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West Virginia Primary Results: Clinton Romps
2008-05-14 01:37:00 West Virginia voters head to the polls today and Hillary Clinton is expected to dominate the state's primary. Will her victory tonight be big enough to change the dynamics of this race or will it be seen as too little, too late?As always, we'll be updating this post as we go tonight, so be sure to refresh your browser. Our live commentary on the contests can be found below.West Virginia (84% Reporting)Hillary Clinton 67%Barack Obama 26%West Virginia offers Democrats 28 delegates. Notes[6:39PM CST] As expected, Clinton has been declared the winner in West Virginia already. Some supporters were suggesting she could bring in as much as 90%. While that seems like expectations gone wild, a romp is no doubt in the works. What margin of victory does she need to change the thinking that this race is over? Will any margin of victory do that? I tend to think this is all too little, too late, despite the Clinton camp's best efforts over the past week to play up West Virginia's import... More About: Congress , West Virginia , Results
A Victory For Omaha
2008-05-13 08:06:00 As some of you may know, I live in Omaha , and I'd like to touch on a local issue in this post. The city just reached an agreement with the NCAA to keep the College World Series in Omaha for 25 more years. This contract is huge victory for the city, baseball fans, and Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey. The Series has spent 57 consecutive years in the city and the new arrangement will keep it here through 2035.Fahey has faced serious criticism (including a failed recall effort) over the past year while pushing for a new stadium to entice the NCAA into a long term deal. In the end, it seems his foresight has paid off for Omaha and he should be applauded for doing what was necessary to keep the Series. While I will be sad to see Rosenblatt Stadium--the home of the Series since it came to Omaha in 1950--go, the new stadium plan was certainly critical to the new deal. A number of other cities, with newer, fancier parks and attractions, were vying for NCAA attention--no other NCAA championship... More About: Victory
Ad Wars: McCain Seeks The Center
2008-05-13 06:12:00 Check out our entire video library at Political Realm TV.John McCainThe McCain campaign has released another general election ad, this one to air in Oregon, a state they very much hope to put in play in November. In the ad, "A Better Way," McCain seeks to own the middle ground on the environment, decrying the extremists on both sides. The ad affords McCain a break with the policies of President Bush and the Republican Party, which will be a necessary tactic to expand his electoral options (Oregon has gone narrowly to Democrats the last two cycles). But beyond acknowledging the existence of global warming, McCain's break with his party seems relatively superficial or at least unsubstantiated. For some, the symbolism of reaching across the aisle (artificial or otherwise) may be enough, but until McCain offers more specifics, his reach may be limited.Barack Obama MoveOn.org will begin airing a new ad supporting Obama on national cable and it local markets in the battleground states... More About: Climate Change , Wars
The Links: West Virginia's Impact
2008-05-13 05:44:00 Served fresh (almost) daily...West Virginia Polling Average: Clinton +31.8McCain vs. Obama: Obama +4.5McCain vs. Clinton: Clinton +4.8Michael Scherer offers McCain seven steps to defeat Obama.Clinton plays up West Virginia's significance.HI Sen Daniel Akaka, ME Dem Tom Allen, an HI super, and an ID super back Obama.LA Times thinks Clinton staying in the race affords Obama some cover in WV and KY.Stuart Rothenberg writes that 2008 has not been kind to pollsters.President Bush 's spiritual advisor is supporting Obama.Chelsea Clinton is campaigning in Puerto Rico this week.Does Clinton want on the ticket? NY Senator Chuck Schumer is now pushing the idea.Ben Smith offers several options for Clinton to end her presidential bid.Obama is turning his focus to the general election.McCain tried to break with President Bush in an environmental speech today.Expectations are getting out of hand for Clinton in WV.The Clinton campaign acknowledged they have $20 million worth of debts.Cindy McCai... More About: Barack Obama , Climate Change , Hillary Clinton
Ad Wars: Obama Talks Coal In Kentucky
