people would be themselves, not Ronald Reagan,” he added. Beck also criticized Huckabee’s recent controversial comments about Mormonism, the religious faith Beck shares with Huckabee rival Mitt Romney. Watch Beck’s entire interview with Wolf Blitzer. Related video: Rollins on Huckabee –CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart
WASHINGTON (CNN) — The presidential nomination races in both parties remain unsettled less than three weeks before Iowa's caucuses when the first primary votes in the nation will be cast. In Friday's The Best Political Podcast Jessica Yellin reports on Sen. Hillary Clinton's, D New York, final push to make the case for her electability next November. A new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll of likely South Carolina voters shows a new Republican front-runner and a tightening race among Democrats. Dana Bash reports from the campaign trail in Iowa about the addition of a veteran GOP strategist as the Huckabee campaign's new national chairman and Special Correspondent Frank Sesno joins Wolf Blitzer in The Situation Room to take a closer look at a new campaign ad released by Sen. Barack Obama. Plus, a look back at this week's top moments in the 2008 presidential race in Jennifer Mikell's Trail Mix. Click here to subscribe to The Best Political Podcast –CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart
JAMES ISLAND, South Carolina (CNN) – Maybe there's a reason Sen. John McCain's been so nice to Mike Huckabee lately. It's increasingly clear that McCain's campaign is partially pinning its New Hampshire hopes on a Huckabee win in the Iowa caucus. If the former Arkansas governor defeats former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in the Hawkeye State, he could very well undercut Romney's long-held support in New Hampshire, allowing McCain to capitalize in the Jan. 8 primary his campaign considers a must-win. Don't think McCain wants an Iowa win by the former Arkansas governor? Just ask his campaign. Bobby Harrell, the South Carolina speaker of the House and one of McCain's state chairmen, offered this prediction on Friday night: "When Mike Huckabee wins Iowa, we then win New Hampshire," he said at a campaign event here. "[McCain's] doing great in Michigan, we win Michigan. He comes to South Carolina, we win South Carolina. Then we are off and running for the momentum that we need to make this happen." McCain's campaign also sent out an email Friday saying the veteran senator from Arizona "is best positioned to capitalize on a Romney defeat in Iowa – defeating him in New Hampshire, winning Michigan and South Carolina, and going on to sweep Florida and the Super Tuesday states."
WASHINGTON (CNN) — As Democrat Hillary Clinton appears to be lowering her expectations in Iowa, rival Barack Obama seems to be raising his. Speaking in Guttenberg, Iowa Friday night, Obama said, "Whoever wins this caucus is likely to win the nomination, and win the presidency." Earlier in Manchester, the Illinois senator told supporters, "We may just win this thing." Meanwhile, Clinton – whose autumn lead among Democratic voters in the state has disappeared — said at a press conference Friday morning that Iowa had always promised to be a difficult state for her to win. "I always knew it would be hard,” she said. “There’s no surprise about that. I don’t live in a neighboring state; I haven’t been here for years.” Obama represents the neighboring state of Illinois. John Edwards, who posted a surprisingly strong showing in the caucuses in 2004, has maintained a sizeable grassroots organization within the state. – CNN's Mike Roselli and Alexander Mooney
WASHINGTON (CNN) – Republican Mike Huckabee is questioning the Bush administration's policy on Iraq, criticizing what he calls the White House’s “arrogant bunker mentality.” “Much like a top high school student, if [the United States] is modest about its abilities and achievements, if it is generous in helping others, it is loved. But if it attempts to dominate others, it is despised,” he writes in the January/February issue of Foreign Affairs. In the magazine, published by the Council on Foreign Relations, Huckabee says the president did not call for enough troops during the invasion of Iraq, and disregarded the advice of Gen. Eric Shinseki, who said several hundred thousands troops would be needed. Huckabee also calls recent U.S. policy toward Pakistan a “setback” and a “waste” in the article, released Friday, and says that the United States “might be able to live with a contained Iran.” The former Arkansas governor has poked fun at his own lack of foreign policy experience, saying earlier this month that while his grasp of foreign policy might be thin, he “did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night." He faced criticism from campaign rivals last week for not being aware of an intelligence assessment released by the White House that said Iran had effectively ended its effort to create nuclear weapons in 2003 until he was informed of the report by journalists a day later. He told reporters he had been too busy on the trail to keep track of the development. – CNN’s Rebecca Sinderbrand
WASHINGTON (CNN) – Democrat Hillary Clinton publicly denounced a former top advisor's comments on Barack Obama's admission of past drug use Friday, the New York senator's first public remarks on the matter since the advisor announced he was resigning from the campaign. "As soon as I found out that one of my supporters and co-chairs in New Hampshire made a statement, asked a series of questions, I made it clear it was not authorized, it was in no way condoned, I didn't know about it, and he stepped down," Clinton said while campaigning in Iowa. Clinton was referring to her campaign’s New Hampshire co-chairman, Bill Shaheen, who told a Washington Post reporter Wednesday that Obama's chances of winning a general election would likely be hindered by his use of drugs as a young man. An Obama spokesman immediately called the comments "desperate," and Clinton's campaign soon issued a statement saying they had not authorized, and did not condone, the remarks. On Thursday afternoon, Shaheen announced he was resigning his post. Speaking Friday on Iowa Public Television, Clinton noted she personally apologized to Obama for the remarks, and said the "gentleman in question has stepped down." Clinton also emphasized that she did not intend to make Obama's onetime use of drugs an issue in the campaign. "There are a lot of differences between us, and those are the contrasts that should be drawn," she said. "I'm running a campaign about who I am, what I've done and that's what I'm going to stay focused on." Related video: Clinton aide resigns Earlier: Clinton adviser steps down after drug use comments – CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney WASHINGTON (CNN) — Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd said Friday he will follow through on threats to filibuster the FISA bill next week – and the Democratic contender is calling on three of his fellow presidential candidates to come back to Capitol Hill to support him, as promised. Dodd announced in October that he would oppose the measure over a provision that contained legal protection for the telecom industry from lawsuits over invasion of privacy if they allow the government access to individuals’ phone records. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced on the Senate floor Friday that the FISA renewal bill, which contains the controversial immunity provision, will be taken up this Monday. Dodd’s campaign immediately sent out an e-mail message to supporters in which they called on the other senators in the presidential hunt — Hillary Clinton of New York, Barack Obama of Illinois, and Joe Biden of Delaware – to leave Iowa behind to support Dodd’s filibuster effort, as they’d promised to do. “Remember when this all started playing out? A lot of people rushed to send out strongly worded press releases about how committed they were to "supporting a filibuster." They'll have a chance to show they are true to their word,” said Dodd staffer Tim Tagaris. “Call or email the Senators that pledged their opposition to this bill to support the Dodd Amendment and a filibuster if necessary. And ask them to be there with Dodd when it counts.” Biden, Clinton and Obama are all currently scheduled to be on the trail Monday, with less than three weeks to go until the Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses. – CNN’s Rebecca Sinderbrand