2008-05-12 17:19:00 Check out our entire video library at Political Realm TV.Hillary Clinton Clinton's campaign released a televised version of the web ad they released this weekend in honor of Mother's Day. The ad features daughter Chelsea talking about her mother's values.Barack Obama The Obama campaign is airing a new ad, "Coal," in Kentucky, which holds its primary in two weeks. Obama appeals to blue collar coal workers in the ad, while offering clean coal as an alternative to the country's energy crisis.Senate Watch: New MexicoThe Republican primary is heating up in the race to succeed retiring Pete Domenici in New Mexico. Heather Wilson attacks House colleague Steve Pearce in her latest offering, "Fighting For New Mexico." The ad hits Pearce for voting against funding that would have benefited a military base in New Mexico.Meanwhile, the Club For Growth, a conservative group that has endorsed Pearce, is airing a new attack ad on Wilson. The ad hits Wilson for supporting the S-CHIP child he... More About: Iraq , Nancy Pelosi , Wars
Cartoon Monday
2008-05-12 13:40:00 If it's Monday, it's gotta be Cartoon Monday. Click on the thumbnails for the full sized images. Enjoy.Borrowed from here, here, and here. More About: Bush , Iraq , Cartoons , Barack Obama
The Links: Clinton's Downfall
2008-05-12 05:59:00 Served fresh (almost) daily...West Virginia Polling Average: Clinton +31McCain vs. Obama: Obama +1.7McCain vs. Clinton: Clinton +3.2The AP chronicles Clinton's downfall.AZ Dem Harry Mitchell, a CA super, an OH super, a UT super, and two Virgin Island supers (one switching from Clinton) back Obama.Clinton gets a Massachusetts super.Obama's camp has not discussed retiring debt with Clinton's team.CQ Politics projects an easy victory for Clinton in West Virginia.After an unpredictable primary, David Yepsen sees more of the same.John Edwards says "Obama will be the nominee."Obama says McCain's Keating Five history is on the table.The Times outlines strategies for McCain and Obama going forward.Obama and McCain may appear at joint town hall meetings this summer.Clinton is apparently open to lending her campaign more money.Two McCain aides resign over connections to Burma.Bill Clinton urges West Virginia voters to shock the world.A tired Obama tells supported he's visited 57 states.T... More About: President , Barack Obama , Hillary Clinton , Links
Quotable: When The Pantsuit Lady Sings
2008-05-12 01:35:00 "It's not over until the lady in the pantsuit says it is."--Hillary Clinton , quoting a supporter, on the end of her Democratic primary race with Barack Obama . More About: President , Quotes , Lady
Picture This: Father Of The Bride
2008-05-11 22:53:00 President Bush was the father of the bride this weekend, as his daughter Jenna married Henry Hager on the family's Texas ranch yesterday. "The wedding was spectacular. It was all we could have hoped for," the president said today. "We're mighty blessed." More About: George W , Picture , Bride , Father
Happy Mother's Day!
2008-05-11 19:05:00 Some classic Calvin and Hobbes for all the mothers out there (click on the cartoons for the full-sized images): More About: Cartoons , Happy
Ad Wars: Can We Ask?
2008-05-11 06:58:00 Check out our entire video library at Political Realm TV.Hillary Clinton Clinton released a new ad in Oregon, "Strongest Plan," which features Joe Wilson and Valerie Plame touting Clinton's plan to end the Iraq War.The Clinton campaign also released a new web video in honor of Mother's Day that features Chelsea talking about her mother.John McCainMcCain's latest general election ad, "Accountable," is slated to run in the battleground state of Iowa. The ad focuses on the economy--creating jobs, addressing the mortgage crisis, and restructuring the tax code.Barack Obama The Republican Party has launched a new web site CanWeAsk.com that hits Obama for apparently avoiding votes on tough issues. The site allows voters to submit questions for Obama to answer. The accompanying web video attacks Obama for voting present on a number of issues while in the Illinois Senate, mentions his "bitter" comments, and implies he doesn't have the experience to be president.Senate Watch: KentuckyDem... More About: Congress , President
Quotable: Superdelegate Trickle
2008-05-11 04:19:00 "The trickle is going to become an avalanche."--Superdelegate and Clinton-backer Don Fowler, on the movement of superdelegates to Barack Obama . More About: President , Hillary Clinton , Quotes
The Links: Nine Supers For Obama