MANCHESTER, Iowa (CNN) — Speaking to supporters in Iowa Friday, Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama told supporters that “we might just win this thing.” Hillary Clinton had enjoyed an autumn lead in the Hawkeye State, but recent polls have shown she and Obama are now neck-and-neck among Democratic voters, with less than three weeks to go until the first-in-the-nation caucuses. "I have to say that although there were some doubters early on, it turns out that we might just win this thing,” said Obama. “We have the possibility of winning this thing." – CNN’s Mike Roselli
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty: Maybe President Bush should have turned Saddam Hussein into a pen pal. It looks like his recent letter to North Korea's Kim Jong Il might have been a strike of diplomacy. In that letter, addressed to "Mr. Chairman", the president said a "critical juncture" had been reached in the 6-party talks aimed at denuclearizing the Korean peninsula. He urged Pyongyang to follow through on the agreement and to declare and dismantle its nuclear weapons program. Well, North Korea came back with a verbal response today to Mr. Bush's letter. To read more and contribute to the Cafferty File discussion click here
(CNN) — John Edwards took a familiar element of his stump speech to the Iowa airwaves Friday. In the ad, titled “Voice”, the former North Carolina senator repeats the story of James Lowe, a man with a cleft palate who “had no voice for 50 years,” because he could not afford to pay for the operation that would allow him to speak, and did not have health insurance. “This is wrong. It is immoral,” says Edwards in the ad. “When are we going to stop letting drug companies, insurance companies and their lobbyists run this country?” The campaign began airing a similar spot in New Hampshire earlier this month. – CNN’s Rebecca Sinderbrand
WASHINGTON (CNN) – Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee announced Friday that veteran GOP strategist Ed Rollins will serve as his national campaign chairman and senior advisor. Rollins, considered by many the architect of Ronald Reagan's 1984 landslide election victory, said in a New Hampshire press conference Friday that Huckabee reminds him of the former Republican president more than any other current candidate. "There's a lot of people going around talking about the Reagan days, who's the next Reagan," he said. "I was with the old Reagan and I can promise you this man comes as close to anyone in filling those shoes." The longtime GOP strategist who worked in the Reagan White House, ran former Rep. Jack Kemp's 1988 White House run, and played a key role in Ross Perot's 1992 presidential bid also joked Huckabee's campaign is a "unique" one for him. "It's the only campaign I've ever been in where there's no donuts and no booze, so it's going to be a real struggle for me," he said. "But one of the good things is [Huckabee] can look at me every day and he can say, I am not going back to being a fat old guy like him, I am going to stay slim and keep jogging." – CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Democrat Hillary Clinton has lost her once-comfortable lead over rival Barack Obama in the crucial primary state of New Hampshire, according to a poll released Friday. In the new poll conducted by the Concord Monitor, Obama surpasses the New York senator by 1 percentage point: 32 percent to 31 percent. Meanwhile, John Edwards comes in a distant third with 15 percent support among likely Democratic voters, while Bill Richardson is fourth with 7 percent. Speaking to reporters in Iowa Friday, Clinton commented on several recent polls both in Iowa and New Hampshire that show she is tied with Obama. "I guess I've been in enough campaigns over a lot of years to know that there is no predictability and there certainly is no inevitability," she said. "You have to get out and work for every single vote. That's what I have always done. I don't know any other way to do it." Meanwhile, at a separate event in Iowa, Obama commented on his rise in the polls, saying, "people are receptive to this message of change." "I am confident in my ability to lead this country," he said. "And increasingly we are doing well. Not just here in Iowa but across the country." Obama's chances of success in the Granite State will likely hinge on how many independents show up at the polls. Unlike many states, New Hampshire allows unaffiliated voters to vote in either the Republican primary or the Democratic primary — an allowance that often can give a boost to candidates who are viewed as outside their party establishment. Of independent voters who are likely to vote in the Democratic primary, the poll shows Obama has a wide lead over Clinton, 40 percent to 23 percent. Meanwhile Clinton holds the lead over Obama when it comes to registered Democrats in the state, 36 percent to 27 percent. The poll also shows Obama is making inroads with women in the Granite State. The Illinois senator now edges out Clinton in that demographic, 34 percent to 32 percent. The poll carries a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. – CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
(CNN) — Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee leads a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll of South Carolina Republican primary voters released Friday. In today's Race to '08 audio podcast, CNN Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley talks with CNN Radio's John Lisk about Huckabee's rise to front-runner status in the key southern state. Listen to Crowley explain Huckabee's South Carolina surge, the role of Christian conservative voters in the state's Republican primary, the addition of a high-level Republican operative to Huckabee's presidential campaign, and whether Huckabee can continue his rise against a well-financed rival like Mitt Romney. – CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart WASHINGTON (CNN) – Hillary Clinton’s campaign announced Friday that she had picked up the support of Iowa Rep. Leonard Boswell, who pointed to her “strength and experience.” “The country cannot afford for the Democrats to lose another election. There’s too much at stake,” the six-term congressman said in a statement. “She’s the most qualified candidate and has the best chance at winning back the White House.” Half of Iowa’s Democratic congressional delegation has now publicly endorsed a candidate. Freshman Rep. Bruce Braley endorsed John Edwards earlier this month. Fellow freshman Rep. Dave Loebsack and Sen. Tom Harkin have yet to come out in favor of a presidential contender. Harkin’s wife Ruth announced earlier this year that she is supporting Clinton. – CNN’s Rebecca Sinderbrand
WASHINGTON (CNN) — A veteran Republican strategist considered by many the architect of Ronald Reagan's 1984 landslide election victory is set to take the helm of Mike Huckabee's surging presidential bid, CNN has learned. Ed Rollins — the longtime GOP strategist who worked in the Reagan White House, ran former Sen. Jack Kemp's 1988 White House run, and played a key role in Ross Perot's 1992 presidential bid — will be formally named Huckabee's national campaign chairman later Friday at an event in New Hampshire. Rollins told CNN's John King that over the last several months he has become "more and more impressed by the day" with Huckabee. "I had given up the profession and felt this was probably my last campaign and I wanted to help," Rollins said. "Mike is someone with great communications skills and a very approachable message and that is why you see his support growing not just in Iowa but across the country." Asked if he thought Huckabee — who currently holds leads in key early voting states in several recent polls — has the chance to win the nomination over more well-known and better funded candidates, Rollins said "the skill factor is certainly there." "There is a great outpouring of support by people who have seen him, and more and more by people who see him from afar and are impressed," he said. "The struggle now is to take it beyond Iowa and go nationally, and what you have is a growing candidacy, and I think I can help." Rollins also said his job will include building a broader campaign structure and recruiting more seasoned advisors with experience in running a national presidential campaign. Rollins is currently a regular contributor to CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight. – CNN's John King and Dana Bash