2008-05-10 22:11:00 Served fresh (almost) daily...West Virginia Polling Average: Clinton +33McCain vs. Obama: Obama +3.2McCain vs. Clinton: Clinton +4.6Nine (!) supers for Obama: HI Dem Mazie Hirono, NJ Dem Donald Payne (switching from Clinton), OR Dem Peter DeFazio, a CA super, an NM super, an SC super, a VA super, the AFGE union and its superdelegate president, and Mr. Super.PA Dem Chris Carney, TX Dem Ciro Rodriguez, back Clinton.Bill Clinton argued with a voter in West Virginia.WaPo looks at McCain's involvement in a deal that helped a backer. McCain responds.Did John Edwards reveal his preference?An informal Obama adviser steps down after a meetings with Hamas.Clinton is gauging superdelegate support to see if she has a realistic chance.McCain will speak at the NRA convention in Kentucky next week.Clinton's camp is forced to cut spending as the race moves on.Matt Stoller looks at Obama's molding of the Democratic Party.McCain stops by The Factor.Clinton backer Lanny Davis is a whines again abou... More About: Bush , President , Barack Obama , Hillary Clinton
Quotable: Losing One's Bearings
2008-05-09 22:55:00 "I just want to report that this morning I personally checked John McCain 's bearings. He has not lost any of them. They are all in really great shape."--Senator Joe Lieberman , defending John McCain from recent criticism from Barack Obama . More About: President , Quotes
The Links: The Race Goes On
2008-05-09 06:58:00 Served fresh (almost) daily...West Virginia Polling Average: Clinton +28McCain vs. Obama: Obama +2.6McCain vs. Clinton: Clinton +3.9Clinton says the race goes on until there is a nominee and calls WV must-win.Her campaign chair says the race will be over in June.Obama takes his case to the supers on the Hill.Clinton writes to Obama about resolving Michigan and Florida.Former nominee and Clinton backer George McGovern (not a super) switches support to Obama and calls on her to leave the race.NC Dem Brad Miller, WA Dem Rick Larsen, a CA super, a VA super (switching from Clinton), and two NC supers also back Obama.NC Dem Heath Shuler and IN Dem Brad Ellsworth (maybe?) come out for Clinton.The Navy has released John McCain's service records.Marc Ambinder offers Clinton seven reason to stay in and leave the race.Obama Girl returns.Stuart Rothenberg offers his latest 2008 House Ratings.Chris Cillizza offers winners and losers out of IN and NC.Former Edwards campaign manager David Bonior ... More About: Congress , President , Barack Obama , Hillary Clinton , John Edwards
Ad Wars: McCain Courts Hispanics
2008-05-09 05:54:00 Check out our entire video library at Political Realm TV.John McCain McCain is courting Hispanic voters with the creation of a new Spanish language campaign site and the release of a new web video. In the video, McCain touts his Arizona background--a state with a large Latino population--while focusing on the economy and job creation. McCain also released a web video featuring his mother talking about his childhood in the days before Mother's Day. Gubernatorial Watch: IndianaRepublican Governor Mitch Daniels released two new ads this week. "Change That's Working" touts Daniels' economic record during his first term--noting job creation and economic growth without raising taxes."Done More" touches on much the same issues--job creation and low taxes--while painting the incumbent as a workhorse during his first three years in office.Senate Watch: KentuckyDemocrat Bruce Lunsford trumpets endorsements from various groups in his new ad, "Support."Senate Watch: MassachusettsJim Ogonows... More About: Congress , President , Wars , John Kerry
This Week In Fake News: Panderer's Box
2008-05-08 02:12:00 Around The Web McCain Vows To Replace Secret Service With His Own Bare FistsIn Stephanopoulos Interview, Clinton Complains About Getting First QuestionEconomic Stimulus Check Burned For WarmthPope Stays Up All Night Telling God About Trip To America The Empire Strikes Barack More About: News , Fake , Week
Quotable: Experience
2008-05-07 22:53:00 "The presidency of the United States is not an internship. He can read a prompter very well and energize a crowd, but he has not accomplished anything during his life in terms of legislation, or leading an enterprise, or making a business work, or a city work, or a state work. He really has very little experience."--Mitt Romney , suggesting Barack Obama isn't prepared to serve as president. More About: President , Quotes , Experience
Indiana, North Carolina Primary Results
2008-05-07 01:13:00 With Hillary Clinton winning the last three big contests in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas (which actually gave Obama a delegate win), tonight's races in North Carolina and Indiana are crucial for both campaigns. For Clinton, tonight offers the largest remaining delegate prize and the best opportunity for her to make up ground on her rival, while a loss in either state pushes the nomination further out of reach. For Obama, they provide an opportunity to end this race, while a split decision moves him closer to the 2,025 delegates he needs to clinch the nomination.As always, we'll be updating this post as we go tonight, so be sure to refresh your browser. Our live commentary on the contests can be found below.Indiana (95% Reporting)Hillary Clinton 51%Barack Obama 49%North Carlina (99% Reporting)Barack Obama 56%Hillary Clinton 42% Indiana offers Democrats 72 delegates, while North Carolina brings 115 delegates. Notes[6:19PM CST] Check out our primer on tonight's races for our exp... More About: Results
Prepping Indiana And North Carolina
2008-05-07 00:56:00 Even Guam, the far off island in the Pacific that is home to fewer than 200,000 people, is not immune to the intense political battle that is the 2008 Democratic Presidential Primary. Just seven votes separated Barack Obama from Hillary Clinton in this weekend's caucuses, splitting four delegates between the two camps--a microcosm of the race that has divided the Democratic Party.Today, all eyes turn to Indiana and North Carolina --two states that hold the largest delegate prize remaining on the calendar. While the media, the party, and Clinton and Obama partisans are hoping tonight's results will provide a knockout blow or a game-changing turnaround, the two states are likely to provide an all too familiar outcome: another split decision. Tonight probably won't bring this race to an end, but the stakes remain high nonetheless for both Clinton and Obama.Clinton comes into tonight having won the last three big primaries in Ohio, Texas (which actually gave Obama more delegates), and...
The Links: Pre-Results Edition
2008-05-06 22:21:00 Served fresh (almost) daily...Indiana Polling Average: Clinton +4.2North Carolina Polling Average: Obama +7.3Al Gore says he may still endorse during primary season.Newt Gingrich warns Republicans of pending doom in November.Turnout is reportedly heavy, as usual, in today's contests.McCain goes judicial in a speech today, knocking those big, bad "activist judges."Politico gives us five things to watch for in Indiana and North Carolina tonight.Hillary Clinton gave the Top Ten list on Letterman last night.Fred Thompson returned to the campaign trial for John McCain today.An Obama campaign office in Indiana was vandalized Sunday night.CQ Politics offers VP Madness.Nathan Gonzales suggests 2010 could see a lot of open seats in the House as representatives in both parties look to move up the political food chain.Tuesday Tunes: Layla (Unplugged)This day in history: The Hindenburg blew up in New Jersey in 1937. More About: Results , Links , Edition
Ad Wars: Obama, Clinton Continue To Spar
2008-05-06 17:38:00 Check out our entire video library at Political Realm TV.Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton continue to spar before the crucial contests in Indiana and North Carolina today. The two Democrats have been duking it out on the air over a proposed gas tax holiday, which Clinton (and McCain) supports and Obama opposes. Each has accused the other of going negative, though neither campaign has been especially hard-hitting on the issue. Hillary ClintonClinton asks "What's happened to Barack Obama?" in her latest ad, playing the victim in the back-and-forth over the gas tax holiday. For the record, it was Clinton who struck first on the gas tax issue, at least in television advertising. With all the ads flooding the airwaves on the issue in last week, voters aren't likely to remember though. The Clinton spot again suggests the tax holiday will save Americans $8 billion--which the ad says "Obama wants you to keep paying."Barack ObamaObama has responded in familiar fashion, decrying the old s... More About: Wars , Spar
Quotable: Counting Clinton Out
2008-05-06 15:47:00 "Never count a Clinton out until they're out. But I'd be surprised--not shocked, but surprised--if she won the nomination."--Charles Black, an adviser to John McCain , on the Democratic primary battle. More About: President , Hillary Clinton , Quotes
The Links: Clinton Goes Nuclear?