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Oprah Winfrey's recent campaign swing with Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama was greeted with wild cheers and record-breaking crowds. But some of the talk show host's fans aren't happy she's become politically outspoken, and many are sounding off on Oprah's Web site. "Oprah," says one, "count me as tuned out for now." Another writes, "It's a real turn off for a lot of your fans." And yet another says "She has crossed a line and lost my trust completely." But, what's especially interesting about reading Oprah's Web site is why some of those fans seem to be upset: the way she stumped for Obama, they say, seemed to pit white against black. "I've been inspired to believe that a new vision is possible for America," Back on Oprah's Web site, one commenter wrote, "Winfrey has artfully begun her stump speeches alongside Obama with a negative racial tone." And another commenter wrote, "Don't pit blacks against whites." Interviewed on ABC's Good Morning America Wednesday, Winfrey rejected the notion she is supporting Obama merely because he is black. "I get a little..I guess the word is 'offended,'" Winfrey said. "To think that I would be supporting someone just because of their skin would mean we haven't moved far from Dr. King's speech in 1963, where he said we should be judged by the content of our character not the color of their skin." In another interview, Winfrey told CNN that she weighed carefully whether she should get involved in politics, wondering whether she would "lose viewers as a result." "I made the decision that I have the right to do it as an American citizen," she said. Related video: Oprah hits 3 states for Obama Related video: Oprah's S.C. Obama pitch Related video: Obama: 'We're doing it' Related video: Jeanne Moos: Obama-Oprah soul – CNN's Carol Costello
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Not only is Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee surging in the polls, but the former Arkansas governor is also a rising star on the web, something the campaign is calling a "Huckaboom." Internet Reporter Abbi Tatton takes a look at MikeHuckabee.com, which for the first time has taken the lead as the most-visited candidate Web site. – CNN Associate Producer Eric Weisbrod
COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) – The first post-Oprah poll of likely Democratic voters in South Carolina shows a toss-up between Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama among African-Americans in the state, although they see Clinton as the most electable candidate next November. Clinton leads Obama by a statistically insignificant margin of 46 percent to 45 percent among black voters in the state, according to CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll conducted December 9 -12. (The sampling error for black voters is eight percent, a larger number than the four percent margin in the rest of the poll.) Former Sen. John Edwards comes in a distance third, with 5 percent. Obama has made significant gains among African-Americans since earlier this year, when Clinton was buoyed by her higher name recognition and Obama remained largely unknown. The Obama campaign has used their large grassroots organization and small community events in the state to register new voters and introduce Obama to African-Americans more familiar with Clinton. About half of South Carolina’s Democratic primary-goers are African-American. Black women, who were a clear target of the Oprah rally here last weekend, make up roughly 30 percent of primary voters. Black voters, asked which candidate has the right experience to be president, chose Clinton over Obama by an overwhelming margin of 72 to 17 percent. They also said, by a margin of 67 percent to 21 percent, that Clinton had the best chance of beating the Republican nominee next year. Obama won kudos for running a positive campaign: 42 percent of black primary voters said he spends the least time criticizing other candidates. That number was 24 percent for Clinton. Among white Democratic voters, 41 percent support Clinton, followed by Edwards and Obama, who claim 27 percent and 24 percent of the vote in the CNN poll. – CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby
WASHINGTON (CNN) – Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee surged to the top among Republican presidential candidates in South Carolina, while Sen. Hillary Clinton's lead over Sen. Barack Obama among Democrats narrowed since July in that state, according to a new poll. The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll of South Carolinians was released Friday Huckabee was the choice of 24 percent of South Carolina Republicans in the survey conducted by telephone between Dec. 9 and 12. When the same poll was conducted in July, Huckabee was in the lower tier with just 3 percent of support from registered GOP voters. Former Sen. Fred Thompson was second with 17 percent, slightly down from his previous 18 percent. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who led in July with 30 percent, dropped to a tie for third with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, both at 16 percent. Romney's showing was a major improvement of his 6 percent standing in the previous survey. The poll showed Sen. John McCain falling from 21 percent in July — the second highest — to a fifth place 13 percent now. Rep. Ron Paul's 11 percent for seventh was a major boost from the two percent registered by the July survey. The sampling error for the poll of Republican primary voters is 4 percent. The survey suggested that one of Huckabee's main strengths was his personality. For the latest, breaking political news, check for updates throughout the day at http://www.CNNPolitics.com. All Politics, all the time. Making news today: Huckabee surge hits South Carolina WASHINGTON (CNN) — There are crowded presidential primary fields, and then there’s South Carolina. There are six Republican candidates with double-digit support in the latest CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll including two, Mitt Romney and Ron Paul, who are up from single-digit showings in the last survey, conducted this summer. But one contender seems to be pulling away from the pack. Roughly one in four Palmetto State Republicans, 24 percent, say they support Mike Huckabee, up from 3 percent in the previous survey. Fred Thompson comes in second with 17 percent. Meanwhile, Rudy Giuliani’s support drops by roughly half since the last poll from 30 percent to 16 percent, tied with Mitt Romney. John McCain, who was second in the last survey, comes in fifth with 13 percent. Ron Paul pulls 11 percent. The Democratic race appears to be tightening a bit in this latest poll, taken after Oprah Winfrey’s weekend visit on behalf of Barack Obama. But the shape of the race is generally unchanged from the summer survey: Hillary Clinton leads the pack with 42 percent, Obama follows with 34 percent (up from 27 percent), and John Edwards comes in third with 16 percent. Full Story Meanwhile, most presidential contenders remain focused on the Hawkeye State, where Democratic candidates met Thursday for their final showdown before the caucuses take place three weeks from now. Few events this campaign season promised to provide more awkward moments than that debate. Clinton and Obama shared an Iowa stage just hours after she personally apologized for a statement made by one of her top Granite State advisors about Obama’s admitted past drug use. But the afternoon offered even fewer fireworks than the Republican debate that took place on the same stage just a day earlier. Much like in the GOP debate, the economy - which now tops the Iraq war as a concern of Democratic voters - proved to be the focus of much of the discussion. Clinton played to a major campaign asset - her husband - by seeding her answers with reminders of his presidential successes. As for Obama, the debate’s low-key vibe seemed to play to his strengths. But perhaps the real winner was Edwards, who has staked his candidacy on a strong showing in Iowa. A CNN focus group of undecided Hawkeye State voters overwhelmingly responded that Edwards came out on top at the end of the 90-minute debate. Many of these voters said he would get their vote if the caucuses were held today. – CNN Associate Political Editor Rebecca Sinderbrand *** Now you can take the Best Political Team with you anytime, anywhere. Subscribe to the “Best Political Podcast” for extensive coverage of the 2008 election. Best Political Podcast =============================================================== Political Hot Topics (Today's top political stories from news organizations across the country) Compiled by Lindsey Pope CNN Washington Bureau Des Moines Register: Upbeat Democrats' Theme: Who Can Most Credibly Usher In Change? Six major Democratic candidates for president varied on spending, energy and trade policy during The Des Moines Register’s debate Thursday, an upbeat final meeting of the candidates before Iowa’s leadoff