2008-05-06 04:10:00 Served fresh (almost) daily...Indiana Polling Average: Clinton +5.8North Carolina Polling Average: Obama +7.7More than 140,000 new voters have registered in Indiana.Mark Halperin looks at the media spin you'll hear over the next week.Obama gets two more MD supers and one at-large super. Clinton gets a half super.A gas tax holiday, supported by Clinton and McCain, is unlikely to pass the Senate.CQ Politics predicts a slim delegate victory for Obama in North Carolina.A cyclone in Myanmar has killed more than 15,000 people.The Rezko trial is nearing its conclusion in Chicago.When "socialized medicine" isn't...Barack Obama : Manchurian candidate?Thomas Edsall reports that Clinton is considering a nuclear option to seat FL and MI.Marc Ambinder isn't sure her campaign could pull it off even if it tried.John McCain en espaņol.Oprah left Trinity in the mid-1990s in part because of Wright.Clinton will be on the Late Show with David Letterman tonight.Monday Tunes: House Of The Rising SunTh... More About: President , Nuclear , Hillary Clinton , Links
Ad Wars: Down Ballot Races Heating Up
2008-05-06 02:12:00 Check out our entire video library at Political Realm TV.Gubernatorial Watch: North CarolinaDemocrat Bev Perdue talks about improving educational to open up better job opportunities, fueling the economy in her latest ad, "Jobs And Education."Republican Bill Graham portrays himself as the outsider who can change Raleigh in his new ad, "We Can Do It."Republican Pat McCrory says he's running for governor to change the politics as usual and end corruption in Raleigh in his new spot, "A Change Is Coming."Senate Watch: ColoradoAn outside group, Campaign Money Watch, is airing a new ad in Colorado noting Republican Bob Schaffer's ties to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.Senate Watch: GeorgiaDemocrat Josh Lanier, a Vietnam veteran and something of a long shot in the field, has produced a new web video that will please a number of left-leaners. The ad, "Boomerang," attacks Saxby Chambliss for failing to support American troops. The ad is an homage to a now infamous attack ad Chambliss use... More About: Congress , Wars , Gordon Smith , Races , Heating
Quotable: Cojones
2008-05-05 18:02:00 "If she gave him one of her cojones, they'd both have two."--Clinton adviser James Carville, on the toughness of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama . More About: President , Quotes , Cojones
Cartoon Monday: Cinco De Mayo
2008-05-05 14:21:00 Borrowed from here, here, and here. More About: Cartoon , Iran , President , Cartoons , Barack Obama
Ad Wars: Closing Arguments
2008-05-05 06:09:00 Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have released their closing arguments in Indiana and North Carolina, continuing to fight over the proposal of a gas tax holiday. Meanwhile, John McCain has released two new general election ads, while left-leaning groups prepare their attacks.Check out our entire video library at Political Realm TV.Hillary ClintonThe Clinton campaign has released a new ad featuring poet Maya Angelou. In "Maya," the Clinton supporter talks about the troubles Americans face and Clinton's readiness to fight for the middle class."Determined" features North Carolina Governor Mike Easley, a new Clinton backer, talking about Clinton's plan to turn around the economy, improve our education system, and bring health care to all."Dreams" is a biographical spot that emphasizes Clinton's connection to the middle class. The ad will air in Indiana and also notes Clinton's roots in neighboring Illinois (after pushing her Pennsylvania background a few weeks ago).Clinton has also... More About: Iraq , President , Barack Obama , Wars
The Links: Seven Votes
2008-05-05 05:01:00 Served fresh (almost) daily...Indiana Polling Average: Clinton +5.5North Carolina Polling Average: Obama +10.6Obama won the Guam caucuses by seven votes, they each get two delegates.John McCain is leading his own veep search.Obama supers: CA Dem Lois Capps, IA Dem Bruce Braley, IN Dem Baron Hill, KY Dem Ben Chandler, and minor superdelegates from Guam, IA, MD, NM, SC, TX, and 3 from Illinois.Clinton supers: MO Dem Ike Skelton, and minors superdelegates from CT, MD, PA, Puerto Rico, TX, and 4 from New York.The NY Times looks at the impact of crossover voting.The Charlotte Observer in NC and the Courier-Journal in KY back Obama.Will McCain's campaign end like Ronald Reagan's or Bob Dole's?Democrat Dan Cazayoux won the House special election in Louisiana's 6th District yesterday, making him the newest Dem superdelegate.Chris Cillizza looks at the top ten controversies/gaffes of the campaign season.New York Republican Vito Fossella was arrested for drunk driving.Useless celebrity en... More About: Congress , President , Barack Obama , Hillary Clinton , Links
Picture This: Chicken?
More articles from this author:2008-05-02 16:02:00 Clinton supporters protested outside of Obama's Indianapolis campaign office this week, suggesting he is afraid to debate their candidate. Obama has announced he will not accept another debate offer before Indiana and North Carolina vote next week. He had previously accepted a debate offer in North Carolina, which Clinton declined. More About: President , Barack Obama , Hillary Clinton , Picture , Chicken 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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