nominating caucuses. New York Times’ The Caucus: Encouraging Students to Caucus When Iowans caucus on Jan. 3, the state’s college students will be spread far and wide on winter break. But some colleges are trying to make it easy for their students to give up home cooking for a few days and head back to campus early to help nominate the next president. CNN: Clinton Adviser Steps Down After Drug Use Comments One of Sen. Hillary Clinton's top advisers is stepping down after saying Sen. Barack Obama's admission of past drug use would hurt his chances in a general election match up. USA Today: Giuliani Shifts Tactics, Goes On Offensive Republican Rudy Giuliani's plan to absorb punishment in the party's early primaries and then strike back in primaries in delegate-rich states on Jan. 29 and Feb. 5 has hit a wall, political analysts and strategists say. New York Times: Biden Campaigning With Ease After Hardships Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware, a back-in-the-pack Democratic candidate for president, was answering a voter’s question last week about negative campaigning when he abruptly began talking about his first, euphoric run for the Senate, in 1972, and the personal tragedy that nearly destroyed his life afterward. New York Times: Apologies From the Heart (of Darkness?) But in the aftermath of the apologies, both the Clinton and Huckabee campaigns kept the original slurs alive through a series of interviews, raising questions about the sincerity of their apologies, especially in the heat of a wide-open campaign with the first voting less than three weeks away. The Hill: Rollins To Serve As Huckabee’s National Chairman Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee scored a major victory Thursday when he secured the support of prominent GOP insider Ed Rollins, who will serve as national chairman of Huckabee’s campaign. The Guardian: Huckabee Took Thousands In Gifts, Records Show A $1,000 pair of cufflinks from a supporter, tens of thousands of dollars of clothing from a wealthy Little Rock businessman and thousands in gift certificates and cash from staff and appointees were among the lavish gifts given to Republican presidential candidate and unexpected frontrunner Mike Huckabee while he was governor of Arkansas. Wall Street Journal: More Blacks Lean Toward Obama Barack Obama's rising poll numbers among white voters in Iowa and New Hampshire are having an unexpected ripple effect: Some black voters are switching their allegiance from Hillary Clinton and lining up behind him too. Washington Post: The Ghost of a Father Thoughts of his father "bubble up," as Barack Obama puts it in an interview, "at different moments, at any course of the day or week." "I think about him often," he says. He last saw his father in 1971, when he was 10 years old USA Today: Mccain Gaining In New Hampshire As his Republican rivals lock horns in Iowa, Sen. John McCain seems so little concerned with the state's caucuses that during a debate there Wednesday he mentioned he opposes ethanol subsidies, the federal payments beloved of Midwestern corn growers. New Hampshire Union-Leader: Bishop: Weigh Moral Issues In Vote Bishop John B. McCormack, in a pamphlet the Diocese of Manchester is distributing at masses this weekend, is calling on New Hampshire Catholics to remember church teaching when they cast their votes. Boston Globe: Some Voters Hear Body Language Of Candidates Clearly The talking heads gab about front-runners and wannabes, attacks made and deflected, answers carefully parsed. But when Newbury Street hairstylist Mario Russo watches the Democratic presidential debates, he looks at something different: body language. Washington Post: Poll Shows More Optimism on War A year after approval of President Bush's handling of the war in Iraq dipped to an all-time low, a new Washington Post-ABC News poll finds discontent toward the war easing slightly, with Republicans and independents significantly more positive about the situation than they were 12 months ago. CNN: Contempt Citations Recommended For Rove, Bolten Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee voted Thursday in favor of handing out contempt citations to a former and current White House official for failing to comply with subpoenas issued in the investigation into the firings of eight U.S. attorneys last year. =============================================================== On the Trail: Compiled by Lauren Kornreich and Katy Byron CNN Washington Bureau * Barack Obama continues his bus tour through Iowa with a meet and greet in Monticello and a roundtable in Cedar Rapids. Later, he meets with Iowans in Manchester and Guttenberg. * Mike Huckabee and Chuck Norris tour Elektrisola and speak with employees in Boscawen, New Hampshire. Later, they visit the New Hampshire Veterans' home in Tilton. * Hillary Clinton attends a campaign fundraiser at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. * Mitt Romney holds an "Ask Mitt Anything" town hall meeting in Carroll, Iowa. Later, he holds campaign events in Early and Storm Lake. * Chris Dodd tours PMX Industries with Sen. Tom Harkin and meets with employees in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Later, he delivers a speech at the Red, White, and Blue Dinner in Davenport. * John Edwards holds town hall meetings in Manchester and Elkader, Iowa. * John McCain meets with local residents at American Legion Post 147 in James Island, South Carolina. * Ron Paul meets with local Republicans at Red Lion Hotel and Casino in Elko, Nevada. * Bill Richardson participates in an AARP candidate forum in Concord, New Hampshire. Later, he holds town hall forums in Keene, Claremont, Hanover and Lebanon. * Joe Biden holds Caucus Countdown campaign events in Keokuk, Fort Madison and Burlington, Iowa. Later, he addresses the Democrats Red, White, and Blue Dinner at the Mississippi Valley Fair in Davenport. * Fred Thompson holds a press conference at Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory in Louisville, Kentucky. * The Senate Radio-Television Correspondents' Gallery Daybook * The House Radio-Television Correspondents' Gallery Daybook December 13, 2007
WASHINGTON (CNN) — The debating's now done in Iowa. Download Thursday's The Best Political Podcast for debate coverage from the Best Political Team on TV. Candy Crowley has highlights from Thursday's Democratic debate in the Hawkeye State and Brianna Keilar reports on what four of the Democratic presidential candidates did before the debate. CNN has a new poll on Congressional and presidential job approval. Bill Schneider explains how the public feels about Capitol Hill and the White House. Three weeks before Iowa's caucuses, Mitt Romney is conceding front runner status in the early state to rival Mike Huckabee. Dana Bash fact checks Romney's claims about Huckabee's record. Plus, a recap of the hottest stories on the Political Ticker. Watch Thursday's episode or subscribe so that The Best Political Podcast is automatically delivered to your iPod every evening. Click here to subscribe to The Best Political Podcast –CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (AP) — Republican Mike Huckabee's record on women's rights is coming under increased scrutiny, including his endorsement the Southern Baptist Convention stance that women should "graciously submit" to their husbands and his opposition to sending women into combat because of his "strong traditional view" of how women should be treated. Huckabee, an ordained Southern Baptist minister, defended his record Thursday, saying he appointed many women to high positions in state government and on his staff during his 101/2 years as Arkansas governor. "If you look at my cabinet, I had more women in my cabinet and on my staff in key positions, including chief of staff, than any other governor probably in Arkansas history," Huckabee said on ABC's "Good Morning America." Huckabee had been asked on the TV show about his support of the Baptist convention's statement of beliefs on marriage. The former Arkansas governor and his wife Janet signed a full-page ad in USA Today in support of the statement with 129 other evangelical leaders in 1998. "A wife is to submit graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ," the convention says in its statement of faith. Baptist Press reported that the 1998 ad was addressed to denomination leaders and said: "You are right because you called wives to graciously submit to their husband's sacrificial leadership." Huckabee has faced questions before over his support of the marriage statement, with a rival in his 1998 re-election campaign citing the statement and accusing Huckabee of opposing equal pay for women.
DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) — No slip-ups, no knockdowns, and no knockouts. That pretty sums up the last Democratic debate in Iowa before the January 3 caucuses. "With three weeks to go, at the last debate before the caucuses, you have never seen six such agreeable people," says CNN Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley. The candidates, Sens. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Chris Dodd, former Sen. John Edwards and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, were more or less in agreement on the economic and trade issues that dominated this debate. When they disagreed, it was over which candidate could best implement the Democratic agenda. While it was mostly a love fest, Clinton did get in the political shot of the afternoon. The senator from New York said "everybody on this stage has an idea about how to get change. Some believe you get change by demanding it. Some believe you get it by hoping for it. I believe you get it by working hard." That was an obvious blast at her two top rivals, Obama and Edwards, who have painted Clinton as a Washington insider incapable of implementing change. Clinton argues that her knowledge of how the system works makes her best to bring about change. "We heard the latest iteration of Clinton's message that she's a Washington insider and an agent for change. It's been a tricky argument to make," says CNN Political Reporter Jessica Yellin, adding "She seemed upbeat and confident today and for Clinton projecting that kind of optimism is as important as what she says." The other made-for-TV moment was a question to Obama about how he could bring about change, since he has so many Clinton administration advisors in his camp. That brought laughter from Clinton, until Obama responded, "Well, Hillary, I'm looking forward to you advising me as well." While the debate let voters know where the candidates stand on the issues, it will probably do little to alter the state of the Democratic race here in Iowa. It's still a three-way dog fight between Clinton, Obama and Edwards for the top spot in the polls. This debate may have been a love fest, but expect the gloves to once again come off in the remaining 21 days until the Iowa caucuses kick off the presidential primary voting. – CNN Deputy Political Editor Paul Steinhauser
JOHNSTON, Iowa (CNN) — In interviews conducted immediately after Thursday's Des Moines Register debate, most of the 23 undecided Democratic voters surveyed said they thought former Sen. John Edwards came out on top and said he would get their vote if the election were held today. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois placed second in a focus group conducted by CNN when asked who would get their vote, and Sen. Hillary Clinton was the third choice. Some of the 14 women and 9 men said they were swayed by Thursday's debate: – CNN's Mary Snow and Shirley Zilberstein
WASHINGTON (CNN) — A top advisor to Hillary Clinton has resigned his position with her campaign after suggesting rival Barack Obama's admission of drug use could hinder his chances of winning a general election matchup. Bill Shaheen, a co-chairman of Clinton's New Hampshire campaign, said in an issued statement, "I made a mistake and in light of what happened, I have made the personal decision that I will step down as the co-chair of the Hillary for President campaign." "This election is too important and we must all get back to electing the best qualified candidate who has the record of making change happen in this country," he added. "That candidate is Hillary Clinton.” Reacting to the news, Obama's chief campaign strategist David Axelrod told CNN's Jessica Yellin he thinks it was a "good decision." "I think what he did was beyond the pale," Axelrod said. "He injected something into the campaign that didn't belong. We didn't ask for him to resign. I think it was a good idea. Hopefully it will send a signal you can't do these kinds of things." "We believe the American people can sort out these issues and we weren't lying awake at nights worrying what Bill Shaheen said," Axelrod continued. "Maybe the Clinton campaign was." Earlier: Aide: Clinton apologizes to Obama
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Americans share a bleak view of the job performances both of President Bush and of congressional Democratic leadership, according to a CNN poll released Thursday. The president's approval rating in the poll, conducted Dec. 6 through Sunday by Opinion Research Corporation, was 32 percent, tying his all-time low rating from June. Sixty-six percent disapproved of how Bush is handling his job, the poll found, about equal to the 65 percent early last month. Only 15 percent said they approved "strongly" of how the president is handling his job, while nearly half, 49 percent, disapproved "strongly." Democratic leaders in Congress enjoyed an approval rating only narrowly higher than the president's, with 39 percent of poll respondents saying they approve of what the Democratic leaders in the House and Senate have done so far this year. More than half — 56 percent — disapproved, the poll found. Still, 53 percent of those polled said Democratic leadership is "good for the country," though that is down slightly from 58 percent in January, when when Democrats took control of Congress. The poll found that more than a third — 37 percent — said a Democratic-controlled Capitol Hill is "bad" for the country.
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty: What a year it's been. Here we are, a little more than a week to go before the Democratic-led Congress adjourns and they don't have a heck of a lot to show for themselves. First, House Democratic leaders caved into President Bush's spending limit on a massive domestic spending bill. Although they're vowing to shift funds away from the president's priorities to theirs, it still signals a big political victory for the White House. Next, what started out as an ambitious agenda a year ago has now been reduced to finger pointing between House and Senate Democrats. The Washington Post reports Congressman Charlie Rangel is accusing Senate Democratic leaders of developing "Stockholm syndrome" — that they're showing sympathy to their Republican captors and giving in on all sorts of legislation. To read more and contribute to the Cafferty File discussion click here
MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (CNN) — Rudy Giuliani debuted a new ad Thursday designed to assure primary voters in the Granite State that he will be tough on illegal immigration. In the 30-second spot, which comes less than a month before New Hampshire voters head to the polls, Giuliani says that it is possible to "end illegal immigration." He lays out his immigration plan, which involves completing a fence along the U.S.-Mexico border, providing new training for the border patrol, and creating a tamper-proof national I.D. card. Once immigrants attain citizenship, adds Giuliani, they will have to "read English, write English, speak English and understand American civics." Giuliani's ad launch comes a few days after a CNN/WMUR poll that puts him tied for second place with Arizona Sen. John McCain in New Hampshire, behind frontrunner Mitt Romney. –CNN New Hampshire Producer Sareena Dalla DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) — It’s been a mostly sedate debate so far, focused mainly on economic and fiscal issues, thanks to a format that doesn’t allow for much interaction between the candidates. That didn’t stop New York Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York from getting a shot in against her main rivals. "Well, everybody on this stage has an idea about how to get change,” said Clinton. “Some believe you get change by demanding it, some believe you get it by hoping for it. I believe you get it by working hard for change. That's what I've done my entire life. That's what I will do as president." Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois and former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina have both characterized Clinton as a Washington insider incapable of bringing about change. Meanwhile, Clinton – who has spent more time in Washington than either man — has stumped on the theme is that you can only bring about change by knowing how the system works. – CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) — It’s the economy, stupid. Call it déjà vu all over again: it’s primary season, there’s a Clinton in a tough primary fight – and the catchphrase from Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign is back. A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll out this week found that the economy seems to be the number one presidential campaign issue among Democratic primary voters. So naturally, the Democratic debate here in Iowa just kicked off with an economic question. The moderator, Des Moines Register editor Carolyn Washburn, asked “would it be a priority of your administration to balance the federal budget every year?” That’s a far cry from Democratic presidential debates held earlier this year, when the Iraq war was usually the first issue on the agenda. –CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee voted Thursday in favor of handing out contempt citations to a former and current White House official for failing to comply with subpoenas issued in the investigation into the firings of eight U.S. attorneys last year. The committee voted 11-7 to cite White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten for refusing to hand over documents related to the firings and to cite former White House adviser Karl Rove for refusing to testify and hand over internal documents. The recommendation will move to the Senate floor for a vote. A White House spokesman dismissed the initiative as "politics." The move marks the first time the Senate committee has voted for a contempt of Congress citation against anyone in the investigation into the firings. The House Judiciary Committee voted in July to recommend that Congress issue contempt citations to Bolten and former White House counsel Harriet Myers. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, ruled last month that Bolten and Rove must testify before the panel and produce documents related to the firings. DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) – Most polls indicate that Democrats are more energized than Republicans about the 2008 election and their current crop of White House hopefuls. And if the crowds outside the debate site here at the Maytag Auditorium in suburban Des Moines are any indication, those polls are correct. An unofficial count shows that there are far more supporters of the various Democratic candidates outside in the snow today than there were for their That’s the show outside as the last Democratic presidential debate in Iowa before the January 3 caucuses gets underway inside.
–CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser
WASHINGTON (CNN) – Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton personally apologized Thursday to rival Barack Obama for an adviser's comment that Republicans will likely make an issue of Obama's past drug use, a Clinton aide tells CNN's Candy Crowley. In an exclusive interview with Obama earlier Thursday, the Illinois Democrat brushed aside the comments. "I just think people are feeling a little worried about the polls," Obama told CNN’s Ted Barrett before a Senate vote on Capitol Hill. On Wednesday Bill Shaheen, a chairman of the New York senator’s campaign in New Hampshire, told a Washington Post reporter the Republicans will likely exploit Obama's past admission of drug use should the Illinois senator win the party's nomination, and may even suggest Obama once dealt drugs. – CNN's Ted Barrett, Candy Crowley, and Alexander Mooney
NEW YORK (AP) — The Rev. Al Sharpton on Thursday angrily denounced reports of an investigation into his 2004 presidential bid and suggested that federal authorities were retaliating against him for his civil rights advocacy. "I have probably been under every investigation known to man and I can't remember a time that I've not been under investigation," Sharpton said at the Harlem headquarters of his civil rights organization. He continued: "The issues raised are issues that we've learned over and over again, particularly when we are approaching an election season." Newspapers reported Thursday that federal authorities subpoenaed financial records and employees in an apparent probe of his presidential bid, nonprofit civil rights group and for-profit businesses.
WASHINGTON (CNN) — A top advisor to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign apologized late Wednesday night for suggesting Republicans will likely seize on rival Barack Obama's admission of drug use should the Illinois senator win the Democratic nomination. "I deeply regret the comments I made today and they were not authorized by the campaign in any way," Bill Shaheen, the New Hampshire chairman of Clinton's campaign, said in a statement. Shaheen, the husband of former New Hampshire governor Jeanne Shaheen, caused an uproar Wednesday afternoon when he told a Washington Post reporter he thinks Obama's chances of winning a general election matchup are seriously hindered by the fact he has admitted to using marijuana and cocaine. "The Republicans are not going to give up without a fight … and one of the things they're certainly going to jump on is his drug use," he said. "It'll be, 'When was the last time? Did you ever give drugs to anyone? Did you sell them to anyone?' There are so many openings for Republican dirty tricks. It's hard to overcome." The comments were immediately called "desperate" by Obama's campaign spokesman David Plouffe. “Sen. Clinton’s campaign is recycling old news that Barack Obama has been candid about in a book he wrote years ago, and he’s talked about the lessons he’s learned from these mistakes with young people all across the country," said Plouffe. Meanwhile, Clinton campaign spokesman Phil Singer said the campaign did not authorize or condone the remarks. "Sen. Clinton is out every day talking about the issues that matter to the American people," he said. The latest back-and-forth between the two campaigns on the issue of Obama's electability came the same day a new CNN/WMUR poll showed the two candidates statistically locked in a dead heat in New Hampshire. Clinton stands at 31 percent, with Obama just 1 percentage point behind – a statistical tie, given the poll's margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points. – CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
WASHINGTON (CNN) — The inspector-general of the House of Representatives will investigate recent allegations of sexual misconduct among congressional pages, the Democratic and Republican leaders of the chamber announced. Two pages — usually high school juniors who serve Congress as messengers — have been dismissed for allegedly having oral sex in public areas of their Capitol Hill dormitory. "It wasn't kissing and hugging — let me put it that way," said Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Florida, last week. "It did go beyond that. There were not only a young male and female involved, but there were also observers and other page participants who were, let's say, enablers."
WASHINGTON (CNN) — The presidential race in Iowa is in its final stretch, but four Democratic candidates plan on leaving the Hawkeye State Thursday morning to attend to their day jobs. Sens. Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, and Barack Obama all plan to make the trip back to Capitol Hill for a Senate farm bill vote, and a procedural vote on an energy bill, aides to the senators tell CNN’s Jessica Yellin. While the candidates are being diverted from the campaign trail, these are can’t miss votes for the presidential candidates. One deals with commodity payments to farmers — a big issue in Iowa — and the other calls for capping carbon emissions on automobiles — a popular proposal with the Democratic base. But in a bit of irony, after presumably voting to lower carbon emissions, each of the candidates are chartering their own plane back to Iowa to make a Democratic debate at 2 p.m. ET. Why aren't the candidates sharing planes? Two campaigns tell CNN there was talk of ride-sharing, but it didn't work out in the end. Meanwhile, one campaign says they were turned down by another campaign when the proposition was raised. And another campaign said there were concerns that ride-sharing would possibly break new Senate ethics rules. Most likely though, the candidates want a little private time to prepare for the upcoming debate. – CNN's Jessica Yellin and Alexander Mooney
DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) – Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney will be endorsed by Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman, CNN has learned. "In his campaign for the presidency, Mitt Romney has outlined the clearest vision to move our country forward,” Heineman says in a statement provided to CNN by the Romney campaign. Nebraska borders the first caucus state of Iowa, and several western Iowa cities and towns critical for Republicans fall into the Omaha, Nebraska media market. "Governor Heineman understands that our party is strong when we stand for a strong defense, strong economy and strong families,” Romney says in the statement given to CNN. “Through conservative principles, Governor Heineman is making Nebraska a better place to live, work and raise a family. I look forward to working with him as we advance our strategy for a stronger America." Heineman was elected governor just two years ago. Romney’s campaign is highlighting the fact that he has already passed “the largest tax relief package in the history of the state.” Romney was once the clear frontrunner in Iowa, but several statewide polls show that he is now trailing rival Mike Huckabee. – CNN Correspondent Dana Bash
WASHINGTON (CNN) — A high-ranking advisor to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign said Wednesday that rival Barack Obama's public admission that he has used cocaine and marijuana could seriously hinder the Illinois senator’s chances of winning a general election matchup. The comments were immediately called "desperate" by Obama's campaign. Meanwhile, Clinton spokesman Phil Singer said "the comments were not authorized or condoned by the campaign in any way." Speaking to a Washington Post reporter in Dover, New Hampshire, Bill Shaheen — a co-chairman of the New York senator's campaign in the Granite State — said he expects Republicans will "jump on" Obama's remarks should he become the nominee. "The Republicans are not going to give up without a fight … and one of the things they're certainly going to jump on is his drug use," Shaheen said. "It'll be, 'When was the last time? Did you ever give drugs to anyone? Did you sell them to anyone?'" "There are so many openings for Republican dirty tricks. It's hard to overcome," he added. Obama spokesman David Plouffe said Wednesday afternoon that Shaheen’s comments were "an increasingly desperate effort to slow [Clinton's] slide in the polls." "Sen. Clinton’s campaign is recycling old news that Barack Obama has been candid about in a book he wrote years ago, and he’s talked about the lessons he’s learned from these mistakes with young people all across the country," said Plouffe. In addition to saying the campaign did not approve of the remarks, Clinton's spokesman added, "Sen. Clinton is out every day talking about the issues that matter to the American people." In Obama's 1995 book Dreams of My Father — a book that was little read at the time, but recently reprinted — the future presidential candidate writes he was once headed in the direction of a "junkie" and a "pothead." Referring to his emotional struggles as a young man, Obama writes, "Pot had helped, and booze; maybe a little blow when you could afford it. Not smack, though." The latest back-and-forth between the two campaigns on the issue of Obama's electability came the same day a new CNN/WMUR poll showed the two candidates statistically locked in a dead heat in New Hampshire. Clinton stands at 31 percent, with Obama just 1 percentage point behind – a statistical tie, given the poll's margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points. UPDATE: Shaheen issued the following statement Wednesday night: "I deeply regret the comments I made today and they were not authorized by the campaign in any way." – CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney For the latest, breaking political news, check for updates throughout the day at http://www.CNNPolitics.com. All Politics, all the time. Making news today: Brutal GOP campaign takes a breather WASHINGTON (CNN) — Maybe it was the midday start time. Maybe it was the holiday season. But Wednesday’s Republican presidential debate lacked the brutal street-fighting tone that has characterized their previous meetings, as well as the past few days on the trail in Iowa. With the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses roughly three weeks away, it was the moderator, and not the candidates who came under fire at this last Republican debate. Fred Thompson rebelled against debate guidelines laid out by Des Moines Register Editor Carolyn Washburn – his campaign even kept up the assault after the debate. Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton, who has been a top target in most of the recent GOP debates, didn’t rate a single mention – that distinction went to the nation’s tax system, as each of the candidates pledged to slash taxes and government spending. The man on stage who provided the biggest fireworks was perennial candidate Alan Keyes. The former ambassador and three-time presidential contender tangled with Washburn, injecting himself into exchange after exchange. In fact, much of the GOP debate seemed to belong to second-tier candidates like Duncan Hunter, Tancredo, Paul and Keyes. That scenario won’t play out Thursday — underdogs Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel have not been included in the Democratic debate. Full Story In other news: Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney will be endorsed by Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman, CNN’s Dana Bash has learned. Full Story And while the presidential race in Iowa is in its final stretch, four Democratic candidates plan on leaving the Hawkeye state Thursday morning to tend to their day jobs. Sens. Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, and Barack Obama, all plan to make the trip back to Capitol Hill for a Senate farm bill vote and a cloture vote on an energy bill, aides to the senators tell CNN’s Jessica Yellin. Full Story – CNN Associate Political Editor Rebecca Sinderbrand *** Now you can take the Best Political Team with you anytime, anywhere. Subscribe to the “Best Political Podcast” for extensive coverage of the 2008 election. Best Political Podcast =============================================================== Political Hot Topics Compiled by Lindsey Pope New York Times: Final Debate Before Iowa Caucuses Shows Uncertainty at Top of Republican Field Washington Post: In a Lifeless Debate, Vows of a Spirited Sprint Des Moines Register: Basu: Does Huckabee Sound Too Liberal To Rally GOP? NY Sun: McCain Touts Bloomberg on Education LA Times: Controversy Dwarfs GOP Debate Boston Globe: New Dynamics Of Race Reinforced, But No Big Winner Boston Globe: Obama Closes In On Clinton In N.H. Polls New Hampshire Union-Leader: John DiStaso's Granite Status: No firewall in NH for Hillary Des Moines Register: Why Kucinich Isn't In The Democratic Debate Wall Street Journal: Looking for Lessons in 2006 Election Data New York Times: Clinton Aide Sees Problem for Obama Washington Post: In Iowa, a Scrambling Lesson for Clinton Boston Globe: Bill Can't Win It For Hillary New York Times’ The Caucus: Clinton May End Relationship With Burkle Firm Washington Post: A Family Duty Politico: HRC Troubles May Pose Problem For Giuliani Chicago Tribune’s The Swamp: First Oprah, Next Gayle King Boston Globe: Obama Slams Employee Mishap, Again USA Today: Edwards Banks On Veteran Caucusgoers To Pull Off Iowa LA Times: Putting Words In Obama's Mouth Roll Call Opinion: Is Mike Huckabee the None of the Above Candidate? DC Examiner: Bill Subs for Hill at NJ Fundraiser New York Times: Immigration, and Its Politics, Shake Rural Iowa The Daily Telegraph: Ron Paul Leads Republicans Online NY Daily News: Rudy Giuliani on Awkward Moments List Washington Post: Misreading the Iran Report By Henry Kissinger Roll Call: Poll: Landrieu’s Race Near Even Washington Post: Democrats Blaming Each Other For Failures The Hill: Boehner, Pelosi Seek IG Action On Page Program NY Daily News: Subpoenas for Al Sharpton's Aides Boston Globe: Gonzales is lawyer of the year, says ABA Journal On the Trail: Compiled by Lauren Kornreich and Katy Byron * The Democratic presidential candidates participate in a debate sponsored by the Des Moines Register and Iowa Public Television in Johnston, Iowa * Mitt Romney holds a "Strategy for a Stronger America: Strengthening America's Economy" event in Muscatine, Iowa. Later, he attends the grand opening of his Bettendorf campaign office. * Ron Paul meets with Republican supporters at Eagles Hall in Fallon, Nevada. * Hillary Clinton attends a rally at the Shenandoah Fire Department in Shenandoah, Iowa. * Chris Dodd attends a campaign event at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. Later, he goes to a chili dinner and fundraiser in Story City. * John Edwards holds a community meeting in Indianola, Iowa. * John McCain holds town hall meetings in Sioux City and Davenport, Iowa. * Barack Obama kicks off a tour through Iowa with a town hall meeting at Grand River Center in Dubuque. Later, he holds another town hall at Ohnward Fine Arts Center in Maquoketa. * Joe Biden addresses a Polk County Democrats meeting in Des Moines, Iowa. * The Senate Radio-Television Correspondents' Gallery Daybook * The House Radio-Television Correspondents' Gallery Daybook December 12, 2007
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Did you miss Wednesday’s afternoon GOP debate in Iowa? No problem, we've got you covered. Just download the latest episode of The Best Political Podcast and let the Best Political Team on TV catch you up. John King covers the debate, Bill Schneider breaks down the latest CNN poll numbers out of New Hampshire — you may be surprised by the results — Mike Huckabee has an apology to share with Wolf Blitzer, and Candy Crowley looks ahead to Thursday’s Democratic debate in Iowa. Plus, we take a look at the hottest stories percolating on the Political Ticker. Watch an episode, or better yet, take a load off your mind, and subscribe — then the podcast will automatically get delivered to your iPod every evening. Click here to subscribe to The Best Political Podcast –CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Democrat Hillary Clinton’s campaign chairman dismissed newspaper stories that described massive discord among her advisers as “distractions” Wednesday — though he did not address reports that aides are upset with former President Bill Clinton’s recent outspokenness on the campaign trail. Terry McAuliffe was responding to a story in Wednesday’s New York Daily News that described the campaign in disarray. In the account, the New York senator’s husband, former President Bill Clinton, is described as "very engaged and very agitated,” according to an anonymous Democrat quoted in the piece, who added, that Clinton was yelling at [chief strategist] Mark Penn a lot." The report quoted other supporters who criticized recent Clinton campaign ads, saying they lacked focus. In a statement e-mailed to reporters, McAuliffe said Clinton had assembled an “outstanding team” that “remains focused on winning votes,” adding that “the President is thrilled to be helping his wife.” He did not address any of the issues raised or incidents described in the piece. The story follows several similar reports in recent weeks, including an account by Al Hunt of Bloomberg News that described the former president as “bouncing off the walls at the campaign's ineptitude in the past few weeks.” The same article said that campaign officials were “privately furious” at him for remarks he made about his opposition to the Iraq war. – CNN Associate Editor Rebecca Sinderbrand
WASHINGTON (CNN) – Offering rare public comments on his past problems with alcohol, President Bush told an interviewer Tuesday that he had never been a "knee-walking drunk," but that "I doubt I'd be standing here if I hadn't quit drinking whiskey, and beer, and wine and all that." Bush has previously said he often drank too much as a young man, and that he quit drinking in 1986 after overindulging on his 40th birthday. Shortly before the 2000 presidential election, news surfaced he was arrested in 1976 for driving under the influence of alcohol near his parents' home in Kennebunkport, Maine. “Alcohol can compete with your affections. It sure did in my case — affections with your family, or affections for exercise,” Bush told the ABC News interviewer Tuesday. "It was the competition that I decided just wasn't worth it.” The president also maintained he has not had a drink of alcohol in 21 years since he quit, and said he's a "better man for it."
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Republican Mike Huckabee told CNN Wednesday he personally apologized to rival Mitt Romney for comments he made in an upcoming New York Times Magazine article that appear to disparage the Mormon faith. "After the debate today I went to Mitt Romney and apologized to him. I said, I would never try, ever to try to somehow pick out some point of your faith and make it an issue, and I wouldn't," Huckabee told CNN's Wolf Blitzer. "I've stayed away from talking about Mitt Romney's faith. I told him face-to-face, I said I don't think your being a Mormon ought to make you more or less qualified for being a president." Asked how Romney responded to the apology, Huckabee said the Massachusetts Republican was “gracious.” The comments in question come in a New York Times Magazine profile — a preview of which was posted on the paper's Web site Wednesday morning. In the article, reporter Zev Chafets asked Huckabee whether he thought Mormonism was a religion or a cult, and the former Arkansas governor responds with a question: "Don't Mormons believe that Jesus and the devil are brothers?" Huckabee, a former Baptist minister, said he thought it was the former but conceded he doesn't "know much about it." Romney, a Huckabee rival for the 2008 GOP nomination, is a member of the Mormon church, officially known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. – CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty: In the beginning it was a juggernaut. The caucuses and primaries were seen as little more than an inconvenience on the road to Hillary Clinton becoming the first woman president of the United States. But something bad is happening on the yellow brick road. At one time Clinton had a 6 point lead over Barack Obama in Iowa. Today, Obama is ahead by 3 points. In New Hampshire, Clinton had a 19 point lead earlier this fall. As of today, that's gone. In fact, Barack Obama is statistically tied with her according to a new "CNN/WMUR New Hampshire Presidential Primary Poll Conducted by The University of New Hampshire." It's hard to tell exactly when things began to unravel. To read more and contribute to the Cafferty File discussion click here
WASHINGTON (CNN) — A familiar campaign figure is on stage in Johnston with the rest of the Republican field for the first time this year. Former Ambassador Alan Keyes may be making his major debate debut this cycle at the Des Moines Register/Iowa Public Television debate, but this is the third presidential run for the veteran campaigner, who has also made three unsuccessful bids for the U.S. Senate. Keyes may barely register in most recent surveys of Iowa primary voters, but he meets the criteria laid out by debate organizers: he registered at least 1 percent in October’s Des Moines Register poll, he has filed an official FEC statement of candidacy, and he hired an Iowa campaign staffer and opened an Iowa campaign office as of October 1. Keyes did participate in a September Republican debate that was skipped by the leading GOP contenders. On the Democratic side, underdog contenders like Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel are both out of luck – they will not be included in Thursday’s Democratic debate. (Kucinich was disqualified because his Iowa field director works out of his home.) — CNN’s Rebecca Sinderbrand JOHNSTON, Iowa (CNN) — As the candidates face off in the debate hall at the Maytag Auditorium in suburban Des Moines, the national political media is watching and reporting on all the action from a media filing center just a few rooms away. And it’s close quarters. There are far too many reporters, producers, writers and camera operators in a room way too small to hold the crowd. And this media filing center also doubles as a live shot location for our CNN reporters and correspondents from other networks. The space is also being used as a spin room as well. It’s the smallest debate media filing center space we’ve been in to date, and we’ve been at a record number of presidential debates this year. It may be cold outside, here in media center, as we sit on top of each other, it’s quite cozy. – CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser |
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